Marks and Spencer: Leadership, Management, and Development

This report delves into the core concepts of leadership and management, differentiating between the two and exploring their significance in organizational success. It begins with definitions of management as the process of planning, organizing, and controlling resources, and leadership as the ability to influence and guide individuals towards achieving common goals. The report then analyzes leadership theories, specifically focusing on the trait leadership theory. This theory examines the inherent qualities and characteristics that distinguish effective leaders. Furthermore, the report examines management development programs within the retail sector, using Marks and Spencer as a case study. The report highlights the practical application of leadership and management principles within the retail industry, covering the roles and functions of leaders, and discussing how organizations can foster effective leadership and management practices. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the importance of both leadership and management for organizational effectiveness.

Leadership and Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
a) Define concepts of management and leadership and difference between them......................3
b) Analysing leadership theory...................................................................................................7
c) Analysing management development program.....................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Leadership is defined as practical skill and research area encompassing ability of
organisation and individual to lead or guide teams, people or whole enterprise. In other word, it
is process of social influence where individual enlist support and help to others for
accomplishment of goals and objectives (Arnold, Fletcher and Molyneux, 2012). The person
who is handling leadership in administration is called leader who lead each and every individual
in order to achieve objective of business. Similarly, management is the process of getting thing
done through others. It includes various activities for setting strategy of organisation and
coordinating efforts of staff in order to accomplish goal and objectives through application of
various resources such as natural, human, technological and financial. The person handling
management is called manager of organisation who is overall responsible for managing different
activities. In order to run business in effective and efficient manner, both leadership and
management is required in organisation for accomplishment of goal and objective. The given
assignment is based on Marks and Spencer which was founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and
Thomas Spencer at Leeds, United Kingdom. It is British multinational retail industry that deals
in selling home products, clothing and luxury food products. It has approximately 979 stores
across UK and including 615 that sell only food products. This report covers concept of
management and leadership along with their difference. It also highlight leadership theory and
management development program used in retail sector at UK that focus on leadership.

MAIN BODY
a) Define concepts of management and leadership and difference between them
Concepts Of Management
Management is procedure of proper planning, organising, staffing, directing, controlling
and coordinating work in organisation. This is used for describing function of managing people.
It is referred as practice, body of knowledge and discipline. In other word, it is also described as
technique of leadership and decision making where as other describes as economic resource
which is factor of system authority or productivity (Blumenthal and et. al., 2012). The concept of
management is described on basis of various points such as human relations, managerial
functions, body of knowledge, leadership and decision making, productivity, integration and
managerial personnel. Each describe various aspects of concept which are described below:
Human Relations: Art Of Getting Things Done- Management is art of getting things
done from others. Here, manager of Marks and Spencer should carry directing functions. Also
work of management is done with cooperation of people and inspiring to others. Management is
considered as human relation as each and every work is carried out by individual or people
working in business (Bush and Glover, 2012).
Managerial Functions: Management as a Process- Management requires number of
functions which need to be performed in Marks and Spencer organisation. As such functions are
performed by managers in order to make best use of human and material resources in order to
achieve desired objectives. The functions includes organising, planning, staffing, coordinating,
directing and controlling. According to Henry Fayol, management is to manage in terms of
forecast and plan, to command, to organise, to coordinate and to control. It is continuous process
which helps in achievement of goal and objective.
Body Of Knowledge: Management as Discipline- Management is considered as body of
knowledge, discipline and practices. All the activities need to be performed in effective and
efficient manner. It is responsibility of manager to work in discipline manner so that
performance can be done in good manner.
Leadership And Decision Making: Art and Science of Decision Making and
Leadership- Management is considered as art and science of decision making and leadership.
The quality of decisions reflect performance of manager. They need to provide leadership to
subordinates for motivating and undertaking their work (Crawford, 2012). All decisions should

be made in effective manner so that goals and objective can be achieved in effective manner for
organisation.
Productivity: Art of Securing Maximum Productivity- Managing each and every task in
organisation helps in increasing productivity of business. Management plays an effective role for
business and their task with minimum efforts so that output could be maximised for both
employer and employer to give public best service. It is art which helps in knowing what can be
done in cheapest and best way.
Integration: Coordination of Human and Material Resource- Management helps in
making use of both human and material resource for benefit of enterprise. As it integrate every
operating units into one and provide best outcome. This also integrate resources for operating
manufacturing process in best and effective way.
Managerial Personnel: Group Of Managers- When all manager of Marks and Spencer
work in effective manner then goal and objective can be achieved in better possible manner. The
management is considered as group of people or body that can perform various managerial
functions for accomplishment of goal and objective within given time period. Every manager
perform functions collectively where top is concerned with determination of strategic planning,
objectives and policy formulation (Dignam and et. al., 2012).
Each and every manager working in Marks and Spencer has different roles and functions.
As respective organisation is very large which has various department where there is requirement
of many manager for each and every department. This includes finance manager, operation
manager, marketing manager, sales manager and so on. They all are assigned with different roles
and responsibility for carrying out work. The functions which need to be performed by manager
are in terms of organising, planning, staffing and more. In order to be good manager, certain
skills and knowledge are required such as coaching, budget planner, decision maker.
Concepts Of Leadership
Leadership is procedure through which person influence others for accomplishment of
goals and objectives and direct organisation in way which makes its more organised and logical
meaning (Donate and de Pablo, 2015). It is mainly influencing group or individuals for
achievement of common goals. The person managing leadership process are called leaders who
uses their skills and knowledge. In order to be good leaders certain skills and traits should be
possessed by them for effective outcome. It can be good personality, self confidence,

adaptability, decision making, tolerance to stress, social, conceptual skills and so on. The core
concepts of leadership includes competence, courage, coaching, clarity and character for
performing work in business. As leadership is learned, knowledge and skills of leaders can be
influenced by traits, attributes like values, character, beliefs and ethics. There are some factors of
leadership such as leader, communication, followers and situations. Here, leader need to be very
honest towards roles and responsibility and achieve goal and objective. Followers means people
require various style of leadership. For instance, new hire requires more supervision than
knowledge and experienced one. There should be proper channels for communication in
organisation so that information can be flow from one to another. Similarly, on the basis of
situation arise in organisation, decision making should be made so that effective outcome arise in
business. Marks and Spencer should have effective leadership in their business for better
outcome. There are various role and functions of leader of Marks and Spencer which are as
follows:
Role-The various role of leader are as follows:
 They need to interpret and understand environment in which it is operating business
 They should formulate winning strategies
 They should formulate brilliant strategies for business
 They should monitor all outcomes and make strategic adjustments
 They should build capabilities of organisation.
Functions- The functions of leader are given below:
 They need to set goals for organisation
 They should organise all activities and task in effective manner.
 They should initiate actions in organisation so that goal and objective can be achieved.
 Leader need to coordinate with each and every department of organisation
 The function of leader is to direct, guide and motivate each and every members of firm
 Leader should work as link between workers and management for better outcome.
Difference Between Management And Leadership
Management is considered as discipline of managing all things in effective manner. It is
defined as skill or art of getting things or work done with help of others (Fernández-Muñiz,
Montes-Peón and Vázquez-Ordás, 2014). This can be found in various sectors such as
hospitality, offices, sports, education. It is both organised and formal group of people. The

management word is composed of four terms that is man+age+men+t which means techniques.
There are 5M included in management such as Men, Material, Methods, Machine and Money.
The person handling all responsibilities of management is called manager (Difference Between
Leadership and Management, 2019).
Leadership is the quality of influencing people in order to attain objectives
enthusiastically and willingly. It is regarded as major elements of management for performing
work and is both informal and formal groups. The leading and inspiring group of people towards
direction is also known as leadership. This is interpersonal process that involves influencing
group or person for ensuring objective achievement.
The difference between management and leadership are mentioned below:
Basis of Comparison Management Leadership
Meaning It is art of systematically
coordinating and organising tasks
in effective manner.
It is the type of skills for leading
others.
Emphasis on This mainly emphasis on
managing activities.
This mainly emphasis on inspiring
people for achievement of goals.
Formulation of It is formulated on basis of
policies and procedures.
It is formulated on basis of
guidelines, polices and procedures.
Strategy It is reactive strategy of
organisation.
It is proactive strategy of
organisation.
Power Power of management is
influenced through rules.
Power of leadership is influencing
others.
Apart from above, some other difference between management and leadership are
described below:
 Management is procedure for managing various activities of organisation whereas
leadership is virtue for leading people through motivation and encouragement.
 Management requires control of managers for their subordinates whereas leadership need
trust of followers for leaders.

 Management is considered as quality of ruling and leadership is skills for influencing
others.
 Management is short term vision whereas leadership demands for foresightedness of
leaders.
 Management helps in bringing stability whereas leadership helps in bringing change
which are managed by manager.
b) Analysing leadership theory
Leadership theories desire to explain why and how certain individual become leaders.
These type of theories mainly focus on characteristics of leaders but there are some theory which
attempt to identify behaviour of individual who need to adopt for improving their leadership
skills and abilities in various situations (Goetsch and Davis, 2014). There are different types of
leadership theories which are important for Marks and Spencer to work in effective and efficient
manner. This theories includes following such as Trait, Behavioural, Contingency,
Transformational and Charismatic leadership. As per scenario given in assignment, Trait theory
of leadership has been described.
Trait Leadership Theory
According to Trait Leadership Theory, it is believe that individual are either born or
made with qualities which make them to provide best leadership roles. It was formed between
1930's – 1940's for organisation to carry out work in best effective manner. This theory focused
on analysis of physical, mental or social characteristics for gaining understanding of what
characteristics or collection of it are common among all leaders (leadership Theories, 2019). This
theory was outcome of first systematic efforts of researcher and psychologists in order to
understand leadership. According to respective theory, all leaders share some certain inborn
personality characteristics or traits. In order to be leader in Marks and Spencer, it is very
important to possess all god qualities and traits within themselves. As per this theory, leaders are
born not made by birth.
According to Trait Leadership Theory, there are five physical traits (energy, height,
appearance); sixteen personality traits (adaptability, aggressiveness, self-confidence,
enthusiasm); four ability and intelligence; nine social characteristics (cooperativeness,
administrative ability, interpersonal skills and six task related traits ( achievement, initiative,
drive and persistence). According to researcher, different key leadership traits has identified like

leadership motivation, honesty, self-confidence, integrity, drive, cognitive ability and other for
understanding business. It is not possible that all leader possess traits according to this theory
whereas many non-leaders have good quality. The traits of leaders of Marks and Spencer are
described below:
Intelligence and action oriented Judgement- The leaders of M&S need to make
judgement and choices which move individual and group forward. They should be very
intelligence and action oriented towards their work so that goal and objectives can be achieved.
Task Competence- In order to be great leader, they should be capable and skilled for
result achievement. The group members take help from leader for accomplishment of work and
learn how things should be done (Hallinger and Bryant, 2013). M&S leader should complete task
by using their competence and achieve goal.
Skills of People- For leading in M&S and their employers, leaders should have excellent
skills. As good leader knows how to interact with other team members and leaders for effective
outcome.
Capacity to Motivate People- leadership is the way of influencing other to perform task.
Thus, good leader should know to inspire and motivate others for giving their best to M&S for
achieving their set result.
Perseverance- It is very important for leader to stick with organisation even when things
get trouble or difficult. This is the significant trait of leader to show their skills during trouble
situation (Hallinger and Bryant, 2013). Many problems arise in M&S so need to be solved by
leader with their perseverance traits.
Decisiveness- The leaders of Marks and Spencer should be capable enough to make
decisions and confident in making choices. If leader can make effective and efficient decisions
then they can achieve goals and objectives.
Assertiveness- The leaders should be able to assertive and direct without being aggressive
any situations arise in M&S. If leaders become aggressive then they cannot take right decision
for organisation and work effectively.
Emotional Stability- The leader of Marks and Spencer should be strong for controlling
motions and avoiding overreactions. If leaders are more emotional then they cannot make
effective decisions for business.

Eagerness to accept responsibility- The strong, great and good leaders take responsibility
and does not pass them for blaming others. Such type of traits helps leaders to stand by their
success and taking ownership of their mistakes (Hallinger and Wang, 2015). Marks and Spencer
need to have such trait leaders in their business as there are number of responsibilities which
need to be carried out.
Understanding followers and their needs- Effective leaders need to pay attention
towards group members and care about helping their success. Such type of leaders want every
member of group to get succeed and plays role in moving group forward in better and effective
manner.
Need for achievement- The leader of Marks and Spencer need to carry such traits within
themselves. Great leaders need to help and succeed group for achieving goals. Such leaders care
about success of other members and groups and committed towards helping group for reaching
milestones.
Courage and Resolution- It is very important for leaders to show their courages towards
work and organisation. In order to be great leader, they should be brave and committed to goals
of group (Hechanova and Cementina-Olpoc, 2013). They should not hide any challenges from
manager or employees working in corporation.
Adaptability and Flexibility- This is the most important traits of trait leadership theory.
In order to operate work in competitive environment, they need to be flexible and adaptable for
adopting any situations in business. They need to think out of box and adapt changing situations
quickly.
Creativity- Leaders should be very creative for performing task in Mark and Spencer. As
they possess such traits within themselves and can learn from member group for better outcomes
(Johnston and Marshall, 2013).
This theory of leadership carry some advantage and disadvantages which are described
below:
Advantages- The advantages of Trait leadership theories are as follows:
 It is considered as naturally pleasing theory.
 This helps in serving as yardstick against which traits of leadership can be assessed.
 It is valid theory because of research and foundation.

 This theory provides detailed understanding and knowledge of element of leader in
process of leadership.
Disadvantages- The disadvantage or cons of respective theory are as follows:
 This theory is considered as complex and difficult
 This theory is bound to be subjective judgement for determining who can be successful or
good leader.
 There is misunderstanding and disagreement over which traits is significant for effective
leader.
 The model represent physical traits like height, weight which are situational factors. In
organisation, these requirements does not represent effective leaders.
Implication of Trait Theory- This theory helps in providing constructive information
about leadership that can be applied to all level of people and organisation. Here, manager can
utilise information from respective theory for evaluating position in business and assessing how
to become stronger in organisation. This provide leader in understanding in depth of their
identity and ways which can affect others (McCaffery, 2018). Also through using of this theory,
manager can easily identify strengths and weaknesses and aid in developing leadership qualities.
c) Analysing management development program
Management development program is an major contribution for manager and higher
authorities. In case of Marks and Spencer manager plays significant role to coordinate and
manage works and procedures that directly affect their success. Management development
program helps and support to manager and directly connects with their peers or subordinates
across from an location and to share challenges and work simultaneously to give their major
contribution by search out effective solution (McMurray and et. al., 2012). It is an dynamic
systematic training and development program that should be organise and design to empower or
develop leadership capabilities and strengths by ensuring that an individual have skills and
knowledge by using resources in effective manner. It is one of effective training program for
leaders and managers to lead, engage and develop the effective team to attain organisational
goals and objectives. It can be accomplished by adopting four important measures to adopt best
leadership style in case of M&S that are as follows:
Manager redefined- The main task and their responsibility to attain that training program
called as MDP is to redefine role and responsibility of manager and leaders to accomplish their

goals and objectives. After evaluating needs and wants of employees and organisation
management defined roles and duties of an manager and accordingly they have give their best in
organisational goals and objectives. Redirection is very obligatory for manager according to time
and circumstances so that they can give best efforts as it appropriate.
Employee engagement- The another main aspect of management development program
is to engage employees or personnel for organisation goals and objectives and insist them to use
their skills and potential in giving their best. In case of M&S they spend a lot of amount to fully
engage their employees with each other and also from goals and objectives of them. Employee
engagement can be enhanced by appropriate direction of manager and leaders by giving rewards
and other benefits that enhance their satisfaction level.
Exercising influence- Exercising influence is an important factor that are major work
and contribution of an leader and manager is to affect works and activities of their employees by
inspiring by their views and opinions. In case of M&S their managers and leaders inspire their
subordinates in giving their best by motivating them in attaining organisational goals and
objectives.
Leading change and managing transitions- Change are an important aspect in
development of an organisation and to beat their competitors. In case of M&S to compete with
the fierce world they have to apply different and new concepts and philosophies that proved
beneficial in organisational growth and enhancement. While changes implement in organisation
employees are not ready to adopt these changes and it creates hurdles in front of them
(Mládková, 2012). In that scenario managers and leaders plays major role in define benefits of
organisational development by motivating them that how much it is beneficial for them to adopt
these changes.
These training program should be beneficial for mid level managers in which managers,
leaders of division at functional areas, leaders of operational programs, wide projects and their
time span in various locations or divisions. The management development program of M&S
focuses on giving best knowledge and information in adaptation of best management practices.
With collaborative learning and development in which employees learn from each other and
obey instruction of leaders and managers. The another main objectives is to help participants of
development program to transform learning into actions so that desirable objectives can be
achieve (Renz, 2016). In an organisation such as M&S apply that management development