Understanding Managerial Roles and Leadership Styles

Posted on Aug 4, 2025 in Business Administration and Management (BAM)

Understanding Managers

Managers are workers responsible for one or more subordinates within an organization. They are administrators of the organization, in charge of a functional unit, ensuring goals and objectives are achieved. Managers are those who apply management principles to achieve organizational objectives efficiently and effectively.

Manager Classifications

  1. According to Organizational Hierarchy:

    • Executives (Top Management): CEO, President, Deputy, Director. Typically not beyond the 3rd level in large organizations. Requires high-quality HR and high-level professionals.
    • Middle Management Leaders: Unit Head, Department Head, Bureau Chief, or Section Chief. Requires HR with formal preparation.

  2. Depending on Degree of Specialization:

    • Functional Managers: Responsible for a specific functional area (e.g., Production Manager, HR Manager, Marketing Manager, Finance Manager, Department Head, Administration Manager, etc.).
    • General Managers: Responsible for multiple areas (e.g., Dean, Rector).

Key Characteristics of Managers

  1. In Relation to Their Activities:

    • All managers have obligations.
    • They feel pressure to act in all directions.
    • They are compelled to make decisions (related to their field of action).
    • Authority is implicit, making them responsible for representing their decisions.
    • Managers have limitations and restrictions related to decision-making.

  2. In Relation to Their Capabilities:

    • Technical Skill: Managers must possess specific domain knowledge of the subjects they are responsible for. Staff will respect their knowledge, fostering confidence.
    • Conceptual Ability: Every manager should understand their position, meaning:
      1. Understand who makes decisions, acknowledging limitations and the impact on all affected parties. Why is it?
      2. Know their position, who their subordinates are, and who their boss is. Understand their place in the organizational hierarchy. Where is he?

Purpose of Managers

  • Manage the organization, unit, or group in charge.
  • Make decisions for the achievement of objectives and goals.
  • Coordinate available resources: material, financial, and human. (Consider the entire production function and scope).

General and Specific Responsibilities of Managers

  1. Development of Basic Management Functions (from an HR Perspective):

    • COORDINATE: Ensure that each point is executed correctly, logically, efficiently, and effectively, with all elements articulated.
    • Schedule: Plan work, objectives, and goals for the people in their charge.
    • Direct: Guide, give orders, lead, teach, motivate, and communicate.
    • Organize: Structure where workers will be placed; allocate resources efficiently.
    • Control: Measure individual and group results against objectives and planned targets. Correct the actions of subordinates or groups.

  2. Development of Specific Roles:

    • Interpersonal Roles: Representative, Leader, Link.
    • Informational Roles: Supervisor, Spokesperson.
    • Decisional Roles: Entrepreneur (intra-entrepreneur), Troubleshooter, Resource Allocator, Negotiator.

Understanding Different Manager Personalities

  • The Friend: They want to be your best friend and have fun all the time. They will not like getting into trouble.
  • The Good Manager: Good managers treat everyone fairly despite office politics. Communication is key; a good manager has an open-door policy.
  • The Deity: These individuals believe they are infallible. Often found in religious or missionary organizations. You should address this manager as they wish, following their rules and creating the illusion that you are doing things their way.
  • The Masochist: This type of manager believes punishment is deserved. They will absorb any ill behavior into their world, gathering a crowd of co-dependents.
  • The Machiavellian: This manager sees the world as a huge pyramid where the top position belongs to them. You may be wounded or wound others, but do not take it personally; it is not about you and never was.
  • The Paranoid: This person is suspicious of everyone’s motives, including yours. Everything you do might be perceived as an attempt to undermine them.