What Do Managers Do?
The Roles Managers Play
Managerial Responsibilities
Variations in Managerial Work
Key Terms
100

They “switch frequently from task to task, changing their focus of attention to respond to issues as they arise, and engaging in a large volume of tasks of short duration.”

Managers

100

Host receptions; take clients and customers to dinner; meet with business prospects and partners; conduct hiring and performance interviews; and form alliances, friendships, and personal relationships with many others.

Interpersonal Roles

100

Managers continually oversee the work of their subordinates.

Supervision

100

The ability to use the tools, procedures, and techniques of their special areas. 

Technical Skills

100

The level of management directly managing nonmanagerial employees.

First-line Management

200

These appear to be a natural part of the management job.

Interruptions

200

Ultimately, managers are charged with the responsibility of making decisions on behalf of both the organization and the stakeholders with an interest in it.

Decisional Roles

200

Certain managers are involved in direct contact with customers and potential customers.

Customer Relations and Marketing

200

The ability to work with people and understand employee motivation and group processes.

Human Relations Skills

200

The managers in an organization at a level just below that of senior executives.

Middle Management

300

Studied a number of successful general managers over a five-year period and found that they spend most of their time with others.

Kotter

300

Gather, collate, analyze, store, and disseminate many kinds of information.

Informational Role

300

Managers occupying executive positions are frequently involved in strategic planning and development.

Longe-range planning

300

The ability to see the organization as a whole and to understand how various parts fit together to work as an integrated unit.

Conceptual Skills

300

Generally, a team of individuals at the highest level of management of an organization.

Executive Managers

400

At the top of the hierarchy and are responsible for the entire organization, especially its strategic direction.

Executive Management

400

Resource allocator involves managers making decisions about who gets what, how much, when, and why.

Decisional Role

400

Managers evaluate and take corrective action concerning the allocation and use of human, financial, and material resources.

Controlling

400

Concentrate their efforts on technical issues.

Front-line Managers

400

Motivate, train, counsel, communicate and direct subordinates.

Leader

500

Supervise rank-and-file employees and carry out day-to-day activities within departments.

First-line Managers

500

This role, in which managers establish and maintain contacts outside the vertical chain of command...

Liaison Role

500

Managers get involved in planning, scheduling, and monitoring the design, development, production, and delivery of the organization’s products and services.

Monitoring products and services

500

Senior executives will devote more of their time to..

Conceptual Issues

500

Transmit information to people outside the organization

Spokesperson

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