Linear and staff management

Managers have different titles in various organizations. No matter what the label is, there is a difference in authority between line and staff management. There are two basic kinds of management positions: line and staff. Linear Management Staff Management 1 . The most common of all formal relationships in organizations today is the supervisor-subordinate one.This line or operational supervisor, whatever his title, has the power and authority to direct the actions of the subordinate who is accountable for carrying out certain duties. . The supervisor might use any one or combination of many management styles in working with his staff, but he will see that there are results. It's those results that produce revenue, whether it's profit from a business or non-profit grants from the government. 1. The staff manager or supervisor is in a position that supports line management.He is usually a specialist of some kind. Examples are the manager of the IT department, and the director of HR. 2 . Managers in these positions do not have the authority to tell the line staff how to do the work for which the organization exist. Instead, the taff manager or supervisor is responsible for making sure all the supports are in place so the line staff are hired, trained, equipped and supported while they carry out the actual operations. 3. Staff management authority is very different from line management authority.While the line manager makes sure that there is revenue, the staff manager often has to spend that money to support further operations. This can lead to tensions in the workplace, especially when there is no clear understanding of the difference in the authority of the positions. Relationship Between Line and Staff Management ere are four ways of looking at the relationship a staff manager has with a line manager. Prescribe. To do this, a staff manager can prescribe certain procedures in his specialist area.For example, he can develop and implement recruiting policies and p rocedures that are used across the organization. The line manager is expected to follow those organizational procedures unless he has a solid rationale for within his specialization. For example, a line manager might propose that two of his staff attend certain management courses. The staff manager of the training section can concur with or veto this proposal as it is within his specialty. Be heard. A staff manager has the right, the authority, to participate in the discussions, if not the decision-making, pertaining to his specialty.For example, the manage in HR maybe not have a veto vote on a new recruit, but he does have the right to voice his opinion on the suitability of the candidate. Be informed. This function authorizes the staff manager to be informed within certain areas of activity. A common example of this is the position of director of finance. An operations, line manager has full authority to spend funds as he pleases within his budget, but he is required to keep the d irector of finance informed.