Leadership and Management Concepts

This document discusses the concepts of leadership and management in the context of General Motors and Corus. It compares the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers, and explores how their roles apply to different contexts such as staff turnover and sales decline. It also discusses the application of different theories and models of leadership approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership, and contingency theory.

Leadership and
Management
Concepts

INTRODUCTION
Management and leadership process of organization involves developing vision, aligning
vision with the goals through communication. General Motors(GM) is an American
multinational corporation which is headquartered in Detroit the company designs, manufactures
and sells vehicles and vehicles parts. The report is divided into 2 parts. Part first will give the
details of various leadership and management concepts(Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson, 2016). The
report will contain the comparison of managers and leaders on the basis of their characteristics
and roles. Further the study will describe how the role of leader and function of manager apply to
different context ie, uncertain situation, goal setting and strategy formulation.
Part second is based on Corus which is a part of TATA steel group. It is the world's
largest steel producers. This case study will focus on how Corus used its knowledge and
experience of continuous improvement tool to win new business. By making an effective use of
skills and expertise in a structured way makes it more able to create better processes and
products. Corus used CI to support its new product development This study will describe and
show some approaches to management and role of leaders. Further the study will show he
advantages and value of operations management in achieving objectives of business. Lastly, this
report also shows the relationship between the leadership and management in a contemporary
business environment.
LO 1
P 1 Comparison of role and characteristics of leaders and managers
Leader
 According to Peter F Drucker, A leader is a person who lead a group of people and
motivate them to achieve a common goal. They have followers who they lead and guide.
Leader can be a that person who have skills to make others follow him (Drucker, 2017).
 According to John C. Maxwell Leader is a person who are act like a coach. They have
the ability to influence a group of people, and he must have skills to take decision for his
team (Frunză, 2017). Leaders work is to inspire them through sharing his thought and
vision they are responsible for stablish tone in his team and leaders are responsible for
manage his team and achieve his goals(Parakhina, Boris and Strielkowski, 2019).
Managers

 According to Harold Koontz, manager can be defined as an art of getting tasks or things
done by others in an effective manner (Koontz and Weihrich, 2015). Managers are person
who is most responsible part of the company. Managers can be in charge of the
department and workers. Managers have powers to fire and hire according to
performance of the workers
 According to George R. Terry, Manager is a person who supervise workers and
responsible for directing the progress of an organization. Managers deal with customers
problem and solve the quarries of the customers (Pinatti and et.al., 2017).
Difference between modern leaders and managers
Basis for
comparison
Leader Manager
Meaning A leader can be defined as an individual
who influence their followers to
accomplish a specific goal. Example of a
great leader is Mary Barra, who focused
on creating a productive and effective
environment where all level of
employees can work together and with
more comfortableness.
A manager is also an important
person who is responsible for
managing progress of the company.
They plan, organize, coordinate and
control for this.
Approach The main aim of leader is to guide and
influence followers and for that they set
the direct which is an approach of
leadership. Example of the great leader
which shows that leadership approach is
to set direction is Mary Barra. She set
the direction which was focused and
customer centred.
Management is responsible for
managing all processes and for that
they require planning in detail and it
is the main approach of
management.
Attributes Main attribute of leader is inspiration and Attribute of manager is awareness

demonstrate foresightedness. For
example, Mary, T Barra who is known
as its great leadership. She is a great
leader as she gives all credit to its
followers that shows her humbleness.
as they require becoming aware
about all processes for controlling
and managing them.
Subordinates
Roles
Leaders have subordinates that are
initially known as followers. Mary
Barra trusts in her followers or
employees and give them opportunity to
take ownership of the rules.
Manager has Subordinates that are
known as employees.
Style Transformational leadership style: leader
take the decision to lead the team and
motivate them to achieve the goal (Hitt,
Ireland and Hoskisson, 2016). For
example Mary Barra, who focused on
dynamic decision.
Transactional leadership style
Manager. Managers focus on
organization and supervise the
employees, and they find the
mistakes and fault of the employees.
Decision Leaders lead the team and make them to
take the decision.
Managers make decisions to solve
the problems of the employees.
Managers organize, plans and
control by his decision.
Aim A main aim of the leaders is to
continuously grow and development his
team to achieve the team goals.
Managers aim to complete the
requirement of his bosses and
managers take help from employees
to complete the requirement.
Focus A leader control the team members and
increase the moral of the team members
it will help to achieve the goals easily.
Mangers focus on spending a time
with his team to see the work
process and it helps them to achieve
the goals of the organization.
Change Leaders promote changes and Leader Manager only do monotonous work

bring change in team through give them a
right direction.
for organization. Mangers can react
angrily on negative changes in
organization.
Conflict Leaders use conflict as a asset by them to
achieve the goals (Hitt, Ireland and
Hoskisson, 2016).
Managers avoid conflict so firm can
run smoothly, and they can make
high profit for organization.
People Leaders align people by find the perfect
spot and perfect place for members in
team.
Managers organise people by giving
the training and improve their skills.
Striving For effectiveness work Leaders motivate
team to give their hundred percent
towards the team goal and it helps them
to increase the moral of the employees.
For work efficiency Managers
communicate with employees and
solve employees problem and
improve the efficiency of workers
by giving them task and
project(Nayani and et.al., 2018).
LO 2
P 2 How role of leader and function of manager apply to different context.
Leadership: A leadership is a art of motivating a people so that can act to achieve the
common goals of the organization. There are various roles of a leader which helps in achieving
the objective of the organization. Leadership and management are key aspects of Company.
Leadership is defined as ability of lead to group of individuals to in achieving common goal or
objective. Management is defined as act of organizing and coordinating entire activities of an
organization to achieve goals, objective set by leadership, within a given span of time(Parakhina,
Boris and Strielkowski, 2019).
Staff turn over
This is the situation which creates problem for business unit, in this situation leaders play
the role of relationship builder, individual build relations with other staff members and always
ensure that their team members discuss each aspect with them. By this way people share their
views with leader and do not think to leave their job.

Sales decline
In this situation leaders work as innovator, individual find new ideas through which sales
can be increased this helps the firm in meeting organisational goal.
MBO is known as management by objectives, this model emphasis more on overall
performance of business in order to meet the organisational goal. MBO impact on the sales team
engagement and also helps in motivating staff so that staff turnover issue can be managed and
enterprise can generate more sales.
Functions of manager: In the context of functions of manager, it can be said that they
are mainly responsible for planning, organizing, leading as well as controlling. In a planning
function, manager set out a goal and a plan on which basis further process will be done. After
making plan, they organize their team according to plan. After deciding about areas of
requirement and performance, they recruit and perform staffing according to job. After, staffing
and organizing they motivate, communicate as well as guide their employees. Lastly, they
oversee all functions and control accordingly.
Sales decline
In this situation managers work as director, they give clear instruction to their staff
members so that they can deal with consumers well and can generate more sales.
Staff turnover
Mangers play the role of motivator, they give rewards to their employees so that people
feel happy and love to work in organization for longer duration.
Uncertain situation: Different Roles of leader and functions of manager
As company is facing issues such as labour turnover. As the employees are leaving the
organization, as they are not satisfied with the working. So, in this case leaders will make new
policies to deal with situation and managers will provide training and development programs.
Other competitors are using new technology and General Motors are working on old technology
so this is an uncertain situation. Leader will make policies to adopt new technologies and
management makes the arrangement for providing training using new technology(Hitt, Ireland
and Hoskisson, 2016).
General Motors is facing an issue of costing as the competitors are providing the goods at
fewer prices. So the leaders make new policies and guidelines to deal with situation as, helps in

reducing the prices of products. Management will apply cost reduction technique which helps in
reducing cost without comprising its quality.
Goal setting: Different Roles of leader and functions of manager
Leader performs important role in setting the goal for an organization. Success can only
be achieved when the goals set should not be too high or low, should be attainable for average
individual to achieve that. Goals set by the leaders must be SMART ie. Goals should be specific,
measurable, achievable by the organization, result oriented and time bound. Goal setting is
important for managers as managers are responsible for communicating that how the individual
goals and the goals of General Motors are connected. Management makes the necessary
arrangement for achieving a goal. Manger introduces the organizational goals to the employees,
as what is to be done make plans according to that and makes sure that it is implemented
throughout the organization (companyngram and et.al., 2015).
Strategy Formulation
General Motors is formulating global strategy. In this strategy decision-making is
extended to global extent. A leader determines the goals and formulate strategies related to
organizations goals. The leaders will make guidelines that how the strategy will communicate
around the world, formulating a strategy is easier but to implement that on is difficult. So it is
duty of leader to implement the strategy successfully. Leader develops and provides resources
for proper execution of strategies. The functions of manager make plans and select effective
employees to implement that strategy formulated(Canton, 2019).
P 3 Application of different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership,
systems leadership and contingency
Situational leadership: Situational leadership refers to when managers and leaders of an
organization adjust the style to perfectly fit in the development level of the followers what he
they are trying to influence. This is an effective way of leadership because they accept the team's
needs and set a beneficial balance for the whole (companyngram and et.al., 2015). For example,
there are two type of style of leader such as autocratic and democratic. Democratic is being used
by the leader of an organization when they want to motivate employees and employees have
experience of taking decision. On the other hand, autocratic is being used when leader need to
take decision on emergency basis or there is a shortage of time. So, it can be said that leader
switch their style according to needs and situations.

Role of managers: At this point the manager still required to focus on tasks, now the
focus moves on the expansion in development of relationship with employee. Manager need to
spend significant time in listening and offering advice.
Illustration 1: Situational leadership
Role of leader:
As a general motors leader now able to delegate tasks to the employees and observe with
minimal follow up. There is a low focus on relationship and low focus on tasks. Leader not
required to compliment the employees on every task, despite continues to praise them for
outstanding performance(Ingram and et.al., 2015).

System leadership: This leadership in an organization enable to create the conditions
where people with their potential work productively at all levels. With use of sound principles
about human behaviour in creating models of organizational strategy, system design and other
social process.
Illustration 2: System leadership
Role of manager:
Manager of General motor acts as a bridge between the higher management in translating
higher level goals and strategies in operating plans that drive the organization. Manager is
accountable towards senior executive for performance and to front line workers for motivation,
guidance and support. Manager of General motors assist customers using their services

throughout the projects. Helps in solving client problems and managing financial aspects of
contracts. Ensure that contracts are carried out as per the agreed terms (Ingram and et.al., 2015).
Role of leader:
Leader of General motors have a great vision that can be achieved and then conveyed and
evolve strategies for realization of the vision. They motivate people and able to negotiate for
resources and other support in achievement of goals. General motors adopts the best way of
leadership for strategic engagement is style which focus on employee engagement(Hawkins and
Edwards, 2015).
Strategic engagement:
Contingency leadership:
Contingency theory of leadership is contingent upon leadership style match to the
situation. The contingency theory is concerned with “there is no best style of leadership other
than contingency leadership” (Fiedler's contingency model).
Role of leader: General Motors have to find out what type of leadership style and situation they
develop.
Role of manager: Manager’s performance is based upon the motivation, interplay of tasks, or
relation and the circumstances.
LO 3
P 4 Key approaches to operation management and the role of mangers and leaders.
Continuous improvement:
Continuous improvement mostly known as continual improvement, is an ongoing
improvements of products and services or process through incremental and break through
improvements. Continuous improvement is a running effort which helps in improving the
quality of products and services offered(Morden, 2017). In the context of Corus that is a
customer focused and innovation solution driven company. It manufactures, designs and
distributes aluminium products. It is stated that this company wants to secure a more prosperous
future. So, It is very important for the manager of this company to focus on continuous
improvement or Kaizen approach. For making this more successful it launched its restoring
success program whose main aim is to close the competitive gap between itself and its European
competitors.

Role of leaders impacts continuous improvements in such a way that they will support
the employees to develop their own learnings and to promote the general self empowerment so
that the workers of General Motors are able to take their own decisions related to the work.
Manager monitors and improve organizational process with the aim of making them as efficient
as possible(Hawkins and Edwards, 2015).
Quality assurance:
Quality assurance is a procedure of preventing defects and faults in manufacturing
products, and ignoring problems while delivering the products and services to consumers. In
General Motors goods and services are delivered to the buyers after quality assurance. Total
management of quality is an organization wide philosophy with core value centred on continue
enhancing quality of goods and services, the quality must meet the expectations of
customers(Hawkins and Edwards, 2015).
TQM is known as quality assurance which is being mainly used by Corus company. As
it is already stated that it wants to take growth and become the market leader in the future. For
accomplishing this goal it requires focusing on quality assurance of its products. With the help of
total quality management it can be customer focused and improve its quality. There are some
factors required to be focused while implementing this approach includes: make sure of
employees active involvement. To use qualitative raw materials in the process of manufacturing
etc. Plan, do, check and act is four categories of TQM.
Leader will set quality standard for teams in testing various new technology in the
General Motors. The leaders have excellent knowledge of risk management, risk identification,
thus helps in testing minimizing the risk. Manager makes plans and directs quality assurance
programs and formulate quality control policies. Managers assist in improving the efficiency and
improving profitability by reducing waste in General Motors(Morden, 2017).
Just in time
Just in time manufacturing also known as just in time production. It was developed and
applied in General Motors plant in order to meet consumers demand with minimum delays. The
main aim of JIT is to identify and correct obstacles in the manufacturing process. Leader makes
the guidelines that goods must be delivered on time, and makes the production process easier and
efficient. Management will make out plans to deliver the products and services on time to the
buyers without delaying.

Just in time approach is also called the main approach that helps out Corus to save cost
of its inventories. The actual principle and meaning of this approach is to produce and supply
goods and services only when they required by customers. It reduces costs of inventories that are
being kept at warehouses. It also increases storing space. For implementing this successfully
there is a requirement for Corus to have well organized system in order to make sure that
suppliers will arrive and goods will reach to customers on time. It can increase return on
investment by doing so. In JIT approach it is the role of manager to set the time priorities for the
different tasks in the organisation and it is the role of a leaders to guide the employees
performing the tasks on time.
Product development
New product development is a process to introducing new products to the market.
General Motors engage in this process due to change in consumer preference, competition and
improvement in technology or to capitalize on a new opportunity(Northouse, 2017). Product
development is the idea which can come from innovation, changes in technologies, competitors,
the changing demands of employees and market. It is stated that Corus worked with the aircraft
carrier design team. Bidding process was not successful for Corus. So it will require to innovate
its product or develop them. For product development Corus established some systematic
quality procedures and system that helped it to meet this change.
Leader address new ideas for the product development in General Motors that how new
products can be made. The leader makes plans and procedure for new products, that the product
should satisfy the needs of the consumer. Leaders do research and development before
introducing new products to the market. And management gathers the information before
developing any new products. As a manager conducts specific project task which helps in new
product development.
Lean production
Lean production is an approach that management focus on cutting out waste, while
ensuring quality. Lean production aims to reduce cost by making the firm more efficient and
reactive to market needs.
Role of leader to lead the operational change to enhance value system of General
Motors using same or reduced resources(Hibbert and Cunliffe, 2015). Leader makes policy for

cutting out waste while ensuring quality. Managers are responsible for the process efficiency
leading to high quality products focusing on waste reduction (Hawkins and Edwards, 2015).
All approaches helped this company and give several positive outcomes like Corus
developed the new specification of steel that required at a competitive price. Lean production as
well as investment in research and development makes the company able to reduce
manufacturing cost and wastes.
Illustration 3: Positive outcomes

P 5. Importance of operational management in organization
Operations management is of great importance and high value for the organisations as it
can help in achieving the business objectives of the company and this value and importance is
mentioned below:
Process design: Process design' is a process to sequence the unit for materials chemical
transformation. It is central to the chemical engineering and this is new facilities or modification
of existing facilities. A design starts on concept level and end in form of construction planes.
Process designing is an important because it will affect cost and profitability of company.
It helps general motors to create the best possible product for company. Process designing is
approach to fulfil ‘IT' and business at same time(Morden, 2017). In the context of Corus it can be
said that there is a requirement for this company to innovate and improves its process of
manufacturing. Process design help them in considering values of its community, environmental
qualities can also be protected as well as enhanced. It can improve customers satisfaction by
making its process innovative and process design. This can help in achieving business objectives
of the company as it help in making an effective modification with the organisation it help in
meeting the changing needs of the organisation.
Capacity management: Capacity management is an act that ensure maximization of the
business activities and outputs. Capacity of a business measures that how they can produce and
sell in particular period or particular time. Implementation of a capacity management improved
and consistent level of services and quality services along with a lower cost of the services.
Capacity management is important for general motors because it helps to ensure the
current and future capacity of company and performance of the company (Hawkins and
Edwards, 2015).
The importance of capacity management for Corus company is it can make proper use of
current and future resources by measuring business capacity. It can provide the future forecast
for required resources in steel manufacturing. With effective capacity management, company as
it helps in analysing the future and current capacity so it will help general motors to reduce risks
by identifying resources for newly applications before they go live or change in demand which is
one of the basic objective of the company.
Logistic and inventory management

This management is the process to store, order and using the inventory of company.
Inventory include product and Raw material. it helps to fulfil and control product amount for
selling Logistic management is a part of inventory management and component of supply chain
management. Use of inventory management is to meet the demands of a customer. Logistic
management helps to control and manage goods it helps to decrease expanses of the company.
Process of logistic starts with raw material and ends with finished product (Canton, 2019).
Importance of logistics and inventory management in general motors business objectives
Inventory plays an important role in general motors because it helps the company to store
a stock in company’s inventory. Inventory has record of all the stock and product. It helps
general motors to control goods through inventory management and help to decrease expenses of
general motors and convert row material into finished product(Ingram and et.al., 2015).
Managing investors also plays a vital role as Corus company can reduce cost by
demanding products on the time when they required. The meaning of inventory management is
to maintain a balance between demand and supply of products and services. By maintaining this
balance it can provide services to customers on the time.
LO 4
P 6 Factors affecting operations management
Global competition: Leader of General Motors required to make strategies to compete
with global competition. Effective strategies helps in improving decision-making process.
Leaders required to consider cultural awareness, global prospective, developing and maintaining
relationships in implementation of their strategies in comparison to competitors strategies for
making a good standing in competitive market. In this situation leaders are take appropriate and
effective decision in order to compete in the global environment which is required to evaluate on
relative basis. Managers need to made plan to compete with global competition in their decision-
making process. Consider internal and external factors leads to organization's success. While
planning for global competition consider those factors which enhance organization capabilities in
comparison to competitors (Dhir, 2019).
Rapid expansion of advanced technology: General Motors required to adopt new
technologies and consider their variables used for evaluating available alternatives with respect
to technology advancement. Leader need to take a decision on consider important tool in
implement of technological changes for improvement of operations and functions of team

members. Strengthen leadership with technology will greatly increase leaders ability to meet the
challenges. Technological advancement makes easier for managers to collaborate and execute
business decisions. General Motors managers have to take decision consider affect of their
decision on shareholders, employees, customers and community while planning for adoption of
new technology. While adopting new technology required to consider those factors that affect
decision-making in respect of availability of technology and economies of employment in
selection of management options(Parakhina, Boris and Strielkowski, 2019).
Scarcity of materials and capital: As we all know that materials and cost are important
factor that are the main reason of the success of an organization. For providing an effective
services to customers there is a requirement of enough materials and cost. Scarcity in materials
and cost can decrease sales and revenue. Company can not provide services to customers
according to their demands. So, it can be said that it can create several problems for the company
and affect all operations of the company. In this context managers have take decision on
effective resource and capital planning like what source from which resources and finance will
be collected. After acquiring resources and finance leaders have to take decision on how
effectively resources and finance can be used in the workplace.
Factors affecting decision-making:
Political: Political factors or instability in political situation can create several problems
for General motors. Due to changes in political situation, it can decrease sales volume because
unstability in political situation can become the reason of riots. Due to riots, people do not come
outside and it can directly impacts on operation of this company. On the other hand, political
stability and support of politics in developing motors and vehicles can increase revenue.
Economic: Economic factors include all those factors that can increase and decrease the
economic position of the company. Some factors include tax rates, inflation rate, wages etc.
Government intervention in the free market and stability in currency of host country can be
beneficial for the company.
Social factors: General Motors leader focus on culture differences and adopt required
skills and decision-making tool for product development. Leaders need to adjust demand and
supply as per the cultural requirement. They need to adopt cultural changes in their decision-
making process. Manager of General Motors adopts social norms as standard and accepted way

in making judgements. In planning product strategies they required to consider cultural
behaviour and changes in organization(Nayani and et.al., 2018).
Technical: Advanced technology is increasing sales and revenue of General motors. By
making an effective use of technology it can attract wider range of customers towards buying
their products. On the other hand, there is a requirement of developing some tools and resources
for making an effective use of technology which can increase operational cost of the company. It
is increasing competition as well which is a threat for the company.
Ethical factors: Leader of General Motors adopts ethical behavior while working with
fellow members and employees. While producing product adopt ethical norms and standards.
Ethical behaviour at working environment promote higher integrity which promote a sense of
trust and to encourages their subordinates to follow and accept leader's instructions. They focus
on production of sustainable product which does not harm the environment. Managers as their
planning tool adopt ethical standard and behaviour in their own actions and decision-making.
While planning and directing strategies for product development need to adopt ethical norms.
General Motors managers holds position of authority which make them accountable for the
ethical conduct of those who report them (Northouse, 2017).
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded that the role and characteristics of managers
and leaders are different and both work according to that. As leader is a person who lead a group
or individuals to achieve a common goal. And manager is a person who manages the staffs and
solve problems in the organization. Further the report concluded that how role of leaders and
function of manager assist in different approaches as uncertain situation, goal setting and strategy
formulation. As Leaders set smart goals for General Motors and manager introduce the goals to
the employees and makes plan for achieving that. Further the study conclude that how managers
and leaders helps in quality assurance as managers makes plans which help in improving the
quality of products and services.

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