Challenges Faced by Managers in Leadership Role

This article discusses the challenges faced by managers in leadership roles, including lack of professional experience and barriers in cross-cultural communication. It also examines the implications of external environmental factors on the organization and the management of key stakeholders. Additionally, it critiques the organization's structure using the principles of the Theory of Bureaucracy and evaluates the coordination and control of operations.

Running head: MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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a. The challenges faced by the manager in the leadership role
The major challenges that are being encountered by a manager of the Singapore
Children’s Society are being discussed in this section.
Lack of professional experience in the particular area
Lack of professional experience in the particular area of the operation of the organization
has affected the potentialities of the manager in developing a positive insight on the different
process designs in alignment with the welfare board or the mission of the venture. The mission
of Singapore Children’s Society is to bring relief and happiness to children in need
(Childrensociety.org.sg., 2019). However, the lack of managerial experience on the process
design and the activities might affect the capabilities of the organizers in continuing with the
efficiency of the operation while adhering to the demand of the clients. Batti (2014) opined that
the modifications in the processes are dependent on the futuristic vision of the leader and the
knowledge of the loopholes existing processes. Therefore, the lack of experience on the
operations of the NGO might affect the capabilities of the leader in identifying the issues that are
being encountered by the organization and the manner in which the same might be mitigated.
Barriers in cross cultural communication and interpretation
Cross- cultural communication in the workplace might create barriers for the managers in
identifying the psychological needs of the employees. Brière et al., (2015) opined that clarity of
expressions assist a manager in encouraging the involvement of the employees in the different
processes. However, the different changes that are undertaken by the organization has assisted
the same in maintaining the efficiency of the operations in adherence to the demand of the

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customers. Lack of suitable cross- cultural communication has affected the potentials of the
manager in encouraging appropriate process designs. Therefore, the lack of suitable
communicational measures and experience in the different fields of activities and culture has
incapacitated the concerned manager in integrating the contributions of the workforce towards
achieving the common goal of the venture.
b. The challenges being contributed by unique characteristics of the organization
The challenges that are faced by the manager is based on the diversity in the workforce of
the organization. The diverse workforce has contributed to the innovativeness in the
organization. It has also assisted the venture in continuing with the efficiency of the operations
while adhering to the vision of the same. The different aspects of change that are undertaken by
the organization are reliant on the need of gaining a competitive benefit through maximized
exposure in the different regions (Ihlen, Figenschou & Larsen, 2015). On the contrary, the
different issues that are faced by the manager are based on the lack of suitable cross- cultural
communication between the workforce and the management. The diversity in the workforce has
created an enormous barrier while considering the collaboration between the management and
the workforce. The different changes that are undertaken by the organization are reliant on the
delineation of the needs of the workforce. The lack of suitable understanding of the cross-
cultural communicational context and the misinterpretation of the message and intent has
challenged he potentials of the managers in developing suitable process designs.
The lack of understanding the needs of the workforce and the issues that are faced by the
diverse people curtailed the capabilities of the manager in developing an insight of the different
modifications that might be implemented. The concerned venture has taken steps to provide

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Equal Employment Opportunities to the aspiring candidates. It assisted the venture in adhering to
the social sustenance based needs through maintaining diversity in the workforce. However, the
diversity in the workforce affected the potentials of the managers in identifying and segregating
the needs of the individual employees in the organizational model. On the other hand, the lack of
professional knowledge on the operations of the NGO restricted the potentials of the manager in
forging different changes in the existing processes to support the long term vision of the venture
(Mitchell, O’Leary & Gerard, 2015). The lack of suitable understanding of the needs of the
employees and the message might affect the capabilities of the managers in maintaining the
efficiency of the operations and the process design.
c. PEST framework for identifying external environmental conditions and its implications
on the organization
Political  The political stability of Singapore
assisted the venture on gaining grants
from the government and supports from
different departments.
 The nation follows a democratic
structure where the people elect their
representative, which contributed to the
stability in the political situation of
Singapore (Ismail et al., 2014).
Economic  The GDP of the nation has increased by
3.2 % in the year 2018, which has
assisted in supporting the economic

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growth and stability of the nation
(Marshall & Suárez, 2014). The
economic stability of the nation assisted
the venture in developing its resources.
The development of the financial
capabilities of the nation assisted the
concerned venture in maximizing the
scope of revenue through grants and
donations from different entrepreneurs,
government agencies and public funds.
It assisted the venture in ensuring the
uninterrupted functioning of the
systems in adherence to the vision of
the venture.
 The rising cost of labour and the lack of
adequate supply of labour forces
affected the capabilities of the
concerned organization in maintaining
the efficiency of the operations while
adhering to the common goals. The
declining productivity of the different
supportive sectors in the Singaporean
market relating to the rising cost of

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labour affected the capabilities of the
organization in enhancing the process
flow.
Social  The literacy rate of the nation is
97.05% which has helped in ensuring
the growth of the venture while making
the people aware of the importance of
the services that are provided by the
same (Schwenger, Straub & Borzillo,
2014).
 The socially aware communities will
assist the concerned venture in
developing the activities of the same
through active participation of the
communities in the practices.
Technological  It has been noted that 70% or more
households in Singapore has access to
internet services (Moshtari, 2016). The
maximization of the internet access rates in
the nation has assisted the venture in
developing suitable promotional strategies
and implementing the same with the
objective of attracting the attention of the
responsible stakeholders. On the other

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hand, the enhancement in the rate of
internet access supported the venture in
developing processes with the aim of
encouraging the involvement of the
relevant community stakeholders.
 The enhanced development rate of the
IT infrastructure in the Singaporean
markets has enabled the concerned
venture in maintaining the equilibrium
of the operations while adhering to the
vision and mission of the same in
supporting the needs of the children.
Implications of the external environmental factors on the organization in the recent years
The stability in the political situation of Singapore will assist the venture in ensuring the
uninterrupted functioning of the systems while supporting the vision and mission of the same.
The stability in the political situation of Singapore assisted the venture in continuing with the
ease of doing operations. On the other hand, the lack of sufficient labour supplies affected the
flow of operations while adhering to the objectives of the organization. The enhanced rate of
literacy rate and internet access in the Singaporean markets assisted the venture in developing
awareness among the target group of audience.

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d. Management of key stakeholders as per the changes in external environment
The concerned venture, Singapore Children’s Society, has taken steps to maximize the
involvement of the stakeholders in the different practices that are undertaken by the same. The
maximized engagement of the stakeholders in the different processes that are designed by the
organization has assisted the same in developing cohesion and collaboration in the practices
(Khilji, Tarique & Schuler, 2015). On the other hand, the concerned organization also
developed strategies for empowering the activities of the stakeholders through appropriate
training and development programs. The training and development programs that are designed
by the venture assisted in inducing the values of the venture among the employees and the
relative stakeholders while making the same aware of the chief needs of the children related to
welfare. Batti (2014) stated that the empowerment of the employees in the different activities
assist an organization in maximizing the efficiency of the operations. Therefore, in this relation,
the concerned organization has taken steps to initiate suitable processes for training and
developing the skills of the existing employees.
The organization has also taken steps to develop suitable reward and recognition
programs for keeping the workforce motivated and focused. The motivated workforce will assist
the organization in minimizing the rate of staff turnovers for ensuring the uninterrupted
functioning of the systems. On the other hand, the retention of skilled workforce of the
concerned organization will support the productivity in a situation relating to lack of sufficient
labour supplies. The enhancement in the communication medium in the organization assisted the
venture in enhancing the rate of collaboration and engagement of the stakeholders in the
processes. The enhanced rate of communication assisted the venture in developing the
operations of the same while operating in diverse global economies. Enhancement in the

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stakeholder relations assisted the venture in maximizing the rate of engagement of the workforce
in the processes.
Schwenger, Straub and Borzillo (2014) stated that transparency of the operations of an
organization supports the same in building a trust based relation between the management and
the stakeholders. In this relation, the concerned venture has taken steps to maximize the rate of
engagement of the stakeholders in the operations. The diverse range of activities that are
undertaken by the organization is dependent on the effective support from the end of he
stakeholders. Therefore, the concerned organization has taken all necessary steps to redeem the
cooperation and collaboration of the different stakeholders for enabling the smooth functioning
of the processes.
e. Critique of the organization’s structure using principles of Theory of Bureaucracy
As far as the Theory of Bureaucracy is concerned, it can be stated that there are huge
responsibility of the organizational management to establish a power structure where all the
employees from the bottom to the apex are under the equal observation of the hierarchical set up
(Ackroyd, 2016). In this regard, the organizational structure of Singapore Children’s Societyis
going to be evaluated in the light of Theory of Bureaucracy. There are some key principles of the
Bureaucracy Theory in terms of the task specialization, hierarchical of authority and rules and
requirement. The task specialization is focused on the practice of competencies and functional
specializations. According to Thompsonand Valentinov (2017) the task specialization practice in
the Bureaucracy theory of organizational structure defines the organizational hierarchy on the
basis of the tasks and responsibilities of the employees and management. For Singapore
Children’s Societythe organizational structure is particularly based on the responsibility of

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individual people associated working in the concern. For instance, there is the position of
chairman and vice chairman within the organization that takes all the important decision making
with the help of the honorary secretary. Moreover, the positions of treasurer and assistant
secretary are also incorporated into the organizational structure to make a better system of
decision making where individuals can play their part properly.
In addition to this, it can be stated that a hierarchical form can also be organizational structure of
Singapore Children’s Society. It is important for the concern to deliver effective measure on the
basis of fathom of decision making so in a step by step approach (Kalkan, 2016). As a result in
case of Singapore Children’s Societythe apex of the company is filled with management from
the Chairman and vice chairman to secretary and assistant secretary. On the other hand, the
lower rung on the organizational structure of Singapore Children’s Societyis comprised of the
members, co-opted members and nominated members. From this point of view, it can be stated
that the organizational structure of Singapore Children’s Societyfollows a similar organizational
structure as manifested by the Theory of Bureaucracy. It is associated with different
responsibilities and performances of the employees that can facilitate a better understanding of
the entire organizational hierarchy.
f. Critique on organizational improvement on coordination and control of operation
Coordination and control of the organizational operation is considered to be one of the
significant part on which the organization has to keep on checks. In this regard, both the
coordination and control practice are resembled with different steps and procedure that are
intricately help to set up a better operational practice within the organization (Niu, Jinand Pu,
2016). From the research of Kellyand Constellations (2017) the coordination practice of an

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organization requires the clear steps of identifying the objectives, implementing proper chain of
command, harmonized the policies and procedure and following effective communication. Based
on this understanding, for Singapore Children’s Societyalso tries to focus on some of these
factors in order to bring more efficiency into the coordination in operation. The objectives of the
operation or the business activities have to be clearly defined at first. It will help the employee to
assess the purpose of the development. After that implementing an effective communication will
facilitate a strong coordination and integrity among the employees in operation. In this context,
the use of the organizational structure will be referred as one of the important aspect to render
proper coordination between the management and the employees.
On the other hand, the control of the operations is also a pertinent aspect for the business
companies in course of strengthening organizational positioning in the highly competitive
market. However, for Singapore Children’s Societycompetition is not an important concern. The
organization particularly focused on the aspect of developing its quality of service to the children
and bring out a better future for the young generation. Therefore, the control of services in
Singapore Children’s Societyhas to maintain proper steps that can help to procure better and
quality services. Isaksson, Harjunkoskiand Sand (2018) opined that setting a standard for the
services. It is associated with the framework to maintain a measurement of the actual
performance. In this regard, the feedback from the children and their parents will be identified as
an important aspect to get the measurement of the organizational performance. After that a
comparison between the actual performance and the standards is required in order to find out the
drawbacks or gaps that the organization is facing in order to get a proper corrective action and
follow up (Qin, 2018). It will help Singapore Children’s Societyto bring harmony into the
coordinationand control practice.

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g. Evaluation of performance
The Bully Free Roadshow was conducted on 8th September 2017 with the purpose to
create awareness among the people and the children to reduce the evil practice of bullying and
harassment (Childrensociety.org.sg., 2017). The event was organized at Nex mall in association
with the children, youth and the families. The program had a clear mission and vision that is
related to reduce the number of bullying practices among Singaporean youths. In this regards, the
invitation to the families and guardians were also important for the organization to facilitate a
better practice of bully free environment in Singapore. The choice of the venue was strategically
advantageous for the organization as Nex mall is highly famous in Singapore and characterized
with gathering of enough people in the Mall. As a result of that it was effective for Singapore
Children’s Societyto set up an effective roadshow for both the parents and their children.
The event carefully chose the activities that were clearly linked with the anti-bullying
measures. There were exhibitions and fun filled entertainment for both the children and their
parents. However, those events were not getting diverted from its main agenda of developing a
popular awareness against bullying. The use of comic characters was also appealing and
attractive for theyoung generation. The character was based on the comic book of Singapore
Children’s Society‘Heather’s Adventure’ that was specifically developed for the children
(Childrensociety.org.sg., 2017). As in the official site of the organization, it was stated that the
aim of the event was to educate children in becoming an active bystander in a safe manner. In
addition to this, there was also storyboard where the families could share messages through
meaningful conversation.
The promotional strategies of Singapore Children’s Societyalso an effective means to
attract the parents with their children. Online social media was the primary promotional platform

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that the organization was used in order to bring more efficacy into the organizational practice.
Singapore Children’s Societyfollowed twitter, Instagram and Facebook as the important social
media promotional platform. Moreover, the official website of the organization and personal
mailing techniques were also incorporated into the promotional practice for the event
(Childrensociety.org.sg., 2017).
h. Two possible challenges to evaluate the performance
The bully-free roadshow 2017 had two specific issues that created obstacle to analyze the
effectiveness of the event. First of all, it can be stated that there was no description of the
stakeholders that brought a series of problem to evaluate the success of the program. Perz et al.
(2016) articulated that stakeholders played an important role in the success of an event because
they had direct experience of the entire program plan and execution. Moreover, Probstand
Cunningham (2015) also opined that stakeholders were the determinant of the success of entire
plan due to their perception and participation with the program intricately. Therefore, for the
bully-free roadshow of Singapore Children’s Society, it is important to analyze the feedbacks of
the stakeholders to get a clear conception of the achievement of the event.
Moreover, another issue that was erected due to the evaluation of the entire program can
be identified as the engagement of the participants. In case of the bully-free roadshow of
Singapore Children’s Societythe major participants were the children and their parents. There
was no mention of any measurement or analysis that can deliver a better practice of
understanding the issue and formulated out a plan to get the data. Moreover, linking the
government statistics with the outcome of the program was not present in the report. Henceforth,
no such comparison between the former bullying rate and aftermath of the event would be

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created for developing a better perception regarding the efficacy and relevancy of the bully-free
roadshow event of Singapore Children’s Society.

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