Leadership skills are essential in any role—businesses need to ensure they'll hire someone who can handle the responsibility of being in charge. This makes the action verb 'directed' a strong choice for your resume. It implies that you can plan, organize, coordinate and control a project from beginning to end.

When crafting your resume, however, it's important to remember that using the same word repeatedly gives the impression of a lack of creativity and diversity. You want to make sure that you don't sound like a robot or someone who just copied and pasted their resume.

To resolve this, try using synonyms for the action verb 'directed,' such as 'headed,' 'presided,' 'drove,' and more. These words can help you avoid sounding repetitive while showing off your skills and abilities.

Using synonyms shows that you can think creatively and come up with different ways to describe your capabilities so that it doesn't sound monotonous or dull to read. It also shows that you're not afraid to challenge yourself by trying new things, which is essential in all fields, but especially in careers where leading and managing are the main focus.

I've compiled some synonyms you can use instead of Directed on your resume, followed by real examples I've written for clients (feel free to use them!).

Resume Synonyms for Directed:

Guided
Pioneered
Coordinated
Mobilized
Steered
Orchestrated
Undertook
Navigated
Initiated
Sanctioned
Chaired
Managed
Engineered
Empowered
Operationalized
Funneled
Channeled
Consolidated
Charged
Stewarded
Drove
Trained
Routed
Ushered
Motivated
Educated
Groomed
Inspired
Suggested
Headed
Mapped
Magnified
Presented
Presided

How to replace Directed with a stronger action verb:

Let's look at examples of how you can remove and replace the overused phrase, Directed, with a stronger synonym and alternative that is more effective at highlighting your achievements.

Before: Weak example using Directed

• Directed teams on launch training initiatives

⤸

After: Using a stronger synonym• Designed 12+ internal training programs and mentored teams on various technology initiatives, slashing $50K from the yearly training costs. .

Replacing Directed with Guided ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed process improvement discussions

⤸

After: Guided• Guided employee discussion boards that led to a 30% increase in productivity, through refinement of over 5 major operational processes across various channels.

As a hiring manager, I'd want to show the exact impact of the candidate's leadership. Therefore, I used the synonym 'Guided' and included specific numbers to highlight their impact in a concrete and measurable way.

Tip: I've prepared a ton of additional examples for you to give you inspiration. Please click on any of the following to expand and see real examples of how I've rewritten client bullet points.

Replacing Directed with Pioneered ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed strategic project rollouts

⤸

After: Pioneered• Pioneered the successful rollout of a high-priority international project ahead of schedule, reducing labor costs by 15% and boosting client satisfaction by 35%.

By changing 'Directed' to 'Pioneered', the bullet point now communicates to hiring managers the candidate's proactive role. Including clear metrics and specific outcomes makes the candidate's achievements more tangible and impressive.

Replacing Directed with Coordinated ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed team operations

⤸

After: Coordinated• Coordinated team operations which led to a 25% increase in efficiency, by implementing employee training sessions and streamlining workflow processes.

To improve this bullet point, I made sure we were more specific about what was done. I also changed the action verb to 'Coordinated' which gives the reader a thorough understanding of the candidate's active role.

Replacing Directed with Mobilized ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed team of engineers for product development

⤸

After: Mobilized• Mobilized a multi-functional team of 12 engineers, propelling a 20% increased product launch speed by instituting a faster Scrum Agile workflow.

By using the verb 'Mobilized' and giving specifics about the candidate's actions and their impact, we give hiring managers a more vibrant picture of the candidate's leadership and initiative to make positive changes.

Replacing Directed with Steered ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed sales strategy

⤸

After: Steered• Steered the development of a targeted sales strategy, resulting in a strong 35% increase in quarterly revenue and significant market expansion.

By replacing 'Directed' with 'Steered', I emphasized proactive, impactful leadership. Including concrete results underscores the value and success of the candidate's coordinated efforts.

Replacing Directed with Orchestrated ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed marketing campaigns

⤸

After: Orchestrated• Orchestrated innovative, data-driven marketing campaigns that amplified brand exposure, boosting web traffic by 60% and increasing lead generation by 40%.

I replaced 'Directed' with 'Orchestrated' to showcase organization and planning ability. With specific metrics, there's a clear showcasing of the concrete impact the candidate made.

Replacing Directed with Undertook ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed cost-saving initiatives

⤸

After: Undertook• Undertook strategic cost-saving initiatives that streamlined supply chain processes, helping the company save over $1M annually.

By using 'Undertook' and giving specifics about the tasks performed and results accomplished, we paint a vivid picture of the candidate's role and the significant financial impact they achieved.

Replacing Directed with Navigated ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed software upgrade transitions

⤸

After: Navigated• Successfully navigated complex software transitions, saving 15% on IT costs while minimizing downtime by ensuring the timely training of over 200 employees.

Instead of ‘Directed’, I used ‘Navigated’ and stated clear benefits of reduced costs and minimized downtime to depict the candidate's strategic planning and execution abilities.

Replacing Directed with Initiated ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed process automation projects

⤸

After: Initiated• Initiated process automation projects reducing resource wastage by 30% and improving output quality by introducing stringent compliance checks.

The meaningful verb 'Initiated' signals a proactive approach and provides a stronger, clear visual of the candidate's action and its positive fallout, unlike the vague verb 'Directed'.

Replacing Directed with Sanctioned ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed policy changes

⤸

After: Sanctioned• Sanctioned and implemented essential policy changes that improved employee welfare – reducing health incidents by 40% and increasing overall employee satisfaction by 35%.

The term ‘Sanctioned’ gives off an air of authority and decisive action, providing a better understanding of the candidate’s role than 'Directed'. Detailed outcomes make the impact clearer and more compelling.

Replacing Directed with Chaired ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed weekly team meeting

⤸

After: Chaired• Chaired weekly meetings that fostered open communication, leading to a 15% reduction in project turnaround time and improving team synergy.

By switching 'Directed' with 'Chaired', we emphasize the candidate's leadership skills. Furthermore, including specific results achieved enforces the candidate's impact on the team and overall productivity.

Replacing Directed with Managed ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed project completion

⤸

After: Managed• Managed timely completion of a $5M project while maintaining 10% under budget by effectively allocating resources and streamlining processes.

Replacing 'Directed' with 'Managed' emphasizes a stronger ownership and control. Quantifiable results are included to give a clearer overview of the candidate's impact.

Replacing Directed with Engineered ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed product launch

⤸

After: Engineered• Engineered the product launch that catapulted sales by 200%, winning 'Product of The Year' in a leading industry publication.

I've used 'Engineered' to create a more compelling image, hinting at meticulous planning and execution. The inclusion of specific, quantifiable results demonstrates a lasting, substantial impact.

Replacing Directed with Empowered ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed job training for staff

⤸

After: Empowered• Empowered staff with targeted job training, reducing average onboarding time by 30% and increasing overall staff productivity by 15%.

'Empowered' better portrays a proactive role in nurturing the team's growth. A definitive percentage figure reinforces the value of these trainings.

Replacing Directed with Operationalized ▾

Before: Directed

• Directed business expansion

⤸

After: Operationalized• Operationalized business expansion in 3 new international markets, contributing 25% to annual revenue growth and increasing customer base by 30%.

Replacing 'Directed' with 'Operationalized' instills a sense of the candidate’s hands-on involvement. It provides a clear picture of the achievement, including tangible metrics to highlight the success.

How to use these synonyms in practice

We've put together an infographic to give you more examples of how to put this into practice. Note the use of strong action verbs instead of words like Directed.

More resume bullet point samples that use strong synonyms

How to use Analyzed on a resume:

• Analyzed $800K of monthly marketing spend data to optimize audience, creative and copy of campaigns; increased conversion by 12% MoM and decreased cost per acquisition by 35%.

How to use Created on a resume:

• Created and maintained models for M&A plans, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Product SVA Analysis, Credit Risk Assessment Models, and Common Stock Liquidity Comparisons.

How to use Conducted on a resume:

• Conducted private equity due diligence in $400M portfolio. Performed strategic and analytical valuation of assets based on interviews with experts and created extensive models of the industries; persuaded client to move forward with acquisition.

How to use Liaised on a resume:

• Liaised with marketing to drive email and social media advertising efforts, using predictive modeling and clustering, resulting in a 35% increase in revenue.

How to use Led on a resume:

• Led multi-disciplinary 7 person team to design, develop, and launch online e-commerce store; prioritized and resolved 45+ new features and bug fixes.

How to use Enabled on a resume:

• Enabled integration with existing systems by creating tool that extracts metadata from images and provides metadata to a system-wide search database..

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for Directed on a resume?

Here are some synonyms for commonly repeated words, like Directed, I see on resumes:

Motivated
Magnified
Drove
Funneled
Presided
Groomed

What can I say instead of Directed on a resume?

Generic language like Directed are considered to be buzzwords because they're used so often. Consider using synonyms like Inspired, Presided, Magnified, Drove, Mapped or Headed.

Get a free resume review: Find out if your action verbs are strong enough.

Don't forget to upload your resume to the tool below for a free resume review. Our platform will instantly scan it for common things hiring managers look for and tell you where it falls short. You'll get instant feedback on your action verbs, bullet points and skills.

Related resume examples

Art Director

Junior Art Director

Go To Download Page

Senior Art Director

Go To Download Page

Art Director

Go To Download Page

Go to the full Art Director Resume Guide or Art Director CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

Digital Marketing

Email Marketing Specialist

Go To Download Page

Senior Digital Marketing Manager

Go To Download Page

Digital Marketing Intern

Go To Download Page

Entry Level Digital Marketing

Go To Download Page

Digital Marketing Manager

Go To Download Page

Go to the full Digital Marketing Resume Guide or Digital Marketing CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

Project Administrator

Construction Project Administrator

Go To Download Page

Project Administrator

Go To Download Page

Go to the full Project Administrator Resume Guide or Project Administrator CV Guide to see and download more proven templates.

Get a free resume review

Get expert feedback on your resume, instantly. Our free AI-powered resume checker scores your resume on key criteria recruiters and hiring managers look for. Get actionable steps to revamp your resume and land more interviews.

Upload Resume

Jump to another phrase