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Another thread within the Management - Leadership discussion...

What is the management function of "direction"?

It seems as if direction is narrowly defined as a Manager "telling" (maybe
too strong an image) subordinates what to do. If this is direction, then
the part "leadership" plays is different.

However, it seems that direction in the broad concept is setting the course
for the company, product line, or office, etc., depending upon management
level. If this is direction, then the "telling" part is actually an
implementation form of communication or leadership style.

Ken Hawks

Kenneth B. Hawks
RL/C3AA
525 Brooks Road
Rome NY 13441-4505
hawksk@rl.af.mil

Telling is what top down "communication" is. Sharing, obtaining
"buying-in" is what managers I KNOW obtain! My managers! K. Kemper
>
>Another thread within the Management - Leadership discussion...
>
>What is the management function of "direction"?
>
>It seems as if direction is narrowly defined as a Manager "telling" (maybe
>too strong an image) subordinates what to do. If this is direction, then
>the part "leadership" plays is different.
>
>However, it seems that direction in the broad concept is setting the course
>for the company, product line, or office, etc., depending upon management
>level. If this is direction, then the "telling" part is actually an
>implementation form of communication or leadership style.
>
>Ken Hawks
>
>Kenneth B. Hawks
>RL/C3AA
>525 Brooks Road
>Rome NY 13441-4505
>hawksk@rl.af.mil
>
>

--
Talk entrepreneurshp with me
entre@aztec.asu.edu
602-279-0561 office fax 602-955-5459

K. KEMPER writes:

>Telling is what top down "communication" is. Sharing, obtaining
>"buying-in" is what managers I KNOW obtain! My managers!

If _your key people_ can only feel safe responding to what you will
allow them to communicate about both _to_ and _with_ you, how do you gain a
sense for what no one else may be saying, for fear of being fired, that may
cover some aspect of your business environment that you may actually _need_
to know more about in a very turbulent marketplace?
Do you ever wonder about that?

Michele Grottola
ABD, Cornell University