Three Levels Of Management Essay

Organizations, much like people, come in all shapes and sizes. While they may differ in values, beliefs, and purposes, the majority of businesses have similar organizational structures. The most common being a hierarchical structure. This structure is typically composed of at least three levels of management which include top management, middle management, and first-line management. Although all three types of managers contribute to planning, organizing, leading, and controlling the organization; they differ in the way they influence these functions. In addition, each level has different types of job positions and responsibilities which will now be discussed in detail. The highest level of the hierarchy consists of top management. Top managers have titles such as president, chairperson, executive director, CEO, and executive vice president. These individuals are primarily responsible for setting organizational goals, defining strategies for achieving the goals, monitoring and interpreting the external environment, and making decisions that affect the entire organization (Daft,

Top managers are often the “face” of the organization and will be praised when the organization is succeeding, and held responsible when a controversy occurs. They must lead by example and uphold cultural values, especially during a crisis, so everyone in the organization knows what is expected of them. Besides setting goals, top managers are also continuously networking and making valuable business connections that will help the company’s future success. This is yet another reason why top managers must be ethical cultural leaders. Other companies will deter from forming a partnership with a company that has a dishonest, or corrupt, top