CIPD Level 5: Developing Leadership and Management Skills Essay

This essay delves into the core concepts of leadership and management, providing at least three interpretations of each and justifying the distinctions between them. It evaluates various approaches to developing leaders and managers, examining traits, functional, behavioral, and situational ap...Read More

DEVELOPING
LEADERSHIP &
MANAGEMENT
SKILLS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Describe the at least three interpretations linked with leadership and management.................3
1.2 Justify distinction drawn between leadership & management concepts....................................4
2.1 Explain range of approaches for developing leaders and managers..........................................5
2.2 Discuss the role of L& D function in providing leadership & management development.......6
3.1 Identify indicators of success for leadership and management development program-mes.....7
3.2 Justify methods to ensure the success of leadership and management development program-
mes...................................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................11
Books& Journal:............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Marketing is broader and wider concept in which leadership & management is involved at
depth. These two practices are the way of individual success & enterprise. Without these two it is
not possible for any organisation to achieve goals & objectives in appropriate manner. Virgin
Group, which is the largest multinational corporation dealing with variety of products, goods &
services. Sir Richard Branson is the founder of Virgin Group and is great leader who motivates as
well as influence others in positive way. This report includes concept leadership & management,
comparison between the two, range of approaches, role of L& D function, indicators for success for
development programmes and success of leadership & management development programmes.
1.1 Describe the at least three interpretations linked with leadership and management
Leadership is defined as getting work done through others by influencing their decisions. It
is process in which leader motivates its followers for development, motivation, etc. Leaders can be
both self-made or by born. It depends upon qualities & characteristics of individual. In relation with
Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson is a leader with effective traits such he is make decisions and
learns from mistakes, think different from others, listen and learn from everyone etc. With such
traits he is able to influence his employees as well as others. In leadership, every leader has unique
style of leadership for example- Branson has democratic and participative style (Jardon, 2019).
Management refers to managing and maintaining of functions as well as operations of
organisation. It includes five steps which are planning, organising, staffing, leading, directing &
controlling. In management, role of leadership is wider because to manage something one needs to
lead others in proper manner. Through management, by assembling all the above functions together
it becomes easy to achieve goals in organisation. Management is also the base of firm because they
act as intermediaries or say source for both the parties; superior’s authorities & employees.
(Taborga, 2019).
Both leadership as well as management are dependent on each other. Without management, leaders
can not apply their style in appropriate manner. These are the concepts which assist entities to
perform in better way. In relevance with Virgin Group, management of firm is well organised which
makes easier for leader & managers to perform their roles as well as responsibilities properly. Each
& every enterprise use frameworks, models & approaches to understand this concept easily. These
are time consuming process but useful as well as beneficial for organisation.
After a brief analysis of above matter it is stated that to run business smoothly & effectively

it is essential to implement and manage leadership as well as management at every phase of
business. Through this, firm is able to focus on their activities also explore new opportunities. So,
both these L & M are mostly concerned with human interaction and which requires specific skills as
well as knowledge. Thus, when using these two proper consideration is to be considered so that
people are able to handle their roles & responsibilities in entity (Aftab, 2016).
1.2 Justify distinction drawn between leadership & management concepts
BASIS LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT
MEANING It is defined as process of
influencing other decisions to
achieve objectives.
It refers to managing and
monitoring all the activities,
functions and operations of
business.
CONCEPT
Main motive of the concept is
to assemble all the people
together for common desired
goals.
In this, main motive is to get
the result with minimum effort
of manpower.
CONTINUITY
Process of leadership is a
continuous process because a
true leader never stops
influencing other decisions.
Management is not continuity
approach because it part of
firm runs with business which
can be break or stopped at any
time.
TIME PERIOD
In this, time period of
leadership is both short & long
depending upon the style of
leader.
In management, time period is
unknown because firm
activities are in process all the
time.
From the above distinction between leadership as well as management it is seen that both are
dependent but different from each other (Galli, 2017). Continuity of leadership is continuous

because at every phase of life & business leadership is required at all level. This makes a leader
more effective towards skills & knowledge. In this process, it can be developed as well as learned
because characteristics & qualities define the leaders’ ability. Comparing it with management,
professional and knowledge play role in this concept. Also, this involves systematic process for
developing and growth again which is tie consuming process and any problem or error may affect
the entire management. Thus, it is important to focus on expertise people who have ability to
manage process. Both concepts require skills, knowledge and high level of expertise to achieve
objectives.
In relevance with Virgin Group, Richard Branson focuses on both leadership as well as
management appropriately. So, it helps firm to establish coordination & cooperation within the
management through effective leadership approach & style. Further, they help organisation in
achieving and delivering accurate result or outcome. By combination of both it becomes easy for
business to run in effective manner with proper functioning as well as operations (Shao, 2016).
2.1 Explain range of approaches for developing leaders and managers
Trait approach- In this approach, main focus is on leader qualities and traits. This is
because leader traits play important role in development of both firm as well as individual. In
relevance with Richard Branson, he has several characteristics like motivator, think differently etc.
Such type of traits assists in identifying the leader. Whereas managers use this approach to access
the theory of leadership and information then applied it in management for growth of enterprise. So,
this approach assists both managers & leaders to develop themselves for achieving output.
Functional or group Approach- This approach states that leaders can be develop and learn
new styles on basis of responsibility, role, accountability etc. Whereas managers use this approach
to analyse and examine the functions of team so that goals and objectives are achieved in proper
manner (Zeng, 2019).
Behavioural Approach- In this, behaviour of leader is being focused because it is
important to analyse the behaviour of people. Through this, both managers and leaders are able to
examine their behaviour and how it affects group or team members. Behaviour of leader and
manager is crucial as it has deep impact on performance of every individual. Also, understanding
behavioural helps both to develop their behaviour accordingly.
Situational Approach- This states that to develop leaders and managers situational
approach is also to be considered. Because it includes various situations according to which every
manager and leader react such as completion of task, interaction to followers or team members, etc.
These assist them in understanding the development of concept by going through situational

leadership model in which various elements are involved delegating, supporting, coaching etc. With
help of this model, managers & leaders are able to know when and how to react according to
situation.
After a brief analysis of above matter, it is stated that approaches are used and assist both
leaders as well as managers to grow & develop in organisation. So, it is important to use this
approaches so that both are able to contribute equally to the firm.
2.2 Discuss the role of L& D function in providing leadership & management development
Learning & Development Programme are used by organisation to formulate l & D strategies
that are integrated with business strategies as well as tactics. In context to Virgin Group, they also
used L& D function for success, growth and overall development. Mail role this function is to
identify and examine the needs, develop culture, provide & access learning events as well as
programmes to fulfil identified needs, evaluating effectiveness of events. People or members who
are responsible for managing these activities are also known as enablers of learning. This function
plays various roles in providing leadership, management & development which are mentioned
below-
Roles are-
 It make ensures that strategies of L& D support business mission and vision, satisfying
needs of personnel in relevance with learning and development. Thus, Virgin Group uses
this function so that employee’s requirements are managed appropriately.
 Further, it also helps business environment and business to develop & establish learning
culture for longer period of time. This is necessary because it helps employees to grow
appropriately and also because it is being considered as crucial part of firm it makes them
committed towards it (Abasilim, 2019).
 Another role played by L& D is that they motivates as well as facilitates individual and
team members at workplace effectively. For example-Virgin Group adopt this function so
that new opportunities & challenges are faced by employees which encourages them to
achieve the goal.
 Also, through this function it provides events & development programmes which designed
with motive of identifying needs and requirements. In context to Virgin Group, they
conduct programmes related to employee so that factors which motivate them are examined
in proper manner (Lacerenza, 2017).
 L & D trainer’s main motive is to encourage all the members in firm and clear objectives as

well as goals to them so that problems and errors do not arise in near future or at tine of
programmes. In relevance with Virgin Group, they focus on trainers so that they are able to
produce effective results in management. Also, they set standards regarding the events &
programmes.
 L& D function trainers also use various methods to measure success such as formal and
informal, KPI- key performance indicators etc. Such type of methods are useful for identify
needs and requirements of those people who are participating in events. In relevance with
Virgin Group, when such programmes or events are conducted they are being monitored by
managers and leaders of firm so that ethics at workplace is maintained (Malara, 2019).
After a brief analysis of above matter, it is analysed that role of L& D function is wider &
broader. So, when using this function it need to first identified that what is purpose of L& D so that
programmes are being carried our accordingly. Moreover, it provides leadership and management
development motivating individuals, identifying needs as well as requirements etc. It is
responsibility of manager to make ensures that when management adopt this function standards are
being followed appropriately (Newman, 2018).
3.1 Identify indicators of success for leadership and management development program-mes.
There are many leadership and management programs which helps the organization
company, Virgin Group, in developing the leadership and management skills in the employees.
There are various indicators of success for leadership and management development program-mes,
which are as follows:
Align with the goals: These leadership and management program should align with the
goals and objectives of the organization. When an organization, like Virgin group, analyze there
issues or any problem which they feel to have in their employees then to bridge that gap the
company organizes these leadership and management programs. These programs should align with
the set objectives and goals of the company. The leadership and management program should be
such that it helps the company in bridging the performance gap among employees. The need for
these problems should be tailored accordingly, whether the program should be on strategic thinking,
people leadership, personal excellence and the so forth (Jardon, 2019).
Clear objectives for programs: The employees or the participants for the program should
be very much clear about the objectives and results which they would be getting from these
programs. When the objectives are very much clear to the participants that these are the benefits that
they would be getting from attending such programs then these participants will be more motivated
in attending these. From these the participants need to understand the “learning journey” and the

methodologies which have been used into these programs (Taborga, 2019).
Comprehensive learning: The programs should not only be based on developing the skills
and knowledge but also on attitude and behavior. The development of the practical knowledge and
skills is not very much necessary in the work but the development and the learning of required
attitude and behavior is also very much necessary.
Management assessment: If the employee feels that there would be an assessment for these
programs, they quickly would be in a defensive mode. They would be in an attention mode during
their training programs and they will try to grab each and every thing which they have taught into
that class. Assessment also helps the organization in assessing the learning of employees, from such
assessment, the organization gets to know about the candidates who are not taking these classes
seriously and who are taking these classes seriously (Galli, 2017).
Program design and process: The design and the process which is set by the organization
should be very much flexible and suitable to all. The design for these programs should not be rigid
which leads to more less interested candidates. For example, the timings for these programs should
not be too late like 9 at night, because at this hour nobody has the power to learn or grab the lessons
which the teacher is providing in the lecture.
Accountability: The participants are accountable to the organization about what they have
learned in the session so far. The organization has full right to know the perspective and attitude the
participants or the employees have before and after of the programs (Aftab, 2016).
3.2 Justify methods to ensure the success of leadership and management development program-mes.
There are various methods which an organization can use in ensuring the success of leadership and
management development program-mes, some of them are as follows:
Performance measurement: The performances which the employees give before the programmes
and the performance which the employees contribute after the programs should get compare with
each other. Through the comparison the organization, Virgin Group, can easily measure the
difference if present. If there is some positive change into the behavior of people then organizing of
these programs were very much successful to the company. But if they seem no change or
improvement into the performance, then organizing of such programs would be considered as
wasteful.
Focus on shifts that matters: The organization should be very much observant in regarding
the shifts in change. The managers should closely observe the change into their team members who
have been the participants into the programs. The changes will get permanent into an individual

behavior with time. The managers should focus that after the programs what changes an individual
has brought in them and how it has been useful to him. The manager has to observe the shifts into
the behavior and working of their team members.
Motivated force: The work force who have attended the program should have a motivated
behavior after attending the sessions. If such behavior is present into the people then these programs
has been a great success for the company. More motivated employees will contribute best to the
company and less motivated employees contributes below the average to the employees. That’s the
real purpose of leadership and management program that they motivates employees to know
themselves more and performs best in the things in which they are good at. These programs brings
the inner leader from an individual and develops the qualities of a leader in them (Shao, 2016).
360 performance evolution: In this evaluation, the organization performs the analyses of
all the factors to which an individual came across. For example, the employees came across with his
manager, sub ordinates, other staff members, suppliers, customers and all. In this the feedback from
all these member to which he come across undertaken and then the whole performance is been
evaluated. In this method, the attitude, skills, leadership qualities, knowledge, personality and much
more. These factors are under into consideration in evaluating an individual. The programs which
are provided to the people does not confined to the skills and knowledge but also to the
development of attitudes and behavior. Therefore from this method the company, Virgin Group, can
evaluate the success of their leadership and management (Zeng, 2019).

CONCLUSION
After a brief analysis of above report, it is concluded that developing leadership and
management skills is necessary for growth and overall development of organisation. It is also
essential to understand the difference between both the concepts so that activities and programs
related to these are carried out effectively. Further, range of approaches is also used for developing
leaders and managers. Approaches such as behavioural, situational etc. have been discussed. Then,
indicators of success for leadership & management development programmes are being explained.
L& D function also play important role in managing and developing both management &
leadership. Thus, it provides development for leaders as well as managers. Each and every
organisation uses these two so that goals as well as objectives are achieved effectively. Thus, these
are the base of firm without which they cannot operate appropriately.

REFERENCES
Books& Journal:
Bush, 2019.Principles of Educational Leadership & Management. SAGE Publications Limited.
Thorpe, 2016.Gower handbook of leadership and management development. CRC Press.
Willis, 2017. Contextualizing leadership: Transformational leadership and Management‐By‐
Exception‐Active in safety‐critical contexts.Journal of Occupational and Organizational
Psychology,90(3), pp.281-305.
Williams Jr, 2018. The relationship between a comprehensive strategic approach and small business
performance.Journal of Small Business Strategy,28(2), pp.33-48.
Newman, 2018. The effects of employees' creative self-efficacy on innovative behavior: The role of
entrepreneurial leadership.Journal of Business Research,89, pp.1-9.
Malara, 2019. developing future leadership–an l&d model for fresh millennial.paripex-indian
journal of research,8(10).
Lacerenza, 2017. Leadership training design, delivery, and implementation: A meta-

analysis.Journal of Applied Psychology,102(12), p.1686.
Abasilim, 2019. LEADERSHIP VS MANAGEMENT: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS.
Zeng, 2019. Different functions between leadership and management in today's enterprises.The
Frontiers of Society, Science and Technology,1(3).
Shao, 2016. Effectiveness of top management support in enterprise systems success: a contingency
perspective of fit between leadership style and system life-cycle.European Journal of
Information Systems,25(2), pp.131-153.
Aftab, 2016. Influence of project management performance indicators on project success in
construction industry of Punjab, Pakistan.International Research Journal of Management
Sciences,4(9), pp.511-520.
Galli, B.J., Kaviani, M.A., Bottani, E. and Murino, T., 2017. Shared leadership and key innovation
indicators in Six Sigma projects.International Journal of Strategic Decision Sciences
(IJSDS),8(4), pp.1-45.
Taborga, 2019. Leadership stage development and its effect on transformational change.Leadership.
Jardon, 2019. Leadership and Organizational Culture in the Sustainability of Subsistence Small
Businesses: An Intellectual Capital Based View.Sustainability,11(12), p.3491.