What Managers Do

What Managers Do

Managers are central to the success of any organization, as they are responsible for overseeing and coordinating various activities to achieve specific goals. Their roles are multifaceted and encompass a wide range of functions and responsibilities. Henry Mintzberg, a prominent management scholar, identified that understanding what managers actually do involves looking beyond traditional functional approaches to managerial tasks. He categorized managerial behaviors into three primary areas: interpersonal, informational, and decisional roles. This comprehensive framework provides insight into the diverse and dynamic nature of managerial work.

1. Interpersonal Roles

Interpersonal roles focus on the interactions managers have with others within and outside their organizations. These roles are essential for building relationships, fostering teamwork, and ensuring effective communication.

• Figurehead: In the figurehead role, managers serve as a symbolic representative of their organization. This involves performing various ceremonial duties, such as signing official documents, hosting visitors, and attending events. For example, a manager may represent the organization at a community function or a conference. While these tasks may seem trivial, they reinforce the manager’s authority and the organization’s presence in the community.

• Leader: As leaders, managers play a crucial role in motivating and guiding their teams. This involves hiring, training, and developing employees, as well as setting performance expectations and providing feedback. An effective leader fosters a positive work environment by recognizing individual contributions and addressing any conflicts within the team. For instance, a manager might implement team-building activities to enhance collaboration among team members and align their individual aspirations with the organization’s goals.

• Liaison: The liaison role requires managers to connect with individuals outside their direct reporting lines. This involves building relationships with external stakeholders such as suppliers, clients, and industry peers. By cultivating a network of contacts, managers can gather valuable information and resources that can benefit their organization. For example, a manager may attend industry conferences to establish relationships with potential partners or to stay informed about market trends.

2. Informational Roles

Informational roles emphasize the importance of information in decision-making processes within organizations. Managers act as the primary source of information, both receiving and disseminating it to ensure the smooth functioning of their teams.

• Monitor: In the monitor role, managers actively seek out information about internal operations and external factors that could impact the organization. This involves scanning the environment for data, trends, and changes that could affect decision-making. For example, a manager might analyze sales reports, conduct market research, or hold regular meetings with team members to gather insights on performance and challenges.

• Disseminator: Managers play a vital role in distributing information to their subordinates. As disseminators, they share important updates, changes in policy, or strategic directions that need to be communicated throughout the organization. This ensures that all team members are aligned and informed. For instance, a manager might hold a team meeting to discuss recent developments in the industry and how they relate to the team’s objectives, ensuring that everyone understands the implications for their work.

• Spokesperson: In the spokesperson role, managers represent their organizations to external stakeholders. They communicate information regarding the organization’s performance, policies, and initiatives to various audiences, including customers, investors, and the media. This role is critical for managing the organization’s reputation and ensuring transparency. For example, a manager might give interviews or press releases to inform the public about a new product launch or the company’s social responsibility efforts.

3. Decisional Roles

Decisional roles involve the various choices managers must make to guide their organizations effectively. These roles are crucial for problem-solving and resource management.

• Entrepreneur: Managers in the entrepreneur role are proactive in seeking opportunities for innovation and improvement within their organizations. They initiate changes, develop new products, or enhance existing processes to adapt to changing market conditions. For instance, a manager might lead a project to implement a new technology that increases efficiency and reduces costs.

• Disturbance Handler: In this role, managers address unexpected challenges and crises that arise within the organization. Whether it’s dealing with a sudden drop in sales, a supply chain disruption, or employee conflicts, managers must act swiftly to find solutions and mitigate negative impacts. For example, if a major supplier fails to deliver on time, a manager may need to negotiate with alternative suppliers to ensure production continues without significant delays.

• Resource Allocator: As resource allocators, managers are responsible for determining how resources such as budget, personnel, and equipment are distributed within the organization. They must prioritize tasks and projects, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to achieve organizational goals. For instance, a manager might need to decide which projects receive funding based on their potential return on investment and alignment with strategic objectives.

• Negotiator: The negotiator role involves managers engaging in discussions and agreements with various stakeholders. This could include negotiating contracts with suppliers, resolving disputes with employees, or collaborating with other organizations. Effective negotiation skills are essential for achieving favorable outcomes and maintaining positive relationships. For example, a manager may negotiate a contract with a vendor that provides essential services to the organization, ensuring that both parties benefit from the agreement.

Integrating Roles and Functions

It is important to note that neither the functional approach nor the role approach provides a complete insight into the complexities of a manager’s daily routine. Managers should integrate the role-oriented approach with the traditional process approach to effectively execute their responsibilities. As Jon Pierce noted, it is through the interpersonal, informational, and decisional roles that managers carry out planning, organizing, directing, and controlling functions.

For example, while a manager may spend time developing a strategic plan (planning function), they must also communicate that plan to their team (informational role), motivate their employees to achieve it (interpersonal role), and allocate resources accordingly (decisional role).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the roles that managers play in organizations are diverse and dynamic. Understanding what managers do requires a comprehensive view that encompasses interpersonal interactions, information processing, and decision-making responsibilities. By effectively navigating these roles, managers ensure their teams operate efficiently and adapt to the ever-changing business landscape. Their ability to balance these roles is crucial for organizational success, as it directly impacts employee performance, resource utilization, and overall achievement of strategic objectives.