Roles and Characteristics of a Leader and a Manager in Operations Management

Management and
Operations

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Define and compare different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.........1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P2.Examine role of a leader and the function of a manager in different situational contexts4
P3. Application of different theories and models...................................................................4
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
P4. Key approaches to operations management and role of leaders and managers...............5
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Operations in a business organisation refer to the activities and working within the
organisation. These are conducted in order to achieve the goals and objectives. These are divided
into various processes (Balasubramaniam and et. al., 2016). On the contrary, management
comprises of different actions such as planning, organising, briefing, staffing and controlling in
order to make employees accomplish the targets. However, the main aims of both of these are to
attainment of desired outcomes through transforming the raw materials into final goods or
services. For this first part of this file J. C. Bamford Excavators Ltd. (JCB) has been chosen
which is British multinational company having headquarters in Stafforshire, United Kingdom.
Whereas for the second part of the file Unilever is selected which is British-Dutch transnational
consumer goods co-headquartered in London, United Kingdom. Furthermore, this report
includes definition along with difference between a leader and manager, examples of their role
and function in different situations, application of various theories and models, key approaches
to operations management. Along with this, assessment of factors within business environment
which can impact.
TASK 1
P1. Define and compare different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Leader is defined as an individual responsible for providing guidance and directions to
the team members for successful achievement of goals and objectives. There are specific roles
which are exercised by leaders for getting desired outcomes. Generally, it prepares bye laws and
rules to be followed by sub-ordinates.
On the other hand, manager is known to be a person having the responsibilities for
managing the people working in the organisation. Every single person has to report to a person
designated at this position (Christopher, 2016). Furthermore, some of the skills should be
possessed by the manager such as communication, problem solving, organisation etc. Employees
look up to their managers for taking inspiration.
Difference between leader and manager
1. Vision v goals Leaders have their aim fixed on goals to be achieved in future along with
the current goals. They encourage and motivate sub-ordinates to use their unique ideas
and creativity for achieving the goals. In the context of JCB, leaders of the company may
1