ROLE OF THE LINE MANAGER

Five Benefits of a Line manager

Managers can :

Set Objectives by describing what needs to be done and by who

Motivates staff by creating a team out of people who are responsible for a given job

Organises and selects staff, divides work to specific areas

Measures targets and performance of the individual and the team

Develops the knowledge of staff by ways of training.

Five Drawbacks of a Line Manager

With every benefit, comes a drawback which include:

Negative belief in HRM

Has different manergerial skills and styles, to those required

Top management have a negative attitude to HR

There may not be sufficient training in skills required

Management can be too close to employees. (Mullins,L, 2007)

Skils required to Assist Managers

To enable a front line manager be more efficient, sometimes requires other skills. Experience can always help, yet other issues may need assistance. These can be :

Customer relations - How to communicate, listen and advice customers on issues or complaints which have been raised.

Teamwork - To be a good manager requires key skills in being a leader. If you can not lead then others will not follow.

Rules & regulations - Management need to keep up with all rules and regulations. Legistlations change or get updated.

Staff Training - Key skills are required to assist management in training staff with improving themselves.

Appraisals - Management need to understand their employee. Any concerns from either person can be evaluated with an appraisal. Concerns such as training needs, job role etc. (cipd, 2010)

The role of the team leader, or line manager, at university is only successful because of the support from their management. Quality time management, course evaluation, interveiwing staff or prospective students, exam marking, are but a few of the key skills required.

Through my own personal experience the role of a line manager is best suited for me. Some of the key skills which have been used are team leader, job evaluation, time management, customer relations, staff appraisals, interveiwer. All these qualities have only been possible through ongoing training, courses and experience.

References

cipd, 2010. [Online] Available at: http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/maneco/general/rolefrntlinemngers.htm [Accessed 13 May 2010]

Mullins,L, 2007. Management and Organisational Behaviour. Marlow:Pearson