<p>We don’t always like to think we have a “type.”</p>
<p><!--more-->It’s more fun to believe we’re unpredictable, that we’re open to whatever life throws our way. Realistically, though, we have our preferences. We all have a type, something we know we like most.</p>
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<h2>4 types of managers</h2>
<ol>
<li>Top managers</li>
<li>Middle managers</li>
<li>First-line managers</li>
<li>Team leaders</li>
</ol>
</div>
<p>I’m referring, of course, to types of managers and their different <a href="https://www.g2.com/articles/project-management-styles" rel="noopener" target="_blank">project management styles</a>. What did you think I was talking about?</p>
<p>Whether you’re a manager-in-training, or an executive looking to hire someone with highly developed <a href="/project-management-skills" rel="noopener" target="_blank">project management skills</a>, use this article as a reference point for the various types of managers that make up a full team.</p>
<h2>Types of managers</h2>
<p>In the article on project management styles, we go through the various philosophies project managers hold when leading a team. In this article, we’re going to discuss the more technical titles and roles associated with a typical management structure. </p>
<p><img src="https://learn.g2crowd.com/hubfs/Whatsyourtype.png" alt="types of managers" width="400" style="width: 400px; display: block; margin: 0px auto;"></p>
<p>It should be noted that I am explaining this in reference to a traditional, top-down structure, wherein management is vertical, and all authority trickles down from the executive positions.</p>
<h2>1. Top managers</h2>
<p>Top managers include, as you’d suspect, anyone at the executive level of a company. Think anyone with a “C” in their title — chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief marketing officer (CMO), chief operations officer (COO), chief technology officer (CTO), etc. </p>
<p>In this level of management, executives are focused on the long-term success of the organization. They make hiring and business decisions with the intent to keep the company afloat, and thriving. </p>
<p>They are also in charge of executive decisions such as who to partner with, if and when to go public, and whether it’s time to rebrand.</p>
<h2>2. Middle managers</h2>
<p>Don’t let the term “middle manager” fool you; this level of employment is still a lot of work. While middle managers typically report to the top managers, they still have a lot of decision-making power in the company. Job titles of middle managers can include director, chief supervisor, and department head.</p>
<p>Among other things, middle managers are responsible for linking first-line managers and their concerns to those at the executive level. They also serve as mentors for first-line managers, training employees for future leadership positions.</p>
<p>Middle managers take the objectives and goals from the top and create plans to put these objectives into motion.</p>
<h2>3. First-line managers</h2>
<p>First-line managers work the closest with regular <a href="/project-team" rel="noopener" target="_blank">project team</a> members and other employees. As far as managers go, these are considered to be “entry-level” and are responsible for holding employees accountable for their goals. </p>
<p>First-line managers handle internal work only, and aren’t responsible for larger business decisions. Because they work so closely with the employees, first-line managers are often the ones to communicate concerns to middle management.</p>
<p>Some examples of first-lien managers are office managers, assistant managers, editorial managers, shift managers, etc.</p>
<h2>4. Team leaders</h2>
<p>Team leaders, often referred to just as “team leads,” are managers who specialize in a specific project or task. Team leaders are responsible for many of the logistics of the work: detailed project timelines, onboarding, and other member training, assigning tasks to team members, monitoring progress. </p>
<p>Don’t be fooled: while a team leader may be situated at the “bottom” of the totem pole, they are still vital to a team’s success. Just imagine trying to hit your <a href="/project-milestone" rel="noopener" target="_blank">project milestones</a> without a clear project schedule.</p>
<h3>There are no small types</h3>
<p>As you can see, every manager plays a vital role in the overall operations of an organization. Successful companies focus on hiring talented individuals, and building up their skills over time! </p>