Roles and Characteristics of a Leader and Manager in Operations Management

This document discusses the roles and characteristics of a leader and manager in operations management. It covers different theories and approaches of leadership, with a case study on Aston Martin. The document also explores the importance and value of operations management in achieving organizational objectives.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Define & compare various roles as well as characteristics of a leader & manager...............4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P2 The role of Leader and Functions of manager in given situations.........................................6
P3 Different theories and approaches of Leadership..................................................................7
PART 2............................................................................................................................................9
COVERED IN PPT ....................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is defined as an area which include controlling & designing of
operations that is associated with the production process of an association. Along with this, it
also involves redesigning of operational activities that help an organisation to gain higher growth
as well as development (Gibson and Parkman, 2018). The important role of higher authorities is
to manage and control overall activities in order to achieve desired goals within given time
frame. In the current report, the company that is considered is Aston Martin. It deals in different
kinds of Auto mobiles & offers luxury as well quality goods within the market. Aston Martin
was established in year 1913 by Rober Bamford. The report cover the role of leaders as well as
managers along with the difference. Moreover, different theories & models of leadership is
discuss in the report. It also covers different approaches and functions of operations
management. The significance as well as value of operation management is discuss that help an
organisation to attain objectives within time frame.
PART 1
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare different roles and charcateristcs of a leader & manager.
A manager have the duty to control as well as administer the overall employees of an
association whereas a leader gives direction to all the staff members in order to achieve
organisational objectives. Along with this, leaders motivate staff members in order to make
them work with full potential and raise productivity the organisation. There are different role of
leaders & managers which is mentioned below:
Role of a Leader:
Vision setting: The main role of a leader is to set vision for both the employees and
teams. The vision which is set by leaders is associated with the objectives and its time frame
(Heizer, 2016). The functions as well as business activities is effectively carried out by staff
members, if leader have the skill to give proper direction to employees prevailing in the
organisation. In relation to Aston martin, it is essential for its leaders to set vision and
communicate it to staff members as it help in attaining objectives within stipulated time frame. In
addition to this, setting vision by leaders help in increasing productivity of an organization.

Decision maker: The another role of leader is to identify situations first and then make
decisions accordingly. It is important for a leader to take those decisions which is beneficial for
team members and for the organisation. In order to give information to employees in a proper
manner, it is important for a leader to have effective communication and presentation skills. In
context to Aston Martin, it leaders make use of participative leadership style that allow
employees to participate in the decision and share their ideas in an effective manner. Herein, the
role of leader is to ensure that all staff members participate and give their opinions as it build
confidence of employees.
Role of Manager:
Allocation of Resources: one of the most essential role of a manager prevailing in the
organisation is to allocate overall resources in a proper an effective manner so that gaols can be
attained within given time frame. In addition to this, it is essential for higher authorities to
manage resources as it help them to match demand and supply. In context to Aston Martin, the
role of manger is to ensure that resources is utilised properly as it help in declining level of
wastage and enhance productivity of company.
Monitoring and Evaluating: The another role of a managers is to check and evaluate the
activities which is performed by all the staff members of an organisation. Along with this,
managers evaluate actual performance of employees with the expected performance and then
reviews accordingly (Meredith and Shafer, 2019). This make improvement in the performance
and efficiency level of subordinates that affect positively on the reputation of companies. In
context to Aston Martin, its higher authorities evaluate performance of staff members on a
continuous basis so that goals can be achieved in the given time period. Herein, the role of
manger of Aston Martin is to evaluate performance with the expected performance so that
improvements take place in an effective and proper manner.
Characteristics of Leader
Trustworthy: Herein, a great leader is capable to build a trust or honesty in their team
and within the organisation. A leader should be honest toward their team thus it helps in
increasing the efficiency of the organisation
Communication:A leader must be a good communicator thus it assists in maintaining the
friendly relationship with the employees in the organisation. The vision, mission, goal or

objective of the organisation must be effectively communicated by leader thus it motivates the
employees in achieving the goal of the organisation.
Characteristics of Manager
Time management: One of the most crucial factor in being a great manager is managing
time as per the activities. The higher authorities should give the time to employees for effectively
communicate with them the goal or objective of the organisation.
Decision making: The manager must take the right decision on right moment in order to
attain goal or objective of the company.. The right decision taken by manager is always the key
to success in the organisation.
Difference between leader and manager
Basis Leader Manager
Aim The primary aim of the leader
is to accelerate the future
growth and development of the
company.
A manager aim is to achieve
the goal or objective of the
organisation thus it helps in
increasing the efficiency of the
company.
Focus The main focus of leader is to
motivate or influence the
employee of the organisation
thus it helps in increasing the
confidence level of employees.
A manager focus on the rules,
system, policy and procedures
followed by the employees of
the company thus it helps to
maintain the discipline among
the employees in the
organisation.
Function The main function of leader is
to guide, motivate or inspire
the people to work well in the
organisation.
A manager plan,organise the
structure ,direct the employees
and control the actual or
desired performance of
employees in the organisation.
Strives for A leader motivate the
employees to increase the
A manager strives for
increasing the efficiency of the

effectiveness of the company
thus it inspires them to do the
right work in the organisation.
company. It assists the
employees to do their work in
right manner.
TASK 2
P2 Role of Leader & Functions of manager in specified situations.
In every organisation, there are various situations occur that affect on overall
performance and efficiency of Aston MARTIN (Schönsleben, 2015). The role of leaders and
functions of manager is discussed below that is associated with the given situations:
New product Launch: In order to attract large number of people and to capture high
market share, companies bring new product in market after analysing needs of customers. In
context to Aston Martin, the company is planned to produce electric vehicle and bring it out in
market so that they can attract people towards their brand. The Leader's role and function of
manager according to the situation is given below:
Role of Leader: Herein, the leader’s role is to motivate staff members about the
establishment of innovative product. Along with this, the leader’s role is to align teams according
to the set vision that help in achieving objectives in effective manner. With reference to Aston
Martin, its leaders assist company in providing guidelines and direction to employees about the
new product launch. This will help company to execute activities of new goods or product in a
proper and effective manner.
Functions of a Manager: In this given situation, one of the most essential function of a
manager is to make planning regarding implementation and execution of activities of new
product launch in market (Ravindran, 2016). The other function that is needed to be perform by
manager is budget estimation so that funds can be easily available to employees and team
members to carry out activities in a smooth and proper manner. Moreover, to evaluate and check
performance of subordinates and team members is also function of a manager.
Conflict Management: Every company face issues as well as conflicts at workplace due
to different thoughts, ideas, culture and tradition of staff members. This affect adversely on the
productivity as well as efficiency of an organisation. In reference to Aston Martin, the company

face issues regarding pay structure as it employees think they did not get salary as per the efforts
given by them to company. This build negative mindset due to which their efficiency and
productivity declines that directly affect on the profitability of Aston Martin. In this situation, the
role of a leader as well as function of manager is described below:
Role of Leader: It has been analysed that leaders of Aston Martin emphasise on solving
issues as well as conflicts that arise within the organisation. In the present situation, leader's role
is to listen the view point of employees and then solve it in a positive manner. The other role is
to maintain effective relationship subordinates so that they can retain in the organisation for
longer time frame.
Function of Manager: At this situation, Manager's function is to effectively
communicate with their staff members and then resolve employees problem in an effective
manner. The other function is to develop agreements which is signed by both employees and
employer so that problems cannot be generated in future. With reference to Aston Martin, its
manager analyse the performance given by employees so that improvements can be done on
initial as it will affect on the performance of company in a positive manner. This will build
positive mindset of subordinates that assist company to retain its employees for longer time
frame and cut down their cost of hiring new candidate for the organisation.
P3 Different theories and approaches of Leadership
There are several theories as well as approaches that is used by manager of an
organisation in order to execute activities and raise functions of the company. The approaches
and theories of leadership which is adopted by the higher authority of Aston Martin is mentioned
below:
Situational Leadership:This theory is adopted by the leader of the organisation based on
the situation and circumstances occurred. It can be considered as the future growth and
development of the company. In this type of leadership, the factors that is advised such as skills,
knowledge and ability of the subordinates to manage the situations and execute them in a better
way. In the context of Aston martin, the manager of the company adopt this leadership in order
to manage the situation and execute the task in a defined manner whereas in situational
leadership emphasised on skill and knowledge of leader by which all subordinates get motivated
and put efforts in order to achieve the goal of the organisation. Furthermore, Hersey- Blanchard

declared no particular style of leadership is perfect & suitable to manage the conflicts or
grievances or to execute at the workplace. The four types of leadership style such as
Participating, telling, delegating and selling. The supervisor of Aston martin will use this model
for the implementation of the new product in the market place thus it assists company to explain
the goal or objective to all the subordinates. It also assists them to clarify their expectations to the
staff member in order to achieve the objective of the organisation. Basically, it involves two
factor in Hersey- Blanchard Model is independence & suitability. These factors are connected
with the four style of leadership that is given below:
Delegating Style: Hereby,the leader provides the opportunity to the team member to take
decision in the organisation. This style helps the manager of Aston martin to influence or
motivate employees in order to bring down the conflict rise among them.
Telling Style: In this form of leadership style, leader instruct and provide directions to
the employees related to the specific task which assists the management team of Aston martin to
handle conflicts or grievances and achieve the goal of the organisation.
Selling Style: Herein, leader provide innovative ideas to all the subordinates by giving
them directions in an effective manner. The launching of new product by Aston martin will be
easily executed if they use the selling style of leadership.
Participating Style: In this type of leadership, the manager of a company allows the
employees to share their opinion and take participation in the decision making process. The use
of this style by Aston martin motivates the subordinates to execute the activities in relation to the
new product in suitable and appropriate manner (Slack, 2018).
Fiedler's Contingency Model: This type of leadership instantly suggested that no
particular approach is feasible to deal with conditions &situation that take place within the
organisation. As per Aston martin, it is essential for the higher authority team to take decisions
by considering the external & internal elements of the company. It will help them to execute the
idea of launching the new creation in well-defined and proper manner. Furthermore, it is
considered as a top-grade approach which execute and manage the work of the company in an
effective manner. In addition to this, the organisation achieves the positive outcomes that builds
an good relationship and motivate all subordinates to work in an effective manner. The key
factor that is given below:

Task Structure: It includes the task that is executed by the organisation in order to
achieve their desirable goal within a time frame. This helps the senior manager of Aston martin
in efficaciously carrying out work related to launching the new product.
Position Power: It can be described as a process in which the senior manager give the
punishment as well as appreciation based on the work performed. The manager of Aston martin
could use this as it assist them to influence employees as well as decrease the problem arise in
the organisation.
Leader-Member Relations: This factor identify the trust between the higher authorities
and team members. The management team of Aston martin focuses on build a level of trust to
reduce the grievances or conflicts in the organisation in an suitable manner.
System leadership:This theory can be described as the activities or functions which is
linked with particular project as well as work is to be executed in a suitable or appropriate
manner in order to achieve the goal of the organisation (Wilmshurst and Wallis, 2016). In the
context of Aston martin, If this approach is adopt by the manager of company it will assist them
to perform the work in an effective manner. It will help them to analyse market situation as well
as provide direct information to the subordinates so they will be capable to manage the supply
according to the requirements of customers.
Assessment of strengths & weaknesses of different approaches.
Situational leadership: It is termed as a form of leadership style that help higher
authorities to develop plans as well as strategies as per the situation.
Strength Weakness
By the assistance of this leadership approach,
Aston Martin staff members is motivated that
leads to increase in productivity and attainment
of objectives within time frame.
In some situations of organisation, leaders are
not able to solve or manage conflicts properly.
System management: This leadership style help an entity to identify complex challenges,
which require development of collective actions effectively.
Strength Weakness

With the help of this approach, it is determine
that leaders and managers easily solve issues
on time.
It is not easy to handle situations and
conveyance employees, which is consider as
weakness of this approach.
PART 2
COVERED IN PPT
CONCLUSION
By conducting the above study, it is determined that operations management helps an
entity to implement activities in smooth and proper manner. By using operational management
approaches, an organisation can increase its effectiveness and productivity level which help them
to generate higher profits. The different models as well as theories of leadership help an
organisation to handle situations in an effective and proper manner. Moreover, the purpose of
operational management is to cut down the cost and raise the productivity of an organisation.

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