Developing Manager: Skills, Styles, and Career Development Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of developing managerial skills within a business context. It begins by exploring different management styles, including autocratic, paternalistic, democratic, and laissez-faire, comparing their application in travel and tour operators such as Virgin Holidays and Thomas Cook, and also hospitality industry. The report then examines leadership characteristics and the communication processes employed by these businesses. Furthermore, it delves into organizational culture and the impact of change. The second part of the report focuses on self-assessment, evaluating personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and setting objectives for career development. The report also covers leading and motivating a team, justifying managerial decisions, and reviewing career development needs. The analysis includes practical examples and case studies, providing insights into effective management practices and strategies for career advancement.

The Developing
Manager

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1.1 Different management styles............................................................................................3
1.2Leadership Characteristics ................................................................................................5
1.3 Communication process in selected business...................................................................6
1.4 Organisational culture and change in selected business .................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Accessing own management skill performance...............................................................8
2.2 Evaluation of personal strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats............................9
2.3 Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop own potential................................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
3.1Lead and motivate a team to achieve an agreed goal or objective..................................10
3.2 Justify managerial decisions made to support achievement of agreed goal or objective and
recommendations for improvements....................................................................................12
TASK 4 .........................................................................................................................................12
4.1 Own managerial and personal skills will support in career development......................12
4.2 Review career and personal development needs, current performance and future needs 13
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................14
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
In today's business world, managers are people who controls and monitors all work and
concentrates at achieving objectives of a workplace. Whereas, a developing manager is one who
supervises and monitors various strategies and many other different ways which helps in smooth
functioning of a business. With the help of this whether a small or large enterprise both can gain
a competitive advantage to its competitors within a market place. Recently there are large
number of competitors observed (Arceo-Gomez and Campos-Vazquez, 2014). Therefore
organisations are creating strategies by which they can reduce risks and which will also lead in
attaining a high rank in a market place. In this report there are two travel and tour operators
which are Thomas Cook and Virgin Holidays and two hospitality industry which are Clayton
Crown Hotel and Frankie & Benny's Restaurant. Along with this it also include principles and
practices along with a review of my own as a prospective manager. Managerial skills and
creation of a career development plan for employment within a business and service context is
mentioned.
TASK 1
1.1 Different management styles
Management organisation can be effective if employees come together and give their best
performance within a workplace. Managements plays a vital role in building a strong bond
amongst workforce of an organisation and helping them to do coordinate with each other and
work in a unit. Every leader has its own way of directing, leading and encouraging personnel or
subordinates. This method of handling employees in an organisation is termed as management
styles (Bando, Hirano and Tagawa, 2012).There are basically four types of management styles
which are Autocratic, Paternalistic,Democratic and Laissez Faire Style of working. With related
to present context, comparison between different management styles of Virgin Holidays and
Tomas Cook is been discussed below.
Management Styles Meaning Virgin Holidays Thomas Cook
Authoritative Style
of Management
It is a leadership style
under which a leader
In Virgin Holidays this
style is followed when
Tomas Cook mainly
follows authoritative

takes authority to lead
their colleagues or
followers without
their meaningful
participation. They tell
them strategies and
policies, decide targets
which needs to be
achieved and lead and
monitor all activities
of subordinates.
Leaders under this
style have full control
of members of team
and already has a
mindset of targets to
achieved and motivate
members to achieve
those targets.
Members are expected
to complete targets
under close monitor
and control of a leader.
Responses from
followers to orders
given by followers
decide whether they
should be rewarded or
punished.
there is a sudden
complex situation in a
workplace and
manager has to take a
quick decision to that.
But in some cases it
has been found out
that this style of
leadership has aroused
difficulties or trouble
for an organisation
(Chen and et. al.,
2013).
style of
management. As
managers takes all
decisions, authority
lies within them and
rest of employees
follows or abide by
those decisions. It
helps them to take
initiative for
company and make
their decision
making process
quick while on other
hand it also creates
chaos and conflicts
between managers
and employees of
Thomas Cook.
Participative Style
of Management
Under this style
employees are given
Virgin Holidays
mainly follows
Thomas Cook avoid
this style of

suggestion as well as
feedbacks for their
work by managers. It
includes involvement
of workforce and stake
holders in process of
decision making and at
all levels of a
workplace. Ideas and
thoughts of
subordinates are been
considered.
participative style of
management. As this
style help them to
boost morale of
employees and they
guide employees plans
to achieve sales,
profits or generate
revenue of a company.
Involving employees
in decision making
process help them to
gain a competitive
advantage among
rivals (Elston and
Manger, 2014).
leadership. Because
they believes that
authority should be
lied within hands of
manager as they are
expert and skilled in
their field and they
will come up with
more effective
decision for
organisation as well
as employees. It can
be also be treated as
a drawback for
participative style of
management.
1.2Leadership Characteristics
A leader plays an important role and controls, monitors and lead subordinates in an
organisation. They holds a repudiated position as well rank in workplace and has many
responsibilities (4 Different Types of Leadership Styles, 2018). An individual has a clear vision
of targets and goals to be achieved which is also helpful for a company to achieve their
objectives and goals effectively and efficiently. Moreover, strategies and plans developed by
leaders help employees to encourage and boost their morale to achieve company's as well as
individual's goals. A good leader possess many qualities which are honesty, faithful, motivator
and many more so that they can effectively lead their subordinates within an organisation and
their deliver best results out of them (Englbrecht and et. al., 2012).
Leaders of Virgin Holidays possess many leadership skills like empathy, when an
employee knows that their leader is empathetic they will show interest in working with him nd
will have positive feelings about that leader. Consistency, it helps leader to earn respect and
credibility and this will set an example for employees. They involve all employees for decision

making process. In comparison with Thomas cook, leaders of it believes that each and every
employee of a company should given responsibilities and tasks by manger. This can be treated as
a threat for firm as workforce can't deliver their own ideas and thoughts which leads to conflicts
among mangers and personnel. This can also lead to increase in turnover and less profit
generation for a company.
Leadership styles which are followed by leaders as well as organisation are been
discussed below.
Authoritative Style: Thomas Cook followed authoritative style since they think that
authority should be in hands of a manager. They should make plans and followers need to follow
those plans to achieve targets (Enos and et. al., 2012).
Democratic Style: Virgin Holidays follows this style as they know importance of
involving employees in a decision making process. They believe that workforce will come with
innovative and different ideas which will help company to have a competitive advantage in a
market place.
Laissez-Faire Style : In this type of leadership, leaders do not interfere in work of their
subordinates and do not take much initiative or efforts in an administration. They do no give any
guidance and ask employees to create their own objectives and goals.
1.3 Communication process in selected business
Communication process is a way people interact within groups or with levels of
management in an organisation. There are two methods of communication process that is formal
and informal. There are different ways of communication process which has been discussed
below.
Formal and Informal Communication: It is being analysed that Virgin Holidays used
formal communication along with media. This way of communication follows a proper method
for communicating which helps them to convey and transfer data or information in a systematic
way. Besides this informal communication is beneficial in building healthy relationship between
employee and manger.
Downward, Upward and Horizontal Communication: This way of communication is used
by companies to have an effective communication process between employees and managers.
Virgin Holidays follows this way of communication so that there is ease of delegation and

discipline within a company. It also help them to build good relation with stake holders and
workforce of a firm by communicating with them properly (Lennerz and et. al., 2014).
Verbal and Written Communication: Virgin Holidays follows written way of
communication for delivering ideas and assigning tasks, roles and responsibilities to their
employees whereas Thomas Cook follows verbal way for communication so that they could gain
benefits on time and quickly.
Barriers for effective communication
Use of jargon: Some of people use difficult or complicated language while writing. They
used words which a person who is reading must be not aware of or is unfamiliar of some terms.
Emotional barriers and taboos : There are many people who find difficulty in expressing
their emotions and there are various topics that are taboo or off limits.
1.4 Organisational culture and change in selected business
Types of organisational structure and culture: Best down or Vertical down approach
under types of structure is being followed by Virgin Holidays. According to it, type of structure
organisation which is grasped should make a particular positive situation with a motive to
achieve targets keeping end results of an objectives in mind. By help of this they can deliver
appraisal to each and every customers who belongs to different cultures. Virgin holidays follows
various culture which is been discussed below (Manger, 2012).
Power Culture: This is implemented by companies which have a particular end result of
a goal to meet advancement that are coming in a dynamic market place. Therefore they will
deliver administrations according to the requirements and needs of visitors and tourists.
Role culture: Under this bosses of a company delegates authority or some specific tasks
to experts to gain effective and efficient results. Employees under this culture aware of their
roles and responsibilities.
Elements impacting change in culture
 Socio-cultural factors: As there will be employees from different backgrounds company
will follow a diverse culture and it would bring alternations in business activity.
Therefore it is necessary that this factor should be considered while planning a strategy
or making policies.
 Innovation: Due to advancement of technology coming in dynamic market place,
performance of employees are affected as they are not being able to adapt with new

technology and advancements. As performance of employees are being affected it will
result in decline in performance of organisation. With help of innovation a company can
deliver better services and products to their customers.
 Demographics: Culture varies from territory to territory. Each territory follows a
different culture. According to this, when a modification is done it is important to have
lawful information or data about individuals who are living in that region. Profile in
statics include sex, gender etc. of a person (Manger, 2014).
TASK 2
2.1 Accessing own management skill performance
As it is given in case study, being assistant manager of Clayton Hotel possess various
skills. These skills helps in doing quick and fair decision making. My job roles and
responsibilities helps me to improve my skills which also attracts other employees. Various skills
which I already have is being mentioned below.
 Decision making skills: It is an integral part of an organisation and it is important for
every business firm to take appropriate and relevant decisions which will help a company
to earn profit and expand in market place. This skills helps me to take corrective and
quick decision at workplace which lead to success of a business.
 Problem solving skills: Problem is a must element for a business which can arise at any
time. Here, in Clayton Hotel there are different types of problems arising because of
various customers. Being a assistant manager I have to handle many issues by using or
implementing various strategies and tools. It helps in increasing profits and revenue of
hotel (Manger, Pickup and Snijders, 2012).
 Communication skills: Strong communication skills is needed within an organisation to
interact and communicate to different people and employees. In hotel industry it is
necessary to resolve queries of customers with effective communication skills which also
gives satisfaction to clients. Communication skills have helped me to attract new
customers for hotel and even to main a bond with stake holders and investors (Manger,
P.Spocter and Patzke, 2013).
 Leadership skills: These skills are inbuilt and cannot be developed. My leadership skills
helps me to motivate and direct my subordinates to achieve targets and objectives of

hotel. Monitoring and supervising follower is a part of my job role to achieve goals for
success of an organisation.
Managemen
t skills
possessed by
me
Very rare Rare Sometimes Often Always
Decision
making skills
✔
Problem
solving skills
✔
Communicat
ion Skills
✔
Leadership
Skills
✔
2.2 Evaluation of personal strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats
Analysis of SWOT is important while doing self assessment because it helps in
determining strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of a person. This helps me in finding
out my strongest and weakest part of myself. Moreover this helps me in analysing opportunities
for my career development as well as threat which can be hurdles for my growth. Elaboration of
SWOT analysis is given below.
Strengths: SWOT analysis helped me to determine that I have a good conflict
management as well problem solving skill. While handling problems in hotel I prefer to consider
both parties and their view point. This is beneficial for me in analysing which party is wrong and
which one is right. Reduction in conflicts and growth of an organisation is also determined with
help of this analysis (Milner, 2014). Besides this I also possess strong communication skills
which help me to influence customers, stake holders and investors.
Weakness: My main weak point is that I am not able to cope up with resistivity of
workers while implementing any new strategy. It is necessary within an organisation to adopt the

changes for sustainability. But when it comes to influence employees to adopt the same, I feel
unable to perform this role in effective manner.
Opportunities: According to recent market scenario, there are many opportunities
available in my career development. My continuous improvement in skill has open up various
options for career career growth. Through this I can get promoted to senior manager. For this I
am working hard to improvise my skills through adjusting to advancements of technologies and
gaining more knowledge so that I can get promoted quickly.
Threats: Since Clayton hotel is recruiting many employees who possess same skills as
mine, this can be treated a threat for me because competition for me is arising within hotel. It
also distracts me while doing my work and creates sense of insecurity within myself.
2.3 Set and prioritise objectives and targets to develop own potential
In order to enhance my capabilities and reduce my weaknesses I have planned to take
some classes under experts. By working under seniors and take training classes, I can learn how
to influence workers towards achievement of business objectives. As major weakness of mine is
to convince team-members and other staff-members to accept changes. Therefore, expert trainers
can help in enhancing my managerial and leadership skills. Along with this, by reading some
management and leadership theories, I can evaluate factors behind resistivity of employees. This
would lead to implement effective strategies for completing the needs and reduce such issues as
well. In addition to this, I have also taken the concept of Kolb's Learning process of enhancing
my learning skills. This theory classifies four main stages that are- experience, perceptions,
cognitive and behaviour. Here, first stage assists me encounter with new experience. While
second states to reflect my own experience on personal basis. This would help in analysing
learning abilities of own. Furthermore, conceptualisation assist to get new ideas from learning
techniques. Last one, active experimentation states clarifies to apply new ideas for resolving
issues.
TASK 3
3.1Lead and motivate a team to achieve an agreed goal or objective
Motivation plays vital role to take out work from employees, so it is made
mandatory activity. Frankie & Benny's restaurant motivates employees working with them so
that overall efficiency and quality of services provided by them can be improved. Motivation

helps to enhance confidence of employees and help them to work more efficiently. Frankie &
Benny apply following theory of motivation to increase productivity (Stroh and et. al.,2016).
Maslow's Hierarchy Theory-
1. Physiological needs – Fundamental needs of human are introduced in this for example –
food, clothing, shelter, sleep, drink.
2. Safety needs – Needs like emotional, environmental and physical needs are covered in
this for example-family security, job security, health security, security from animals.
3. Social needs – Relationship, love, belongingness needs are covered in this for example-
trust, acceptance, friendship, affection.
4. Esteem needs – It is categorized as desire for reputation (covers prestige, status and
respect from others) and esteem (covers dignity, independence and achievement).
5. Self-actualisation needs – This deals with evaluating potential and worthiness means
capability of becoming something (Stroh, Meyer and Manger, 2014).
Vroom's Expectancy Theory-
Theory explains that performance of employee depend on knowledge, abilities, skills,
personality and experience. This is categorized into three categories -
Expectancy- Effort is directly proportional to performance when resources, skills and support to
do job are being provided. In an organisation leader can utilize their skills to motivate their
employees. This will help workers to increase their efforts towards objectives. This will also help
them to increase their overall performance.
Instrumentality- It deals with how outcome of first job will affect second job when
transparency, understanding and trust are made. In an organisation top management by
improving transparency in their work environment can enhance productivity. By implementing
this factor leaders can improve overall performance of workers which creates outstanding
outcome.
Valence- Outcome obtained by employees is valued by each and employees work as per
company's expectations. In a company by providing rewards to their employees help leaders to
increase their motivation. By providing various rewards and benefits to employee benefits
company to increase profit.

3.2 Justify managerial decisions made to support achievement of agreed goal or objective and
recommendations for improvements
When working in Frankie & Benny's restaurant many issues arises and these issues can
vary depending upon each employer. Effective steps are taken by them (Frankie & Benny's) to
resolve these issues. Managers decides strategies and implement those strategies to improve
working conditions or issues faced by employees within organisation. Frankie & Benny used
Maslow's hierarchy theory for needs satisfaction. Needs like social, physiological, safety, esteem
and self-actualisation are covered. This provide employees with confidence to further work with
all efforts. Managers identify problem and find alternative solution to those problems then make
comparison between various alternatives and choose best from them. Implement best alternative
and evaluate results obtained by applying them are also done by manager. By doing this if any
situational change occur then those can also be handled (Arceo-Gomez and Campos-Vazquez,
2014). Manger decides flow in which Frankie & Benny will work so it is necessary that proper
strategies should be designed so that goal can be achieved. Vroom theory is applied by them for
better results. Employees are given incentives and rewards at regular intervals to boost
confidence and working strategies used by individual employee so that performance is enhanced.
Frankie & Benny should change existing strategies being used by them so that
performance can be increased and can attract more customers. Motivation should be given on
regular basis so that employees can give their best (Bando, Hirano and Tagawa, 2012).
TASK 4
4.1 Own managerial and personal skills will support in career development
Since there is an intense competition, it is important for every individual to inculcate
some modifications in own skills and techniques to deliver good performance. In this way,
people needs to concentrate more on managerial factor which involves increasing learning and
thinking capacities.
Growth and development: To develop an individual's own skills and knowledge, person
should start development from a personal level. It will also help in getting promoted while
working with an organisation.