The 3 Essential Roles Every Manager Must Master

The 3 Essential Roles Every Manager Must Master

A manager is not just an executor—they are a decision-maker, communicator, and relationship builder.

Based on Henry Mintzberg’s seminal research, the manager’s job breaks down into three role categories:

1. Interpersonal Roles

2. Informational Roles

3. Decisional Roles

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1⃣ INTERPERSONAL ROLES – The Social Face of the Business

Figurehead:
Represent the company internally and externally.
Example: The CEO of Peugeot attended the International Auto Show as the face of the brand in front of governments and suppliers.

Leader:
Motivate the team, manage performance, and set the tone.
Example: Lee Iacocca rebuilt Chrysler from the brink of bankruptcy by reorganizing leadership, rebuilding union relationships, and securing federal loan guarantees.

Liaison:
Build cross-functional and external relationships.
Example: Sheryl Sandberg (former COO of Facebook) was instrumental in forging alliances with advertisers and global institutions.

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2⃣ INFORMATIONAL ROLES – Managers as the Central Node of Intelligence

Monitor:
Track internal performance and external market trends.
Example: Satya Nadella at Microsoft spent months analyzing market dynamics before pivoting to a full cloud-first strategy.

Disseminator:
Share key information with teams clearly and efficiently.
Example: Airbnb’s CEO sent weekly transparent updates during COVID-19 to keep employees informed about major business shifts.

Spokesperson:
Speak on behalf of the company to media, partners, and public.
Example: Elon Musk regularly addresses Tesla’s decisions and strategy publicly, shaping the company’s image in real time.

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3⃣ DECISIONAL ROLES – Managers as Strategic Operators

Entrepreneur:
Drive innovation and constant improvement.
Example: Jacinda Ardern led New Zealand’s innovative COVID-19 response through fast action and adaptive policies.

Disturbance Handler:
Resolve crises and deal with the unexpected.
Example: Tim Cook navigated Apple through post-COVID supply chain disruptions by re-prioritizing production and logistics.

Resource Allocator:
Decide how to use time, money, and talent.
Example: Uber focused investment on high-growth markets like India and paused expansion elsewhere to optimize resource allocation.

Negotiator:
Lead internal and external negotiations.
Example: Disney’s CEO negotiated landmark acquisitions of Marvel and Lucasfilm, transforming the company’s IP portfolio.

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Final Note from Nada Nasri

A strong manager doesn’t wear one hat—they wear three hats, every single day:

• They lead people

• They process and share information

• They make hard decisions with limited time and resources

Failing to master these three roles limits your influence, weakens your results, and holds back organizational growth.