Henry Mintzberg Quote

The professional administrators — especially those at higher levels — serve key roles at the boundary of the organization, between the professionals inside and interested parties — governments, client associations, and so on — on the outside. On the one hand, the administrators are expected to protect the professionals' autonomy, to "buffer" them from external pressures. On the other hand, the administrators are expected to woo these outsiders to support the organization, both morally and financially. Thus, the external roles of the manager—maintaining liaison contacts, acting as figurehead and spokesman in a public relations capacity, negotiating with outside agencies—emerge as primary ones in professional administration.


p. 326 - The structuring of organizations (1979)


The professional administrators — especially those at higher levels — serve key roles at the boundary of the organization, between the...

The professional administrators — especially those at higher levels — serve key roles at the boundary of the organization, between the...