MINTZBERG MANAGEMENT ROLES - DUDAS - 2025

The managerial roles Mintzberg are the main activities that can be used to classify the different functions of a manager. They were developed by management expert Henry Mintzberg, who is an authority in the field of organizational design and organizational structures.

Mintzberg published managerial roles in 1990 in his book Mintzberg on Management: Inside Our Weird World of Organizations. It distinguishes ten key roles that managers fulfill.

Source: pixabay.com

For example, managers, in addition to leading the work team, may find themselves resolving a conflict, negotiating new contracts, representing their area at a board meeting, or approving the request for a new computer system.

That is, they constantly switch roles as situations, tasks, and expectations change. Thus, Mintzberg's managerial roles facilitate understanding of the nature of managerial work.

By studying these managerial roles it is possible to discover in which areas managers can improve, as well as how they can develop the appropriate skills.

List of managerial roles

Mintzberg describes the operational work of managers in terms of managerial roles. These managerial roles are divided into three categories:

-Interpersonal contact

It refers to the contact between the manager and the people around him. For example, subordinates, other managers, board of directors, customers and suppliers.

Leader

It is their main role. The manager motivates and develops the staff, fostering a positive work environment.

Train and support staff, enter into formal conversations with them, evaluate their performance, offer educational and training courses.

Representative figure

The manager is expected to have social, protocol and / or legal responsibilities. Represents the company both internally and externally in all formal matters.

He is a relationshipist, but he also serves as a source of inspiration and role model. He is the one who addresses people who celebrate their birthdays, attends business dinners and receptions.

Link

A manager serves as an intermediary and link between the upper and lower levels. In addition, it develops and maintains an external network.

He has outside contacts and brings the right parties together. This ultimately results in a positive contribution to the organization.

-Information processing

According to Mintzberg, the managerial role involves information processing, which means sending, transmitting, and analyzing information.

They are expected to exchange vertical flows of information with their subordinates and horizontal flows of information with their fellow managers, as well as with the board of directors.

Diffuser

The manager conveys potentially useful information to his subordinates and also to other people within the organization. This information could have been obtained internally or externally.

Monitor

The manager gathers all the internal and external information that is relevant to the organization.

He is also responsible for organizing, analyzing and evaluating this information so that he can easily identify problems and opportunities, and identify relevant changes in the environment.

Spokesman

The manager represents his organization and communicates to the outside world about corporate policies and goals, performance, as well as any other relevant information for external entities.

-Decision making

Managers are responsible for decision making and can do so in different ways and at different levels. Leadership style is important in decision making.

An authoritarian leader is more inclined to make decisions independently than a democratic leader.

Conflict manager

The manager will always respond immediately to unexpected events and operational failures. Look for solutions that can be used.

Problems can be internal or external. For example, conflict situations or shortage of raw materials.

Entrepreneur

The manager designs and initiates the different changes and strategies that the company requires. This means solving problems, generating new ideas and implementing them.

Deal maker

The manager participates in negotiations with other individuals and organizations, representing the interests of the company.

This may be related to your own staff or to third parties. For example, salary negotiations or negotiations regarding the terms of purchase of a product.

Resource allocator

The manager needs to determine where the organization's resources can best be applied. In addition, it controls and authorizes the use of these resources.

It allocates financial resources, employees, machines, materials and other resources so that all activities can be executed well within the organization.

Required skills

Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses according to these ten roles can help the manager develop their skills and knowledge to become a more well-rounded manager.

Effective managers use their managerial roles independently and know how to use the right role for the right situation.

Leader

This is the role that you will probably be fulfilling most of the time. You must learn to be an authentic leader, to be respected by the team.

Also, focus on improving emotional intelligence. This is an important skill to be an effective leader.

Representative figure

You have to start with image, behavior and reputation. You must cultivate humility and empathy, learn to set a good example at work, and also think about how to be a good role model.

Monitor

You must learn how to collect information effectively, thus overcoming information overload.

In addition, use effective reading strategies, in order to be able to process the material quickly and completely, learning to keep updated with the news of the industry.

Link

Work on professional relationship building techniques for mutual benefit. In this way, excellent business networks will be obtained.

Spokesman

Make sure you know how to represent your organization at a conference. Also learn how to make excellent presentations and work with the media.

Diffuser

You need to know how to share information and different points of view effectively. This means that good communication skills are vital.

Learn to share organizational information in team meetings. Then focus on improving writing skills.

Conflict manager

You must excel in mediation and conflict resolution. It is also helpful to be able to manage emotions on the team.

Entrepreneur

Change management skills must be developed, as well as learning what not to do when implementing a change in the organization.

Work on problem solving skills and creativity will also be needed to be able to present new ideas and implement them successfully.

Deal maker

Negotiation skills should be enhanced through courses on win-win negotiation and distributive negotiation.

Resource allocator

You must learn to budget, reduce and prioritize costs, so that you can make the best use of resources.

References

1. Toolshero (2019). Mintzberg Managerial Roles. Taken from: toolshero.com.
2. Mind Tools (2019). Mintzberg's Management Roles. Taken from: mindtools.com.
3. Medium (2016). Mintzberg Model: 10 Different Roles of a Successful Manager. Taken from: medium.com.
4. Iedu Note (2019). 10 Managerial Roles by Henry Mintzberg. Taken from: iedunote.com.
5. Sammi Caramela (2018). The Management Theory of Henry Mintzberg. Business. Taken from: business.com.