What to know about managerial responsibilities
More than a boss, a manager is the glue that holds a team together. How they choose to lead can impact an entire workplace, influencing things like how productive and collaborative a team is, as well as the culture.
Managers carry out a wide range of tasks that come under the umbrella of ‘management responsibility’. There are also different levels of management, from those at the very top, who make company-wide decisions, to those who take care of day-to-day operations. These managers, and all of the managers in between, each have a different set of responsibilities.
If you’re starting a management position or have your sights set on leadership, you might be wondering exactly what’s involved in a managerial role and if you have all the skills you need.
In this article we cover typical managerial responsibilities, the skills required, and how you can improve your skill set, no matter what level you’re at.
- What are managers' responsibilities?
- Types of management responsibilities at work
- Types of managers in the workplace
- Skills you need to be a manager
- FAQ
What are managers’ responsibilities?
Managers play a critical role in the success of an organisation. They not only have to make sure people are completing their duties on time, but good managers also guide, motivate, inspire and support their team members. They shoulder many responsibilities, like setting goals, reporting to upper management, leading and advocating for their team, and ensuring their team has everything it needs to succeed.
While their specific responsibilities can change from role to role, a great manager can create the right environment for achieving individual and collective goals.
Types of management responsibilities at work
In any workplace, managers have a variety of important jobs and responsibilities that help the team work together. Here are some of the main areas of responsibility for a manager.
Planning for organisational goals
One of the most important responsibilities of a manager is coaching your team to meet the company’s high-level goals, whether that’s reaching efficiency quotas, hitting revenue targets or running successful campaigns.
Examples include:
- Goal setting: managers need to clearly define the goals that the team must reach in order to help the organisation meet its objectives.
- Organising teams and individuals: managers ensure teams and individuals are working collaboratively and have the resources they need to do their jobs and fulfil organisational objectives.
Organising business priorities
Another important part of a manager’s job is making decisions that keep an organisation on track towards its goals. This involves organising your company’s everyday tasks in line with the larger organisational goals mentioned above.
Examples include:
- Arranging administrative tasks: by sorting tasks in terms of their importance, managers can ensure that resources are used efficiently.
- Setting OKRs and KPIs: using frameworks known as OKRs (objectives and key results) and KPIs (key performance indicators), managers can track the progress and performance of their team members.
Leading teams and people
The backbone of the team, it’s a manager’s duty to guide everyone towards the same goals, support and motivate their staff, and foster a cohesive and collaborative team of workers.
Examples include:
- Team building: facilitating effective team dynamics and creating a collaborative work environment through things like team building exercises.
- Motivating employees: creating a positive work culture through incentives, recognition, encouragement and rewards.
Staffing
Hiring and firing is another example of management responsibilities, and includes identifying staffing gaps and interviewing potential candidates.
Examples include:
- Recruiting new employees: managers are responsible for ensuring they have enough team members to reach their goals. They may also be responsible for scheduling rosters and managing leave requests to ensure adequate staffing levels.
- Managing workforce changes: just as hiring is a manager’s responsibility, so are official warnings and terminations of employment.
Managing people
Managing people includes guiding and supporting team members and making sure each person is working to their strengths. It also involves working through any challenges or conflicts between employees.
Examples include:
- Evaluating the performance of employees: this includes using performance metrics to evaluate the team and individuals.
- Providing feedback: constructive criticism is an integral responsibility for a manager, to align their team members’ performance with the company’s objectives.
Types of managers in the workplace
Managers can be seen as a bridge between big organisational goals and everyday tasks, making sure everything runs smoothly. Management is generally divided into three levels, each with different areas of responsibility. The three main types are: top-level managers, middle-level managers and first-line managers or team leaders.
Top-level managers
Top-level managers, also known as executive or senior managers, are the highest level of management in an organisation. Their responsibilities often include setting big-picture goals, making business decisions that affect the whole company, and overseeing the overall direction of the organisation. Their titles often start with ‘chief’ and they’re what’s known as the ‘c-suite’.
Examples of top-level management titles include CEO (chief executive officer), CFO (chief financial officer) and COO (chief operating officer).
Middle-level managers
Middle managers bridge the gap between the c-suite and non-management employees. They are responsible for putting company strategies into action, coordinating activities across different departments and ensuring that departmental goals and objectives are met.
Examples include department manager or director, regional manager, deputy manager and divisional head.
First-line managers or team leaders
First-line managers, also known as team leaders, are directly responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of teams. Their responsibilities usually include assigning tasks, providing guidance and encouragement to employees, and ensuring that work is completed efficiently.
Examples include team supervisors, shift leaders, project managers and store managers.
Skills you need to be a manager
No matter which leadership style you fall into, to be a good manager you need a mix of technical and soft skills.
Transferable skills you need include excellent communication, decision-making and problem-solving, while emotional intelligence is important in influencing and motivating people. Technical skills differ depending on the industry and role, though specific technical knowledge is essential to making informed decisions for your team.
Characteristics of good leadership include:
- Empathy
- Resilience
- Accountability
- Quick and confident decision-making
- Excellent communication
- Vision
- Emotional intelligence
There are many more characteristics of a good leader you can develop.
Managers have an exciting yet demanding role in the workplace, and can make a big impact on their team members’ productivity and the overall success of a company. Though specific managerial duties and responsibilities change from role to role, there are common elements between them, like making strategic business decisions and ensuring that employees’ performance works towards the company’s objectives.
FAQs
What are managerial responsibilities?
Managerial responsibilities involve things like providing leadership and setting goals. It also includes organising teams, managing resources and ensuring efficiency in daily operations. These duties are crucial in achieving organisational objectives and creating a productive and healthy work environment.
What are the top 5 managerial responsibilities?
The top 5 managerial responsibilities include:
- Guiding and motivating a team
- Setting goals in line with company objectives
- Organising resources
- Supervising day-to-day tasks
- Resolving conflicts
What are Mintzberg’s 10 managerial roles?
The 10 managerial roles outlined by management theorist Henry Mintzberg are:
- Figurehead
- Leader
- Liaison
- Monitor
- Disseminator
- Spokesperson
- Entrepreneur
- Disturbance handler
- Resource allocator
- Negotiator
What is the role of a manager in the broader business hierarchy?
Managers ensure business objectives are met, bridging the gap between owners/chief officers and worker teams. They manage day-to-day operations and performance. A mid-level manager will often have a more senior manager above them or may report directly to the CEO or business owner.
What essential skills are needed for effective management?
Leadership, communication, decision-making, problem solving and emotional intelligence are all important skills for effective management.
How can aspiring managers prepare themselves for the responsibilities of leadership roles?
If you’re an aspiring manager, some things you can do to prepare for a leadership role include:
- Finding a mentor
- Courses, training and reading management books
- Developing your leadership skill set
- Staying up to date in your industry
- Observing and emulating good managers and leaders
- Developing empathy
- Make sure you have thorough technical knowledge in your field.
What is the most important responsibility of a manager?
The most important responsibility of a manager is to lead your team to ‘success’, which is typically defined as meeting company objectives. This means inspiring and motivating, setting clear goals, addressing challenges and overcoming obstacles to meeting those objectives.
Which four tasks are typically performed by a middle manager?
Middle managers usually oversee day-to-day operations and carry out the decisions made by higher levels of management. This includes:
- Supervising daily operations
- Implementing organisational strategies
- Ensuring performance meets goals
- Providing support and leadership to team members
What is a good manager or leader?
A good manager or leader is someone who inspires and motivates their team to meet the company’s objectives efficiently. They practise good communication and informed decision-making and lead by example to foster a positive work culture. They care about the development and wellbeing of their team members with the aim of contributing to their organisation’s success.
What do top-level managers focus on?
Top-level managers set the big-picture vision of a company. They make high-level decisions and focus on the direction of the organisation as a whole.
