The Nature of Managerial Work(mintzberg)(4)

Set of 10 Managerial Roles Divided Into 3 Groups: Interpersonal, Informational, and Decisional

Interpersonal Roles

1) Figurehead – the manager is a symbol, obliged to perform a number of duties.

2) Leader – the manager defines the atmosphere in which the organization will work. Powers of charisma or position of office are used to transmit information, make strategic decisions, integrate individual needs and organizational goals, to bring individual and organizational needs into common accord, and it is the leader role that the managerial power manifests itself (legitimate, formal authority).

3) Liaison – the manager deals with the significant web of relationships that the manager maintains with numerous

individuals and groups outside the organization.

Informational Roles 1) Monitor – the manager is continually seeking, and being bombarded with information that enables him to understand

what is taking place in the organization and its environment by monitoring a) internal operations, b) external events, c)

analyses, d) ideas and trends, e) pressures. 2) Disseminator – the manager sends external information into his organization and internal information from one subordinate to another. 2 types of information: a) factual, b) value

(preferences versus facts). 3) Spokesman – the manager transmits information out to his organization’s environment to speak on behalf of the

organization.

Decisional Roles 1) Entrepreneur – the manager acts as initiator and designer of

much of the controlled change of the organization. By using the monitoring role, he seeks opportunities, sees problems, and

initiates actions to improve situations. Managers can be involved in improvement project design at 3 levels: a) delegation (all responsibility to others), b) authoritarian (delegates design, but retains choice making), c) supervision (retains design and decision in projects).

2) Disturbance handler – the manager deals with involuntary situations and change beyond their control, such as crisis or emergencies.