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 and 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 with more 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 necessary skills.

This article covers typical managerial responsibilities, the skills required, and how you can improve your skillset, no matter your level.

What are managers’ responsibilities?

Managers play a critical role in a company's success. They have to ensure that people complete their duties on time, and good managers also guide, motivate, inspire, and support their team members.

They shoulder many responsibilities, such as 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 shared goals.

Type 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.

1. Planning for organisational goals

One of the most critical 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 to help the organisation meet its objectives.
• Organising teams and individuals: managers ensure they work collaboratively and have the resources they need to do their jobs and fulfil organisational objectives.

2. Organising business priorities

Another essential 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.

3. 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.

4. Staffing

Hiring and firing are other management responsibilities, including 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 accountable 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.

5. 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 assess the team and individuals.
• Providing feedback: constructive criticism is an integral responsibility of a manager to align their team member’s 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, ensuring 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.

1. Top-level managers

Top-level managers, also known as executive or senior managers, are a company's highest management level.

Their responsibilities often include setting big-picture goals, making business decisions affecting the whole company, and overseeing its overall direction. They are usually known as the company’s directors.

Examples of top-level management titles include CEO (chief executive officer), CFO (chief financial officer) and COO (chief operating officer). The director or directors are usually the sole top-level managers for small and medium-sized enterprises.

2. Middle-level managers

Middle managers bridge the gap between directors and non-management employees. They are responsible for implementing company strategies, coordinating activities across different departments, and ensuring that departmental goals and objectives are met.

Examples include department manager, regional manager, deputy manager and divisional head.

3. 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.

They are the ones who are closest to the company's employees and often express their concern for their employees on different aspects outside of work.

Examples include team supervisors, shift leaders, project managers and store managers.

Skills you need to be a manager

No matter which leadership style you adopt, a good manager needs a combination of technical and soft skills.

The transferable skills you need include excellent communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. Emotional intelligence is essential in influencing and motivating people. Technical skills differ depending on the industry and role, though specific technical knowledge is critical 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.

In summary

Managers have an exciting yet demanding role in the workplace. They can have a big impact on their team members’ productivity and the overall success of a company.

Though specific managerial duties and responsibilities vary from role to role, they have common elements, like making strategic business decisions and ensuring that employees’ performance supports the company’s objectives.

FAQs

These FAQs provide critical insights into the roles, responsibilities, and essential skills needed to excel as a manager, helping you navigate the path to effective leadership.

1. What are the responsibilities of a manager?

Managerial responsibilities involve providing leadership and setting goals. They also include 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.

2. What are five management responsibilities?

The top five managerial responsibilities include:

1. Guiding and motivating a team
2. Setting goals in line with company objectives
3. Organising resources
4. Supervising day-to-day tasks
5. Resolving conflicts

3. What are Mintzberg’s ten managerial roles?

The ten managerial roles outlined by management theorist Henry Mintzberg are:

1. Figurehead
2. Leader
3. Liaison
4. Monitor
5. Disseminator
6. Spokesperson
7. Entrepreneur
8. Disturbance handler
9. Resource allocator
10. Negotiator

4. What is the role of a manager in the broader business hierarchy?

Managers ensure business objectives are met, bridging the gap between business owners/directors/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/director.

5. What are the essential skills of a manager?

Leadership, communication, decision-making, problem-solving and emotional intelligence are all crucial skills for effective management.

6. 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.

7. What is the most critical 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 meet those objectives.

8. Which middle manager typically performs four tasks?

Middle managers usually oversee day-to-day operations and carry out the decisions made by higher levels of management. This includes:

1. Supervising daily operations
2. Implementing organisational strategies
3. Ensuring performance meets goals
4. Providing support and leadership to team members

9. What are the qualities of a good manager?

A good manager or leader inspires and motivates their team to efficiently meet the company’s objectives. They practice good communication and informed decision-making and lead by example to foster a positive work culture.

They care about the development and well-being of their team members and aim to contribute to their organisation’s success.

10. What do top-level managers focus on?

Top-level managers set a company's big-picture vision. They make high-level decisions and focus on the direction of the organisation as a whole.