Comparison of Roles and Characteristics of Leaders and Managers

Management and
Operations Unit 4

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ...............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager..............3
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................5
P2 Discuss examples of how role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different
situational perspectives. ..................................................................................................................5
P3 Discuss different theories/ models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency..............................................................................................................6
TASK 3 ................................................................................................................................................7
P4) Analyse Operational management key approaches and role of leaders & managers................7
P5 What is operation management and explain the values of operation management for achieving
business objectives ........................................................................................................................10
TASK 4...............................................................................................................................................12
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision-making by leaders and managers..............................................................................12
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................13
Books & Journal:...........................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
In business sector, leaders as well as mangers play crucial role in achieving objectives of
firm. Management and operations is defined as process which includes planning, organizing,
controlling, manufacturing of products or services (Johnstone, 2016). It is a wider concept which is
required to be understood in proper manner. Main aim of operation management is to assure that
process of converting input to output is done in most efficient way. Sainsbury, a largest
supermarket headquartered in U.K. Firm deals in variety of products such as groceries, consumable
items etc. It is located globally and has number of subsidiaries such as Argos, Habitat, Sainsbury
Bank etc. This report comprises of comparison between roles/ characteristics of leaders & manager,
role of leader and function of manager, theories & models, approaches to operation management,
importance of value of operations management and factors affecting business environment.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
In organisational sector, managers & leaders both are essential part of enterprise which
assist in achieving of goals in time period. They are one who manages all the activities as well as
functions of business. In relation with Sainsbury, they too have these both in entity through they are
able to achieve objectives. They are different from each other as they have different roles as well as
responsibilities.
Manager- Manager is one who is accountable for monitoring and managing managerial
activities within enterprise. They make assure that task and assigned roles are fulfilled in proper
manner. Main duty of manager is to increase the effectiveness of operations through implementing
strategies within a firm. Their role is to assign task to every employees on basis of their skills &
knowledge. Responsibilities of every manager are different from depending upon departments &
position (Pisarenko, 2018).
Leaders- They are those who analyse and examine how thongs can be improves and
individual can be motivated to achieve objectives within a period of time. They guides and directs
their followers to make a right decisions. Main purpose of leader is to motivate subordinates for
accomplishing their goals in timely period.
Differentiation between role of manager/ leader-
They both are important and as they help in carrying out resources in most effective way.
They are responsible for achieving missions & vision of enterprise. It is crucial for them to be aware

about roles so that everything is done in correct way. In context with Sainsbury, it is important to for
them understand role these two & comparison has been discussed below-
Leaders Managers
 A leader is one who is responsible for
motivating and managing employees
within a firm (Webb, 2017).
 Another role is to examine the situation
so that right decision is taken. In
relevance of selected organisation,
leaders of a company analysing situation
whether it is critical or not and then the
distance are taken by them.
 Leader’s role is to influence the decision
of followers when new change is being
adapted.
 For example- leaders of Sainsbury use
leadership style to influence decision of
followers.
 Managers are one who assigned and
allocate roles as well as responsibilities
to employees relying on their knowledge
& skills.
 Another role of manager is to examine
progress and process of departments of
enterprise. Sainsbury managers often
properly determine the process of
departments as well as employees on
basis of which roles are assigned.
 Further role is to implement effective
strategies to achieve objectives.
(Kauppila, 2016).
Characteristics of managers/ leaders:
Both these managers & leaders has different types of characteristics which are described
below-
Manager
 Time management- A successful manager is one manages everything with proper time
management so that objectives are achieved effectively.
 Problem solving- A manager is one who solve problem of employees, management &
deliver appropriate solution for the issue. Through problem solving, they are able to bring
the smooth functioning of business (James Relly, 2020).
 Proper communication- A manager is also implement a proper communication within a
management so that issue do not occur between the employees, management etc.
Leader
 Develop vision- Leaders has the ability to develop a new vision & with help of followers
they are able to succeed. Positive- Leaders are positive in nature and find solution of problem by any means.