Difference between the role of leader and function of manager

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................3
Difference between the role of leader and function of manager.................................................3
LO2..................................................................................................................................................6
Role of leaders and manager in different situational context-.....................................................6
Theoretical models and approaches.............................................................................................7
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................9
Key approaches to operations management and the role played by leaders and managers.........9
Importance of Operations management for achieving the objectives of M&S.........................11
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................13
Relationship between leadership and management...................................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Operations Management mainly deals in planning, supervising and organising in all the
operations of the company whether it is manufacturing, production and provision of services.
This is mainly focused on the delivery of products ensuring that the inputs can be effectively
converted into outputs in much efficient manner. This also deals in administering of the business
practices for creating the maximum level of efficiency which can be possible to achieve in the
organisation (Hänninen, Smedlund and Mitronen, 2018).
Marks and Spencer is multinational retailer having its headquarters in London, England. It deals
in specialisation in selling of home and food products along with the clothing. All its products
gave label of the brand on them. It performs its operations in different countries across the world
in more than 959 stores (Marks and Spencer, 2020.). It mainly deals in selling of food products
but also it sells food and beverages. The company is also known for its effective managers and
leaders for their effective leadership and management along with the online food delivery service
(Welcome to M&S, 2020).
The report will shed light on the difference between the role of leader and the function of
manager by applying various theories. This will be followed by applying the role of leader and
function of manager in different situations in Marks and Spencer. Various models and theories of
approach will be highlighted which will include the system leadership, situational leadership and
contingency. Furthermore, various approaches to operations management will be described along
with the role of leaders and managers in managing the operations of Marks and Spencer. Also, it
will highlight the ways in which the operations management help in achieving the objectives of
business. At last, the impact of the business environment on the operations management and the
decision made by the leaders and managers will be discussed.
LO 1
Difference between the role of leader and function of manager
Leadership is basically a skill whereas management is a discipline. The person who are
responsible for possessing the abilities of leadership are referred as leaders and the practitioners
of discipline of management are known as managers (Wesley, Jackson and Lee, 2017). Leaders
and managers play a major role in the organisations where the leader plays the role of inspiring,
encouraging and influencing the people for working willingly and on the other hand the
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managers plays the role of linking the firm with its stakeholders such as the customers,
employees, shareholders, suppliers, society and government. The leaders and managers of Marks
and Spencer also perform their duties effectively which is becoming the reason for the rapid
success of the company as well as its enhanced performance.
Basis for Comparison Leaders Managers
Concept Leaders are the people who play the crucial
role of influencing the subordinates for
achieving the specified goals (Li and Chen,
2018).
Managers are the people who are
responsible for managing the
organisation along with carrying out
the activities for planning, directing,
coordinating and controlling.
Attribute The attribute chosen by the leaders are
foresightedness.
The attribute chosen by the
managers is the mind.
Approach Leaders use the approach of setting the
direction.
Managers use the approach of
planning the details (Rahdari and
et.al., 2020).
Subordinate The subordinates who follow the leaders
are the followers.
The employees are the people who
follow the managers.
Style The main style used by the leaders is
transformational style.
The style used by the managers is
the transactional style.
Decision The leaders facilitate the decision. The managers make the decision.
Aim The main of the leaders is growth and
development of the teammates and the
employees.
The main aim of managers is
attaining and accomplishing the
required and desired result.
Focus The main focus of the leaders is the people
of the organisations.
The main aim of the managers is the
process and procedures.
Conflict Leaders basically use the conflicts
happening in the organisations as an asset.
Managers usually avoid the
conflicts.
Change Leaders help in promoting the change. Managers normally react to the
change.
Strives Leaders of any organisation or group strive
hard for effectiveness.
Managers of any organisation or
group strive hard for increasing the
efficiency.
People The leaders align the people working in the
organisations.
The managers organise the people in
the organisation including the
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