Functions, Roles and Skills of a Manager

A set of 20 vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms about managerial functions, roles, and skills.

Manager

The person responsible for coordinating all people and resources so the organization’s goals and objectives are achieved.

Function

The specific job, duty, or task a person is expected to perform.

Role

A socially expected behavior pattern linked to one’s status; the character or part a manager plays in the organization.

Skill

A developed aptitude or learned ability to perform tasks competently.

Top-level Managers

Corporate or strategic leaders (e.g., CEO, CFO) who set goals, craft strategy, handle external affairs, and oversee the entire organization.

Middle-level Managers

Tactical managers (e.g., Regional or Plant Managers) who translate strategy into departmental actions and supervise lower-level managers.

Frontline Managers

Operational managers (e.g., Supervisors, Team Leaders) who direct day-to-day activities and oversee non-management employees.

Interpersonal Role

Managerial duties focused on building relationships and working with people, such as figurehead, leader, and liaison.

Informational Role

Managerial activities centered on collecting, processing, and sharing information, including monitor, disseminator, and spokesperson.

Decisional Role

Managerial responsibilities that involve making choices and solving problems, like entrepreneur, mediator, resource allocator, and negotiator.

Figurehead

The ceremonial role in which the manager serves as a symbol of authority, signing documents and representing the organization at events.

Leader

The role that involves hiring, training, motivating staff, setting performance goals, and evaluating employee results.

Liaison

The role where the manager builds networks and communicates with internal and external contacts to support organizational objectives.

Monitor

The role of acquiring and reviewing information from meetings, reports, and external sources to stay aware of trends and changes.

Disseminator

The role of distributing relevant information to subordinates or other organizational members in a timely manner.

Spokesperson

The role in which the manager conveys organizational information to outsiders such as media, customers, or government agencies.

Entrepreneur

A decisional role focused on initiating change and improvements that help achieve future organizational goals.

Mediator

Also called disturbance handler; the role of resolving conflicts, crises, and non-routine problems among employees or units.

Resource Allocator

The decisional role that determines how resources such as funds, equipment, and personnel are distributed within the organization.

Negotiator

The role of representing the organization or unit in bargaining with suppliers, unions, employees, or other external parties.