IN FEBRUARY 2014, Harvard Business Review Analytic Services surveyed its readers about
the role of frontline managers in today’s organizations.1 The goal of the survey was to under-
stand how important frontline managers are to organizational success, to what extent front-
line manager effectiveness impacts business performance, and whether frontline managers
are given enough support and leadership development to optimally fulfill their roles and
responsibilities.
With 610 participants, the topic clearly struck a chord with Harvard Business Review readers.
Respondents were a diverse pool of cross-industry, senior-level managers and executives
from companies across the globe with more than 100 employees. A full 60 percent came
from companies with more than 1,000 employees. Most held titles of executive manage-
ment, director, senior manager/department head, or manager/supervisor.
Vital to Organizational Success
Frontline Managers:
Are They Given
the Leadership Tools
to Succeed?
HIGHLIGHTS
77%
of respondents said frontline
managers are important in
helping their organization reach
its business goals
33%
