Differences and Similarities Between a Leader and Manager

This document discusses the differences and similarities between a leader and manager in terms of their roles and characteristics. It also explores the functions of a manager according to Fayol and how they are performed in an organization. Additionally, it explains different leadership theories using various scenarios.

MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
(a) Differences and similarities between a leader and manager with respect to their roles and
characteristics..............................................................................................................................1
(b) Functions of a manager according to Fayol and the way a manager in organisation
performs these functions..............................................................................................................5
(c) Explaining leadership theories using various scenarios of organisation................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
(1 & 2) Different approaches to operations management and the one used in store with
explaining role as a store manager...............................................................................................8
(3) Importance of operations management in store.....................................................................9
Evaluating the way managers and team leaders can improve efficiencies of operational
management...............................................................................................................................10
(4 & 5) Assessing the key outside factors that can have an effect on operations management
and their impact on decision making of store manager.............................................................10
Analysing the way these different factors affect business environment and wider community11
Critically evaluating application of operations management and factors that impact on the
wider business environment......................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Mintzberg’s Management Roles......................................................................................4
Figure 2: Five Functions of Management........................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
To have the highest level of possible efficiency in processes of organisation, operations
management plays a significant role. It is all about converting the materials and labour in such a
way that maximum output from same can be gained as efficiently as possible (Chevalier and
et.al., 2015). Tesco Ireland Ltd has been chosen for the current study which is an Irish arm of
supermarket group, Tesco. With reference to same, differences and similarities between a leader
and manager with respect to their roles and characteristics will be discussed. Also, functions of a
manager according to Fayol and the way a manager in organisation performs these will be
explained along with stating leadership approaches like situational, systems and contingency
using various scenarios. Further, there will be focus on different approaches and importance of
operations management with factors impacting upon decision making as a store manager.
TASK 1
(a) Differences and similarities between a leader and manager with respect to their roles and
characteristics
Leaders
A leader is one who gives direction, guidance and support to his team members and
influence them to do what he wants them to do with his actions. Leaders are basically the
representatives of organization who encourage the people and influence their behaviour towards
attaining the set targets.
Managers
Managers are the people in organisation who create goals and maintain status quo of
company (Ferguson and et.al., 2017). They are the people who get work done from employees in
an efficient and effective manner. Major function of a manager is to control the risk in business
rather than embracing them. They are responsible to build the systems and processes in a way
that maximum output can be gained.
Comparison of leaders and managers with respect to their roles:
Basis Leaders Manager
Relationships A leader always make efforts to
maintain healthy and strong
relationship with his employees as
On the contrary, manager always
maintains his relationship with
people of his organisation on the
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well as his influence is highly
based on the personal power.
basis of position power.
Guidance It is the major role of leader to
support his team and act as a coach
or facilitator.
While, manager always act as a
boss. He generally directs and
controls the employees.
Stability Leader does not focus on
maintaining the stability in
organisation as he always make
initiatives to bring changes at the
workplace to deal with the
changing trends in market.
However, manager’s focus is on
the maintaining stability in the
organisation so that all tasks will
get completed on time and in a
systematic manner (McCaffery,
2018).
Culture Leaders always maintain a culture
where there is integrity at the
workplace. His focus is basically
on maintaining coordination
among workforce to get the work
done with quality and on time.
On the other hand, manager’s
focus is on creating a culture of
efficiency in organisation to get
the work done effectually i.e.
maximum output with limited
resources.
Comparison of leaders and managers with respect to their characteristics:
Basis Leaders Manager
Leading and
managing people
Leader’s main motive is to
motivate, influence and make
employees able to understand the
importance of their sincere
contribution towards the success of
organisation (Kok and McDonald,
2017).
However, manager always
controls a group with an aim to get
the set goals accomplished. This is
the inspiration and influence only
which creates major difference in
between leader and a manager.
Circles of power
and influence
Leader’s major emphasis is on
influencing the behaviour of
people with his actions.
While, managers have
subordinates on which they have
the circle of power and treat them
as per the designation they hold in
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organisation.
Values Leaders always believe to generate
some value out of the efforts that
team has made.
On the other hand, for managers,
value is always countable as either
they cut down on the value by
either rejecting or appreciating
people as well as their idea.
Control Leader’s emphasis is more on
pushing employees to make their
best efforts and set a benchmark
that is acceptable for business.
On the other hand, managers
maintain control over employees
to get the work done as per set
benchmarks with bringing best out
of them (Oshagbemi, 2017).
Analysing and differentiating the role of a leader and functions of a manager by applying a
range of theories and concepts
To analyse and differentiate the role of a leader and functions of a manager, many
theories and concepts are there on the basis of which it can be done. Some of them are like:
Hard management skills – These are the skills or abilities which can be easily quantified and
used to describe job-specific skills.
 Machine operation – As per the requirement of job based on position one holds in
organisation, manager needs to be aware with the way to operate a machine required for
performing the tasks to make workers/employees understand the same.
 Computer programming – In today’s era, to have basic as well as advanced skills of
computer programming are necessary to work in an organisation. Without having this
skill, to perform assigned tasks are not possible to be performed by the manager
(Hallinger, 2018).
Soft leadership skills – These are the subjective skills which are actually hard to quantify and
often used to describe abilities that lead to maintain relationships with other people.
 Positive outlook – As per this soft leadership skill, leader needs to have a positive outlook
and he must understand that with positivity only, he can bring best out of the team.
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 Feel empathy – It is important for a leader to have an ability to understand the feelings as
well as perspectives of employees so that their concerns can be known as there are many
people in the organisation who want mental well-being rather having mindless pursuit of
professional success.
Mintzberg managerial roles
The roles that managers play sound very simple but in actual, they are highly complex.
To be a leader in any organisation is not an easy but highly complicated and challenging task.
There are majorly 3 roles played by the manager i.e. interpersonal, informational and decisional.
Figure 1: Mintzberg’s Management Roles
(Source: Mintzberg’s Management Roles, 2018)
 Interpersonal roles – As per these roles, a leader needs to be a figurehead for his team to
influence them. Then, a manager is supposed to lead the people in order to guide them
towards attaining a specific goal. The final role within this category is to act as a liaison
to keep things running smoothly.
 Informational roles – Under this category, manager needs to act as a monitor to track the
changes taking place in organisation. Then, he is required to be a disseminator to gather
data from a range of internal and external sources (McCaffery, 2018). Finally, manager is
supposed to be a spokesperson being the representative of his team.
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 Decisional roles – Sometimes, being a manager in a large organisation provides
responsibility to his like he is handling a small business. The second role under this
category is that a leader is required to be a disturbance handler as for short and long term
productivity, to solve the problem and getting back to the work is important. Then, to be
a resource allocator is required for a manager based on the budget available for a project
(Kok and McDonald, 2017). Lastly, he needs to be a negotiator to do negotiation within
the team whenever required.
By referring all the above depicted aspect, it can be presented that in the context of Tesco
both managers and leaders play a significant role in the achievement of goals & objectives.
Leaders within Tesco focuses on encouraging personnel and fulfilling targets in terms of both
monetary as well as non-monetary. On the other side, managers are involved in development of
sound policy framework which in turn maximizes both productivity & profitability.
(b) Functions of a manager according to Fayol and the way a manager in organisation performs
these functions
According to Henry Fayol, there are 5 functions of management i.e. Planning,
Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating and Controlling that every manager has to follow and so
as in Tesco, Ireland Ltd.
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Figure 2: Five Functions of Management
(Source: Five Functions of Management (Fayol), 2018)
 Planning – Planning is all about looking for the future. It serves as the base for all other
functions and so, a good plan of action is to be made by the higher authority of
management. Tesco Ireland Ltd, being in retail industry, needs to adapt the changes time
to time as per the changing trends in market. So, manager in this company needs to plan
accordingly with taking organisation’s available resources and flexibility of personnel
into consideration.
 Organizing – Functioning of a firm depends on how well-organized it is. Organizing
refers to the availability of sufficient human resources, capital and raw materials in order
to make the business run smoothly (Oshagbemi, 2017). In Tesco Ireland Ltd, manager is
required to delegate the tasks and functions as per the capability and interest of personnel
so that with minimum efforts of them, maximum output can be generated.
 Commanding – Commanding is to give clear instructions and orders to employees to
make them understand what they are exactly supposed to do. In Tesco Ireland Ltd,
managers give concrete instructions in relation with the activities that are needed to carry
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out. They communicate very clearly and also, their decisions are based on the regular
audits taking place in organisation.
 Coordinating – It refers to harmonize all the activities so that functioning of a firm can be
done in a better way. Managers in Tesco Ireland Ltd are influencing the behaviour of
employees positively by stimulating motivation as well as discipline within teams.
 Controlling – Controlling is all about verifying that whether everything is going in the
planned way or not. Managers in the selected organisation first establish performance
standards on the basis of targets to be achieved (Hallinger, 2018). Then they measure the
actual performance given by employees and report about the same. After that,
comparison is done by them in the actual and desired results. In case if changes are
required, they again start taking corrective actions.
(c) Explaining leadership theories using various scenarios of organisation
There are different leadership theories which are used based on the situations occurring in
organisation. Among all, few are explained as below using various scenarios of Tesco Ireland
Ltd:
Situational leadership – This is the kind of leadership theory that is adaptive as it is a model of
choice. It is majorly followed to develop people and workgroups as well as to get the best out of
them with establishing a rapport. In Tesco Ireland Ltd, this theory is majorly used while bringing
changes in organisation like at the time of implementing new technology and making some
changes in company policies. It is because; with the help of this theory, leadership approach as
per suitability of condition is selected as there is no single best style which can be used in all the
situations.
For example: Tesco is planning to introduce technological advancement for ensuring
smooth functioning of operations. In this, situational leadership style can be used in the
following manner:
Diagnose At this step, leader assesses the ways and
main aspects through which employees can be
influenced towards technological change.
Adapt In this, leaders develops strategies for
motivating personnel towards change
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management
Communicate Leader communicates the benefits of
technological advancement in terms of time
saving, career growth or advancement etc.
Advance By organizing training & development
session for personnel leader manages change.
Further, by taking feedbacks from concerned
personnel leader makes focus on taking
strategic action which in turn facilitates
effective change management.
Systems leadership – In this leadership theory, leaders in firm make efforts to create conditions
where employees working at all the levels can perform their tasks with highest potential to work
productively (Systems Leadership, 2018). Leaders in Tesco Ireland Ltd use this theory in
difficult situations like when there is reduction in sales and armoury is required who will hear the
voice of management and get a place at the table. Moreover, at this time, company lays high
level of emphasis on developing competent and strategic and policy framework. Thus, by
considering such theoretical framework leader can motivate personnel towards the common
goals and objectives.
Contingency Leadership – It refers to the leadership style where leader is contingent upon way of
leading people that he will choose which would match with the requirement of situation. Leaders
in Tesco Ireland Ltd use this style in many conditions depending on the situations like at the time
of conflict handling, while delegating tasks, to increase productivity and profits, etc.
Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to situations within the work
environment
There are many strengths and weaknesses of approaches to situations within the work
environment of Tesco Ireland Ltd. Some of these are given as below:
Situational leadership: In the context of teamwork situational can be applied by Tesco.
Moreover, in team work, leader has to deal with several tasks as well as individuals.
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 Strengths – It is a practical approach as well as can be easily understood. Also, Tesco
Ireland Ltd uses this as it can be applied in different contexts. This approach focuses on
the flexibility of leader.
 Weaknesses – This approach creates confusion and leads to inconsistency on the part of
supervisor in terms of his behaviour. Sometimes, this approach is considered to be
manipulative as well as coercive (Sisk, 2018).
Systems leadership: In regards to the development of organizational strategic framework,
system design as well as process such leadership theory can be employed within Tesco.
 Strengths – This approach is adaptive and dynamic in nature. In the selected organisation,
with the help of this approach, focus is given on achieving individual as well as
organisational goals.
 Weaknesses – Major limitation of this approach is that it is not practical to be used always
and make the decisions delay thus, affecting the completion of work on time.
Contingency leadership: Leader at Tesco can use such leadership style for change
management. Further, at the time of occurrence of undesirable event system leadership style can
be undertaken.
 Strengths – Managers with this approach in Tesco Ireland Ltd. take decisions that what
they can actually do in a given situation to avoid undesirable aspects of environment.
 Weaknesses – It is a reactive style of leadership depending on its nature; not proactive.
The approach sounds very simple but in actual, this becomes complex when practiced.
Critically evaluating different theories and approaches to leadership
Situational theory – As per this theory, no single leadership style is best. It can be
critically assessed that leaders are the most effective when they adapt theory leadership style as
per the need of situation. However, on the other hand, their adaptability sometimes make the
employees confused and they take this style to be manipulative.
Systems leadership – It can be critically evaluated that systems leadership approach
helps in creating organisational strategy, effective systems and social process. But, on the
contrary, to use this in any kind of situation is not practical.
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Contingency leadership – It is the most suitable approach of leadership for all kinds of
situations. However, with this approach, practice of management cannot take much assistance
and so, needs of managers are not effectually satisfied with this (Bisk, 2018).
TASK 2
(1) Different approaches to operations management
Various approaches are required to be taken in consideration by the store manager that
will help in better management of various operations that are been taken in supermarket for
proper growth and development of business operations (Chevalier and et.al., 2015). Some of the
approaches that are been followed are:
 Lean management: This approach of operations management will help the firm to
reduces the wastage and facilitate the effective utilization of the available resources. It
will assist the super market to develop suitable strategies and market plans that will lead
to effective utilization of available resources to selected firm. The managers and leaders
will look after the proper implementation of this strategy and improve functionality of
selected retail enterprise.
 Six Sigma: This approach of operations management will help the firm to set up proper
quality standards and bench marks that will help the organisation to check out,
manufacture and deliver high quality product or services to their customers (Gillen,
Jacquillat and Odoni, 2016). Leaders and managers will set this standards at their retail
stores to have a good customer satisfaction level.
 Just in time: Also known as the JIT approach, this will help selected retail firm to
develop and deliver its products and services to their customers in a stipulated time range.
This will plays a good role in improving the work performance and customer satisfaction
level of individuals to a greater extent. The managers and leaders of the firm will look
after the proper handling of this operations and activities that will help the firm to achieve
its operational goals.
(2) Explain the one OM measure that is been used in store with explaining role as a store
manager
In the selected retail enterprise, the store manager of the firm will look after the proper
management of the activities and action plans that will help the firm to carry out the operations
10

in the organisation in much effective and significant manner (Venkat and et.al., 2015). Some of
the major steps that will be taken in the consideration by the store manager will be a combination
of different OM approaches in order to tackle all sort of problems at the retail store:
 The store manager will see through the proper utilization of the raw materials and other
resources that are available to selected firm.
 Store manager will look after the incorporation and implementation of these six sigma
approaches in store.
 Store manager will look after the on time production and delivery of products or services
in an effective way on stipulated time.
(3) Importance of operations management in store
The operation’s management is of great importance for the selected business entity. This
will help the firm to carry out important functions and activities which will support effective
growth and business operations to a greater extent. The operation’s management will lead the
firm to have a good control over the operations and activities that will help the firm to carry out
its business operations and activities in a much effective and better way. The rise in the
effectiveness and efficiency of an organisation to perform its retail business organisation (Song
and Parola, 2015). A store manager will look after the proper implementation of various
approaches and plans related to operation management for carrying out effective business
operations. Besides this, he will see through that the functions or operations that are been taken
in consideration by the store manager will lead to an effective development of cited retail
enterprise.
The store manager will see through effective rise in capability and effectiveness of the
business operations and activities that are required to be carried out at the retail store. They will
look after the effective management of all retail oriented operations and thus will support a good
growth and development TESCO IRELAND store. He will apply lean management approach to
control the utilization of available resources by the firm. The six sigma approach will be used by
a store manager in setting the appropriate and effective quality standards that will help the firm
to identify the barriers and develop a high quality product. Similarly, the JIT approach will assist
the retail store manager to develop and deliver the high quality product on time (Ferguson and
et.al., 2016). Thus, this can be said that the proper management of various business operations
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and activities will help the firm to carry out business operations and activities to a greater extent.
As a store manager is the major authority ion a store who is responsible to manage all sort of
activities and operations related to growth and development. Hence, in this case, the store
manager of TESCO IRELAND will effectively look after the better utilization of operations
management and knows its importance. The managers and leaders of TESCO IRELAND will
perform their operations and activities in more effective and efficient manner. The managers will
see through specific analysis and evaluation process that are been carried out at the retail store
(Venkat and et.al., 2015). On the other hand, leaders will see through proper and effective
handling of this analysis measures and operations for important of the firm. It will support a
good growth and development of business operations and activities.
(4) Assessing the key outside factors that can have an effect on operations management
The store manager’s operations are deeply impacted by the external factors and
operations that are been taken in consideration by TESCO IRELAND. their external factors
impacts the overall business operations and support the firm to handle their business in an
effective manner (Chiarini and Vagnoni, 2015). Some of the key external factors that impacts the
decision making of a store manager and are required to be taken in consideration by TESCO
IRELAND for a better management of operations are as follows:
 Globalisation: Globalisation is the measure to give a world-wide exposure to one’s
business. This leads the firm to expand its operations on a global level and have a major
exposure to competition. The measure of globalisation is susceptible to failure due to
many other factors like trade restrictions, failure of product etc. Thus, in this case, the
store manager requires to develop the proper strategies and action plans that will help the
firm to carry out the business functions in a better way.
 Ethical consideration: The firm has to look after proper handling of various operations
that will see through the ethical considerations of the organisation. TESCO IRELAND
have to follow various ethics and principles related to business operations and actions
that are required to carry out its operations in an effective way (Saucedo-Martínez and
et.al., 2017). Store manager has to look after the ethical behaviour of their employee’s
and maintain proper work ethics that will help in developing a good brand image and
customer satisfaction level.
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5 ) Impact of this factors on decision making of store manager
The factors discussed above i.e. globalisation and ethical considerations related to
business will help the firm to have a deep impact on the overall business environment and
community as a whole. The globalisation will give the firm a suitable opportunity to develop and
grow their business activities. On the other hand, the ethical considerations will help the firm to
improve its good will and brand image among its competitors that will help the firm to increase
their sales. It will help the firm to increase its customer base and meet the operational
requirements of selected retail organisation in a better way (Jacobs, Chase and Lummus, 2014.
The effective application of operations management measures will helps the firm to have a
sustainable growth and development. This will help an organisation to implement different
approaches of OM and mitigate the adverse effect of the factors that are been discussed within
organisation. Other than this, the factors like globalisation and ethical considerations are required
to be handled with effective care and preciseness. The store manager will look after the
developing of proper strategies which will help the firm to meet its operational requirements to a
greater extent.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that operations management ensures that
business processes are efficient and customer requirements are met effectually. It has been
assessed from the report that with using suitable leadership theories and approaches, Tesco
Ireland Ltd can attain their targets on time with satisfying the workforce too. Besides this, the
key approaches followed in the firm and the roles played by leaders and managers are been
evaluated. Other than this, the importance and value of operations management in achieving the
business objectives are been analysed. Besides this, the external factors impacting business
operations and decision making by the store manager or leader is been analysed.
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