Roles and Functions of Leaders and Managers in Business - Walmart Case Study

Unit 4

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Provide comparison between different roles/ characteristics of leader's & manager ...............3
M1 Discuss & differentiate between role of leader & function of manager by applying range of
concepts...........................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2 ................................................................................................................................................4
P2 Critically discuss how role of leader & functions of manager are applied in different
situations. ........................................................................................................................................4
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency..............................................................................................................6
TASK 3.................................................................................................................................................7
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play...................................................................................................................................................7
M2 Assess & evaluate strength & weakness of different methods to situation...............................9
M3 Evaluate how leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational management to
successfully meet business objectives...........................................................................................10
P6 Factors of business environment which have impact on decision making of leaders and
manager:- .....................................................................................................................................12
M4 Analyse how these different factors affect the business environment and wider community
.......................................................................................................................................................13
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................15
Books & Journal:...........................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
The business sector is wider and broader which is rising at rapid scale. It is important for
enterprise to have skilled staff which has ability to produce higher productivity (Amtu, 2019).
Walmart, a retail firm headquartered U.S. This enterprise deals in hypermarkets, grocery stores,
discount department stores in which they distribute daily consumable products as well as services
etc. It has many competitors such as The Kroger Company, Costco, Home Depot etc. Main aim of
this report is to understand the importance of leaders & managers in business. This report comprises
of difference between roles, characteristics of leader and manager, functions of manager & leader,
theories and approaches of leadership, approaches to operation management, importance of
operation management and factors impacting upon business environment.
TASK 1
P1 Provide comparison between different roles/ characteristics of leader's & manager
To achieve vision as well as mission, it is essential for organisation to make assure that
leaders & manager fulfil their roles and responsibilities in proper manner. In relevance of Walmart,
it is diversified firm who has aim of being global retailer. Leader is to be defined as individual who
has ability to change decisions of others. Moreover, it is too analysed that they are responsible for
managing all employees & their decisions in effective manner.
Manager is to defined as individual who has capability to meet the organisation long term
and short term objectives within a time period. Main task of a manager is to implement effective
strategies to increase productivity of firm (Baltaci, 2017).
In context of Walmart, HR of company make assure that appropriate roles & responsibilities
are clearly well defined so that decisions are being taken in appropriate manner.
Leaders Managers
 Leaders are to be defined as person who
has ability to change decisions of others
to get work done.
 Manager refers to person who are
responsible for managing & making
decisions effectively & implement
strategies to achieve objectives.
 Main aim of leader is to motivate
employee & develop positive
relationships with each other (Cameron,
2017).
 Main purpose of manager is to achieve
common desired goals within time period
through implementing of tactics.
 Their focus is on development of
positive relationship within workplace.
 Managers focus is on achieving of
management objectives.

Roles of leaders-
 Act as Motivator or mentor- It is important role of leader in which they act as a d
motivator within firm & provide appropriate guidance to team members. Also, they act as a
mentor and solve problems of every individual.
 Visionary- This is also crucial role of leader in which leader act as a visionary and develop
new ideas. They act as a visionary who has focus on producing something new. In relevance
of Walmart, they have innovative thinking leaders (Chatterjee, 2017).
Characteristics of managers-
 Effective communicator- A manager have a effective communication skills on basis of
which they are able to transfer information in appropriate manner. In relation of chosen firm,
manager of firm uses tools such as e-mails, text messages, social media platforms for
communication.
 Decision maker- It is another trait in which manager is liable for taking effective decisions
within firm. It is crucial to make decisions effectively so that goals are accomplished.
M1 Discuss & differentiate between role of leader & function of manager by applying range of
concepts
Role of leader and function of manager is important to be known so that it is easy to carry
out business activities. Walmart's leaders & managers are well aware about there roles & function.
For example- Leader role is to be visionary so that innovating services or products are delivered.
Whereas function of manager is to control all activity of leader to make ensure that positive results
are achieved (Ford, 2017).
TASK 2
P2 Critically discuss how role of leader & functions of manager are applied in different situations.
Functions of managers as well as leaders role are important to be known because they help
in accessing to new opportunities in effective way. In relation of selected entity, HR of company has
eye on every person and clearly well defines their roles & responsibilities. There are different type
of situations in which both these are being applied with proper considerations. So, Walmart faces
various situations & accordingly roles & functions are carried out which is further discussed below-
Situation 1- Conflict Management
It is type of a situation which occur when there are differences in opinion of others & it