Management Report: Evaluating Team Effectiveness & Leadership Theories

This report critically evaluates the elements that contribute to effective teamwork within an organization, using Marks and Spencer as an example, and suggests Tuckman's theory for team building. Key elements discussed include communication, respect, and accountability. It also analyzes the value of leadership theories, specifically the Contingency theory, in today's organizational environment, referencing Tesco as a case study. The report emphasizes the importance of adapting leadership styles to different situations, particularly in the context of remote work during the global pandemic, and highlights traits of effective leaders such as being people-oriented and having strong communication skills. Ultimately, the report underscores the significance of both effective teamwork and adaptable leadership in achieving organizational goals and maintaining employee motivation.

Management and
Operations

Table of Contents
Question-1 Critically evaluate the important elements that make a group or team function
effectively in the context of work and the organization..................................................................3
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY.........................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES.......................................................................................................................6
Online:....................................................................................................................................6
Question-2 Critically evaluate one of the leadership theories in terms of its value in the today's
organizational environment.............................................................................................................7
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................7
MAIN BODY.........................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................10
Books and Journals:..............................................................................................................10
Online:..................................................................................................................................10

Question-1 Critically evaluate the important elements that make a group or team function
effectively in the context of work and the organization.
INTRODUCTION
Management and operations deals with such practices of business that aims to increase
the advanced level of productivity possible within the company. It intents to make human asset
productive in the organisation so that the overall goals can be realised. The following report is
based on two questions (Adair, 1986). In question 1 of this report, some key elements are
discussed that makes an effective team in the business.
MAIN BODY
The term “team” can be defined as the creation of a group of two or more members who
mutually work for the achievement of common objectives and goals of business. Teams give a
solution to a vertical chain of command as well as a much more comprehensive approach to
companies. Teams are becoming one of the most common things in the business world of current
times. It is important that team should be effective in terms of their working as it can lead to
improved employee motivation and organizational productivities (Atieh, 2021). Organizations
without an effective team that work well together frequently struggle, and effective reams aids to
increase quality, increase productivities, facilitate the completion of projects and boost
efficiency. For any business entity to work and deal at optimal levels, it is the responsibility of
leader or manager to create a team in which each member brings their skills and talents, which
contribute to the overall success of the team (Ackroyd and Thompson, 1999). Teamwork plays
an essential role for all kinds of organizations in order to take on new challenges and work in
strategic tasks. Members in an effective team puuls the competencies and experience of a diverse
group of workers collectively to attain an ongoing and short-term task. Also, it helps in attaining
competitive benefits. In order to gain the more understanding of an effective team or team work,
there are some key elements that make a team and group function effectively (Le and et.al.,
2019). By taking an example of a well-reputed organization, named Marks and Spencer, the

important components that makes an effective to work towards the attainment of goals and
objectives as as mentioned underneath:
 Communication: Strong teams are always having a good and clear communication.
There is a need that team members require to be on the similar page to work and perform
effectively. Leaders of team can increase the morale and motivation by promoting team
members and confirming their development (Chawla and et.al., 2021). So, communicate
clear expectations and standards to the group to make sure they have a clear
acknowledgement of the shared objectives. In case of M&S, leaders in the team should be
open to new ideas, listen their team members' recommendations or concerns while
encouraging more discussions so that they feel involved in the company.
 Respect: It is very essential to have mutual respect within the team as it helps in fostering
productivity, loyalty and trust (Franke Foerstl and Heese, 2021). When team members are
treated with dignity and respect, each individual within team sense that they and their
efforts are worthy. Leaders in the chosen company should give respect to their members
in order to earn in return (Samson, 2020). It helps in developing positive work culture by
showcasing respectful behaviours and act.
 Accountability: Team members require to hold each other responsible as they work for
the shared objectives. If some member is not pulling their own weight, other individuals
should feat to address the cause. A group better functions better as a unit when employees
support each other to pay attention on objectives and direct those who may not
comprehend the significance of such aspirations (Thriving teams – 7 elements for
success, 2022).
It has been evaluated by all the essential elements of an effective team that it is the
responsibility of leader or manager to know and understand diverse members so that their
differentiated sets of skills can lead in achieving goals. Leaders should encourage team members
to understand the company's goals and targets by having a good conversation with them.
Effective team-work helps in making workflow better and accomplishing goals in the most
efficient way. If the team is ineffective then, the workflow gets affected and ultimately
company's overall objectives wont' be achieved. Hence, it is essential that leaders or managers of
chosen organisation i.e. Marks and Spencer should motivate their team members to make their

contribution towards goals (Mansour-lakouraj and Shahabi, 2019). And, also considering all the
key elements that makes a team as effective team that functions and works better.
By analysing all the above aspects, it can be recommended that all the mentioned
elements are essential for an effective team and teamwork (Choi, and et.al., 2021). These
elements act as a power tool to enhance the efficiency and productivity of the team members.
Also, to build an effective team in Marks and Spencer, Tuckman's theory is recommended. This
theory is covered with five vital stages for building a team. These stages of team development
are forming, storming, norming, performing as well as adjourning. This theory helps in
developing an effective team in order to reach its full potential and to realise the common goals
and objectives of business (Belbin, 1993).
CONCLUSION
From the above discussions, it has been concluded that this report was based on two
questions, in which two different aspects were discussed. From this question, it can be concluded
that teams can be effective and ineffective in an organisation, so it is a key role of leader or
manager to manage their employees effectively in the organisation. An effective team can help
an organisation to reach its target and success. Also, effective team supports each and every
member in the team to grow and offer high productivities in the business. Tuckman theory of
building effective team was also suggested.

REFERENCES
Atieh, A.T., 2021. Establishing Efficient IT Operations Management through Efficient
Monitoring, Process Optimization, and Effective IT Policies. Empirical Quests for
Management Essences, 1(1), pp.1-12.
Chawla, V.K. and et.al., 2021. Evaluation of green operations management by fuzzy analytical
hierarchy process. Materials Today: Proceedings, 38, pp.274-279.
Franke, H., Foerstl, K. and Heese, H.S., 2021. The interaction effect of goal misalignment and
metaknowledge distribution on team decision making in operations and supply chain
management. Dec7 Major Leadership Theories Every Manager Should Master in
2022ision Sciences, 52(2), pp.331-361.
Le, T.V. and et.al., 2019. Supply, demand, operations, and management of crowd-shipping
services: A review and empirical evidence. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging
Technologies, 103, pp.83-103.
Choi, T.M. And et.al., 2021. Disruptive technologies and operations management in the Industry
4.0 era and beyond. Production and Operations Management.
Samson, D., 2020. Operations/supply chain management in a new world context. Operations
Management Research, 13(1), pp.1-3.
Mansour-lakouraj, M. and Shahabi, M., 2019. Comprehensive analysis of risk-based energy
management for dependent micro-grid under normal and emergency
operations. Energy, 171, pp.928-943.
Ackroyd S and P Thompson (1999) Organisational Misbehaviour, London: Sage. An amusing,
bur nevert heless se rio us, academic study of groups and how they often misbehave to
pursue their own ends.
Adair, J (1986) Effective Team Building, London: Pan. A very easy-to-read book, the contents
of which are based on its author's extensive research.
Belbin, RM (1993) Team Roles at Work,Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. A comprehensive
descript ion of the team roles concept and its application in organisations.
Online:
Thriving teams – 7 elements for success, 2022. [Online] Available Through:
<https://hireroad.com/resources/thriving-teams-7-elements-for-success>

Question-2 Critically evaluate one of the leadership theories in terms of its value in the
today's organizational environment.
INTRODUCTION
Leadership is important for an organisation as a good leader enables subordinates and
team members to work towards their business goals and objectives. They act to share clear goals
and targets to them so that employees can know what they are required for. The following report
is based on the concept of leadership in which one of the major leadership theories is discussed.
MAIN BODY
Leadership defines the art or behaviour used to influence and motivate others to act
towards the accomplishment of objectives and goals. In a workplace setting, leadership defines
the role in which a person direct his or her subordinates and colleagues with a plan or tactic to
fulfil the business needs, It captures the essentials of beings fit and braced to inspire others. A
good leader is the foundation of new and fresh ideas, they may also borrow ideas from others and
use them in their leadership. Also, they must be personal enough for their co-workers in order to
make them obey their orders. In this section, Tesco Company is taken into consideration. It is a
global retail company, with headquarters in UK. Leadership is very important in this company in
order to get things finished. Leaders are allowed to effectively communicate a clear vision and
then unify the group around the particular vision of company. This company has great leaders in
different department of their company (Osejo-Bucheli, 2021). They are highly innovative,
creative and agile in nature which enables them to fulfil the ultimate aim of business. Leaders
create positive work culture with a sense of passion and motive. Ultimately, effective leadership
enhances the bottom line of the respective company, resulting in limited turnover and a sense of
endless improvement.
Leadership Theory- “Contingency”:
Contingency leadership theory is based on the specific factors contexted to the
environment that might ascertain which certain variable style of leadership is the best suitable for
the circumstance or situation. According to this theory, no single leadership style is best
appropriate in all the situations. As per the viewpoint of some scholars, truly effective leadership
is about qualities, right balance of needs, behaviours and context of leader (7 Major Leadership
Theories Every Manager Should Master in 2022). These leaders are able to analyse the

requirements of their team members, take stock of the situation and then, alter their acts as per
the situation arise. Hence, in context to Tesco, success of leaders depends on their styles of
leadership, qualities of team members and the aspects of the situation. By taking an example of
current situation of global pandemic where all the business functions and activities have been
changed and simultaneously affected business sales and profits of the chosen company.
Moreover, the biggest adjustment is working on remote basis where all employees leave their
regular working and perform their roles and responsibilities from their remote places of working.
These situations were unpredictable and leads to demotivation among employees as well. It is
become the responsibility of an effective leader to analyse such kind of situations while giving
right suggestion to overcome the consequences (Sartal, Rodríguez and Vázquez, 2020). It is also
important to influence the employees to work under such circumstances where everything is new
in nature. Tesco leaders ensures the needs of employees such as providing systems, tablets,
computers or any kind of sources through which they can work. They tend to build a positive
environment among them so that they do not get demotivated and only work towards the
fulfilment of business needs. Some of the key traits of effective leaders are as follows:
 People-oriented: Leaders are also people-oriented and mutually work with their team
members (Grabner, 2019). They are able to foster a positive culture for their team,
represent culture for each team member, include others in decision-making. By being
people-oriented, these leaders are competent to influence and motivate others while
making everyone feel worthy to the overall success .
 Communication: The best leaders having the traits of effective communicators who are
competent to communicate in numerous ways, from sending information to exalting
others to coaching subordinates. A great leader in company must be able to hear to and
communicate with, a wide range of people across the roles, social identities, geographies
and many more. The effectiveness and quality of communication among leaders
throughout the business influence the success of organisational tactic too. Also, effective
communication with direct reports helps in fostering the positive work environment
(What Are the Characteristics of a Good Leader?, 2021).
Advantages of contingency theory:
 It supports leaders and manager to improve their leadership as well as decision-making
skills.

 It is dynamic in nature and therefore, can be applied in all situations.
 It facilitates options to the employees, that assists them to develop and convey their ideas
to the business.
 It supports to design the organisational structure as well as plan the information decision
systems.
Disadvantages of contingency theory:
 It is complex in nature. The suggestion of the concept is very easy but when it taken into
practical approach, it becomes complex.
 It is also reactive in nature as sometimes it becomes for the difficult for the manager.
It has been recommended that leaders and managers in the Tesco Organisation should not
be focus on one single style of leadership, instead they should mould they style of leading
peoples as per the demand and need of situation arise in the business. As the environment of
business is dynamic in nature, leaders must be self-motivated and inspired so that they can
influence their followers for the same in the organisation. The leaders should analyse the
situation and it is better if they involve their team members in the decision-making process. This
will help in getting new ideas and perceptions to deal with the challenging situations.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been analysed that Leadership was discussed as it is
important to lead, direct and motivate people in the business to realise the business aims
effectively and efficiently. Leaders should be ready to adopt different leadership styles as per the
demand and requirements of situation. Contingency theory of leadership was discussed on this
basis that leaders first analyse the situation, then, alter their behaviour and act towards their
followers.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Osejo-Bucheli, C., 2021. Discovery of blind spots in the epistemology of studies in operations
management regarding the curriculum of humanism in administration. Available at
SSRN 3812005.
Wu, D.D. and Olson, D.L., 2020. Pandemic risk management in operations and finance (Vol. 10,
pp. 978-3). Springer International Publishing.
Grabner, T., 2019. Operations management. Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden.
Sartal, A., Rodríguez, M. and Vázquez, X.H., 2020. From efficiency‐driven to low‐carbon
operations management: Implications for labor productivity. Journal of Operations
Management, 66(3), pp.310-325.
Online:
7 Major Leadership Theories Every Manager Should Master in 2022. [Online] Available
Through: <https://www.simplilearn.com/top-leadership-theories-every-manager-should-
know-article>
What Are the Characteristics of a Good Leader?, 2021. [Online] Available Through:
<https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/characteristics-good-leader/>