Managers:

We tend to think about managers based on their position in an organization. This

tells us a bit about their role and the nature of their responsibilities.
“A manager is a professional who leads and directs a team of employees in an
organization”.
Often, managers are responsible for managing a specific department in their
company. There are many types of managers, but they usually have duties like
conducting performance reviews and making decisions. Managers are often the
line of communication between a company's employees and its high-level
executives.

What are a manager's job responsibilities

and duties
A manager's daily responsibilities may vary depending on the industry where they
work. However, some common responsibilities of managers across different
sectors can include:

Leading a team
A key responsibility of a manager is leading their team. They give direction to their
employees and answer their questions. They also delegate tasks to specific
employees and ensure that projects stay on track. Great managers commit to the
role of being a fair leader to help increase their teams' productivity.

Training employees
Managers are often responsible for training their employees to perform their job
duties and learn new skills. They might also offer them professional development
opportunities. Often, managers also act as mentors to their employees and teach
them skills that they can use as they advance their careers.

Making decisions
Another duty of a manager is making decisions for their department. Sometimes,
managers make difficult decisions, so it's important for them to have a strong
decision-making process. This can help them make the best possible decisions for
the success of their departments. Often, managers communicate with their
employees and other people at their company to help them make the best
decisions.

Managing conflicts
Managers also address conflicts when necessary, including conflicts between
members of their team. This means that they usually exercise conflict resolution
skills and mediate workplace conflicts. This can help them maintain a positive
work environment for their team.

Managing their department's budget

Managers sometimes take responsibility for their department's budget and using
finance and accounting tools. They may meet with other professionals to create
budgets. They can also determine how much funding their department needs to
operate.

Conducting performance reviews

Another major responsibility of managers is conducting performance reviews for
their employees. Usually, performance reviews occur on a periodic basis. In
performance reviews, managers give their employees feedback and suggestions
on how they can improve. They might also help their employees set goals or track
their progress on meeting goals.

Hiring new employees

Managers also frequently work with their company's human resources
department to hire new employees. They may identify job candidates, conduct
interviews and extend job offers. Typically, great managers know how to tell if a
job candidate is the right fit for their team, as they know what skills and qualities
people need in order to excel in their department.

Types of managers
There are several different types of managers, including:

Top managers
Top managers are usually involved with their company's overall strategy. They may
oversee many departments. They are also responsible for making sure that
different tasks and projects align with the overarching mission of their company.

General managers
General managers are responsible for a variety of management tasks, including
overseeing product production. They typically set goals for their employees and
create product plans. Usually, a general manager's overall goal is to increase their
company's revenue.Related: What Is a General Manager? A Guide

Line managers
Line managers are responsible for achieving specific outputs. Typically, their
responsibilities relate to their company's products or services. Line managers
often communicate with a company's upper management and report results to
them.

Team managers
Team managers, which may be referred to as supervisors, are responsible for
overseeing specific groups or functions of an organisation. They may be tasked
with supervising projects or keeping teams on track. Like line managers, team
managers also report results to a company's upper management.

Skills for managers

To be a successful manager, you may consider developing the following skills:

Leadership
Leadership is a core skill for managers, as one of their major job responsibilities is
leading their team. Managers often lead by example, encouraging their employees
to mirror their actions and work ethic. To become a great leader, you can work on
developing qualities like:
  Motivation: Managers with leadership skills know how to motivate their
employees. They may use incentives to keep their employees motivated,
such as employee of the month programs or other rewards.

 Positivity: Great leaders also maintain a positive attitude and encourage

their employees to do the same. They think optimistically and show
positivity when they interact with others.

 Confidence: Confidence can equip leaders to handle difficult situations

and lead their employees effectively. It can help them make strong
decisions and lead by example.

 Resilience: Leaders are also resilient. This means that they can keep
leading effectively even in difficult circumstances.

 Delegation: Delegation is another skill of great leaders, as it enables

them to reassign tasks to the right employees and free up their own time
for other tasks.

Communication
Managers also need communication skills to succeed at their jobs, as they
frequently communicate with both their employees and other members of their
company. Usually, managers also need written communication skills, as they may
be responsible for writing reports and emails.Active listening is also categorised as
a communication skill, and it's important for managers to have this skill to
communicate effectively. Active listening includes eye contact, body language and
smiling.

Decision-making
Managers often have to make tough decisions for their teams, so strong decision-
making skills are essential. Often, managers develop their own decision-making
processes to help them handle decisions and other issues in the workplace. Great
managers are also willing to ask other people at the company for feedback as they
make decisions.
Relationship-building
Great managers also build relationships with their employees. Theymay do this
through frequent communication with their employees as well as relationship-
building exercises. When managers form strong relationships with their
employees, it can help increase mutual trust and boost employee moral.
Customer service
Customer service skills can also be useful for managers. Sometimes, managers
communicate directly with their company's customers, acting as a communication
line between the customers and the upper management of the company. This
makes customer service skills helpful, including skills like empathy, patience and
persuasion.
How to become a manager
Here are five key steps you can follow to become a manager:
1. Choose your career path
There are many ways you can choose your career path, and it's helpful to choose a
career that aligns with your interests and core values. You can also research
different career paths online and talk to people in different industries to get an
idea of your career interests. This way, you can decide what industry is the best fit
for you.
2. Get your education
Another key step to becoming a manager is to get an education that aligns with
the industry you want to enter. In many industries, managers need at least a
bachelor's degree, so this can be a good place to start. You can also get a degree
that allows you to work in a range of industries, such as business management.
Other options could include finance, accounting and related degrees.
3. Build your professional network
Try to network with managers in various industries through networking events.
You can find events that relate to your industry to make the most valuable
connections. These connections may help you find a job in the future.
4. Gain experience
Aim to gain professional experience in the industry that you want to enter. You can
gain professional experience through internships, entry-level positions and
volunteering. You can also start at a company with the goal of working your way
up to a managerial role.
5. Set SMART career goals
SMART is a method you can use to develop your career goals. The abbreviation
represents the following leadership goals:
 Specific
 Measurable
 Attainable
 Relevant
 Time-based
Setting SMART goals can help you stay on track toward becoming a manager. Try
to measure your progress periodically to see what changes you can make to reach
your goals. For example, one of your SMART goals might be, ‘I will get promoted
to manager within three years of working for this company’.