Roles and Characteristics of a Leader and a Manager

This report defines and compares the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager. It also examines the role of leader and function of a manager in various situations.

Management and
Operation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager....3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Examine the role of leader and function of a manager in various situations....................5
P3 Apply various theories and models of approaches of leadership.....................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
Covered in PPT.......................................................................................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
Covered in PPT.......................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Operation management is chiefly concerned in planning, organizing and supervising
regarding production, manufacturing and services in better way. It is an delivery focused that
focus on successfully turning inputs into outputs in effectual way. This report is based on Rollin-
son Knitwear which is an UK based employee owned organizational established in year 1935
and they produce premium quality garments for both school wear and corporate wear. This
report is based on definition and difference of both leader and manager with applying various
management and leadership theories and practices. It also includes role of leader and manager in
various situations by applying various leadership and management theories. Further it elaborates
operation and operational management with various operation management approaches with
their functions. At last it includes various dimensions of contemporary business environment in
various contexts.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
A leader is a person who has a superior position in its field and has control over
subordinates to guide them the direction to achieve organisational goals (Alderton and Saieva,
2013). A leader must be visionary, a motivator, servers their subordinates and a team builder.
A manager is define as an executive or head of department who delegates responsibilities
to the employees and assist them. A manager co-ordinate the activities to subordinates and
provide feedback to top managers.
Comparison between a leader and a manager
Leader Manager
A leader is person who guide and motivate
their subordinates
A manager is a person who plans, organises,
direct and control the organisation activities.
Leader does not play the vital role in the
organisation because they doesn't carry the
formal rights as compared to managers.
Manager play a vital role in the organisation as
they carry the rights which a leader do not
carry.
A leader is more concerned about the future
rather than the present.
A manager focuses on present first than thinks
about future.

A leader thinks beyond the organisation culture
and policies
A manager has limited itself within the
organisation culture and policies.
Role of a leader and a manager
Management by objectives: According to this theory, there must be balance between the
objectives of organisation and employees (Chiarini and Vagnoni, 2015). Management by
objectives describes that the superior and subordinates work together to achieve the organisation
objectives. Challenging tasks motivates and empower employees to create innovate ideas and
opinions which will help in overall development of the organisation.
In context of Rowlinson Knitwear, a leader and manager guide their employees, solve
their issue they are facing and work together towards the organisational objectives.
Behavioural theory: This theory is concerned about the factor that are affecting the
behaviour of employees within as well as outside the organisation.
As per Rowlinson Knitwear, a leader and manager must create positive environment in
organisation so the employees work effectively and motivate them to contribute more towards
the organisation objectives.
Transactional leadership: It is a kind of leadership in which actions are taken in either
rewards or punishment. The leaders are selfish and motivate their subordinates for their own
benefit and is not concerned about the emotions of their employees (Galindo and Batta, 2013).
They have a short term vision and focus more on present situation. If in an organisation these
leaders exist than the employees will not able to share their problems and feel frustrated to work
with them. The leader of such organisation follow organisation rules and policies strictly and do
not allow their employees to present creative and innovative ideas which will provide better
results to the organisation.
Transformational leadership: It is a kind of leadership where leaders treat their employees
as their family and think of them first in spite of being a self-centred leader. If an organisation
has such kind of leadership the employees will be able to work effectively and share their
problems with their leaders. This kind of leadership is able to retain their skilled and talented
employees.
Characteristics of leader and manager
Leader:

 Positive attitude: A leader with a positive attitude towards the work and challenges
keeps motivated to deal with them. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear a positive attitude
in a leader sets example to their subordinates how to deal with the situation and take it as
an opportunity which makes them achieve organisational goals.
 A decisive mind: A successful leader is a one who has an ability to make effective
decision regarding the organisation. In Rowlinson Knitwear, a leader making decision
must be knowledgable and is able to compare between the situation and make the right
decision which will be beneficial to the company .
Manager:
 Experienced: A manager in an organisation must have an experience regarding making
of plans and policies along with following of organisation structure. As in Rowlinson
Knitwear, the manager having experience is able to guide their employees about the
company rules and policies and following them.
 Delegation: A manager must delegate the responsibility to right employees who can
work effectively at that position. In the context of Rowlinson Knitwear, the manager of company
delegates roles and responsibility to the employee who can work effectively on the tasks or
projects for which they are hired.
In market changes occurs in rapid manner and to adopt these changes organisation have to
plan and coordinate each and every factor in better way. In change management and in
operations of an organisation leaders and managers plays very much crucial role by giving their
guidance to investigate the operations in proper way and factors that are very much important in
change management to bring optimum outputs.
TASK 2
P2 Examine the role of leader and function of a manager in various situations.
Leaders and managers are very much important for an organization to deal in effective
manner in various situations that arise in an organization that are as follows:
Conflict management: Conflict is an part of an organization and it is the process to limit
the negative aspect by increasing the positive aspect regarding the conflict. The main objective
of conflict management is to enhance learning and outcomes by bringing effectiveness in setting
of an organization (Griffin, 2013.). In context of Rowlinson Knitwear they face many situations

in which sometimes due to culture difference conflict arise in their organization. In that situation
leader find out the route cause of problem and manager apply solution of regarding problem in
different departments so that proper measures should be adopted. To resolve that issue in better
way organisation have to avail the situational leadership style that provides flexibility in works
and practices and leaders can easily mould their practices as per the situation demands in well
manner. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear the main role of a leader is to investigate the main
reason or cause behind the conflict and in that situation main function of a manager is to apply in
each and every department by find out the solution of it.
Staff turnover:
The one of most precious assets of an organization is their manpower, sometimes due to
adverse environment they are not able to give their best in their works and activities. In context
of Rowlinson knitwear they suffer from the problem of staff turnover in their organization. In
that context role of a leader and function of a manager is very much crucial to give their best in
organizational development and enhancement (Haksever and Render, 2013.). In that aspect
leader evaluate factors that hinders self interest of employees means factors that demotivate them
to give their best. After evaluating all these factor manager applied in form of training and
development, by providing compensation and other tools that helps to give motivation. In that
situation organisation have to use system leadership style in which they can easily observe the
their works and activities according to situation and easily deal in effective manner.
In context of Rowlinson Knitwear they main role of a leader is to find out better ways to give
motivation to their employees so that they sustain for long time in organisation. With in that
particular situation function of a manager is to collect insights from the employees and collect
information about their staff turnover so that important decisions should be taken by them.
Function of manager:
Manager in an organisation play a most important role in order to managing situations for
effective management practices. These functions of manager are defined below as:
 Planning: This is most important function of manger that aid them to prepare for future
plan in order to handling different situations in effective manner. As in context of
Rowlinson Knitwear, manager needs to make strategic plan for the situations of conflict
and staff turnover by analysing reason behind it.

 Organizing: As per this factor, manager of an organisation carried out availability of
resources and manpower in order to managing things properly in accordance to different
situations. The manager of Rowlinson Knitwear ensuring that they developing new
products and strategies in order to attaining organisational objectives easily.
 Controlling: The manger of Rowlinson Knitwear monitor and control several activities
in order to manage different situations properly. Manager control activities that consume
maximum time and cost of firm. They also keep surety to engage employees in business
activities in order to enhance business performance in effective manner.
 Directing: Manager of firm always provide direction to their subordinates to attain
organisational objectives easily. These aspects assist in bringing positive results in firm
for the desired business growth.
All these functions of manager assist them in managing different situation properly for
the effective development of their business.
P3 Apply various theories and models of approaches of leadership.
In that context of Rowlinson Knitwear, various kinds of management theories applied
that are:
Situational leadership:
Situational leadership style refers to when in an organization leader and manager adjust
their leadership style that fits as per the situation or style that helps to influence level of their
followers. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear they adopt situational leadership style to resolve
above mentioned situations to deal in effective manner. It is a kind of adaptive leadership style in
which strategy of leaders encourage team members to weigh many variables in workplace and
accordingly adopt leadership style that best fits as per the situation ( Kato, 2012.). It helps
leaders to move from one leadership style to another to satisfy the needs of an organization and
their employees in positive manner. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear their leaders adopt that
leadership style to give best in every kind of situation in their organization.
System leadership:
System leadership helps to leaders and manager in an organization to build an
environment in which everyone at every tier can give their best. By using sound principles of
human behaviour by creating models of system and social processes (Krajewski, Ritzman and
Malhotra, 2013). System leadership and their principles uses to create models of leadership and

organizational strategy with design system and social processes to lead in effective manner. The
development of organization by system leadership focus on data and feedback with decisions
that are very important to evaluate various function and deliverables for an organization.
Task or situational related approaches:
In task or situational related approaches consist of leadership styles as per the distinctive
situation that arise in an organisation. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear in their organisation
various situations such as conflict, staff turnover and cultural diversity and many more concerns
arise so by taking help of various situational related approaches they take out important steps to
bring effective results out of it.
Application of chaos and Management by objectives:
Chaos theory is very useful for an organization by applying it an organization can
manage day to day activities and also observe the functions should be in unified manner. By
observing each and every activity, Rowlinson Knitwear can be find out the problems that arise
and major reforms can be reap out from it.
On other hand with the help of MBO an organization can be compare actual performance
with defined objectives. The main benefit of that theory that it improves the motivation level of
employees and commitment for better communication in management and employees
(Parsanezhad and Dimyadi, 2013).
So all theories and practices are very much important for an organization to deal in effective
manner to resolve out various concerns or problems in effective manner.
From the above theories and practices it has been evaluated that by applying situational
leadership organisation can be able to mould their behaviour as per the market needs and
demands in proper way. With help of situational leadership style they can prepare for unexpected
circumstances that occurs in an organisation by better coordinating with it.

TASK 3
Covered in PPT.
TASK 4
Covered in PPT.

six sigma:
Six sigma is an disciplined, statistical based data driven approach to bring continuous
improvement by eliminating defects from products, processes and from services (S eS, 2012). It
was developed by Motorola in year of 1980s to build defect free products and services to manage
quality and it become the popular management approach to give best products and services to
ultimate consumer. In context of Rowlinsom Knitwear they use six sigma approach to give
defect free products and services in best way.
Lean production:
Lean manufacturing and production is an systematic method that majorly originating in
japan for the motive of minimisation of wastage at time of production of products and services
without sacrificing productivity of an organisation. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear they use
lean manufacturing to give best and error free products and services to ultimate consumers.
Queuing theory:
Queuing theory that is also known as waiting line theory and applies in situation when a
consumer come at services centre to avail services and wait for some time before avail services
and get best services from them. In that theory problems from the arrived and departure should
be analysed in proper way so that by observing their concerns organisation can modify in their
existing services (Slack and Brandon-Jones, 2018. ). In context of Rowlinson Knitwear to give
best services in both before and after sale services avail queuing theory.
To bring effectiveness in organisational works and activities leaders and managers plays very
much important role to select best theory as per the situation arise in an organisation. In context
of Rowlinson knitwear to give best quality products and services to give delighted experience to
them organisation choose best out of them and manager apply it.

Just in time inventory:
Just in time inventory is a strategy to enhance efficiency by decreasing wastage by
producing products and services as per the needed in production process with reducing cost of
inventory. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear they have to keep inventory to compensate needs
and demands of their consumers in better way.
Continuous improvement (Kaizen)
Kaizen is an best lean manufacturing tool and techniques that helps in improving quality,
productivity and provide safety at workplace by giving best culture to their employees
(Subramanian and Ramanathan, 2012.). It focus on bringing small but daily bases changes that
helps in major improvements over time. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear to bring improvement
in their products and services they avail various approaches.
Various approaches are implemented in an organisation to bring continuous improvement
in their products and services to bring effective results in regarding products and services
(Swarbrooke and Page, 2012.). In context of Rowlinson Knitwear the role of leader is to
observe the situation and strategies of competitors should be observed in well manner and then
give the instructions to manager to select and apply best approach to bring improvement in their
products and services.

TQM is an management system for a customer oriented organisation in which consist of
continuous improvement in employees and their activities (Tayur, Ganeshan and Magazine,
2012).

Transformation of raw material into finished goods:
It is one of the most important function of operation management to convert raw material
into finished goods and services as per the needs and demands of consumers (Parsanezhad and
Dimyadi, 2013). . In context of Rawlinson Knitwear, they use best material and after analysing
taste and preferences of them and build products and services accordingly. So it is one of
important function of operation management.

Logistics and inventory management:
Logistics related to coordination of various information, physical and financial flows
from the partners and consumers in effective manner. On other hand inventory management
which is an function of logistics that requires capital investment to create and to stock finished
products and services. In context of Rowlinson Knitwear they store inventory and use logistics to
contain information and physical in systematic way.
Scheduling: Scheduling is an important process that helps in arranging, controlling and
optimising works and processes in manufacturing process. Organisations use forward and
backward scheduling to allocate resources and plants with machinery in proper way. In context
of Rowlinson Knitwear they follow a systematic process by which every work and activities
should be completed at prescribed time limit in proper way.
Capacity management: Capacity management is an important function of operation
management with primary goal is to ensure information technology and their resources in right
sized to meet current and future needs in cost effective manner (Parsanezhad and Dimyadi,
2013). . Capacity management concerned with utilize data and resources and manpower with
full potential so that effective results should be accomplished in better way in an organisation. In

context of Rowlinson Knitwear they observe that capabilities of each and every resources should
be utilize in proper way.
By designing best process to build effective products and services by adopting systematic chain
of producing products and services.

Business environment is very much important to improve the overall performance of the leaders
and managers by coordinating each and every activity in better way. It helps in evaluating
leadership and management styles to get right outputs.

Relationship in context of leadership and management:
 Culture: Culture is an important factor in which everyone should feel comfortable and
positive while give their services. To build positive environment organisation have to
motivate their employees and also provide training and development so that they remain
always productive in context of Rowlinson Knitwear.
 Ethics: Ethics is an important aspect that helps in taking decision about what is right or
wrong in different situation (Alderton and Saieva, 2013). It helps in taking important
decision for welfare of society by giving best products and services to ultimate
consumers.
 Sustainability: Sustainability is an important factor that helps to remain for long term in
market by building products and services as per the consumer demand and it can be
possible after analysing needs and wants of consumers frequently. In context of
Rowlinson Knitwear they conduct research and development time to time.

All these factors helps to organisation in taking important benefits by giving best services to
consumer base by accessing requirement of the business environment to get better outcomes.

With opportunity to every person to share their ideas and views. With by compensating needs of
consumers organisation can sustain for long time in market.

CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been summarised that operations management is very much
important for an organisation to deal in effective manner. In an organisation leaders and
managers are very much important to deal in various situations to get effective results out of it.
Operation management is very much obligatory for an organisation to coordinate each and every
activity in systematic way. In various situations organisation uses various kinds of leadership and
management theories and practices that helps in getting effective results out of it.

REFERENCES
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