Leadership and Management: Theories, Practices, and Reflection

This report delves into the core principles of leadership and management, examining the roles and responsibilities of leaders and managers. It explores the essential components of successful leadership, including decision-making, strategic thinking, empowering employees, effective communication, and accountability. The report also addresses the development of leadership skills, offering practical strategies for improvement, such as practicing discipline, taking responsibility, being aware of situations, and managing conflicts. Furthermore, it differentiates between leadership and management, highlighting the distinct approaches and focuses of each. Through a comprehensive analysis, the report provides valuable insights into the qualities, practices, and theories that contribute to effective leadership and management in various organizational contexts.

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Leadership and
Management

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................................3
Decision-making power...........................................................................................................................4
Being strategic ........................................................................................................................................4
Empowering people to think...................................................................................................................5
Effective communication ........................................................................................................................5
Accountability and responsibility ............................................................................................................6
Can good leadership be developed, and if so, how?...................................................................................6
Practicing the discipline...........................................................................................................................7
Take responsibility ..................................................................................................................................8
Awareness of specific situations..............................................................................................................8
Learn to manage conflicts........................................................................................................................8
What distinguishes leadership from management?....................................................................................9
Personal Reflection ...............................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................13
References.................................................................................................................................................14

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INTRODUCTION
This assignment is focussed on the leadership and management. The leaders are
responsible for setting out the new direction and provide a long-term vision of the organization
or a particular group in the organization. On the other hand, managers are responsible to get the
work done. They direct the people and control resources as per the values and principles that are
created. This broad concept is helpful to answer the four distinct questions that are the main
focus of this assignment and it ends with the conclusion summarizing the findings.
What is involved in being a successful leader?
Many successful leaders and managers are of the opinion that leadership is the behaviour
of learning and it becomes comatose and involuntary over the period of time. One illustration to
this could be the leaders are capable to make numerous decisions regarding any issue within the
duration of time that takes a long for others to think or understand the question (Oplatka, 2016).
Numerous individuals astonish how leaders identify in what way to make the finest decisions,
frequently under enormous pressure. The leadership style and functioning is demonstrated by
contextual approaches which are as follows:
Contextual approach: This denotes individuals ability to understand the environment and
changes which helps in quick decision making. This leadership approach is applied to
organisation which faces regular external market changes. In accordance to this approach the
leader is responsible for making flying decision for the situation which can hinder functioning of
business operations.

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Path goal theory: This theory of leadership is based on motivating and empowering employees in
order to accomplish goals and objectives. In this the leader is focused on serving satisfaction to
staff members in order to increase their working efficiency.
The procedure of constructing these conclusions originates from an accretion of
experiences and happenstances with a throng of different situations, types of personalities and
unexpected failures (Bolman & Deal, 2014). There are certain things that are involved in being
or becoming a successful leader:
Decision-making power
The first significant factor that involves being a successful leader is pertaining to decision
making power. The leaders are responsible for the dialogue facilitation to authorize the
subordinates and to reach the finest strategic conclusion (Bargau 2015). They are significantly
aiming to make the things happen and to bring enhancement in the decision-making activities
that ensure the sustainability of the continuous progress. The other thing under this category is
the art of campaigning this eliminates the time-wasting from tough schedules and eliminate the
occurrence of disrupting drive. In becoming a successful leader a power to make 50 decisions in
50 minutes is required (Bolman & Deal, 2014).
Being strategic
Being the interested towards the success of the company and curious about the broad
business environment is involved in being successful leaders. This signifies that successful
leaders are forward thinkers and are capable to mould their strategies as per the developing
opportunities or manage the challenges and unforeseen situations (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014).
They are future and vision oriented and ensures the positive outlook within the company.

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Thinking deliberately is an on-going procedure that includes evaluating the entire environment of
business. This can be interpenetrated that being a successful leader, stress and its balancing is
required with the significance of concern and being responsive to the people (Oplatka, 2016).
Empowering people to think
This is one of the significant factors that involve in becoming a successful leader to
understand the subordinates and workplace colleges, their thinking and intellectual capabilities
and benchmarks to further enhance the capabilities of employees (Johnston & Marshall, 2016).
They use the information insight to test their squads to contemplate and expanse them to spread
for further. These kinds of leaders shine in keeping their persons on their toes, never permitting
them to get contented and allowing them through the gears to grow (Bolman & Deal, 2014).
Effective communication
Being known to what and when should be spoken and listen is another essential to being
a successful leader and. This is the effectiveness of concisely detailing the organizational goals
and particular tasks to their employees (Johnston & Marshall, 2016). If the tasks, policies or the
strategies are not communicated properly the employees can fall short with regards to the
management’s expectations. Therefore a leader must need to efficiently able to communicate at
all hierarchical levels, one to one correspondence with the department and to the entire
workforce of the organization with the help of several communication platforms (Oplatka, 2016).
Communication is constructed on a stable movement of spoken and nonverbal interactions of
thoughts and information, so effort on being amicable and connecting people from diverse levels
(Vann et.al, 2014).

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Accountability and responsibility
Successful managers know what way to use control and ability applicably without
devastating or overshadowing employees. Effective leaders grip themselves answerable and take
obligation for their own inaccuracies and they suppose others to do the alike (Bolman & Deal,
2014). They can work within recognized measures, and be creative and well-organized in their
judgments. They escalate the significance of assistance and encouragement to individuals while
also accepting organizational structures and the essentiality to abide by guidelines and policies
(Vann et.al, 2014).
Thus, in order to determine successful leadership quality and trait it is important for the
leader to implement the use of leadership style as it helps the person in determining appropriate
directions. There are various individual approaches to leadership which are as follows:
Great man theory: This theory states that leader are born and not made. The leadership quality in
individual are from birth and can be developed like Napoleon, Lincoln etc. In this the person
need to make believe in his or her leadership traits and need to process them effectively.
Leadership traits: This denotes that leadership traits are enhanced in individual by socializing
and genetics. The personal, beliefs and values of person is denoted in its leadership style.
Five big personality types: The big five leadership personality traits are, open extraverted,
conscientious, stable and agreeable. The fives traits are focused on individual's creativity,
intellectual, organised, systematic, sociable, tolerant, sensitive irritable and anxious personality
trait. All these traits assist the leader in managing leadership functions effectively.
Can good leadership be developed, and if so, how?
The vision of proceeding to the top of one's ground is anything that makes it probable for
various people to retain struggling away at their occupations, improving their skills, and taking

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on new developmental projects. But after a specific point, career development is grounded upon
the additional technical skills and the eagerness to strive towards the success (Bargau 2015). The
leadership skills can be developed with the learning of some soft skills which makes the manager
transform himself towards the role of leadership. Many of the people are born leaders naturally;
on the other hand, anyone can assist the skills that are needed to perform leadership practice
(Johnston & Marshall, 2016). If a person wants to take his career as distant as it can be driven,
then a person has to be enthusiastic to situate in the work. Here are some strategies to aid in the
development of leadership skills and helps in retaining the progressing of career (Wheelen &
Hunger, 2017). In accordance, the example of Toyota’s case which the firm manufactures' auto
motives were launched into the market with faulty brakes; the CEO being the leader took
immediate decision to recall or the vehicles and took the feedback from the customers and
responded quickly and managed to delivered with the fault resolved, this saved the company
from its reparation being damaged in the market.
Practicing the discipline
Discipline is one of the significant qualities that should persist in every leader. On phase
of learning the leadership skills, this quality should top the list of learning activities. Developing
discipline in the professional as well as personal life has to be maintained with an aim to become
an effective leader and to inspire and admire others to maintain discipline as well (Bargau 2015).
This quality and capacity are judged by the people that what way a person is dealing with a
subordinate and maintaining discipline at work (Johnston & Marshall, 2016). The discipline can
be displayed and promoted by meeting deadlines, keeping appointments and closure of meetings
timely. If the quality of disorganising is prevailing in the personality on natural basis then by

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striving and constantly hard work can help to overcome this negative factor, this can be done
through small things such as implement and follow effective practices at home this helps to
become habitually disciplined (Vann et.al, 2014).
Take responsibility
The most effective way to develop leadership skills is to take additional responsibility,
take additional projects, meet deadlines manage the team but have to be with the personal
capacities but beyond the expected quality of work and exceptionally well than written in the job
descriptions, this helps for further growth and keeps the person prominent in front of the
management of the organization. The comfort zone has to be left if further growth is aimed; this
only helps to learn new things and makes noticeable and initiative taker (Bargau 2015). For
instance talking about the case of situations aroused in Redfin who faced the hatred of the
competitors and blacklisting the users of its service the quick decision and strategy was
implemented and confronted to customers. The transparency was appreciated by the customers
and now the growth of firm is remarkable.
Awareness of specific situations
A mark of a respectable leader is somebody who can realize the greater and broader
picture, and antedate glitches prior to their occurrence. This skill is considered as valuable when
managing complex and multiple projects with the urgent deadlines. The capability to predict and
provide recommendations and ideas for evading potential and predictable glitches is priceless for
the leader. This aptitude also aids a prospect leader to identify prospects that others oversee,
which will unquestionably earn leader a huge recognition (Wheelen & Hunger, 2017).

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Learn to manage conflicts
The conflict must not be ignored but managed. Expecting that the conflicting issues will
be resolved automatically is devastating for the entire organization and it must be addressed by a
formal interaction with the conflicting parties or groups (Oplatka, 2016). A leadership skill is
developed by learning the best practices of conflict management some of them could be
reassigning of the teams if the conflict is expected to last longer. Conflict is unavoidable and
massively damaging. Knowing and handling conflict well is essential to the strong functioning of
work relations, team and administrative and company performance (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014).
What distinguishes leadership from management?
The main difference between leaders and managers is that leaders have people who
follow them while managers have to make people work for them. In addition, it can be said that
leaders are responsible for guiding road map to employees in order to increase their working
efficiency and effectiveness. Leadership trait of individuals are based on their beliefs, and values
which are inherited in them from childhood (Vann et.al, 2014). The ultimate responsibility of
leader is to manage employees function in manner to establish improvement in workers
performance (Bolman & Deal, 2014). Apparently, manager in organisation is the person who is
responsible for implementing practices and policies in order to serve employees satisfaction. The
ultimate duty of manager is to establishing healthy and safe working environment for employees
in order to boost their morale. However, Leadership mechanisms is based on motivation and
developing faith among workers for organisational functions (Bargau 2015).
The leader come up with new ideas and promotes the kick-start of the work in the
organization which helps the firm in increasing work productivity. Moreover, leader is focused

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on monitoring performance of people working under the values and strategies set by leader
(Wheelen & Hunger, 2017). On the other hand, a manager is a person who is generally
responsible only for the maintenance of what has already been created or followed. A manager
is accountable to watch and meet the bottom line through the controlling of employees and the
flow of work in the company and also responsible to avoid any probability of disarray (Bolman
& Deal, 2014). The other thing that differentiates the leader form management is the sense of
motivating like the leader formulates the work into similar division in order to reduce work load
whereas manager motivates employees by providing rewards and incentive (Vann et.al, 2014).
On the other side, managers are responsible for setting strict working standard and polices to
frame stable and cooperative business environment while leaders make sure that work practices
are carried under the set of rules which are designed by management (Oplatka, 2016).
The effective leadership demands flying decision making sense which assist the person in
establishing improvement in work practices of employees (Vann et.al, 2014). On the other hand,
managers though, are not obligatory to measure and examine failures (Wheelen & Hunger,
2017). Leaders are responsible for managing work of employees by establishing innovation in
order to make their work process simpler but manager aims at directing and monitoring
performance of employees. The working pattern of leader is demonstrated by its personal
qualities and traits whereas the manager skills are based on the organisation functions and set of
regulation.
Personal Reflection
According to report I have analysed leaders plays a vital role in managing work of
employees in effective manner. In accordance I have discovered that to be good leader I need to
be good and flying decision maker. According to my personal experience ins school in can say

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that I am good leader with particular traits like, in school when I was assigned project with 5
team members and I was the one guiding them. In that situation in school I discovered my time
management and communication skills which plays a crucial role in lives of leaders. Therefore,
as per that scenario I learned that I can be good leader in future but with the same in need to be
good and quick decision maker. Further, in my opinion, leader has to squeeze change, as the
leader, it’s accountable of the leader to bring change, as it is a fact that a technological
enhancement and not being adopted on time can turn the billion dollar company upside down
immediately. On the hand from the report I have learned that leaders must be inspirational and
should possess the quality to convince others which I feel I have and that will assist me in my
future professional life. Moreover, I have learned that leaders must project confidence and
positivity while upholding the company engrossed by struggling dimness, constructiveness, and
unevenness. (Johnston & Marshall, 2016). There was situation in my life where I needed to be
good decision maker like leader but at that time I was not aware about the practical changes and
decision making and therefore I ruined my performance but with the report I analysed that it is
important for the leader to respond quickly to situations of personal and professional life.
(Wheelen & Hunger, 2017).
In my opinion, leader has to be empathetic, therefore from this report I have learned that
in future I will tackle problems after discussing with some responsible person who can assist me
in effective decision making (Jeon et.al, 2017). In my opinion, it is important for the leader to
have good time management skills because it helps the individual in carrying out business
operations effectively. Like, I will share my experience of time management which I learned
from school.. I was allotted a presentation which for which I was given a time of 6 days and with
5 members. In the start of presentation we all team member's dividend our work according to

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our skills and abilities. I performed my role effectively and managed the overall work of team.
But at the end when it was the time to analyse collected information I noticed that only 2 of 5
members were present which crated a huge confusion for me and for other two members. At the
day of presentation I handled all the functions but it was blunder and from there I learned that it
is important for the leader to manage functions to team members according to time. In
accordance to this situation of my school life I discovered that leader has to be persuasive. (Vann
et.al, 2014).
Furthermore, I have analysed that efficient leader always seeks for the advice and keeps
in search for the answers and newer ideas. Leaders see respectable advice as a worthy asset and
its weight in priceless assets and vigorously pursue it out (Renz, 2016). Nurture a group of
persons who know them strongly, counting possibly a spouse, counsellor or reliable friend.
These individuals can be perceptive in indicating out an unsighted spot in their thinking,
specifically once they are not part of their daily policymaking procedure and process of decision
making (Jeon et.al, 2017). Besides, In my opinion leadership is never ending learning process
where the person always discover new abilities to handle work. Continuous learning and reading
are with respect to the day to day experiences and generation of unique ideas is the significance
of leadership (Vann et.al, 2014). On an individual level, I have evaluated that a person must read
about 10 to 20 books years to becoming smarter. Personally, I read about biographies, political
famous leaders, and novels of well know writers that help to build own and refined interest that
helps as a guideline (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014).
Another thing that I have learned is that leaders must be authentic like, there are some
case which I experienced that in order to become effective team leader the individual do not
bother about the work pressure on employees instead the individual is focused in building his or