A study of executive roles by the Hay Group distinguished between operations roles and collaborative roles. Most traditional managers are skilled in handling operations roles which have traditional vertical authority and are accountable for business results primarily through direct control over people and resources. Collaborative roles on the other hand don’t have direct authority over horizontal colleagues or partners but are nonetheless accountable for specific business results. Managers in collaborative roles have to be highly flexible and proactive. they achieve results through personal communication and assertively seeking out needed information and resources.