Roles and Characteristics of a Leader and a Manager

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Define and compare different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager..........3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P2 Examine how role of leader and function of a manager apply in different situational
contexts...................................................................................................................................5
P3 Different theories and models of approach, including situational, systems and contingency
................................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Explain key approaches to operations management and role that leaders and managers play
................................................................................................................................................7
P5 Explain importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives
................................................................................................................................................9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P6 Assess factors within business environment that impact upon operational management and
decision-making by leaders and managers...........................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Management is referred as the way of managing different operations and activities of
business with assist of manager in order to achieve goal and objectives (Alderton and Saieva,
2013). Similarly, operation are called day to day activities of business where material is
converted into finished goods and selling it to users in order to earn profits. The management and
operations are essential part of business which assists in achievement of goal and objectives. The
organisation chosen for report is Marks and Spencer which is retail sector business that deals in
supermarket. It was founded by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer at Leeds, United Kingdom
in 1884. The main aim of report is to discuss about roles and characteristics of leader and
manager along with various theories apply in different situational contexts. It also covers key
approaches to operation management and factors within business environment.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Definition of Leader and Manager
Leader is defined as individual possessing superior position in particular field and have
high degree of educations. These people guide and influence others to follow them in order to
attain and achieve positive results. According to the view of Caniani and et. al., 2015, “Leader
are the person who assist in framework creation in order to encourage people for using their
capability and skills that leads others for contributing in given project work. Leaders of Marks
and Spencer has to perform work in proper manner so that they can guide and lead staff to
achieve results.
Manager is referred as individual who has responsibility of carrying and in-charging
different activities and work of enterprise. They possess employee who has to report to them in
order to perform work in effective manner. They are liable to control and administer staff,
employees and individuals. According to view of Chandima Ratnayake and Markeset, 2012,
“manager is defined as people who has responsibility of planning, staffing, directing, organising
and controlling employees. The manager who is working in Marks and Spencer has to conduct
different operation and activities to manage organisation.
Comparison of different traits, roles & responsibilities and authority & power between
leader and manager

Basis Leader Manager
Traits Risk Taking- They are risk taker
and want new things to perform.
Instruction- They provide proper
guideline and direction to
employees.
Risk Taking- They are risk
controller or minimize risk for
positive outcomes.
Instruction- They providing
coach to their working
employees and subordinate to
perform better.
Roles and Responsibility Communication- Leader of
respective organisation has to
communicate with each and every
employee in order to influence
and guide them for better results.
Strategy- They carries out
strategy made by manager with
assistance of their employees.
Communication- Manager of
respective organisation has to
communicate with working
force in order to manage their
work to accomplish desired
outcomes.
Strategy- They formulates
organisation's strategy in order
to accomplish desired
objectives.
Authority and Power Leader of Marks and Spencer has
authority and power to carry out
work given by manager and they
can assign to their employees and
staffs.
Manager of Marks and
Spencer has full authority and
power to implement changes in
the organisation.