What Is a Direct Report? + How to Manage a Team

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Discover how to support direct reports and set your team up for success.

[Featured Image] A manager is conducting a business meeting with their direct reports.

What is a direct report? 

A direct report is an employee who reports to a manager, supervisor, or person in a leadership role within a company. People in charge of direct reports may also be referred to as direct reportees.

You may find it useful to learn more about how organizations function, including how companies structure their teams, with direct reports at every level of the organizational chart (org chart). One of the most common ways to visualize a typical organizational structure is to think of a pyramid, with the chief executive officer (CEO) at the very top, followed by several departmental directors who report to the CEO. Managers would report to directors, and individual contributors would report to managers.

Within an organization, the direct reporting system can make it easier to:

  • Define roles and responsibilities 

  • Align expertise with the projects and deliverables 

  • Delegate tasks 

  • Improve communication

  • Deliver feedback 

Macquarie University

specialization

Leading: Human Resource Management and Leadership

Get ready for the Future of Work. Leading people and organisations to adapt, compete and succeed in a complex, global environment.

4.9

(2,347 ratings)

51,944 already enrolled

Intermediate level

Average time: 3 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Human Resources (HR), Team Management, Business Leadership, Branding, Organizational Structure, Organisational design, Human Resource Strategy, Brand Strategy, Employee Engagement, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Leadership, Team Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development, Visionary leadership, Risk Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Business Strategy, Value Chain, Organisational leadership, Change planning, Organizational Strategy, Risk Mitigation, Report Writing, Organizational Change, Workforce Planning, Organizational Effectiveness, Organisational alignment, Staff Management, Leadership and Management, Adaptability, Culture Transformation, Leadership, Dealing With Ambiguity, Self-Awareness, Communication, Complex Problem Solving, Motivational Skills, Storytelling, Motivation, Thought Leadership, Performance Measurement, Non-Verbal Communication, Brand Management, Employee Coaching, Social Sciences, Verbal Communication Skills, Influencing, Cultural Responsiveness, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Strategic Leadership, Innovation, Team Motivation, People Management, Cultural Diversity, People Development, Conflict Management, Diversity Awareness, Team Building

Direct reports vs. indirect reports

Direct reports work under a manager or supervisor, while indirect reports work under managers’ direct reports.

Managing direct reports 

If you are in charge of direct reports, you may be interested in how to support them in their roles and enhance the relationships among everyone on your team. With the following seven strategies, you can strengthen your team and the organization. 

1. Set aside time to manage your team directly. 

Reserving time to coach, mentor, collaborate, and develop your team can result in higher performance. The amount of time you devote to managing your team and individual direct reports may vary. When scheduling time to manage your team, consider how many direct reports you’re in charge of, other tasks and responsibilities, as well as their schedules. 

If your time is limited, you may find that shorter one-on-one and group meetings with focused agendas can be productive, especially if you ask for questions and feedback in advance. 

2. Adopt inclusive leadership.

As a management style, inclusive leadership can increase engagement among direct reports and inspire innovation. Inclusive leadership entails:

  • Welcoming new perspectives

  • Ensuring direct reports feel valued, heard, and supported

  • Exhibiting cultural intelligence and sensitivity

  • Listening without judgment 

Case Western Reserve University

specialization

Inspired Leadership

Leading to inspire and engage others. Learn concepts and skills to inspire and engage others for performance, innovation and satisfaction.

4.8

(1,295 ratings)

35,854 already enrolled

Intermediate level

Average time: 2 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Business Psychology, Appreciative Inquiry, Human Learning, Leadership and Management, Problem Solving, Entrepreneurship, Emotional Intelligence, Human Resources, People Development, Change Management, Organizational Development, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Leadership, Negotiation, Strategy and Operations, Leadership Development, Coaching, Strategy, Influencing, Communication, Assertiveness, Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, Facilitation, Active Listening

3. Get to know your direct reports. 

When you know your direct reports personally and professionally, you can create rapport and make it easier to coach and motivate them. When leading team or one-on-one meetings, ask icebreaker questions like “What is a unique skill you bring to this job?” or “What is your favorite line from a movie or book?” These kinds of questions can encourage everyone to open up in a low-stakes conversation and learn more about one another’s personalities. Also, make time to ask direct reports about their career and life goals. 

4. Establish open communication. 

Invite direct reports to reach out to you with questions and concerns about their work, as well as suggestions and ideas for new projects or processes.

5. Seek their feedback. 

Direct reports often operate on the organization’s front lines, from interacting face-to-face with customers to designing and creating products. Their feedback on work processes, schedules, and other details can be invaluable when envisioning new directions for the team. In addition, you provide direct reports with the opportunity to influence team or company decision-making.

Northwestern University

specialization

Organizational Leadership

Successfully Lead in an Ever-Changing Business Environment. Master key strategies to successfully lead an organizational change effort in just five courses plus a final capstone project.

4.7

(2,804 ratings)

55,687 already enrolled

Intermediate level

Average time: 1 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Innovation, Design Leadership, Business Psychology, Leadership and Management, People Development, Change Management, Marketing, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, People Analysis, Decision Making, Leadership, Negotiation, Strategy and Operations, Leadership Development, Influencing, Strategy, Communication, Analytics, Data Analysis, Advertising, Communications Management, Team Management, Crisis Management

6. Offer regular performance evaluations.

It’s important to provide performance evaluations regularly, such as monthly or quarterly. Performance evaluations are important in understanding how employees contribute to an organization’s growth and when employees need coaching or training to improve their performance. 

Different methods of performance evaluation include:

  • Objectives-based evaluation: Managers and direct reports set goals together and evaluate whether goals are met.

  • 360-degree feedback: Evaluations come from all directions, including direct reports, managers, peers, and customers.

  • Human resource accounting method: Employees are evaluated according to the monetary value they bring to the company.

7. Delegate tasks effectively. 

As you get to know your direct reports well—how they perform, the goals they’ve set, the kind of feedback that best motivates them—it’s important to delegate tasks effectively. Ask yourself which of your direct reports is best suited for specific tasks or projects. 

Learn more about managing direct reports on Coursera 

Taking online courses can be a great way to build leadership skills and prepare to take on new responsibilities. Explore two of our most popular options below: 

Macquarie University

specialization

Leading: Human Resource Management and Leadership

Get ready for the Future of Work. Leading people and organisations to adapt, compete and succeed in a complex, global environment.

4.9

(2,347 ratings)

51,944 already enrolled

Intermediate level

Average time: 3 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Human Resources (HR), Team Management, Business Leadership, Branding, Organizational Structure, Organisational design, Human Resource Strategy, Brand Strategy, Employee Engagement, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Leadership, Team Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development, Visionary leadership, Risk Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Business Strategy, Value Chain, Organisational leadership, Change planning, Organizational Strategy, Risk Mitigation, Report Writing, Organizational Change, Workforce Planning, Organizational Effectiveness, Organisational alignment, Staff Management, Leadership and Management, Adaptability, Culture Transformation, Leadership, Dealing With Ambiguity, Self-Awareness, Communication, Complex Problem Solving, Motivational Skills, Storytelling, Motivation, Thought Leadership, Performance Measurement, Non-Verbal Communication, Brand Management, Employee Coaching, Social Sciences, Verbal Communication Skills, Influencing, Cultural Responsiveness, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Strategic Leadership, Innovation, Team Motivation, People Management, Cultural Diversity, People Development, Conflict Management, Diversity Awareness, Team Building

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

specialization

Strategic Leadership and Management

Leadership and Business Skill for Immediate Impact. Apply practical strategies to becoming an effective organizational leader.

4.8

(6,838 ratings)

145,766 already enrolled

Beginner level

Average time: 2 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Business Psychology, Leadership and Management, Sales, Change Management, Organizational Development, Conflict Management, Leadership, Negotiation, Influencing, Communication, Strategic Management, Operations Management, Business Strategy, Business Analysis, Problem Solving, Entrepreneurship, Adaptability, Human Resources, Planning, Marketing, Research and Design, Culture, Decision Making, Strategy and Operations, Leadership Development, Strategy, Strategic Thinking, Business Model, Defining Leadership, Trust in relationships, self-awareness, People Development, Ethical decision-making, Organizational Theories, Organization Design, Organizational Structure, People Analytics, Ethics, Organizational Culture, Organizational Change, Decision-Making, Strategic Leadership, Management, Mergers And Acquisitions (M&A), Corporate Governance, Global Strategy, Diversification, Facilitate psychological safety, Create space for DEIB, Manage motivation and engagement, Navigate growth and change in teams, Develop team culture

Keep reading

Updated on
Written by:

Editorial Team

Coursera’s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

Advance in your career with recognized credentials across levels.

Subscribe to earn unlimited certificates and build job-ready skills from top organizations.