Directing Leadership Style

The Directing Leadership Style was first described by Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard in the late 1960s.  The Directing leader clearly provides specific instructions, defines the roles and tasks of the "follower," and closely supervises task accomplishment.  Decisions are made by the leader and announced to the followers, so communication style is largely one-way.

The directing leadership style is most appropriate when the followers are inexperienced.  For example, when there is a large flow of new personnel into the organization, the directing leader should be very explicit in directing subordinates.