Mintzbergs Managerial Roles

There are a number of theories on Managerial Roles, Many of scholars and experts deeply
studied in the field of management as it covers a large area. The managerial roles are very
important for any organization. Mintzberg introduced a theory that how the process of
management can be more effective, and to be a good manager.
Management Roles
What Is Management?

Describing management is no simple task, and most of the times youll find statements like:

Management is what managers do

While thats true, it doesnt tell us much unfortunately. So in order to understand the concept
of management, you have to understand what managers do.
Mintzberg Management Roles

Henry Mintzberg is a well know researcher, and the results of his studies about the work of
managers were published in The Nature of Managerial Work (New York: Harper & Row,
1973). The term management roles refers to specific categories of managerial behaviour,
and Mintzberg concluded that what managers do, can be described by studying ten different
and interrelated roles, grouped around interpersonal relationships, transfer of information,
and last, but not least, decision making. For a more in depth description you should probably
check Mintzbergs work, but Ill try to provide a general outline of his conclusions.

Interpersonal Roles

The ones that, like the name suggests, involve people and other ceremonial duties.

Leader Responsible for staffing, training, and associated duties.

Figurehead The symbolic head of the organization.

Liaison Maintains the communication between all contacts and informers that
compose the organizational network.

Informational Roles

Related to collecting, receiving, and disseminating information.

Monitor Personally seek and receive information, to be able to understand the

organization.

Disseminator Transmits all import information received from outsiders to the

members of the organization.

Spokesperson On the contrary to the above role, here the manager transmits the
organizations plans, policies and actions to outsiders.

Decisional Roles

Roles that revolve around making choices.

Entrepreneur Seeks opportunities. Basically they search for change, respond to it,
and exploit it.

Negotiator Represents the organization at major negotiations.

Resource Allocator Makes or approves all significant decisions related to the

allocation of resources.

Disturbance Handler Responsible for corrective action when the organization faces
disturbances.

When we talk about the Mintzbergs Managerial Roles there are a number of people who
can be the example for this theory, but the best example for Mintzbergs Manager is Steve
Jobs.
When we talk about the Steve Jobs , he is the one who lead his company to the highest
peak and every single person know his product. According to Havard Business
Review(2010), Steve Jobs is the Worlds best Manager and leading the top managers list.
Who set an example in the business world.
Mintzbergs Managerial Roles
The best Manger is the one who perform his roles in a professional way, and face the
hurdles and challenges in a huge market, where a number of competitors already exist,
however Steve Jobs proved himself and set an example in the world.
We will have a look to Steve J. according to Mintzbergs Managerial Roles

Interpersonal Roles:
Steve Jobs as a Leader:
Steve Jobs is the Role Model of the fresh leaders, he lead his company to its peak. He has
crossed all the levels of leadership and became the Top manager of the world, he had
leadership skills, and he led his team in very effective way. His Company Apple Inc. is now
one of the best organizations in the world because the Leader of this company was Steve
Jobs. Every manger in recent world want to be at the level as Steve was.(Katzenbach,
2012), he further says that, Jobss leadership style was complex. He was intensely focused
when committed, confident enough to take risky leaps, and charismatic enough to enlist
legions of employees and customers in the relentless pursuit of his aspirations. He was also
interpersonally immature well into his adult life: impatient, stubborn, and hypercritical, if not
downright cruel at times
Just because of his leadership skills he made the performance of his company well, there
were a number of hurdles and competitors in market, who tried to make him fail but he never
give up and keep on struggling with his aim. He launched several products and that are now
the Top products in the market.
Figure Head:
The products of the company Apple Inc was the best sellers in the world after the Death of
CEO Jobs, he had his own way of business, the best thing about Jobs was that he got
success. He has created the world largest company and introduced modern products in the
market.(Isaacson W)
He is now the figurehead for the upcoming mangers, who are trying their best to be at the
level where Steve was.
Liaison

He was the one who played his role as a liaison for his company. he introduced his ideas to
others and at the same time he was updated with competitive products and then made
strategies and programs.
Informational Roles:
Steve was the Manager who went through operations by himself and made his management
more effective. He personally observed the progress in the company. Whenever he found
something innovative he shared with other experts and worked on it. He was the manager
who addressed his staff and developed them personally to be the best company of the world
Decisional Roles:
Jobs was always there to avail opportunities, he was the innovator and he plan the things,
then start working on it with all his best. He is known as the best entrepreneur of the world.
He negotiated at several times when his company was in operations and made perfect
decision in the favour of his company
Jobs has the ability to do the things at correct time and at correct place. This quality made
him more effective manager.
The best managers quality is that he control the hurdles and face problems for the
organization. Steve was the one who faced a lot of hurdles, worked hard, spent all his
energy for his company and finally he made it.
When Steve Jobs was not feeling well and was on rest, still he made decisions for company,
he never wanted to stop the company but at another hand the company was at its routine
when he was seriously ill. He was involved in all strategies of the company. sometimes he
continued his work from home also.( Megan Palos,2011)

Mintzbergs Managerial Skills