Leadership and Management Concepts: A Report on Cox and Kings

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Leadership and Management Concepts
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Executive Summary
Leadership and management are both one most important functions of the organization.
Leadership helps the organization, by enhancing the employee performance in the organization
whereas; management helps in managing the functions of the organization. This assignment is on
the management and leadership functions of Cox and Kings. This assignment will cover the roles
and responsibilities of the leaders and managers in different functions of the organization. There
is a brief discussion on the concepts of both the leaders and managers, characteristics of leaders
and managers and their role in brief explanation.
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................5
Part -1...............................................................................................................................................6
Introduction..................................................................................................................................6
Two academic definitions of both leaders and managers............................................................6
Explain the similarities and different characteristics between a Modern Leader and a Manager.
.....................................................................................................................................................7
Analysis of the different roles of management and leadership in application to different
organisational situations, supported by theories and concepts....................................................7
Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in a
different situational context.........................................................................................................8
Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency..........................................................................................................8
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to leadership and management to
situations within the work environment......................................................................................9
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................11
PART – 2.......................................................................................................................................12
An introduction as to why Corus used its knowledge of key operations to win new business. 12
Details of each of the key operational functions, identifying the roles and responsibilities of
managers in the key operational functions................................................................................12
Explanation of the importance and the values of Corus’ operations management in achieving
their business objectives............................................................................................................13
An evaluation of the impact of external business environment factors that affect the decision-
making by leaders and managers...............................................................................................14
How operational efficiencies were improved to successfully meet business objectives using
appropriate management and leadership approaches................................................................15
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Conclusion and supported recommendations for future improvement to be taken by the
organization...............................................................................................................................15
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................17
Reference List................................................................................................................................18
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Introduction
The report focuses on the concept that lies behind the term like the leader and the manager. The
report discusses the understanding that lies behind the function and role of the leaders and the
managers. This report is on the topic “Leadership and management concept” which is based on
two scenarios that are at the time of the interview and after giving the interview. There is a brief
discussion on the concepts of both the leaders and managers, characteristics of leaders and
managers and their role in brief explanation.
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Part -1
Introduction
The study will highlight the role of the leaders and the managers for the better understanding of
the operations that are undertaken in the organisation. According to the situations, the various
functioning role of the leaders and the managers are discussed in this study.
Two academic definitions of both leaders and managers
In the business operation of the organisation, the role of the leaders and managers play an
important part. Their job roles are important for elevating the business among the competition
that lies in the real market scenario. The decision of the managers and leaders is important for the
undertaking of the activities in the company (Tatasteeleurope.com, 2019). In the organisation of
Corus the leaders and the managers need to perform their task with the full potential as this will
allow in the proper functioning of the organisation. The task of both the managers and the
leaders are device in order to have an influence on the human capital that is applied in the
organisation for the achievement of the desired productivity level.
The definition of the leaders and managers are:
“A leader is a dealer in hope”
 Napoleon Bonaparte
“A leader is best when people barely know that he exists, not so good when people obey and
acclaim him, worse when they despise him. 'Fail to honour people' they fail to honour you.'
But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will all say,
'we did this ourselves’.”
 Lao Tzu,
Leaders are individuals who work to influence a group of people towards the achievement of a
specific goal and objective. They are the ones who delegate the job roles and communicate the
message from the management to the employees or the team (Chiu, 2017). In the organisation,
the leaders are the individuals that implement any changes like the technological aspect in the
business operation.
It is difficult to specify the type of managers as it involves managers of all levels like human
resource or marketing. A manager is a person who is involved with a set of the group along with
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the leader. The manager is in charge of the overall task related to the department. The staffs of
the department along with the leader are expected to inform the managers about the functioning
of the department. Collaborative working is the main task of the manager in the organisation.
The manager is the person who looks after the task that is implemented in the operations.
Supervision of the activities and maintaining the coordination among the resources is the main
part of the responsibilities that lie under the manager. In the organisation of Corus, the role of the
managers is the most important one. They need to manage the huge operational activities that
take place in the organisation.
Explain the similarities and different characteristics between a Modern Leader and a
Manager.
The modern leader is the one who is responsible for his team and he takes the initiative to design
activities that lead to greater productivity. Barack Obama is a modern leader who has been
successful in making a lot of differences in the lives of the people (CollegeDegree Search, 2014).
Due to his activities and achievements he has been able to impact the lives of his followers in a
great way. The remarkable change he has made in the society is because of the trust and the kind
of relationship he had with his pupils. A modern leader should have the skill of organisation and
this was structured in the undertakings by Barack Obama. For instance, he took the initiative and
elevated the quality of the application of science, technology and innovation inside the White
House (whitehouse.gov, 2016). This would have increased the efficiency of work within and
outside the country. The advancements would have allowed the increase in productivity and that
is the chief task of any manager. Apart from this Barack Obama launched an ambitious Climate
Action Plan. This report enfolded the sustainable use of resources. The manager has to look after
the availability of the resources for the long term. These actions showcased the similarities
between the work of a modern leader and a modern manager. The difference lies in the small
frame like the leader is directly concerned with the customer and the pupil but the manager looks
after the employees and the workforce. The work of Barack Obama was different as he was
concerned for his pupil first and then the country was included in his undertakings.
Analysis of the different roles of management and leadership in application to different
organisational situations, supported by theories and concepts
Theory of administrative management
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This theory is related to the concept of departmentalization that focuses on the undertaking of the
activities that are related to the achievement of the common purpose. The task that is required to
be performed can be distributed effectively among the departments.
Scientific management
This is management where the scientific approach is applied in the operation as the leader. It is
applied to bring the efficiency at work and increasing the production with the aid of scientific
management (Taylor, 2015). The training of the employees is according to the scientific methods
that are applied in the business operation.
Behavioural management
In this theory, the concept is focused on the relationship that is built on the human aspect. This is
because the theory deals with the dimensions of human behaviour and attitude. In the application
of this theory, the productivity is increased as there is a better understanding of the behaviour
like motivation, conflict, expectations and dynamics of the group (Berghman et al.,2015).
Examine examples of how the role of a leader and the function of a manager apply in a
different situational context.
The role of the leader and the manager can be applied under various situations like the stable,
slow and fast-changing scenarios (Antonakis, 2017). The role may include the implementation of
the activities like providing the right direction to the employees that are related to the direct
function of the organisation. Further, their role may include the organising of the activities in the
business operations so that the task is all goal-oriented. It is the essential task of the leaders and
managers to provide the employees with the support they need. The support can be in the form of
motivation or guidance. Lastly, under situations like the fast-changing scenarios, the leaders and
managers need to align their task according to the dynamics of the business. They should take
initiative to that competitive advantage can be gained.
Apply different theories and models of approach, including situational leadership, systems
leadership and contingency.
Situational leadership: In the situational leadership the leaders are expected to showcase the
leadership styles that are relevant to the situation. The leaders can apply this type of leadership
style as they are well aware of the people and their potential. Actions that are needed to be taken
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can be designed according to the scenario and the work culture that is followed in the
department.
System leadership: In this type of leadership style, the leaders take actions and implements
strategies that will assist the organisation in the whole to progress or grow (Mathieu et al., 2015).
The scientific manner implemented by the leaders will allow the employees to have an optimistic
approach to their operations.
Contingency Leadership: The leaders in the organisation apt for this type of leadership style as
one particular style is not selected in this style. This is effective and the leaders are not restricted
to using just one method. This is different from the situational as the leaders decide on the
application of their own style according to the situation that arises.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to leadership and
management to situations within the work environment.
Situational Leadership
Strength: The leaders are able to adapt to the new situation that makes them ready for the
corporate setting. They are able to cope up to the technological advancements that are taking
place on a global scale. They can commit to productivity as they are aware of the situation.
Weakness: In the situational leadership the leaders have low experience with the situations that
arise at the time of functioning.
Contingency Leadership
Strength: This style is dynamic in nature and helps in the improvement of the leadership style
along with the enhancement of the decision making the process. The employees have the
opportunity to grow and excel on the professional front (Sethibe, 2015).
Weakness: It is complex in nature and has a reactive approach in its implementation. This
approach may not be beneficial all the time. Situations may seem challenging for the leaders and
managers to handle.
Systematic Leadership
Strength: This style of leadership allows the firm to grow and expand its business ventures. It
provides the organization with many opportunities as there are multiple dimensions that are
covered while the application of this leadership style (Nawaz, 2016).
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Weakness: The decisions in this style of leadership may not be effective and have a delayed
approach. Sometimes this style is not practical and is depended on the fact of interrelationship
within the organisation.
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Conclusion
This part of the study focuses on the major aspects that are related to the concept of leadership
and management. The role of the leaders along with the functioning of the manager is explained
in the report. Along with this the findings in the report help in the analysis of approaches and
models that are applied in the leadership style. These models form the systematic approach in
delegating the job role of the leaders in the organisation like Corus.
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PART – 2
This study will highlight the key operations which can win new business, roles and responsibility
of the manager and the leader on different functions of management, the importance of values on
the operation management. It also includes recommendations in order to achieve the targeted
goals of the business.
An introduction as to why Corus used its knowledge of key operations to win new business
Corus used its key operations in order to win over the new business because with the
implementation of its knowledge and experience of CI the company can easily compete in the
market with the new businesses. CI (continuous improvement) is the key operation, which helps
the business to stay competitive in the market. This will eventually help the business to
continuously improve their ongoing process and move ahead in the market so that they can
compete and be ahead of their competitors and increase their market shares.
Details of each of the key operational functions, identifying the roles and responsibilities of
managers in the key operational functions
The key operational functions of Corus are explained in details below:
Continuous Improvement- Continuous improvement is one of the operational functions of
Corus. It is also termed as the Kaizen because it is one of the Japanese techniques, which means
continuous improvement (Singh and Singh, 2015). This function is generally focused on making
small improvements in other functions of the organization. This function also helps the
organization improving the productivity level as well as profitability for the company. It helps
the company for reducing the waste by the help of seven key areas that is transport, motion,
over-processing, inventory, waiting times, defects and over-production. It helps the internal as
well as the external environment of the organization.
Product Development- Product development is one of the essential functions of the organization
as with the help of new and innovative ideas the organization can develop their products and can
create a large market for the organization. For instance, the aircraft career needed steel of high
quality in order to meet their requirements for doing the business. There are various areas where
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