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

UNIT 4 – MANAGEMENT
AND OPERATIONS

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P 1 Roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.............................................................1
M 1 Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by
effectively....................................................................................................................................2
LO2..................................................................................................................................................3
P 2 Examination of examples of ways in which role of a leader and the function of a manager
apply in different situational contexts..........................................................................................3
P 3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency..........................................................................................................4
M 2 Examination of strengths and weaknesses to appraise different approaches to
situations within the work environment......................................................................................4
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................4
Explain the key approaches to operations management..............................................................4
M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management 4
P 5 Explanation of importance and value of operations management in achieving business
objectives.....................................................................................................................................4
LO 4.................................................................................................................................................4
P 6 Factors within business environment that affect operational management...........................4
M 4 How different factors affect business environment.............................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Management can be defined as a kind of method or style that helps an organization in
directing, managing, controlling individuals working within an organization. Operation
management is a functional area of management that helps an organization in planning,
supervising and managing all the main task and activities of company (Anbu, 2019).
Organization focused upon Marks and Spencer which is British multinational retail sector
organization that was founded in 1884 whose headquarter is in London. They maintain sell
products like cloths, food products, home products. This report will lay emphasis upon roles and
characteristics of leader and manager, functions of manager and role of leaders, main approaches
of operation management, importance of operation management and factors that affect
operational efficiency of company.
LO 1
P 1 Roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Leaders and managers are two most important individuals of an organization. Role of
both leaders and managers is different within an organization and each of them have different
characteristics. A leader is an individual within an organization who focuses upon motivating
employees of an organization so that they can move forward in a correct direction so that pre-
defined goals and objectives of the organization can be achieved. Whereas, a manager is an
individual who works in every situation and design and work in such a manner that goals and
objectives of company can be achieved.
Difference between roles and characteristics of leaders and managers are as follows:
Leader Manager
Main role of a leader is to take everyone
together and work together as a team for
achievement of desired objectives and
achievement of success.
Main roe of a manager is to manage each and
every task and activity of an organization so
that pre- defined targets can be achieved in a
proper manner (Chiu, Balkundi and Weinberg,
2017).
Another role of leaders is to analyse
behaviour of all the employees at each level
and provide guidance to them so that
improvement within their performance can be
Role of manager is to provide training to
employees and provide a direction to them so
that they can work accordingly and all the task
and activities can be completed in a timely
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brought in a proper manner. manner.
Leaders focuses upon what and why
questions related to a task.
Whereas managers focus upon when and how
questions related to task.
Leaders are unique in nature Whereas, managers are commanding in nature
Leaders are creative in nature Whereas, managers are flexible in nature
They think of original ideas for growth and
development of organization (Ayman and
Lauritsen, 2018)
They copy ideas and strategies of leaders for
completion of assigned task and activities on
time
Motivate employees to do work Manage and direct work of employees
They are creative and confident Whereas, they are patient and flexible in nature
Some of the main characteristics of leaders
that differentiate them from managers are:
confident, motivator, caring, good decision
makers
Some of the main characteristics of managers
are: they are empathetic, responsible,
accountable, reliable and specific in nature
(Henkel and Bourdeau, 2018).
M 1 Analyse and differentiate between the role of a leader and function of a manager by
effectively applying a range of theories and concepts
Role of a leader and functions of manager are completely different from each other. Main
role of a leader and functions of manager that plays a vital role in success of Marks and Spencer
are as follows:
Planning: main function of a manger is to plan all the main goals of M&S in such a manner that
it helps them in enhancing their overall sales and revenue as well as also helps in reducing
employee turnover in a better manner. Whereas role of leader is to communicate these goals to
employees so that they can put efforts for achievement of these goals (Shao, Feng and Hu, 2016).
Organizing: Function of a manger is to utilize and organize all the research so that they can be
used in a proper and adequate manner. Whereas role of a leader is to efficiently allocate
resources so that desired outcome can be achieved
Controlling: managers control and guide their employees for achievement of desired outcomes
whereas leaders verify outcomes achieved by employees.
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