Leadership and Management in Operations: A Case Study of Aston Martin

This assignment explores the roles of leaders and managers in the operations function of Aston Martin, a renowned car manufacturer. It examines the differences between leadership and management, applying various theories and models to understand their impact on organizational performance. The study analyzes the key approaches to operations management, including Lean Six Sigma, and assesses the factors within the business environment that influence operational management and decision-making by leaders and managers.

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................2
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
LO1 Differentiate between the role of a leader and the function of a manager.........................4
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager........4
LO2 Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts.....................7
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts......................................................................................................7
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency........................................................................................................9
LO3 Demonstrate an appreciation of the role leaders and managers play in the operations
function of an organisation.......................................................................................................11
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers play...........................................................................................................................11
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives..................................................................................................................................12
LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between leadership and management
in a contemporary business environment.................................................................................14
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making by leaders and managers..................................................14
Conclusion................................................................................................................................16
References................................................................................................................................17
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Introduction
Management and operation can be considered as a process through which the
administration of an organization can maintain all of its activities along with marketing
operations in an effective manner. In an organization, the management poses the highest
power of the organization and therefore, all the employees (holds the lower positions than the
management) have to follow their orders and decisions effectively. In this context, the most
renowned UK based car manufacturer company “Aston Martin” is taken into consideration.
This assignment is based on the description of different functions of leaders and managers of
the chosen organization. The difference among the function of leaders and managers is
described in this assignment in a brief, furthermore, in different situations the functions of
leaders and managers are also described below. This assignment also includes the
appreciation of functions of the managers and leaders of this company in order to maintain
the operation of this company. The last part of this assignment consists of a proper
understanding about the relations among the management and leaders in case of the
contemporary business environment.
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LO1 Differentiate between the role of a leader and the function of a manager.
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a
manager.
In case of leadership and leaders of Aston Martin or other companies, it can be stated
that leadership is an activity, which helps to maintain the organizational activities in an
effective manner as well as helps the organization to achieve the organizational goals and
objectives. Leadership can also be considered as the ability to offer the power to the
individuals (employees) so that they can work freely inside the organization in order to
accomplish the organizational goals (Ionescu and Dragomiroiu, 2014). On the other hand,
leaders can be stated as those, who have the skills, knowledge and abilities to motivate others
in such a way that they can perform their best in order to achieve the organizational
objectives.
In case of managers and management, it can be stated that managers are those who
holds the power to make an effective decision in order to make the organizational activities
more effective. Besides that, the main purpose of the managers is to motivate their
subordinates towards the accomplishment of organizational objectives effectively. It can also
be stated that managers monitor all the organizational activities in such a way so that they can
identify the gaps and limitations of their performance to push themselves further in order to
make their products and services more effective and efficient.
The managerial roles and leadership styles within an organization build a space for
various strategies and policies, which should develop the operations of the organization.
Issues of cost and revenue collection become paramount in the discourse, particularly where
operational departments of Aston Martin are. In the report, the roles of the managers and
leaders in the functions within the organization are explored to display how they enhance the
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effective performance of duties through the workforce. Theories of management and
leadership styles tend to explain and contextualize the Aston Martin management operations.
In the contemporary levels, managers are supposed to design and manage the work
performed within a firm in line with the pre-set objectives. These managers must work
towards the development and establishment of the suitable approaches and policies through
the planning of the work process among the staffs and the employees. Their objectives and
task execution must be focused on the organizational design and the various distribution
levels in the organization because that is what enhances the management of roles in diverse
departments. Furthermore, Ionescu and Dragomiroiu (2014) opines that the managers as well
are concerned with performance and performance of activities through implementation of the
performance of regular appraisal processes at the regular time intervals.
Besides, the consideration for the leaders has higher consideration for or value
individuals who are concerned with organizational goals. Thus, they have to serve critical
roles in the inspiration of the workforce through the skills of leadership and communication
inherent in the organizational vision. Leaders empower and initiate the achievement of
objectives among the staffs. According to Selart and Johansen (2011), the principal aim of the
leaders is to stimulate and arouse the workers perform tasks while aiming at efficiency and
productivity within the organization
Differences between the managers and leaders
Even though managers and leaders are viewed as extremely diverse, the names are
used in the interchangeable positions. The difference between the functional roles of the
manager and leader vary in the organization.
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Firm managers have different duties they serve in the society and they set intentions
as per the vision and mission of the company. Conversely, leaders internalize the vision and
mission of an organization; thus they use the vision that guides them in the execution of
duties. The table below shows that difference:
Managers Leaders
Managers motivate their employees to
perform their best in order to achieve the
organizational objectives.
Leaders encourage their subordinates in
such a way, that they perform their 100% to
achieve the organizational goals.
The managers transfer the policies to the
leaders.
Leaders make an effective communication
with their team members so that they can be
able to understand about the policies
effectively.
The managers direct the teams.
Leaders afford directions on work to the
teams
Managers mold ideas for the advancement
of a better organization.
Leaders play the role of executing those
thoughts into reality.
Managers create effective strategies to
accomplish the objective of the company.
Leaders keep entire concentration on the
team performance.
The key role of managers is to plan in the
business establishment.
While the role of leaders is the motivating of
the workforce to work.
Managers make effective strategies andLeaders motivate their employees to
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distribute the work among the teams. perform the allocated tasks.
Aston Martin can be considered as a renowned car manufacturer company, which is
involved in several other operations (e.g. design, assemble and others) and perform its
marketing operation across the globe (e.g. Europe, Asia and other places). In order to perform
more effectively, this company uses proper strategic planning and follows a proper pre-
planned guideline through which the company can accomplish its targeted objectives and
goals. The vision statement reflects the main aim and objective of the company and it helps
the employees for performing their best in order to achieve the aims and objectives of the
organization. The manager of Aston Martin has established standards for the performance of
the duties among the staffs whereas the company leaders bear efficient relational
communication techniques that influence what ethics, policies, and processes the workforce
should operate under in the firm. Managers to have to supervise compliance with the norms,
values, and demands put in place by the firm. According to Reynolds and Warfield, (2010),
such distinct functions between the leaders and managers at Aston Martin Corp ease the
performance of tasks as well as the growth of the business.
LO2 Apply the role of a leader and the function of a manager in given contexts
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts
The managers have a duty to plan, organize, direct, staff, coordinate, and control
performance of tasks among the workforce. In the planning level, managers of Aston Martin
do plan and set the goals of the firm that are parallel to the main objectives of the
organization. The major goal is often sustaining the reputation of the organization and boost
sales and set the goals. Most strategies for the leaders and managers adhere to Kaizen spirit at
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Aston Martin that that fosters continuous improvement within the production process and
efficient productivity. The managers must communicate the goals and objectives that are both
long and short-term among the staffs so that they execute duties within the planned
framework.
Moreover, the organizing role is aligned towards the utilization of resources, research,
and workforce skills in the effective production of quality goods for the best outcome and
customer interest. Managers have a duty to order for any necessary resources for production
and holding of seminars, education programs among other essential processes. Leaders too
inspire the way teams to come together, apply the vision and achieve set goals at particular
times.
Managers need strong analytical and communication skills. They should explain the
company's goals and objectives to employees in different sections in order to achieve the
mission and vision of the organization. Managers have the responsibility to integrate various
departments and ensure that each department collaborates and achieves its goals. Managers
must handle the complexity of handling all team staff and complete the task within the
prescribed timeframe (Kelly and Tazbir, 2013).
The managers accept the responsibility to encourage and motivate leaders to
strengthen their self-confidence and morale in this company. At Toyota, managers provide
appropriate instructions to drivers on how to do their work efficiently and effectively. While
leaders and manager’s aim and guide their employees to understand their customers,
understand their needs and requirements, thereby improving the quality of service and
customer satisfaction. The leaders and managers of this company requires to incorporate the
vision statement of the company into the mind of employees that is for being the most
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successful and respected enterprise by providing a wide range of various products and
effective services.
Furthermore, the workforce does the directing role by specifying what the workers
must do and how they can reach the organizational targets. Part of these process is through
team forming and day to day inquiries of the best mechanisms at Aston Martin In the leader
and manager staffing function, hiring process adheres to the vision, mission, values of the
company and picks people with talent, varied skills and readiness to maximize on resource
utilization for quality services and products.
In the coordination aspect, Aston Martin managers serve in partitioned departments
through which production, finance, marketing has to be done. Each of the departments has
managers in charge of communication, monitoring, and good leadership role application. The
managers at Aston Martin focus on better outcomes, particularly quality, customer-based
demand satisfaction, eco-friendly production and sale of many vehicles at higher prices. It is
the manager’s responsibility to make certain that each department firmly observes
organizational demands while the leaders of coordinate teams or grassroots level activities or
the implementation of the best practices all the time. Finally, the managers at Aston Martin
Corp. articulate the controlling function while the leaders verify the performance outcomes
for the workforce; the managers regulate, implement, supervise, and lay down standers for
such strategies in Aston Martin (Enescu and Enescu, 2010). Thus, management of an
organization is critical in the operation of an organization.
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership,
systems leadership and contingency
2. How Contemporary and Classical theories apply to Aston Martin Corp.
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Through managerial functions and leadership roles and contemporary leadership
theories, the firm’s operation is done in a desirable way through which organizational
objectives and properly fulfilled. The managers could apply both trait and style leadership
alongside its proper management functioning. Aston Martin is challenged with fuel,
equipment, and material price issues such that effective execution of managerial and skill
functions in leaders’ planning and implementation strategies. The company thus handles the
cost, revenue, and sales issues within the operational management department. Aston Martin
integrates both management theories and leader’s efforts of leaders in reducing
manufacturing costs and acquiring the best suppliers who have innovative and environment-
friendly tactics. There are times, the managers work with the workers and come up with the
principles of performance so that the best standards work.
In Aston Martin, situational systems leadership is relevant when the leaders regulate
duties among the workers or when they are communicating the conditions within the
company to meet the organizational needs. Farholm and Fairholm (2009), note that the
situational theory provides that situations decide on what leaders do and what behaviors
ought to be connected to parallel with the particular environment at hand. Situational factors
are finite and vary based on many contingencies. Consequently, a particular leader can only
be effective in certain situations and not in other areas (11). Nevarez et al. (2013) assert that
although there are many possible ways of addressing a situation, there is one approach that is
more intended than others (53). Through this approach, leaders should consider the intended
outcome and compare alternative courses of action in order to select the best approach-basing
o the circumstances impacting the situation.
Generally, situational leaders should learn to demonstrate four core leadership
competencies: comprehension of circumstance under manipulation, the simplicity, and
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flexibility in implementation, suitable appraisal of circumstances in a given situation together
with smart awareness (Nevarezet et al. 2013, p.54). The situational theory indicates that
situational theory is flexible and directive because it dictates whatever the leader has to do in
different situations based on the understanding of abilities and critical value in the actions
(Constanzo, 2005, p.1). Given that change is implied by leadership the adaptation process
become essential based on the internal and external pressures alongside the response of a
leader. Farther is there is clear discernment, easy application, and logical process, more
directions become necessary in task performance (Costanzo 2005, P.1). As the member
becomes well conversant with the task, he or she would require less direction. However,
more motivation might be required to stave off boredom as the task becomes repetitive and
challenging. Indeed, the leader’s ability to reassess situations, tasks, and relationships within
a team would be critical in new situations. Despite the prescriptive nature of the leadership of
that sort, flexibility is inevitable for it guides the leaders in the balancing of the quantity of
direction against the follower support on the wish and aptitude levels.
LO3 Demonstrate an appreciation of the role leaders and managers play in the
operations function of an organisation
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and
managers play
The operations management of Aston Martin operations management is challenged
because of the leadership style within it. The leaders apply varied types of leadership based
on the situations. There have been increased costs because of the varied leadership processes,
hence situational leadership could serve as a principle in that case. The only challenge facing
situational approach to leadership is that these should be an implausible decision based on
information on the task and human evaluation. Nonetheless, everyone cannot have the power,
character, the insight, or dream to coordinate every circumstance. Additionally, any
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misdiagnosis of either the capacity of the followers or the level of enthusiasm in executing
the duties could have a negative impact on the development of a team as it weakens the self-
esteem of the followers (Costanzo 2005, P.4). It is advisable that Aston Martin makes sure its
managers and leaders are well conversant with the intellectual and developmental levels of
the followers and evaluation of team’s readiness be left out in the process. The model,
however, fails to deal momentous details such as the complex factors with an influence on
motivation (Costanzo 2005, P.5). Therefore, evaluation is critical in such a situation.
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives
Transactional leadership is also used when the company wants the workforce to feel
valued and contribute towards the policies, processes, and operations of the organization. At
other times, particularly when Lean-strategy or Kaizen ideology is being integrated into tasks
transformational leadership is applied in making the workers do certain things for the
significant value in the organization. Kelly and Tazbir (2013), asserts that transformational
leadership serves in raising motivation and mortality levels in the leaders and workers (12).
Meanwhile, the posit is in empowering others to partake collective purpose objectives in the
achievement of the vision of the preferable future. Moreover, the greater the relationship
between the leader and the follower, the higher the levels of inspires and empowers and
overall commitment to the organization. The theory influence both the follower and the
leader to an upper level of behavior and attainment that forms them both (Kelly and Tazbir
2013, P.12). The model enhances motivation, morale and performance of followers who use
diverse mechanisms of distinguishing and linking the follower’s perspectives and self to the
task and the firm’s combined uniqueness, inspiring and challenging followers to take superior
ownership for their tasks, for greater than the originally planned internal objectives (Webb,
2008, P.38). Transformational leadership covers the dimensions of intellectual simulations,
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idealized influence, inspirational motivation and the individualized consideration as well as
the attributes of subordinates, the behaviors of leaders, and the various situational
components.
Lean Six Sigma of Aston Martin
Six sigma can be considered as procedure in order to maximize the service and product
quality of Aston Martin that states about the procedure for which the services and products of
this specific automobile company become efficient and effective.
Define: For making the products and services more efficient, Aston Martin keeps their entire
focus in order to define the required specifications that are typically needed for the
organization.
Measure: This can be considered as the next stage, which helps to quantify the recognized
issues very effectively in such a way that the organization can adopt proper stages as well as
planning in order to solve those identified problems accurately.
Analyse: This specific stage states about the process in order to recognize the main cause
about those issues in such a way that the organization can be capable of making effective
solution so that those issues will not arise again.
Improve: This particular stage states about the development of an effective solution within
the working environment of Aston Martin for overcoming the issues.
Control: This can be considered as the final stage that helps to describe that the Aston Martin
should retain the developed solution so that it can helps them to overcome any other probable
problems inside the working environment of the company.
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LO4 Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between leadership and
management in a contemporary business environment
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational
management and decision-making by leaders and managers
A Suresh and Rajini (2013), feels that when the choice of leadership brings about
transformation style, it is strong (157). It delights leadership as a development occurring
between supporters and frontrunners through extensive governance view (Suresh and Rajini,
p. 157). Evidence shows that the transformation style of leadership is an effective form part
of management for the intuitive characters hence it becomes leadership there is an easy go is
most intuitive and easily recognized by people; it fits the popular notion of a leader (Suresh
and Rajini, 2013, p. 157). Nonetheless, transformational leadership is not immune to
challenges since when Aston Martin applies it the company becomes too broad that each
leader represents a personality feature who has to be focused on in the running of the
institution. It is possible for managers to misuse power. Because the leader’s plan and
principles have no criticism or challenge then (Suresh and Rajini, 2013, 158). Besides, it has
management and leadership complexities of leadership and requires the application of various
elements which might seem confusing to the workforce and management of daily events. It
might affect the training, conflict management, and teamwork. Finally, the chaos theory of
leadership has been used where Aston Martin intends to change its strategies and fit in the
current market.
Sustainability: In case of the internal factors, Aston Martin manages its lean production,
reliability of the performance of the organization, commercial invention randomly, fulfilling
the demands of the employees, provide effective training programs to the employees, make
proper alignment of the performance of employees with the performance of the organization
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as well as selecting the accurate people for involving into the production and service
providing process of the organization.
CSR: The terminology “CSR” (Corporate social responsibility) in case of the “business
environment” in Aston Martin has been started to increase rapidly as well as
melodramatically. Regardless of the necessary modifications within the “business
environment” plus values, the organization remnants unaffected in case of their trusts along
with the traditions that provide necessary support to the organization in order to find out their
overall Philosophy that is known as the CSR in this context.
Ethics: In case of ethics, it can be stated that Aston Martin always performs their operations
by maintaining own values and codes of ethics, which reflects the vision and mission of the
company (Suresh and Rajini, 2013, p. 157). Through maintain their own ethics and codes of
conducts the organization is able to maintain its position inside the marketplace as well as
also be able to maintain their performance rate in an effective manner.
BPR (Business Process Reengineering)
The BPR in the context of Aston Martin Company can be described through the following
steps:
Identification and communication for the change: In Aston Martin, BPR helps to identify
the necessary factors for the organization and also allow finding the growth and dropping rate
effectively. Through this procedure the company will be also able to expand the rate of
growth, increase the market share along with market value effectively.
Team of expert building: Aston Martin needs to make an effective team by taking some
specialist and experts so that they can manage or handle any problems or challenges, which
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may arise in the workplace due to some reason (Kelly and Tazbir, 2013)). The main purpose
of this team is to handle the emergency situations faced by the company (if any arise).
Defining KPI: Hey performance indicator will allow Aston Martin to identify the growth of
performance of this company as well as it depicts the spots for which the employees are
mainly facing these types of problems.
Reengineer the procedures and comparing KPIs: This factor allows the company to
implement the effective solution in order to overcome any problem and also help the
company to increase the quality of products and services
Conclusion
The overall report writing has offered various observations about management and
operation of organizational and specifically, the Aston Martin Organization. It is clear that
Aston Martin Corp integrates leadership styles, management and leadership utilization
alongside management operations in various departments to meet the firms’ success. Both
classical and contemporary theories are prevalent in Aston Martin. Furthermore, vision,
mission, values, and objectives guide the leaders and managers on the right way to lead the
followers. When change is focused on either chaos or kaizen is used. Nonetheless,
transformational leadership comes where the workforce is being introduced to an essential
organizational oriented policy while transactional serves in creating rapport with managers,
leaders and the workforce. When the organization wants to inspire the workforce traits and
style leadership matters while at other times situational leadership serves particular demands.
Even though Aston Martin has recorded success in its productivity because of strategic
leadership and operational management, the high costs and challenges faced in some of its
leadership processes must be evaluated and changed for better results.
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