Leadership and Management: A Comprehensive Business Report

This report delves into the core concepts of leadership and management, examining the distinct roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within an organizational context, using Walmart as a case study. It compares their objectives and responsibilities, highlighting their impact on business operations. The report further explores how leadership and management functions apply in diverse situational contexts, such as product launches and conflict resolution, emphasizing the importance of adaptability. It then explains various leadership theories and models, including situational leadership, systems leadership, and contingency leadership, and their practical applications. The report also analyzes methods of operations management and the roles of leaders and managers in this area, assessing their significance in achieving organizational goals. Finally, it examines the impact of business environment factors on operations management and decision-making processes by leaders and managers. The report concludes by synthesizing these insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of leadership and management in a business setting. The report highlights that the website Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students to enhance their learning.

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................3
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.................3
TASK 2.................................................................................................................................................5
P2 Discuss examples of how role of a leader and function of a manager apply in different
situational contexts............................................................................................................................5
P3 Explain different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency................................................................................................................7
TASK 3.................................................................................................................................................9
P4 Examine methods to operations management and the role that leaders/ managers play...............9
P5 Briefly analyse value & importance of operations management in achieving of organisational
goals................................................................................................................................................10
TASK 4...............................................................................................................................................11
P6 Examine business environment factors that impact on operation management & decision making
by leaders / managers......................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................................14
Books & Journal:.............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
In organisation, to achieve goals and objectives it is important to have a skilled staff
and people who deliver higher productivity and positive result at workplace. Leaders and
managers are the base of enterprise without which it is difficult for or any entity to carry out
their functions as well as operations in proper manner (Aktas, 2017). Main aim of this report
is to understand the importance of leaders and managers within organisation. Walmart, an
American multinational retail organisation headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, U.S. it
has numbers of subsidiaries such as Sam's club, Walmart Canada, Bodega Aurera etc. This
report comprises of comparison of rules and characteristics of leader and manager, role of
leader and function of manager in different situation, approaches to operation management,
factors of business environment affecting operational management and decision making of
leaders/ managers.
TASK 1
P1 Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager.
Leaders-
Leaders are that who has the ability to influence others decisions to get the work done.
These are mostly hired by organisations to manage and maintain the relationship between
customers, employees and other people in a well organised manner. Without a leader it is
difficult for enterprise to make changes business. In context of Walmart, they also have
leaders who have deep level of knowledge and abilities to handle as well as manage
activities of operations in business (Alves, 2017).
Managers-
Managers are one whose main responsibilities are to get the work done in well
efficient manner and within a period of time. It is critically important to have a manager in
organisation has they are responsible for solving problems and achieving of common desired
goals.
Basis Leaders Managers
Meaning
Leaders are those who change the
decision of other people to get work
done (Clayton-Hathway,, 2019).
Managers are one who
manage and solve the
problems and make decisions
to achieve goals as well as

objectives.
Objective
Main objective of leaders is to
maintain and manage the relations
between management and people
(Dierynck, 2018).
Manager’s objective
is to produce better
efficiency and productivity at
workplace (Coetzer, 2017).
Example
Leaders of Walmart manage and
solve the issues between labour and
superiors (Khan, 2018).
To achieve competitive
benefit, manager of the
chosen company allot work
with in a team to achieve
high efficiency.
Roles of leader-
 Inspire & Motivate- It is an important role of a leader in which they motivate and
inspire other people to work and achieve goal. In relevance of Walmart, a leader of
enterprise motivates their subordinates and other people by creating a competitive
work environment.
Roles of manager
 Monitor- It is a role of a manager in which managing and maintaining of problems
discipline and other activities is done (Lawson, 2020).
 Staffing- It is another crucial role of a manager which is to be fulfilled as in this
heading selecting and is being managed by managers of the company.
Characteristics of leader & Managers-
 Honesty & inspire- It is important for both managers and leaders to be honest and
motivate people. In relation of selected organisation, both leaders and managers are
honest as they share real information and encourage subordinates to achieve higher
efficiency.
In explained matter, depicts about comparison between leaders and managers roles and
characteristics. These both are important individuals through which higher productivity as
well as better output is achieved (Lyu, 2020).

TASK 2
P2 Discuss examples of how role of a leader and function of a manager apply in different
situational contexts
Role of a leader and functions of a manager are different from each other which are
also applied in different way according to specific situation of an enterprise. In enterprises,
different types of situation arise and it is necessary to deal with those situations in most
appropriate manner (Mayanja, 2017). Due to flexible market, it is becoming important for
every enterprise to have knowledge regarding changing situations and their impacts on
business so that decisions are undertaken properly. In context of Walmart, roles and
functions are for the explained as follows-
Role of leader in product launch situation
Product launch suggestion is a type of a situation which is faced by enterprise when
new product or services is about to be introduced or launched within a specific market. In this
situation, both managers as well as leaders play important role which are explained as
follows-
 Effective time management- When product is to be launched in market, main role of
a leader is to manage time and work in such a way that higher output is achieved by
reducing problems. Managing time and work is important as it helps in generating of
better results and output. So, Walmart's leaders manage time by using tools such as
GANTT chart and WBS.
 Guide- It is another crucial role in which main role of a leader is to guide and direct
management and their employees how efficiently the product launch could be carried
out. By guiding employees and directing them towards their responsibilities results in
achieving of common objectives effectively.
 Visionary- In this type of a role, leader act as a visionary and make ensure that
missions as well as mission of enterprises are fulfilled at all level and within time
interval.
Function of manager-
 Planning- It is important function of a manager in product launch situation in which
main work is to plan and generate ideas to achieve better results. With the help of
planning function resources are used in efficient manner. In relation of selected

organisations, managers of company implement their planning by canning of
brainstorming and group discussion sessions. Without implementation of planning, it
is difficult for manager to generate ideas or manage for the activities in a specific
situation.
 Control- It is another crucial function of a manager in which control is being
monitored over employees activities, operations etc. Walmart manager have a proper
control on their management activities on the basis of which they are able to deliver
better output and results.
Role of leader in Conflict situations
In this type of situation, problems and issues arises due to external or internal factors.
Moreover, conflict situations can have a negative impact on productivity of the businesses. In
reference of Chosen Corporation, they also encounter conflict situations between employee’s
superiors due to culture religion and other factors.
 Strategist- In conflict situation, role of a leader is to implement effective strategies to
deal with root cause of a problem in well organised way. The leader of chosen
company scan business environment which helps them to adopt effective strategies.
 Decision maker- It is also another role which is fulfilled by leader in conflict
situation in which they understand and listen to every individual with their point of
view and then after appropriate decisions are undertaken by leaders.
Function of manager
 Organising- When conflict situation arise within business, it is necessary function of
a manager in which they systematically organised everything which helps them to
assess data or information within time period. By keeping everything in an organised
manner, it is easy to save time and access to information in appropriate way.
Therefore, above discussed paragraph shows that leaders and managers helps in achieving
of desired goals within time interval. It is necessary to be aware about different situations that
can occur and impacts overall business structure at wider scale. By analysing and
understanding different situations, it is easier to use functions as well as roles with in proper
manner and could be applied appropriately.

P3 Explain different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership,
systems leadership and contingency
In organisation, it is necessary to achieve competitive benefits to survive for a longer
period of time and which is possible only through effective leadership of leaders. Leadership
is defined as process of encouraging and motivating people do to achieve desired goals.
Leadership has a wider impact on business situations activities functions and operations.
Approaches and models of leadership are necessary to be used and applied as they help in
accomplishing of objectives in most efficient way. In context of Walmart, there are various
types of leadership approaches which are adopted by leaders and are explained below-
Situational leadership- Situational leadership is defined as a in which style is being
adopted on the basis of different situations and analysing employee skills as well as abilities
it is a beneficial approach which is being used by Walmart’s leader as this helps them to
understand subordinates skills, talent and situations at different stages. Situations are
critically to be carried out understood in analytical way so that effective strategies or tactics
are created or adopted by leaders. For example- Increase of conflicts within team
responsibilities and members can change other aspects of way of doing work too.
Strength
 Effective relationships- When is leadership is being adopted by leaders it help in
establishing of an effective relationship which is beneficial for increasing higher
productivity.
 Better results- Further, strength of situation leadership approach is that it help in
achieving of better results as because situations are examined properly and problems
are reduced.
Weakness-
 Not specific- Main weakness of this leadership approach is that it does not provide
relevant information to some of the leaders and is not used properly.
System leadership- System leadership is a type of a leadership which comprises of
different employees with set of capabilities skills talent that is used by organisation to unpin
system process and level of change. Moreover, in this approach, leader’s roles and
responsibilities increase at higher scale. In relation of Walmart, it is a large organisation
which includes different types of departments and people which forces their leaders to use
this approach within management.

Strength-
 Save time- It is main strength of system leadership in which it saves the time of
superior as work is being divided into different departments and is completed within
time interval.
 Reflects Unity- It is also important strength of this method in which when system
leadership is presented it depicts the unity of an organisation and their employees with
each other which is beneficial for growth or development.
Weakness-
 Conflicts- It is weakness of system leadership approach in which conflict arises at
any cost due to difference in opinion of employees and departments. Also negative
impacts upon effectiveness of team members. So, leaders of selected corporation
make a sure that this approach is being adapted with proper considerations.
Contingency leadership- It is another type of leadership approach which is used by
leaders of Walmart in which this method states that leadership of a leader and their success
not only depend upon a specific situation and abilities as there are many other ways to
achieve success.
Strength
 Higher productivity- Main benefit of this approach is that it help in assessing of
higher productivity as due to examining and analysing of different situations. In
relation of chosen company, leaders used stile drive by properly evaluating of
situations.
Weakness-
 Complex in practical- It is main weakness of this approach of leadership in which it
is easier to understand this method theoretically but when applying practically it
become difficult and more complex.
From discuss the matter, it has been analysed that leadership size and in business so that
goals are accomplished within time period. So, situational, contingency and system
leadership have been explained in context of Walmart. Also, a leader of chosen company uses
situational leadership approach which helps them to make effective decisions.

TASK 3
P4 Examine methods to operations management and the role that leaders/ managers play
Operation management- Operation management refers to business practice which is
being used by organisation with purpose of delivering high efficiency and productivity within
enterprise. In context of Walmart, they have a well efficient operation management and
system which helps them to deliver better output (Reiche, 2017). It is most crucial concept of
business which is required to be carried out by high skilled employees, expertise so that it is
easier to use methods and elements which are linked with operation management.
Approaches Discussion
Lean production
Lean production refers to method of Management
which is used by Walmart to eliminate or reduce
waste while manufacturing and production process
by ensuring the level of quality. This approach of
operation management is beneficial as it helps in
increasing brand goodwill.
Strength
Main advantage of this method of operation
Management is that it assists in protecting
environment by using efficient resources at optimum
level which also increases image of a brand in
market (Munyimi, 2020).
Weakness
To carry of this method new ideas as well as
strategies are needed by both leaders as well as
managers which is a time consuming process.
Total Quality Management
TQM is defined as method in which it is used to
ensure achieving of success by planning for long-
term. This method is useful for ensuring the quality
level as well as price of both service and a product.
Therefore, to achieve business goals and objectives

it is critically crucial for organisations to focus on
their operation management so that they are able to
deliver better output at workplace (Miki, 2020).
Strength
Main strength of this approach is that it helps in
achieving of long-term goals. In relation of selected
entity, managers and leaders uses this method to
deliver customer satisfaction at all levels
Weakness
To use this operation management method, high
skilled staff is required by Walmart which increase
their cost expenses.
Just In Time
It is an also effective method of operational
management which is being used as it focuses on
production process with the time period. This
concept of JIT is beneficial for chosen company as it
help in achieving completion of work within time
period.
Strength
Benefit of this approach is that it increases the time
management skills of employees and individual
within workplace (Wickramasinghe, 2017).
Weakness
Due to internal and external factors it is difficult to
use this method in every situation.
Roles of leader
 Main role of leader is to examine the wants and desire of subordinates so that it
becomes easier to encourage them towards achieving of objectives.
 Another role is to guide and direct every individual to make sure that higher level of
efficiency and productivity is delivered at workplace.
Roles of manager
 Manager’s role is to carry on the staffing process and put them into correct
department which suits with their academic background and skill set. In relation of

selected corporation, their manager properly examines applicant and candidates
information and then vacancies are filled up.
So, discussed paragraph reflects that operation management is a wider concept and it
consists of several methods which are being used by organisations. Moreover, both leaders
and managers play important role in this concept. Different types of methods such as linked
production total quality management and just in time have been evaluated briefly.
P5 Briefly analyse value & importance of operations management in achieving of
organisational goals
Operation management is an important concept which is needed to be managed and
controlled by superiors of enterprise so that appropriate decision making is carried out.
Operation management comprises of planning, organising, controlling etc. which are used by
both managers as well as leaders to achieve business goals and objectives. In viewpoint of
Walmart, they also need to examine the importance of operation management on basis of
which it is easier to assess market opportunities (You, 2019).
Importance & Value-
 Increasing sales- With the help of operation management it is easy to increase sale of
product and service is at higher scale by using of research and information. Also, it
results in achieving of competitive advantage for longer intervals. By properly using
methods and elements of operation management it is easier to implement strategies
and identify the problems within manufacturing production process on the basis of
which it is easy to increase sales and do the forecasting.
 Trends in market- In this contemporary business market and environment, trends
changes with blink of an eye which it is crucial for organisations to adapt and manage
the processes of operation Management so that business activities are being adjusted
according to the market trends. Trends in market are necessary to be focused as they
help in making relative changes within work environment which are beneficial for
growth as well as development.
 Customer satisfaction- Operation management is also important for fulfilling needs
and demands of customers effectively. In relation of chosen firm, they also make
ensure that operations and functions are running in smooth manner so that it better or
output is delivered to customers which increase their satisfaction level.

 Waste reduction- It is another reason for adapting of operation management in
business as when operations are being carried out and executed elements of OM helps
in in reducing of waste by ensuring the usage of resources at optimum level. It is
necessary to reduce the waste so that resources are saved for longer time interval and
it also has a good impact on Goodwill of a brand.
Therefore, to achieve business goals and objectives it is critically crucial for organisations
to focus on their operation management so that they are able to deliver better output at
workplace (Clayton-Hathway,, 2019).
TASK 4
P6 Examine business environment factors that impact on operation management & decision
making by leaders / managers
Business environment is defined as environment which consists of both internal and
external factors that affect overall organisational structure and their operations. In these
changing market situations, it is important to be aware about factors that can impact at
workplace so that pre planning is done accordingly to deal with situations. By properly
examining of internal and external factors it is easier for entity to make decisions in proper
manner. Decision making of leaders and managers is important as on the basis of which
forecasting; strategies are executed in well organised way.
Values and ethics-
Ethics are defined as guidelines that address and focus on concept of quality.
Whereas, value refers to principles or judgements, what is important or not and right. In
context of Walmart, leaders and managers both of their decision making is being affected by
the values as well as ethics as they have to consider every factor of way of doing work so
that both ethics and values are being maintained (Alves, 2017).
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is also and business environment factor which have a
deep impact on decision making of leaders as well as managers. In relation of selected entity
they are addressing their corporate social responsibilities by hiring environmental practitioner
sand adapting most effective practices to provide and fulfil the satisfaction level of every
community and individual. Leaders and managers both have to carry out their decision