| Basis | Staffing | Directing |
| Meaning | Staffing is the process of filling job vacancies and retaining the recruited employees. | Directing is the process of instructing, motivating, guiding and leading people to work to the best of their capabilities in order to achieve the predetermined goals and objectives. |
| Objective | To meet the human resource requirements of the organisation. | To get the work done in the right manner. |
| Order | It comes after organising | It comes after staffing |
| Level of management | Staffing is done by the middlelevel management. | Directions are given by the managers at every level of any organisation. |
| Areas of function | Recruitment, training, development and promotion of employees are the areas covered under staffing. | Instructing, guiding and motivating employees are the functions that come under directing. |
