A company of 30 or 40 employees is no longer a company of generalists. Departments are beginning to emerge and employees are becoming more and more focused in specialized areas. Naturally some confusion can arise about which department is responsible for what. In order to avoid territorial scuffles and unnecessary redundancies, the roles and responsibilities of each department need to be clearly defined.

This clarification of duties starts with clearly defining the roles of each of the department managers. Each manager needs to know exactly what is expected of them and their department and, sometimes more importantly, what isn’t. What areas are they solely responsible for? Where do they share responsibility with another department? What outcomes will they be graded on? How will their performance as a manager be judged?

A well-defined role not only gives the CEO peace of mind, it gives these department heads a clear road map for success. Because they have a clearly defined lane to stay in, they will be able to successfully lead and grow their departments without duplicating the work of another department or having to stop and ask for permission with every decision. They will have the autonomy and authority to provide their employees with a clear direction and vision and they will know exactly what they need to get done. Taking the time to define these managerial roles will make a substantial difference in the effectiveness and productivity of your managers.