When applying for a job, besides considering the expertise and suitability of the company, the line manager is also an important factor to consider. They will be the person directly guiding you in your work and acting as a connection for you to integrate better into the company. And of course, a good mentor will definitely help you learn and develop faster on your career path.
At the shared house of Glints, line managers play a crucial role in building, managing, and developing the workforce. They not only ensure business objectives but also contribute positively to the human aspect and company culture.
So, what exactly is a line manager? At Glints, what roles and values do they hold? Let’s explore the following content!
What is a Line Manager?
A line manager (also known as direct manager or team leader) is the person directly responsible for guiding, leading, and supervising employees, as well as overseeing the activities of the organization or department to ensure the achievement of business objectives.
The above definition is similar to the sharing of Thanh (Talent Acquisition Manager at Glints Vietnam) and Linh (Talent Acquisition Specialist at Glints Vietnam) about line managers:
“A line manager is a direct boss or team leader – the head of a team. They will take on the role of direction, guidance, and training for team members.”
Ngoc (Talent Acquisition Associate at Glints Vietnam) also adds:
“In addition, line managers are also responsible for reporting the situation and effectiveness of each team member’s work to higher-level managers, so that they can have a good grasp of what is happening in each department. In other words, line managers are also the bridge between employees and the upper management of the company.”
Line Manager’s Roles at Glints
So, what are the specific responsibilities of line managers in the company? Some specific roles of line managers at Glints include:
- Recruitment and team building in the relevant department
- Guiding, training, and supporting new employees
- Planning and assigning work for the team
- Monitoring and evaluating the team’s performance
- Ensuring the quality of team activities; making necessary decisions and resolving issues to enhance work quality
- Managing people and building a positive team culture
- Summarizing and reporting work effectiveness to senior management
And most importantly, line managers need to ensure that the team members they lead can work effectively and productively. In addition to the professional aspects of the job, line managers also need to care about and support the well-being of the team, both physically and mentally, contributing to the development of a positive working environment for the company.
The question for this article is: Do line managers at Glints hold similar roles? The answer is, of course, yes, but to be more specific, please continue reading below!
1. Leading the Team in the Right Direction
When it comes to the “role” of line managers in a business, all four members of the People Team at Glints Vietnam mentioned the first aspect – “direction and leadership.”
Indeed, line managers are the ones who understand the work of a department or team the most. They are also the ones who set goals and plan work, monitor and manage the activities of team members.
2. The Connecting Link for Strong Team Spirit
Moreover, with the role of a line manager or team leader, they are responsible for motivating the entire team to achieve the set goals and accomplishments.
Therefore, besides providing guidance, line managers also have the role of “taking care” to ensure that team members perform their tasks well, according to Nhi (Talent Acquisition Associate at Glints Vietnam).
According to Chron, team spirit often starts with the leaders. When line managers demonstrate their dedication and wholehearted support to their team members, it not only fosters a strong team spirit but also strengthens the company’s culture and values.
Line Manager – HR: A Close Relationship in Team Building
“Hiring the right people, building and developing the team, setting common goals for the whole team to work towards.” This is the “mantra” that Thanh – the leader of the People Team at Glints Vietnam – mentioned when asked about the role of line managers in team building.
The collaboration between line managers and the HR department at Glints can be understood through two aspects:
- Participating in the recruitment process
- Supporting individual development and fostering a healthy team spirit
1. Involvement in the Recruitment Process
Line managers are the ones who understand the team’s activities the best. At Glints, “line managers are the key figures in recruitment,” as shared by Linh (Talent Acquisition Specialist).
In addition to supporting the HR team in planning and designing job descriptions to prepare for recruitment, line managers will evaluate whether candidates have the necessary competencies and skills for a position. They will also assess if the candidates are suitable for the team’s dynamics and fit into Glints’ culture.
So, what is the difference between a recruiter and a line manager in this process?
Ngoc (Talent Acquisition Associate) explains:
“The recruitment team focuses more on finding suitable candidates, evaluating mainly based on attitude, mindset, and soft skills. On the other hand, line managers directly assess the candidates’ professional skills and knowledge, as well as their potential to achieve the desired job requirements and outcomes.”
Line managers also have the best understanding of candidates, not only their skills but also their potential. Some line managers even take on the role of introducing talented candidates, acting as a bridge for the Recruitment department to find suitable people quickly, especially for senior HR positions.
2. Supporting Personal Development and Building a Healthy Team Spirit
Once having the right team members, the next thing line managers need to focus on is building a healthy working environment and supporting employees in their long-term development goals, aiming to retain and nurture talents.
This means that line managers should be able to listen, share with their team members to address work-related issues, create opportunities for them to learn, and provide suitable development directions.
In addition, line managers are responsible for organizing team-building activities, increasing positive team spirit, so that all team members can work together and develop together.
The Glintstars’ Perspective: What Makes an Ideal Line Manager?
- Listening and Understanding
It would be difficult to work with a manager who always thinks they are right and never cares about the thoughts or feelings of employees.
Nhi – Talent Acquisition Associate at Glints – emphasizes:
“At Glints, the value of proactive listening and understanding is important. This creates an opportunity for team members to open up and share more. From there, line managers can understand the issues that employees are facing, understand their team – both strengths and weaknesses, and provide suitable solutions.”
- Influential
Besides understanding people, line managers need to have a broad perspective and the ability to evaluate and analyze the team’s performance, according to Ngoc (Talent Acquisition Associate).
“For example, Thanh – my current line manager, has extensive knowledge and expertise in HR and recruitment. Although her sourcing skills might not be outstanding, or her paperwork and insurance handling might not be as proficient as the People Operations department, she can still provide accurate analysis and evaluation to improve the team’s operations.”
Linh (Talent Acquisition Specialist) also shares similar thoughts:
“I really enjoy working at Glints. Line managers always encourage and motivate me to achieve the best work effectiveness. I am provided with clear goals and practical training sessions.”
- Inspiring
“Chị Ngọc (Talent Acquisition Associate) shares: “I don’t expect a perfect line manager, but I need a line manager who has something special that I can learn from, to serve as a role model for me – in terms of knowledge, expertise, mindset, and attitude. It’s the same for any profession, if we can find an inspiring mentor who always gives useful advice, so that we can unleash our full potential, it’s incredibly lucky and wonderful.”
According to Nhi (Talent Acquisition Associate): “According to my opinion, people are the core resource of an organization. Therefore, line managers must have the heart to lead and motivate other employees to develop and progress.”
- Fairness and Transparency
A valuable line manager must always maintain a fair and transparent mindset in every situation and issue. A “captain” must be wise in order to lead the remaining “carriages” in the right direction. Thanh, Talent Acquisition Manager, affirms:
“With Glints’ RIICOBH culture, the relationship between managers and employees is always equal and has a certain comfort. Everyone has the right to freely exchange thoughts with each other, as long as everyone is heading towards the common goal and striving to achieve the best possible results.”
With the above sharing, you should have some understanding of what a line manager is and their role in the company and how Glints views them, right?
Don’t forget that if you desire to work in a youthful, dynamic environment, or want to learn and develop alongside “dedicated and capable” line managers, Glints is always here to welcome you. There are many job opportunities available at Glints, so don’t hesitate to apply!
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