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

This report discusses the roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager in the context of management and operations. It explores the different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems leadership, and contingency. The report also examines examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different situational contexts.

Unit 4–Management
and Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................4
PART 1.........................................................................................................................................................4
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager....................4
M1 Analyse and difference between role of leader and function of manager........................................6
P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in different
situational contexts.................................................................................................................................7
P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency.....................................................................................................................8
M2 Strength and weakness of different approach to situations within work environment....................9
D1 Analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in given contexts........10
PART 2.......................................................................................................................................................10
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play........................................................................................................................................................10
P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.....12
M3 Leaders and managers can improve efficiency of operation management.....................................13
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision-making by leaders and managers.....................................................................................13
M4 Factors affects the business environment and community.............................................................14
D2 Critically Evaluate application of operations management and factors that impact on the wider
business environment...........................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION.............................................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Management and Operation is a practice that is performed in the premises of a company
by the manager and leader of a company for attaining the goals. Discussing it in detail, it is
necessary to understand that management and operation is among one of those concepts which
can be effective for business organization as perform each of the activity by having proper plans
and policies. The presented report is based on Bentley which is one of the car manufacturing
company established in the year 1919. The company was founded by W. O. Bentley, H. M.
Bentley. The Parent company of Bentley Motors is Volkswagen Group. The assignment will
discuss about the manager and leader of the company and what are their main roles and
responsibility which they should be able to perform. Their role in different situation will be also
analysed in detail. Some of the other topics that will be covered within the project is related to
key approaches, theories and many more.
PART 1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
Manager are the management level person who are appointed in the organisation to
perform certain some of the specified work related to management so that company can
accomplish their goals. As they hold the key position in the company which means manager
should be able to do proper planning, controlling and number of other tasks for attaining the
goals.
Roles of Managers
Recruit and manage staffs:Any of the company requires the employee and that can be
fulfilled only if manager is capable to hire them. In Bentley Motors, manager must manage their
staffs as per their capabilities and talent(Adebiyi, Oyatoye and Amole, 2016).
Training and developing staffs:Although, manager hires the employees for the
organisation like Bentley Motors but they must have the knowledge that proper training should
be provided. It is needed because it is the only way through which newly hired employees can
meet out the requirement of a company.
Characteristics of Manager

Knowledge: The position of manager is not an easy job because there are number of
which is needed to be performed if person is appointed as an manager of the company. In context
of Bentley Motors, it is said that manager of the company must have proper knowledge of
dealing with any of the situation then only it is possible that company can achieve its target.
Even their knowledge can be effective because it can provide the way to handle any of the
situation.
Experience: Any of the person in the organisation cannot be appointed as an manager of
the company because there are number of duties which must be performed by them. Only the
person who have full experience and knowledge can take their decision that how they can work
in any of the particular situation(Aggarwal, 2020). In context of Bentley Motors, if their manager
has an experience of dealing with different situation that company can sustain themselves in the
market to give tough competition to the rivalry firms.
Leaderin a company holds an important position because they are the one who has to
coordinate with subordinates for the purpose of accomplishing the goals of an organisation.
Leader should have the knowledge that they should be capable of providing proper training to
the employees that how they are needed react in any of the situation so that any of the problem
can be tackled.
Roles of Leader
Representatives of the entity: There are number of circumstances where leader has to
become a representative of the organisation. As in the position of representative, they are also
required to conduct different types of meeting, seminars and many more so that management can
allow themselves to achieve their targets.
Inspire & Motive: It is the main role of any leader within the organisation where they
need to guide and motive their employees. Inspiring and motivating the employees by leader of
Bentley Motors can certainly provide the way that they needs to deal with any of the situation.
Also, employee can be sustained for the longer time period if they are properly inspired and
motivated.
Characteristics of Leader

Communication: The leader of the company should be friendly and must have the
courage to have effective communication. This type of characteristics always provide the way to
the understand the position of a employees and according to that leader can provide proper
training to them. In context of the Bentley Motors, leaders of the company should interact with
different employees because it is one of the popular ways through which any of the problem that
occurs upon the organisation can be resolved.
Decision-making capability:Although, managers are the one who takes crucial decision
to which leader has to implement but certain conditions are there where leader has to take their
decision of own. It means that leader must possess the capabilities of taking the decision in
favour of a company. If in case, leader of Bentley faces the problem in taking certain decision
then it can be problematic for the organisation in attaining their targets on specified time period.
Difference Between
Manager Leader
 These are the person on organisation
who needs to involve themselves in
planning and controlling.
 It is the duty of manager to form plans
and policies as per the capabilities of
the employees.
 Every time there is no such
requirement that leader must involve
themselves in planning process of the
company(Ellickson, 2016).
 The duty of leader is delegate the task
to employees as per the plans made by
manager and even training must be
given if there is any such
requirements.
M1 Analyse and difference between role of leader and function of manager
Both leader and manager are the essential personalities in a company and it is understood
by managers which positions or activities undertaken by leader are separate in the study in
Bentley Motors management and activities. Management in improving and overseeing all jobs as
it serves as a huge positive to monitor all Bentley Motors activities in compliance with business
objectives. In addition, these directors are known for formulating the vision and enhancing job
incentive to perform tasks in accordance with the agreed vision.

P2 Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in
different situational contexts.
Any of the organisation which are performing the market is not capable of attaining the
targets if their leader and manager are not able to perform their duty as per the requirement of
law and policies. There are some of the emergency situation as well which needs to be resolved by the
company because it is the only process through which company meet its respective targets. There are
some of the situation mentioned below, where role of leader and manager has a huge importance.
Situation 1 Increasing Employee Turnover Ratio: There are number of situation where
employee turnover ratio gets increased and it is essential that each of the work must be
performed accordingly. It is necessary to understand that whenever any of employee turnover
ratio get increased, it becomes problematic for the company if employees are hired more then the
requirement of a company(Hitt, Xu and Carnes, 2016). In context of Bentley, their manager
needs to ensure that what is the total number of employees that must hire within the entity. It is
needed because it will give opportunity to raise the problem for existing employees of the
company. But, leader of the company has also got important role where they need to ensure that
they are able to provide proper training and motivate the existing employees so that there will not
be any requirement to hire additional number of employees within the company.
Situation 2 Execution of New Project:As per the marketing trend and rules being
followed in the market, it is not possible for any of the organisation to sustain within the market
with one of the projects. It means that on a daily basis new plans and policies including new
project must be introduced. Whenever this plans and policies needs to be introduced, it becomes
the primary duty of manager to ensure that the new project which is being introduced in the
organisation is profitable for the company. Secondly, project has been introduced as per the skills
as well as capabilities of the employees. On the other side, leader of Bentley needs to play the
most crucial role in this vital position. It means that leader of the organisation must have the
ability to guide employees that how they are needed to work within new project and how
effective it will be for them in future period.

P3 Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency.
Manager and leader required some of the different strategies so that each of the target of
the company can be achieved. It means that whenever any of the organisation needs to perform
any of the task they can work with the support of theories and models which can play the role of
guidance to the employee(Kozlov, 2020).In the same way, theories for the leader and manager of
Bentley Motors can be helpful for attaining the targets on specified time period. Some of the
theories and models has been discussed below:
Situational Leadership:The leadership style which is completely different form other
style of leadership theory because in this form of leadership each of the work is performed on the
basis of requirement of a situation. According to situational leadership, if Bentley Motors needs
to perform any of their task, they must analyse the condition and only after that decisions should
be taken. This type of leadership can be always helpful as it is result oriented in context of the
business entity.
System Leadership:As per system leadership, it is necessary for the business
organisation to understand that can perform their task only in that respective condition where
they are able to perform their task as a team. Each of the task are being perform as per the
capabilities of employees which enhances the chances for company in attaining the goals and
target(Petriglieri, 2020). In context of Bentley Motors, if leader is able to work according to this
leadership style then each of the task being performed will have the contribution of each
employee working in the company. It means that higher chances will be there for the company to
attain their desire goals and result.
Contingency Leadership:According to contingency leadership style, it is the
responsibility of leader and manger to ensure that what are the possible ways to perform any of
the task within the organisation. It means that whenever any of the company is able to do so then
there is higher probability that company can attain their targets because decision has been taken
only after analysing each of the sections.
As per the above-mentioned leadership style, it is said that situation leadership style will
be effective as it is among those theory which changes the working style as per the requirement

of organisation. Whenever any of this situation arises, there is higher probability that company
like Bentley Motors will attain their goals and target on specified time period.
M2 Strength and weakness of different approach to situations within work environment
There are defined strength and weakness of different approaches in the context of the
business environment such as:
Situational leadership:
Strength:
Increase in versatility: Situational leadership is versatile to execute and this allows companies
to more efficiently do their work. It is simple for management to execute all activities in the
present situation, depending on versatile factors.
Weakness:
Dynamic situation: Each approach is changing for the company and it is understood that
management completes all function with the implementation of new systems from a business
point of view. So this condition is hard to complete according to the new scenario.
System leadership
Strength: Leadership improves power by handling work as per the attributes and characteristics
that render management more successful. This is often used for the management and
management of work according to company power.
Weakness: For organisations, this is complicated in defining and controlling the strategies, but
Bentley Motors faces difficulties since it is complicated for the method to be implemented for all
purposes.
Contingency leadership
Strength: Self-awareness is amongst the most significant viewpoints used to handle core
leadership and power in the workplace, effectively managing responsibilities through successful
processes.

Weakness: Bentley Motors face problems working with the motivation of the type of
contingency leadership as it is difficult to grasp when administration does not clarify information
according to circumstances.
D1 Analyse and evaluate the different theories and approaches to leadership in given contexts
Different theories and also methods are used by managerial leaders in the field of operations
management, including such system leadership theory, contingency strategic management, and
so many more. The concept of system leadership is implemented to formulate circumstances
using best practices to motivate and influence employees to perform operational activities with
fullest potential at organisational levels. The theory of contingency management is connected to
previously described and unique characteristics. In order to get an understanding of key
customers with the usefulness of relevant leadership styles, different exercises are carried out by
senior leaders alongside executives.
PART 2
P4 Explain the key approaches to operations management and the role that leaders and managers
play.
Leader and manager of the company must have the knowledge how they are needed to
perform any of the task in any of the condition. Talking about their roles and responsibility, there
are number of key approaches which can be used by them because it is one of the suitable ways
through which profitability of the company can be enhanced in a very short time period. Also,
company will get the chance to overview some of those condition which are creating problem for
them in attaining the goals and target as per their willingness. The different types of key
approached are listed beneath:
Lean production-Ever organisation performing operational activity has the problem of
waste material because profit percentage reduces in it. Talking it in detail, lean production will
provide the factors where company should focus so that unnecessary wastage from the
organisation can be removed(Radnor and Bateman, 2016). If management of Bentley Motors
will be able to do so then they can easily improve their overall revenue of the company. Also,
with the help of lean production, company can give tough competition to their rivalry firms like
Land Rover, Aston Martin, Ford and many more.

Six sigma- This is also the helpful approach for the organisation because it tells about
the errors done by the management while performing any of the task. It means that whenever any
of the organisation perform their task they should be well aware that they are not having any sort
of errors to because it certainly increases the overall expenses of the company due to which
company has to face number of problem. In context of Bentley Motors, Six Sigma can be
beneficial but at the same time they should also ensure they will conduct the whole process of six
sigma in a systematic order as it is one of the time-consumingapproaches being applied in the
company.
Principles of Total Quality management-It is the approach which company mostly like
to prefer as there are number of benefits which can be seen in it. It means that any of the
organisation performing their business activity should have the knowledge that they can detect
errors and work on it so that better services can be delivered. The approach of TQM can be the
most beneficial approach for Bentley Motors because it can easily provide them the appropriate
way to deal with rivalry firms by delivering the products and services required by their
customers. Here, leader and manager need to come front for their employees as requirement of
training and development is most crucial in it.
Just in Time Inventory-This is an approach where company can be benefitted as
company will get the knowledge that how they can manufacture the required number of units in
the market. Also, it works in the manner due to which inventories do not get over. The main
motive of Just in Time Inventory is to ensure that company like Bentley Motors is able to utilise
the resources properly so that goals and target can be accomplished.
Kaizen: There are different approaches through which company can be benefitted but
Kaizen is also among the effective approach. It is because it only emphasis on the procedure of
improvement which means that company overall company can follow proper rules and
regulations through which target can be achieved. Here, Bentley Motors and their management
team will focus on bringing the overall improvement into department wise(Reich, 2018)In short,
all of this key approachis there which can be used by the entity like Bentley Motors for attaining
the targets. This can work as a game changer for the entity because company will not have to
face any of problem into this following process as this are easy in implementing which are
resulted oriented in nature.

P5 Explain the importance and value of operations management in achieving business objectives.
There is a huge importance for any of the organisation in the field of operation
management. It is said that any of the entity which has been performing its duty on the basis of
operational management, there is higher probability that company can easily attain their goals
and target. Discussing it in detail, operational management focuses that how an effective way can
be followed by the organisation so that objectives the company can be met. Any of the company
have number of key benefits of operations management which has been discussed below in
detail:
 Enhance the goodwill:The first and the most important task for the organisation is that
how they can work in the manner so that goodwill can be improved. Only those company
can sustain in the market which worked for the development of goodwill. For developing
the goodwill, it is necessary for manager and leader of the company to form proper plans
and policies which can allow to deal with different types of situation which are
problematic in nature. In context of Bentley Motors, their management should bring
innovative ideas for the team which can use while performing the task. Secondly,
customers opinion can be obtained by management as it can be one of the finest ways
through which organisation can satisfy their customers(Reid and Sanders, 2019). All of
this are the key ways through which company can easily attain their goals and target on
specific time period.
 Ability to increase productivity: There is a huge role of operation and management to
being improvement within the productivity of the company. It means that organisation
like Bentley motors should focus that how they can bring improvement to their
productivity because it is the key area through which goals can be accomplished.
Discussing it in detail, operation and management department of the company can
introduce latest technologies on a regular interval which can be effective in obtaining the
result on specified time period. In short, productivity of the company can be enhanced
only in the condition where management is able to understand about the requirement of
market.
 Waste Reduction: Any of the business organisation performing their business activity in
the market should be aware and determine the way to reduce overall waste material from
the company. It is directly connected with the revenue of a company which means that if

company is able to reduce waste production then higher revenue can be generated and at
the same time if company is not able to do so then profit margin will decline
automatically(Stein, 2016). In order to attain favourable result, the operational
management of Bentley Motors should focus on giving proper training to the employees
which can provide effective way to perform any task in desire manner.
M3 Leaders and managers can improve efficiency of operation management
From the other, it has been assessed that the Dell organisation manager and leader
develops their flexibility in organisational structure by using various methods that help to
accurately achieve organizational goals and objectives. In Bentley Motors, managers use a TQM
strategy that will help enhance the productivity of their electronic products that acquire investors
and raise corporate sales, resulting in strategies become reached. And used the Six sigma
methodology, sustainability can be boosted by reducing consumption that helps allow higher
profits, resulting in the achievement of organisational goals. In particular, the lean methodology
is used to strengthen the Bentley Motors product manufacturing process, which helps to boost
operational excellence, helping to achieve corporate goals and consistently maximize profits.
P6 Assess the factors within the business environment that impact upon operational management
and decision-making by leaders and managers.
Every business has potential to do adequately yet, at the same moment, they still face a
range of problems if they are unable to fulfil the conditions which are essential for business
entity. Explaining in depth, it is argued that there are conditions relevant to the market
environment, both internally and externally, that have an influence on commercial sector. Such
impacts have been further categorised below:
Internal factors: It is the factor which can have its impact on business through internal
process and those effective can be either seen in positive manner else it will be seen negatively.
The detail information about the internal factors has been mentioned below:
Organisational structure: The working structure of the company has a huge importance
because it is the only thing which discuss that whether company will attain its goal or not. In
detail, if in case company like Bentley Motors has the working environment where employees
can take their decision of own but in the favour of a company then organisation can be
benefitted(Wolff-Petersen, 2019). But if the case is totally opposite in direction then company

will have to face problem as well because proper working style will be not identified which can
allow to accomplish the goals.
Human resources: The human resource department in the organisation can play the
supportive role for organisation in attaining the target. It is one of those organisational factor for
the company which explains that if management of Bentley Motors is capable of hiring the right
candidate then company can deal with any of the situation which arises upon the entity. But if in
case, mistake has been done by management in performing the task which means that company
will have to face problem because delegated work cannot be performed as per required manner.
External factors: This is the environmental factor for the company which can create
problem for the organisation through external sources only(Zurich and Documentation, 2018)..It
means that any of the organisation performing their business activity should be able determine
the factors like political, social, technological and many more while taking the decision. If these
factors are considered by the entity then organisational can easily attain their targets on specified
time period.
M4 Factors affects the business environment and community
It assessed that there are many variables in the commercial world that can influence
decision - making and population, also including company context, social responsibility of the
company. Manager should implement an accepted culture in the nature of Bentley Motors that
could help to implement area of sustainability and leadership to improve business performance.
A further component surrounding the Bentley Motors ecosystem and the working environment is
corporate social responsibility, as it strengthens business benefits and encourages business that
needs high organisational sales and profit.
D2 Critically Evaluate application of operations management and factors that impact on the
wider business environment.
The market climate is a mixture of internal and external variables. External variables
include political, economic, social, technical, environmental and legal variables that affect
decision-making and functions of government. Operations management methods in regard to the
changing world should be reliable. Organization's human resources considerations, management
structure, available funds, the effect of operating performance on the business climate.
Organizational priorities must be structured in such a way that tasks can be carried out smoothly

and the market climate must be beneficial to workers in order to settle disagreements and
increasing productivity.
CONCLUSION
After the analysing the detail information in management and operation, it has been
found that company needs to have suitable manager and leader who are able to handle any
situation which are result oriented in nature. Role and responsibility of manager and leader
should be well defined in the company so that they can take their decision in specified manner.
The approached of operation & management can allow leader and manager of the company to
ensure that they can find the effective way through which higher revenue can be generated.

REFERENCES
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