The Developing Manager: Skills, Leadership & Career Growth Plan

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of management principles and practices, focusing on the development of managerial skills within the context of the travel and tourism sector. It begins by comparing different management styles, such as directive and participative approaches used by British Airways, and pacesetting styles employed by EasyJet. The report then discusses essential leadership characteristics, contrasting democratic leadership in British Airways with transformational leadership in EasyJet. Furthermore, it evaluates communication processes, emphasizing the importance of face-to-face communication and meetings. An analysis of organizational culture and change in both companies highlights the need for adapting to evolving market conditions. The report includes a self-assessment of the author's management skills as an assistant manager, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It concludes with a career development plan, outlining objectives, targets, and strategies for future growth, emphasizing how managerial and personal skills will support career advancement. This detailed analysis is crucial for understanding the multifaceted role of a developing manager in the dynamic travel and tourism industry.

The Developing Manager
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Contents
Introduction..............................................................................................................................3
Task1.........................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Compare different management styles.............................................................................4
1.2 Discuss leadership characteristics....................................................................................5
1.3 Evaluate communication processes in selected businesses.............................................6
1.4 Analyse organisational culture and change in selected businesses................................8
Task2.........................................................................................................................................9
2.1 Assess own management skills performance...................................................................9
2.2 Analyse personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats...........................10
2.3 Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop own potential.............................12
Task3.......................................................................................................................................13
3.1 Lead and motivate a team to achieve an agreed goal or objective..............................13
3.2 Justify managerial decisions made to support achievement of agreed goal or
objective and recommendations for improvements............................................................14
Task4.......................................................................................................................................15
4.1 Explain how own managerial and personal skills will support career development.15
4.2 Review career and personal development needs, current performance and future
needs to produce development plan......................................................................................16
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................18
References...............................................................................................................................19
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Introduction
In an organisation one of the most important things which are needed to be considered and
has to be focused on is the management. Each and everything in the firm can only be able to
get managed and attained in the possible required way if there are a proper management and
systematic working. The aims and standards that are been set by the company have to be
obtained which is effectively possible by management. Services sector like travel and tourism
is always judged on the basis of the quality and service served by it. It is very important that
the presence of manager to be there in an organisation so that the management can be able to
get done in the proper way. The development of a manager in an organisation has to be done
so that they can manage and work in the most desired manner. In this assignment, the
understanding of principle and management practices will be done. The personal traits and
potential for being a manager will be discussed. The requirements and need of managerial
skills in travel and tourism sector are very important which will be understood here, along
with this the career development plan will also be understood in this report.
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Task1
1.1 Compare different management styles
The management styles are the techniques and methods which is been used by the people in
the company to handle and carry out the work in the effective and in the best possible
manner. There are several ways to handle the situations of the firm. There is a great role that
is been played by a manager as when to manage the working in the organisation. With the
assistance of this, the firm is able to sustain long and can create more effective and
appropriate strategies to retain its sustainable position in the international market (Aaker and
Joachimsthaler, 2012). British Airways and Easy jet are the travel companies selected for this
particular comparison. The travel and tourism sector is very famous and is getting lots of
growth opportunity in the international market. In the UK these two travel airlines companies
are very effectively carrying out its operations and functionalities.
British Airways
The management styles which is been used in the British Airways company at the initial
stage was the directive styles where the managers of the firm are giving orders to the
employees. The workforce needed to be done all that was commanded to them. It is very
important and essential at the beginning, but at the current situation, a participative
management style was introduced where the employees are having the right to put their
opinions in any of the tasks which are leading to a proper and effective management in the
company (Carter, 2012).
EasyJet
The EasyJet Company is also one of the famous and well-recognized airlines company in the
nation which is effectively using pacesetting management styles which is very effective and
appropriate method to manage the work as the manager here, set standards for his
subordinates by doing the tasks and activity by him (Graves, 2013). This is one of the best
motivational aspects as the employees can use an illustration to perform any of the tasks or
operations.
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1.2 Discuss leadership characteristics
The leadership is one of the major aspects which is needed to be considered in an
organisation to make the employees get to perform in the desired manner as of the need of the
company. Motivation is a factor which is making the workforce of the company to do
effective efforts and work which will be leading the firm to reach its end goals. The
leadership aspect is very useful as to motivate all the manpower working in both EasyJet and
British Airways, as the companies are serving intangible things rather the tangible it is very
much needed that company must serve the clients in the best and effective possible manner
(Alvesson, 2012). For this, the presence of motivation is very much required. Therefore, a
leadership approach which is best suitable for the company d its management is very much
needed to motivate the workers to serve in a satisfactory manner.
Democratic Leadership style (British Airways)
The characteristics of democratic leadership which is used in British Airways are-
 It is very interactive and participative in nature.
 The involvement of employees in the work is very high in the activities.
 The Democratic leaders are very smart in their working and are very creative.
 They are unbiased and are taking steps in an effective and in the required manner.
 They are always willing to make the employees contribute and put more efforts in the work
that they all are doing (Kong, et. al., 2012).
 There is the presence of honesty and loyalty among all where the democratic leadership
approach is being used.
Transformational leadership style (EasyJet)
 The characteristics of Transformational leadership which is used in British Airways are-
 The transformational leadership approach is very effective and it is a self-managed system.
 The leader here is very qualified and is having the potential of making right choices.
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 The adaptability is one of the major aspects which are present in this style.
 The leader here is self-motivated and making others too to get motivated by the actions and
steps that they are performing (Weske, 2012).
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1.3 Evaluate communication processes in selected businesses
The communication is one of the best ways which is used to deliver and convey the
information and required data to another party as per the needs and requirements. It is very
important an essential aspect which is needed to be considered by the people so as to carry
out the operations and work in a successful and in a smooth manner. The improved and
appropriate communication system will lead to attaining the long as well as short-term
standards in the proper and effective way (Kossek and Lautsch, 2012). It is essential in the
airline's company to be communicating each and everything; the managers in the firm are
required to deliver all the detailed data and information about every necessary thing with the
respective people.
Source: (Kothuria.com, ND)
In the business of both the airlines mostly the communication system and procedure that is
been used are the direct faces to face communication. This is one of the best techniques to
make sure the sender and receiver both are equally contributing in the session in the proper
manner. The communication done via direct method is the best as it is providing effective and
appropriate results. The people can be able to interact with each other and can share and
discuss their issues and respective problems.
The presentation and meeting are basically the media of making the message delivery to the
respective people. The airline company is using this to make sure all the people are getting
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the same and right information regarding the subjective aspect. It is very important for the
people as they can solve any query regarding the make strategy or decision at the same time
which is very useful and effective as for the travel industry. The effective and appropriate
communication channel will help in building a good bond between the employees and
employers of the firm which is leading to a coordinative working to attain the set objectives
of the firm.
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1.4 Analyse organisational culture and change in selected businesses
The organisational culture is the environment and the values that are been used and followed
by the companies. It is a very important aspect in every organisation as with the help of this a
definition for the company can be able to give. This is basically an aspect which is making
the frim to get recognised as it is one of its physical evidence. The organisational culture is
very important and has to be managed effectively by the management of both the airlines
companies. The British Airways and EasyJet companies are very effectively using its values
and within the market to meet the requirements of the service users (Saeed, et. al., 2014).
The firm is able to meet the set standards and objectives effectively as if it will be using the
policies and plan in the effective and in a proper manner. Both the airlines companies are
using the traditional methods and techniques to meet the requirements of the company which
is very useful and effective as with its assistance they were able to sustain long but as there is
a vast difference between the present and past operating methods, therefore the organisational
cultures and values also needed to be changed.
Presently the changes in cultural values have been done so that both the airline's companies
can be able to meet the requirements of it and of others. The privatization has been the major
change made along with this the monopoly in the market has also been changed which is very
necessary as well. This is because the changes in the market are not in the favour which needs
to be managed effectively, therefore the liberty in the working and serving aspects have been
introduced in the proper and in the required manner.
The major reason to make the required changes in the work and in the process is that of the
unfavourable external factors in the business environment. It is very necessary for the
organisation to meet the required things in the proper manner for this the changes are making
a great contribution (Warner, 2014). Along with this, the unfavourable changes which are
affecting the business operations need to be managed therefore the changes are playing a vital
and essential role in the growth and development of the airline's industry in the market in an
effective and in the proper way.
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Task2
2.1 Assess own management skills performance
As an assistant manager of Clayton Crown Hotel London, there are various management
skills that are required in an individual so as to operate effectively and efficiently in an
association so that there can be the proper achievement of success and growth as well as
management of different activities. Own management skills are being analysed by me in this
report, which can be defined as follows:
Motivating: The Assistant manager is one of the recognizable positions in a Hotel. There are
so many followers of an assistant manager in an association. Hence a person at this position
must be able to give motivation to others. Showing some care regarding the concern of the
employees makes increment in the dedication to do a work. Motivation, as well as
appreciation, also gives encouragement to the employees so as to keep them updated to alter
environment and technologies.
Decision-making skills: The Assistant Manager is responsible for making many quick and
strong decisions so as to make implementation of various strategies of the business. He must
have proper knowledge regarding all fields and should also have proper analytical skills. I
also have good analytical skills and also have effective knowledge regarding numbers. Good
analytical abilities support comparisons of different alternative options and then making a
selection regarding problem's best solution.
Communication skills: Interpersonal as well as communication skills are very significant for
a leader who is having a position of assistant manager in an association. I am also having
above average interpersonal skills as I am capable to make a long-term and strong
relationship with my seniors and juniors. It also gives support in my career so as to make long
and strong relationships with customers and clients.
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2.2 Analyse personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
SWOT analysis is being defined as the first plan in the progress of a skill improvement plan
for different employees. My SWOT analysis as an assistant manager of Hotel can be
described as follows:
Strengths
Different skills of management like decision
making, communication etc. that are being
described above are considered as some of
my strengths or strong points that will be
very supportive of my whole career.
Self-motivation
I believe to lead task from the front and give
ideas regarding completion of the task.
I will be able to encourage and motivate
employees for the good performance and will
also support in the alignment of objectives
and goals with the objectives as well as goals
of an association.
Motivator
I can find out requirements and demands of
employees and prefer to provide reward and
award to employees so as to motivate them.
Weakness
Fear to make conversation in a group or
public is considered as my biggest strength. I
am new and am not having good experience
in communicating with the public but I am
working on these problems and joined some
coaching classes and course.
I am short-tempered and get angry on little
things, which is one of my weaknesses. I also
get irritation from many things and for this; I
am doing yoga and meditation.
Opportunities
The hotel industry keeps on going day by day
Threats
Competitions from the various managers that
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and there are many opportunities and
potential in the market.
There are several new jobs that are coming in
the sector.
There are various potentials to learn several
new skills in a market.
are there in the hospitality industry are
considered a threat that will give hindrance to
my growth.
Various external forces like environmental
factors, slow growth of economy and
recession are considered a threat.
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