Roles and Characteristics of Leaders and Managers in Operations Management

This document discusses the roles and characteristics of leaders and managers in operations management. It explores the differences between leaders and managers, their functions in various situations, and different theories and models of leadership. The document also provides insights into the importance of operations management in achieving business objectives.

Management &
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Define and compare various roles & characteristics of a leader as well as manager........3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P2 Role of leader and function of manager in various situations...........................................7
P3 Different Theories & Models of Leadership.....................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leader and manager...................9
P5 Importance and value of operations management in attaining business objectives........11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
P6 Assess factors in business environment impact on operational management and decision
making..................................................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES...............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Operations management is defined as an area which consist of controlling, designing and
development of business operations in the procedure of production. In addition to this, it also
includes redesigning of activities that is associated with development of goods as well as
services. For the present report, Aston Martin is taken into consideration. It is an auto mobile
company which offer luxury and quality vehicles in market. The company as established in the
year 1913 and its head office is located in England, United Kingdom. The report will discuss
about role of leaders and managers in various situations along with the difference among them
associated with their roles. In addition to this, leadership approaches is described in a proper
manner. Moreover, operation management approaches, importance of operations management in
increasing profitability and the factors impact on operation management & decision making by
leaders is elaborated in the report properly.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare various roles & characteristics of a leader as well as manager.
Background of the company: Aston Martin is an auto-mobile company that deals in
luxurious goods and services. The company has presence in more than 9 countries and its head
office is located in UK. The organisational structure followed by Aston Martin is hierarchical in
nature. It involve level of people that is controlled by different departments. One of the major
reason of success of company is its effective and talented employees who provide quality and
timely service to the customers.
Managers: A manager is a person who manage a company & is responsible for effective
planning, direction, managing, coordination and control as well. They are the one responsible to
control as well as administer employees within the organisation (Park and Faerman, 2019). In
addition to this, they are also responsible for looking and overseeing team in various situations.
Leaders: A leaders is a person who have the capability to influence its employees to
attain a particular goals. In addition to this, leaders motivate, encourage and inspire employees
to enhance their productivity and creativity level with a motive to attain organisational objective
within stipulated time period (Leader and manager, 2019). In addition to this, leaders give
direction and instruction to all employees that help in effective and systematic implementation of
activities of the company. The role of leaders as well as managers is given below:

Role of Leaders
Vision Setting: One of the main role of leader is to set the vision for employees that is
associated with organisational objective. It is determine that it is important for the leader to
properly instruct employees so that the vision is accomplished within stipulated time period.
Decision maker: Another role of leader is to take effective decisions as per the situations
arise at marketplace so that benefits can be gain by both organisation ad employee as well. For
this, it is significant for a leader to have effective communication skills that help in providing
information to employees in an effective manner.
Role of Manager:
Allocation of resources: It is consider as one of the major role of manager that help
company to earn higher profits and enhance its performance level as well. The managers allocate
the resources in an optimal manner that help in declining the cost of company and also assist in
maintaining a balance among demand and supply. In relation to Aston Martin, its higher
authorities focuses on putting right people at an appropriate place that help in proper allocation
of resources.
Monitoring: Another role is to check and monitor the overall performance of employees
that assist in making improvements and development of effective strategies as well. In addition
to this, it is analysed that managers evaluate performance as per the set standards due to which
objectives are attained on time period. In context to Aston Martin, its higher authorities
continuously check the performance of employees which help in enhancing productivity and
profitability of company.
Characteristics of a leader:
Effective Communication: It is significant for leaders to have an effective
communication and interaction skills as it help in giving instructions to employees in a proper
manner. In addition to this, it also help in making good connection with employees which
motivate them to work with full potential towards organisational objectives.
Self control: It is important for the leaders to have the capability to distinguish between
want is wrong and right as well. It is determine that self-control makes an individual motivated
and encouraged towards their goals and vision.
Characteristics of a manager:

Time management: One of the main characteristic of a manager is time management
that help in managing all the activities as well as operations on time period.
Delegation: It is analysed that managers delegate the authority and responsibility to staff
members according to their competencies, knowledge and skills as well. This help company to
carry out activities in a proper and effective manner.
Difference among leaders and managers :
There are various factors on the basis of which difference among leader as well as
manager is elaborated below:
Dimensions Leader Manager
Goal Focused It is determine that leaders
uses its skills to create vison
and mission of the company.
In context to Aston Martin, its
leaders use their creative mind
to motivate staff members in
order to achieved the vision
and mission set by them.
It is analysed that managers
performs according to the
duties and task given to them
by company superiors. With
reference to Aston Martin, its
managers emphasis in attaining
objectives but have no
capability to motivate and
influence its subordinates.
People management Leaders aligned staff members
according to their skills,
capabilities and interest level
which assist in developing a
potential among employees to
meet with the targets of
company.
The manager’s role is to
manager and organise people
working in the organisation
with a motive to carry out
activities in a well defined
manner.
Delegation Leaders did not delegate the
authority, they instruct staff
members to carry out activities
in a proper manner.
It is analysed that managers
delegate the responsibility to
the employees and teams to
implement the activities in a
proper manner.

Vision setting
It is analysed that leaders set
the vision for the employees
that is aligned with the
organisational objectives.
Managers communicate the
vision to the leaders so that
they can motivate employees
according in a proper manner.
Similarities among Leaders and managers:
Apart from the differences, it is determine that are various similarities between leaders
and managers. It is analysed that both the leaders and managers are focusing on achieving
organisational objective and to enhance the performance of company. Moreover. Both leaders
and managers emphasis on fulfilling the requirements of employees so that they can work with
full potential towards set objectives.
Contingency theory: This theory state that there is no particular leadership style and
approaches is fit and suitable to the situations and conditions arise within the organisation. In
this, the function of manager is to gain insight about the root cause of situation and communicate
it to the leader. The leader’s role here is to adopt an appropriate leadership approach by analysing
the situation and then develop strategies accordingly. This help company to deal with the
uncertainties and issues in an effective and timely manner.
It has been analysed that various form of leadership styles is used by leaders of company,
which are as follows:
Transactional style: In this type of leadership style, leaders develop strategies that is
followed by staff members in order to achieve organisational objective. Along with this, staff
members are rewarded and recognised by managers of Aston martin according to the inputs they
give in achieving organisational objective. In this leadership style, the role of leaders is to
motivate employees so that they can follow the strategies in a proper manner. The manager role
here is to check and evaluate the activities perform by employees with the set standards which
assist in making improvements and enhance performance of the organisation.
Transformational Style: Herein, leaders motivate employees so that they can bring some
new and innovative idea associated with the products and service of company. In context to
Aston Martin, its leaders and higher authorities ensure that a positive and healthy working
environment is provided to the staff members as it will help in bringing out the creativity and
productivity level of employees which leads to enhancement of performance and productivity

level of the organisation. The leader’s role here is to provide training and development session to
employees so that skills and knowledge of staff members is enhanced in an effective manner.
Moreover, the manager’s role is to give rewards and appreciate employees so that they can bring
some innovation for the company.
TASK 2
P2 Role of leader and function of manager in various situations.
It is analysed that in every organisation, some of the situations has arise that has direct
impact on the performance level of the company. The situation occurred with Aston Martin is
given below along with the role of leader and functions of manager associated with the
condition:
New product Launch: The managers of respective organisation identifies that consumption
of electric vehicles is increased in marketplace. For this, higher authorities of Aston Martin is
decided to develop and manufacture electric vehicles with an aim to capture large market share
and enhance its performance level. The function of manager and role of leader in this situation is
defined below:
Role of leader: At this condition, the leader’s role is to show case the new product to
employees in a proper manner. In addition to this, it is important for leader to clarify every
feature associated with the new product. Moreover, the leader’s role is to conduct a conference
that shows the vision of manufacturing a new product and to motivate employees towards new
product.
Furthermore, the role of leader is to guide or instruct staff members as per the set objectives.
In addition to this, leader’s role is to gain understanding about the perception of employees
towards new product, which will help in developing their positive mind set of staff members
towards new product.
Function of manager: One of the major function that manager’s required to perform here is
assigning of activities or task according the skills, competencies and knowledge of staff
members. In addition to this, the managers develop strategies which assist in launching of new
product effectively at marketplace.
In this particular situation, the main role of leader is effective planning and developing of
strategies as per the objectives of new products. After this, the manager’s role is to assign task to

right people that is as per their skills, competencies and knowledge as well. It is important for
manager to monitor the activities carry out by employees according to the set standards so that
overall objectives is attained on time period.
Crisis Management: It is defined as managing crisis that is arise so that it does not impact
on the performance of company. In relation to Aston Martin, its managers & leaders face crisis at
the recession time. Due to this, the company decline pay scale of employees which is main
reason of increase in turnover and absenteeism rate. This affect negatively on the productivity as
well as profitability of the organisation and leads to decline in market performance and share of
company.
 Role of Leader: In this situation, the leader’s role is to motivate staff members and
develop good relation with them so that they did not think to leave the organisation. In
addition to this, it is significant for leaders to take rapid decision and implement it in
proper and defined manner to employees.
 Function of manager: The function of manager is to gain information about the reason
of issue and communicate it with the organisation leader. Another function of manager is
to assign tasks to staff members as per their interest that help in retaining employees for
longer time period.
P3 Different Theories & Models of Leadership.
The role of leader and manager change according to time which leads to change in their
working style. According to the traditional approach of leadership and management, leader and
manager follow autocratic style due to which they not involve employees in the decision making
process. Moreover, they also not involve staffs in different managerial functions such as
planning, organizing, directing and so on due to which motivation level of employees get
decrease as well as at that time employees not feel valuable for company. On the other hand, in
present time manager and leader follow democratic leadership and management approach
according to which they involve staffs in different managerial functions.
 Situational approach – According to the respective approach manager and leader of Aston
Martin able to develop proper decision according to situation which they are currently
experiencing at the workplace (Contreras and et.al., 2020). In this approach, respective
company manager will adopt planning managerial function so that strategies can be
planned according to situation.

Strength - The strength of respective approach is that it help manager and leader to develop
decision for the development of new products as well as it also help in developing decision for
critical management of operations.
Weakness - But there is some weakness such as it is not considered appropriate approach for the
long process like new product development.
 System approach – According to this approach Aston Martin leader and manager will
develop positive situation so that employees feel motivated and encouraged which
improvise their work. In this approach different management functions are involved such
as motivation, planning, relationship building and so on by the respective company
manager so that they attain their desire goal successfully.
Strength - The strength of respective approach which is experienced by respective company
manager while developing new products and facing critical situation is that they able to attain
goal successfully. It also help in focusing on operations properly.
Weakness - Whereas weakness related to same situation is that it required huge time.
 Contingency approach – According to this approach succession of business not only
related to the abilities there are other two main factors on which Aston Martin manager
need to focus i.e. situation and skill set (Edward and et.al., 2020). Managerial functions
which are involve in this approach by the Aston Martin manager are directing, teamwork,
motivating and so on.
Strength - The strength of this approach is that in new product development and critical
management not involvement of all staffs are necessary.
Weakness - Whereas weakness is that it is not appropriate for regular changing situation such as
critical management.
TASK 3
P4 Key approaches to operations management and role of leader and manager
Operation management considered as activities which are conducted by a company in
order to attain their desire goal in successful manner. In an organisation there are several
operation are conducted by which they able to attain their desire goal and objectives successfully.
In respect of Aston Martin, they are producing luxury and quality car and the whole process
incurred with several key operations functions, from which some main are mentioned below:-

 Transformation of raw material into finished goods – According to this operation function
respective company will develop luxury sports cars according to customer's need and
requirement. Respective operations required to transform raw material into the finished
good i.e. sports car. In this key inputs are employees involvement, resources like parts of
car and many more. In this approach, role of manager and leader is that they will design
strategies as well as they also train and motivate staffs so that they can conduct their work
properly. Moreover, responsibility of manager and leader is that will ensure that
production is conducted properly and quality best car are produced. In this leader can do
different tasks like they can test the cars before moving them to another location so that
quality and speed of cars could be checked.
 Logistics and inventory management – According to this operation of the respective
company, management able to maintain inventory in proper way which help them in
delivering products according to demand of market. Here the key inputs are proper
logistic and inventory management system or software, employees focus, finished
product and many more (Hoang and et.al., 2020). In this the main role of leader and
manager is that they ensure that there is proper availability of sports car according to
demand as well as they also motivate employees so that they work properly and
effectively. Moreover responsibility of manager and leader is that they need to ensure that
customer's need will be satisfied properly and on time or not. In context of this
operational function the leader can do different work like they can maintain personal
contact with all senior managers of different locations to ensure that there is proper stock
according to demand.
Moreover there are several key operational management approaches which are necessary
to be adopted by Aston Martin, from which some are mentioned below:-
 Lean Production– By adopting this approach Aston Martin will be able to minimise waste
in their production process without impacting on the car's quality (Kamel, Rezk and
Abdelkareem, 2020). I
Role of manager - In this approach, role manager is that they will develop strategies and process
which minimise wastage as well as they also develop strategies through which waste can be
reuse.

Role of leader - In addition this, it will also role of leader is to ensure that all the plans are
conducted in effective manner as well as they also provide training and guide to employees so
that wastage can be reduce.
 Total Quality Management– According to this approach respective company will be able
to motivate their employees so that they can perform their work in best manner and
develop best quality sports car.
Role of manager - In this role of manager is that they should develop strategies related to training
and development so that employees can perform their jobs accordingly and properly.
Role of leader – In respect of this role of leader of respective company is to ensure that all
employees will involve in the training activities so that their quality get enhanced which leads to
attainment of desire goal successfully.
 Just in time – Through respective approach Aston Martin able to eliminate the waste
related to time, work as well as storage. In this the main role of manager and leader is that
they should focus on what they needed, when they needed, and the demand of product at
market.
Role of manager - In respect of Aston Martin, manager develop strategies which leads to
decrease in wastage and accomplished work on time.
Role of leader – In this leader will ensure that all the activities are conducted in effective manner
so that allotted work will done in effective and successful manner.
P5 Importance and value of operations management in attaining business objectives
Operations management is determined as business activities which create high state of
efficiency conducted within a company. Respective management is also determined as
converting material as well as labour into the goods and services in order to enhance the
profitability ratio of company (Li, Wan and Lai, 2020). In addition to this operation management
of a company also help in attaining business objective as that will ensure that business activities
or operations in conducting in effective manner. This will also help a company in conduct
process in effective way which leads to attainment of desire goal and objectives successfully. In
respect of Aston Martin, there are several operations functions through which importance as well
as value of operations management can determined from which some are mentioned below:-
 Full fill customer's demand – The respective operation is important for the respective
company because through that they will be able to deliver their luxury sport car around

the potential market according to the demand of customers. This operation add value to
the business succession as firm is able to fulfil customer's requirements properly which
increases market value, sales, goodwill and profit. In this situation approach of
management and leadership will be used by respective company's manager as that will
help them in developing decision according to demand and situation.
 Maintain the product quality – The respective operation function is important for Aston
Martin because through that they are able to understand customer's requirement in car and
then develop luxury sport car accordingly (Ma, Liu and Meng, 2020). This is also
valuable because that will help in satisfying customer's demand as well as it also retain
customers which leads to increase in profit and market value. In this operational function
behavioural approach of management and leadership approach will be used because
through employees become more production oriented.
 Improve production process – By this operational function respective company will be
able to conduct as well as design their production process effectively which leads to
increase in profitability and minimizing errors or wastage. It is valuable for the growth of
company because through it they able to develop best sports car with minimum or no
wastage which increase their profit and minimise expenses. In this operational function
both behavioural as well as situational leadership and management approach will be used
as that will help in conducting work according path goal as well as it also make
employees production oriented.
 Minimize operational cost - It is determined as essential function of the operation
management as that specifies the capacity of respective company production process
which minimise the use of excess resources in process as well as it also ensures that
employees will focus on their work and quality (Mel and et.al., 2020). This function is
valuable for company's success because that will minimise the expenses which
contributes to enhancement in the profit. In respect of this behaviour management and
leadership approach will be used because that help in ensuring that employees will focus
on the production and quality.
There are several ways through which leader and manager of Aston Martin can enhance
operational and management for meeting the business objectives successfully such as manager
and leader may conduct training and development programs. This is so because through that

employees will know the best way to conduct production of luxury car with minimum or no
errors. Moreover respective company's manager and leader may also develop proper guidelines
for production which needs to be followed by employees.
TASK 4
P6 Assess factors in business environment impact on operational management and decision
making
In an organisation there are several factors of external business environment
which impacts the business operations and functions as well as according to that management
need to develop proper strategies and plans. Explanation of different external business
environmental factors in respect of Aston Martin are mentioned below:-
 Corporate social responsibility – It is determined as the activity, which is done by an
organisation for the society as well as environmental development. Currently it is
essential for companies to conduct CSR activities according to their profit ratio as that
will help in development of society (Nadira, Shixiang and Chen,2020). While conducting
CSR activities leaders and managers plays major role as they conduct planning as well as
they also ensure that execution of activities will done in best manner. In respect of Aston
Martin, their manager and leader are accountable for the decision making related to the
CSR. Like manager conduct market researching in order to determine which CSR
activities is most appropriate for company as well as society and after that leader conduct
planning and ensure implementation is done properly. CSR activities conducted by
respective company is beneficial for both society as issues get resolve and for company
their goodwill in market get increase. In respect of this Aston Martin can conduct several
CSR activities such as donate funds for development of rural areas near their premisses,
build school, hospital and so on. Moreover CSR also impact on the decision making of
the respective company as when company conduct effective CSR their goodwill get
enhance which help then in adopting new strategies and attracting stakeholders. This will
also help in developing effective decision for the business growth.
 Business ethics – It is determined as the situation in which there is implementation of
appropriate business practices and policies in order to arguably contentious subjects. This
will include some main issues like corporate governance, discrimination, social

responsibility, bribery, insider trading and many more (Trovò, 2020). Business ethics are
upgraded by government according to the increment in ethical issues and it is essential for
companies to improve their policies and rules accordingly. In respect of Aston Martin,
their manager conduct evaluation and develop decisions related to rules and policies
according to the business ethics guidelines. Furthermore, accordingly which leaders will
develop decision for ensuring that all rules are followed properly. In respect of this it is
essential for the respective company's manager and leader are required to develop proper
decisions related to business ethics so that their goodwill get increased as well as
maintain positive working environment.
 Stakeholders – These people has vested interest in the operations of company because
they either impact or be get impacted by firm's practices and functions. In a company
there are several stakeholders such as investors, suppliers, communities, governments,
trade associations, customers, employees, media and many more. The leader and manager
decisions are based on the stakeholders perspective as well as view because they help in
building business. In respect of Aston Martin, their manager and leader decision get
impacted due to stakeholders because they need to consider their viewpoints and
perspectives and then need to develop strategies (Trovò, 2020). This is so because that
help in satisfying stakeholders which leads to growth of business successfully. In respect
of this, it is essential for respective company to involve stakeholders in decision making
process by considering their view because through that they feel valuable which help in
succession of business.
CONCLUSION
By conducting evaluation of above mentioned topic it can be determined that for every
firm it is important to conduct their management as well as operational work in proper way so
that they will attain their desire goal properly and it also help in minimizing errors. Moreover
there are several key operation management approach through which company attain their goal
such as situational, system and contingency. For a firm operations management is important as
well as valuable as that will help in attaining business objective. In this process leader and
manager of a company plays major role such as they guide employees, train them, develop
strategies, ensure enhancement of productivity and many more. Moreover, at workplace
sometime several critical situations take place in which leader as well as manger need to play

major role so that they can attain predetermined goals. While doing this they may go through
several theories such as system, contingency and situational leadership as these will help in
conducting work properly as well as it also enhance productivity and profit of business. In
addition to this there are several situation arise which impact on the decision making of a
company such as corporate social responsibilities, business ethics and many more.

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