3 levels of management in organizational hierarchy; (1) Top-level, (2) middle-level, and (3) lower level. Top-level managers are responsible for setting organizational goals. Middle-level managers are engaged in carrying out their goals. Finally, lower-level managers are responsible for running every organizational work unit.
What are the 3 Levels of Management
The job of a manager is practically the same. But there is a difference in a manager’s role depending on the skills, ability, strength, experience, intellectual ability, etc.
So, in the organizational hierarchy, we see three levels of management. Each level has a different set of jobs and responsibilities, but all are toward fulfilling a goal.
Top-Level Management
Top-level managers, or top managers, are also called senior management or executives. Leaders of the organization are setting in top-level management.
These individuals are at the top one or two levels in an organization and hold titles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operational Officer (COO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Chairperson of the Board, President, Vice president, Corporate head.
- Top-level managers make decisions affecting the entirety of the firm.
- Top managers do not direct the firm’s day-to-day activities; instead, they set goals for the organization and direct the company to achieve them.
- Top managers are ultimately responsible for the organization’s performance, and often, these managers have obvious jobs.
Top-level managers require having excellent conceptual and decision-making skills.
Middle-Level Management
Middle-level managers, or middle managers, are those in the levels below top managers.
Middle managers’ job titles include General Manager, Plant Manager, Regional Manager, and Divisional manager.
- Middle-level managers are responsible for carrying out the goals set by top management. They do so by setting goals for their departments and other business units.
- Middle managers control, motivate and assist first-line managers in achieving business objectives.
- Middle managers also communicate upward by offering suggestions and feedback to top managers. In addition, because middle managers are more involved in the day-to-day workings of a company, they may provide valuable information to top managers to help improve the organization’s bottom line.
Middle-level managers’ job perfection depends very much on these communication and interpersonal skills.
Lower-Level Management
First-level managers are also called first-line managers, shop-level managers, or supervisors.
These managers have job titles such as office manager, Shift Supervisor, Department Manager, Foreperson, Crew leader, and Store manager.
- First-line managers are responsible for the daily management of line workers—the employees who produce the product or offer the service.
- There are first-line managers in every work unit in the organization. These are the managers that most employees interact with daily, and if the managers perform poorly, employees may also perform poorly, may lack motivation, or may leave the company. Although first-level managers typically do not set goals for the organization, they have a powerful influence on the company.
A First-level manager requires technical skills and knowledge for the particular work he supervises.
Conclusion
Top-level managers are responsible for setting goals, creating plans, and supervising the entire organization. Middle-level managers are engaged in diverting organizational activities to attain the goals set by top management. The lower-level managers run every organizational work unit and carry out the essential tasks. They are the foot soldiers of the company.
