The Art of Directing: How to order your people to do the work with their willingness and commitment

” When you order people to do something, for them to do it with their heart and soul, you’ll need to master the Art of Directing. “

Atip Muangsuwan
CEO Coach and Coach Supervisor

Recently, there was a coaching dialogue between Anna, a leadership coaching client, and Atip, the coach.

Anna: Coach Atip, I’ve been hearing a lot about different leadership styles lately And I’ve just finished your article on the “Personalized Leadership”. And I have one question for you. Can you tell me more about the P1 Quadrant in your framework, “The Directing” style? How can I do the directing style for my people at work?

Coach Atip: Of course, Anna! Let me share with you. I call it, “The Art of Directing”. It is a crucial aspect of effective leadership. It’s all about directing your team to do their work willingly and effectively.

Anna: That sounds interesting. Can you tell me more?

Coach Atip: Sure! There are four key steps in “The Art of Directing.” Let’s go through them together.

Anna: I’m ready to learn!

Coach Atip: The first step is Purpose. Before giving your team orders or instructions, you should explain the purpose(s) or objectives of the assignment. Tell them the “Why.” This helps them feel engaged and understand the importance of their work.

Anna: So, it’s about making sure they know the reason behind their tasks?

Coach Atip: Exactly! When people understand the “Why,” they are more motivated to do the work.

The second step is Expectations. After explaining the “Why,” you should let them know your expectations. What do you expect as the results or outcomes of the assignment? What do you expect from them in terms of their learning, development, and growth? You can set the goals of the assignment together and ask for their input. This way, they feel more involved and committed.

Anna: I see. Setting clear expectations and involving them in goal-setting can boost their engagement.

Coach Atip: Absolutely! The third step is Instructions. Now, you can give them the instructions on how to do the assignment. But remember, this should be a dialogue, not a monologue. Make it a two-way communication. Clarify and verify their understanding by asking for their thoughts and feedback.

Anna: So, it’s not just about giving orders but also ensuring they understand and feel comfortable with the instructions.

Coach Atip: Exactly Anna! You’re reflecting by summarizing my key messages very well. Seems like you’re an effective coach-leader now. Wow!

Anna: Thank you. I’ve definitely learned it from you, coach Atip! You’re not just coaching me, but you’re also teaching me how to use the “coach approach” for my people at work, too!

Coach Atip: Awesome! The final step is Check-in. You should do regular check-ins with them to ask about the progress of the assignment. Provide feedback on both positive areas and areas for development. This helps them learn, grow, and stay motivated.

Anna: Regular check-ins and feedback sound like a great way to keep them on track and support their development.

Coach Atip: Absolutely! By mastering “The Art of Directing,” you’ll ensure your people feel highly engaged and motivated to do the work for you, for the organization, and for themselves. They’ll do the work with their heart and soul.

Anna: Thank you for sharing this, Coach Atip. I feel more confident about directing my people now.

Coach Atip: You’re welcome, Anna! If you’d like to learn more about “The Art of Leadership,” let’s continue our discussions. There’s always more to explore and improve as an effective leader.

Anna: Certainly! Let me go read the articles in your website some more, then when I have a question, I’ll come back to you.

Coach Atip: Sounds good to me. Thanks Anna for becoming a big fan of my website’s articles!

For leaders, if you want to learn and be coached on leadership topics like Anna, let’s talk. Together, we can explore and discover the leadership styles that you can apply and will help you become unstoppable in achieving your goals and successes as an effective leader.

About Atip Muangsuwan: Atip Muangsuwan is the Founder & CEO of The Best Coach International Co., Ltd. He is a CEO & UHNWI Coach, Certified Mentor & Supervisor for global executive coaches, Holistic Life Transformation Expert, Business & Life Strategist, and Corporate Facilitator/Trainer. With a proven track record of helping clients achieve their career goals and job promotions, Atip is dedicated to supporting individuals in their personal and professional growth.