Embrace Technology Modern managers look to the future and embrace the onward march of technology. The workplace is an ever-evolving environment that is constantly changing how tasks are accomplished. Managers in today’s workforce must be competent in the use and application of technology. Team members might work remotely, and clients and vendors may be in locations across the world. This necessitates that the activities of an organization be conducted in person as well as through social media and other communication outlets. Managers are also responsible for guiding the company to make decisions on selecting and implementing new technology that helps increase efficiency in the operation of the organization. LO 1.2-3 LO 1. 2 - 3 Managerial Roles Managerial roles are the actions and behaviors that managers are expected to perform in an organization. Because there are many types of organizations with many different types of management, it is difficult to identify the precise role of a manager. However, all management duties focus on a core of responsibilities. According to management expert and university professor Henry Mintzberg, managers spend most of their time performing 10 specific roles, as illustrated in Figure 1-4. Most managers do not consistently perform each of Mintzberg’s 10 roles on a daily or even monthly basis, nor do all roles apply equally to all situations. However, all managers assume some of the roles on a daily basis. As a result, a mastery of all roles and the ability to apply them to any situation or issue that may be at hand is necessary. Mintzberg classified each of these roles into three main categories: interpersonal roles, informational roles, and decisional roles. Interpersonal Roles Managers play an interpersonal role in the organization. Interpersonal means relationships between people. An interpersonal role involves the human interaction that happens between the people within the organization as well as those outside of the organization. People in the organization are employees, peers, and supervisors. People outside the organization are customers and other organizations. Interpersonal roles include figurehead, leader, and liaison. Informational Roles Managers also play informational roles in an organization. Information means knowledge. An informational role involves collecting, receiving, and conveying information. It is the Ethics Ethical Management Ethics are the values that guide a person’s behavior. Ethics help people make good decisions in both their personal and their professional lives. Ethical management involves setting guidelines that help define appropriate behavior in the workplace and ensure employees are operating ethically. Managers are expected to demonstrate and set an example for ethical behavior. E ntrepreneur • H and l e r Mintzberg’s 10 Managerial Roles Interpersonal Roles Informational Roles Decisional Roles N egotiator • ResourceAoclcto-en-abrutsiD l a r Dissem inator • M o n it o r • S p o k e s p e r s o n F i g u r e h e a d • L e a d e r • L i a i s o n Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 1-4 According to management expert and university professor Henry Mintzberg, managers spend most of their time performing 10 specific roles. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 1 Management 13