LOCCITANE Group: Leadership Management Theory, Practice & Analysis

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership within the LOCCITANE Group, applying relevant leadership theories such as trait theory and transformational leadership. It examines the presence or absence of effective leadership, the impact on organizational performance, and proposes improvements. The report includes a personal reflection on leadership skills, a development plan, and discusses the importance of leadership in managing people and shaping organizational needs. The author reflects on their own experience as a corporate manager and suggests areas for personal development. The analysis highlights the need for strong leadership to enhance employee motivation, improve decision-making, and ensure the successful completion of projects within the LOCCITANE Group.

LOCCITANE Group
Leadership Management
Theory and Style

Executive summary
Leadership skills are discussed in this report. A France organisation Loccitane is used for
explaining different leadership models. An effective leader has all abilities to manage business
operations and functions and how it is used within a successful organisation. A strong leadership
will help to develop and grow organisational capabilities. There are different theories, models
and frameworks discussed in this report about leadership. It is essential that leaders must manage
different operations and activities properly so that goals can be attained easily. There is
explanation about how to develop leadership skills and motivate subordinates for completing
their job.

Table of Contents
LOCCITANE Group Leadership Management Theory and Style......................................1
INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................4
4.1 The objective of this report...............................................................................................4
4.2 The organisation (type of organisation, line of activity, number of years trading,..........4
revenue, number of employees, the stakeholders, etc.)..........................................................4
4.3 Your position / involvement / relationship with the organisation....................................5
4.4 The structure of this report (the various sections and their content)................................5
5. The relevant leadership theories (TWO) that the report draws on (300 words).................5
5.1 Description and 5.2 Advantages and disadvantages.........................................................5
Relevant leadership theories...................................................................................................5
6. Evidence of existence / absence of Leadership (350 words)..............................................6
6.1 Description and examples.................................................................................................6
6.2 Analysis of the leadership conduct in the context of the relevant theories......................7
Evidence of existence/ absence of leadership........................................................................7
7. Proposal/s for improving the leadership in the specific organisation (what needs to be. . .7
done), in the context of the relevant theories (200)................................................................7
CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................8
Personal reflection..................................................................................................................8
9.1 What I have gained from the course.................................................................................9
9.2 What are my leadership and managerial skills, and what requires further advancement.9
9.3 My leadership development plan (what I intend to develop, how and when I intend to10
develop, potential challenges and how I intend to mitigate them).......................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Leadership is defined as ability of motivating group of individuals for attaining a common
objective or goal. In context of business setting, it is evaluated that directing colleagues and
workers for meeting company objectives by using strong strategies. Leadership is helpful for
capturing essentials of being able and preparing for inspiring others. A leader has ability to
inspire other individuals for attaining goals and objectives (George and et.al., 2016). They must
have ability for acting simultaneously and acting a way that goal attainment is possible. In
context of business environment, leadership is linked with performance and any type of
leadership has the ability to manage different organisational situations calmly (Kane and et.al,
2019). The concept of leadership is linked to profit and sales intrinsically. Individuals who are
effective leaders have the ability to manage corporate issues easily. leadership is known as a vital
management function which is helpful for directing efficiency as well as attaining objectives and
goals. An effective leader is always able to encourage, motivate and guide organisation for
accomplishing tasks and projects properly. Leadership is able to serve different functions which
are crucial for any organisation. Main objective of any organisation is to enhance the vision for
attaining any company’s goals.
The following report includes different models of leadership and how leaders adopt different
styles to encourage and motivate subordinates. This helps to manage different operations and
activities of company which are useful for completing the projects on time.
4.1 The objective of this report
This report will help to gain knowledge about how leadership affects different business functions
and operations in this company. It will help to increase knowledge about characteristics and traits
that a leader has and also explanation about scenario if there is absence of leadership within
organisation. If strong leadership is present within Loccitane corporation then it is easy to make
quick decisions. It will enable to make smooth working of business operations.
4.2 The organisation (type of organisation, line of activity, number of years trading,
revenue, number of employees, the stakeholders, etc.)
Loccitane group which is an international retailer of face, body and fragrance products. This
company is situated in Manosque, France and founded in the year 1976 by Olivier Baussan. In
March 2010, the listing committee of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange approved its plan for a

$400–$600 million initial public offering of L'Occitane International S.A., underwritten by
CLSA, HSBC and UBS which the company had originally planned in 2008, but postponed
because of the 2008 financial crisis. In context of Loccitane, it is seen that there is need to have
effective leadership so that business operations can go smoothly. It is relevant in terms of
management and leadership for Loccitane to be strong. There is need for this company to have
organised structure so that leaders can manage different business activities and tasks.
L'OCCITANE is well-known for its Corporate Responsibility Policy and #NotJustSuppliers
program, both of which instill sustainability responsibilities within the company and in their
partnerships with external suppliers. The Responsible Beauty Initiative now has seven members
who are working with each other to meet emerging cosmetics supply chain's unique potential and
problems. Increasing transparency along its supplier market, encouraging supplier improvement,
and exploiting redundancies in CSR tools and features are among its top priorities for 2020.
4.3 Your position / involvement / relationship with the organisation.
I am working as a corporate manager in this organisation. I had to manage different managerial
functions. There is requirement of consulting clients and making them understand products and
services.
4.4 The structure of this report (the various sections and their content).
5. The relevant leadership theories (TWO) that the report draws on (300 words)
5.1 Description and 5.2 Advantages and disadvantages
Relevant leadership theories
The trait theory – According to this theory, there are some natural qualities within an individual
that tend to create good leaders (Khan, 2017). In Loccitane company, all leaders have ability to
become strong management individuals that enables them to handle different business
operations. Successful leaders are those who have abilities, interest and personality traits which
are different from other individuals (Godina and et.al ., 2016). There is a set of trait which are
considered to be of successful leaders. In Loccitane, leaders possess trait theory and try to
manage all conflicts and customer related issues adopting it.
Advantages of trait theory –
 This is a naturally pleasing theory and it is valid because lot of researches have provided
valid foundations for the base of this theory.

 This provides a detailed knowledge as well as understanding of leader element within
process of leadership
Disadvantages of trait theory –
 According to this theory, there are physical traits like weight, height, personality which
affects leadership. Most of the factors are associated with situational factors. This can be
explained with an example that for minimum height and weight there is need to perform
tasks in efficient manner in different position.
 This is a complex theory and there is bound for some subjective judgement within
determining successful leader.
Transformational leadership theory
It is very important to become important for creating high performance workforce and conduct
business operations smoothly. The foundation of transformational leadership within Loccitane
consists of promotion of consistent mission, vision as well as values for individuals (Huang and
et.al., 2016). Leaders of Loccitane follow this type of leadership style for encouraging their
followers and subordinates to be creative and innovative. They are always motivated to work
hard and attain goals.
Advantages of transformational leadership theory
 The foundation of transformational leadership includes promoting consistent mission,
vision, as well as set of values to members.
 These type of leaders guide their subordinates by providing challenge and meaning.
 These people work enthusiastically for fostering commitment and teamwork. These type
of leaders encourage followers for completing their activity and assigned projects on
time.
Disadvantages of transformational leadership theory
 This makes the best use of impression management and therefore lends itself for
managing self-promotion given by leaders
 According to this theory, there is need to be trained or taught because this consists of
several leadership theories.
 There are several followers who get manipulated by leaders because their chance of
losing or gaining diminishes.

Ekaterina Ievleva has been named L'Occitane Group General Manager TR EMEA & Americas,
marking a significant shift in the company's travel retail leadership. L'Occitane is the world's
leading natural cosmetics and well-being brand. The success of a company depends on its ability
to form intimate ties with its customers. Precisely Spectrum Quality and Precisely Spectrum
Context are being used by L'Occitane to make it easier to manage customer data, provide more
tailored marketing and customer service, and supply the sustainable products that their people are
demanding. For managing these activities and tasks, there is need to have effective leadership
style. For that company leaders can use any of the above mentioned leadership style.
6. Evidence of existence / absence of Leadership (350 words)
6.1 Description and examples
Creating a culture of mediocrity – When there is poor leadership then it can slow down any type
of improvement in the abilities of leaders to handle different business operations. There are
middle managers who have to start taking guidance from senior managers for taking quick
business decisions (Krivtsov and et.al., 2016).
Low morale - It is also seen that poor leadership will effect upon morale of the employees.
There is need to manage both type of employees – negative and positive. This will help to
maintain organisational efficiency and profitability (Oc, 2018). It is very important for all
companies to implement strategies that will help to increase motivation an encouragement for
employees.
6.2 Analysis of the leadership conduct in the context of the relevant theories.
Evidence of existence/ absence of leadership
Poor leadership or absence of leadership are factors that have negative impact on company’s
performance (Kellermanns and et.al., 2016). There are different negative consequences which a
company faces when it has poor leadership. Some of these are mentioned below –
Lack of vision – Any organisation cannot work if it is not having proper direction to
complete the project. Employees will be at loss if there is no direction for their work. That is why
it is necessary to work and attain organisational goals properly.
Lack of synergy – If there is poor leadership than it inhibits development of synergy. This
creates fragmented departments and the way of working in specific processes. There is need to
accomplish directions in order to manage the achievement of common goal and objective (Xie

and et.al, 2018). If there is good leader, then he is able to communicate with employees
effectively. When there is no strong and effective leadership then goals cannot be attained in
specified time.
7. Proposal/s for improving the leadership in the specific organisation (what needs to be
done), in the context of the relevant theories (200)
Leadership will help Loccitane to improvise completion of functions of the company. It will help
to justify importance of leadership for completing organisational goals and objectives (Laihonen
and Mäntylä, 2018). There is no surprise in the fact that leadership can result in low employee
turnover. Employees who are not motivated or experiencing poor work culture then the reason is
ineffective leadership. It is essential for Loccitane, a cosmetic company to manage employee
motivation and encouragement so that goals can be attained effectively (Pettit and Crossan,
2020). There is need to have strong leadership within Loccatine for completing all project tasks
in proper time. It is recommended for leaders of this company to use autocratic leadership style
as it helps to take quick decisions. This will lead to complete project work on right time. There is
need to manage effective and strong leadership so that goals are attained.
It is very essential to have strong leaders. There is also need to have strong leadership
qualities so that goals can be attained in specified time frame. Leadership is known as important
factor which can keep everyone on same manner and help to choose best position for leading.
The concept of leadership helps to filter and ensure that firm is implementing leadership qualities
properly. A manager or leader of company is focusing on increasing profits and earning lot of
money. This is also helpful in promoting empathetic leaders and promoting right type of people
for maintaining cohesive work culture. It is evaluated from above discussion that influencing
behaviour of others is known as leadership. A leader is responsible for motivating and
encouraging subordinates to attain goals and objectives. An efficient leader has to maintain
personal contact with employees. He must support all his or her subordinates. This will help in
building good relation with employees. It also helps to enhance profitability opportunities for a
company. It is also analysed that different leadership styles are used by leaders which is helpful
for monitoring and controlling different business operations.

Personal reflection
From the above session, I have understood the meaning of leadership and its importance in
attaining organisational goals. This reflection is all about challenges, importance and value of
leadership within life of any business person. Gibbs cycle is used to explain reflection of
individual –
Description – I am thankful for choosing this course as it has helped me to enhance my
learning and knowledge about leadership and motivational concepts. I have grabbed information
about the importance of leadership and how it should be used within workplace. I think that
effective leadership and management begins with self-aware. This means that there is need for
working hard in order to evaluate own strength and weakness. There are different ways used by
leaders to complete project work efficiently. It is concluded that having motivated and
encouraged employees will help to gain business objectives in less time. Culture followed within
different organisations varies according to the leadership styles followed by leaders.
Feelings – While attending the lectures on leadership, I have analysed that this is a very
essential factor which impacts upon sales and profits of company directly. When employees
work hard and they are provided good guidance by leaders then it is easy to achieve goals and
objectives in less time frame. This course helped me to understand that building trust and loyalty
are very essential to manage credibility and make conditions for leading complex
responsibilities.
Evaluation – It is evaluated that leadership skills plays important role for managing
different situations at workplace. There is need to develop and grow efficiency of the company
and for that here is need to have strong leaders. I have analysed that there are different leadership
styles including autocratic, democratic, laissez faire, etc. which are used for handling different
organisational situations. Moreover, there is need to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Conclusion – After completing this course, it is concluded that leadership helps any
company to grow and develop quickly. When leaders take quick decisions then they can easily
manage to attain organisational objectives. The best style of leadership according to me is
autocratic in which leader has full authority to take decisions on own. There is need for having
different leadership styles so that situations are managed properly. There is need to have positive
workplace environment so that goal attainment is possible. There is need to have efficient
manner in which subordinates and employees are provided equal treatment.

Action - I have prepared myself for managing leadership of organisation. An action plan
includes developing skills and abilities for leading people and making them attain goals in
specified time frame. It is essential for all companies to have strong leadership within workplace
as it will help to boost efficiency of overall organisational performance.
9.1 What I have gained from the course
There is need to develop skills which will help to complete projects and tasks. I think it is
essential for me to enhance coaching skills and practice in order to manage work properly. Self-
knowledge and self-awareness will provide support in achieving ways to implement strategies
that lead to enhance skill development. I gained knowledge about leadership qualities and
management functioning.
9.2 What are my leadership and managerial skills, and what requires further advancement
I need to enhance my communication so that I can talk to my superiors as well as juniors easily.
I have to make them understand different factors associated with leadership capabilities.
9.3 My leadership development plan (what I intend to develop, how and when I intend to
develop, potential challenges and how I intend to mitigate them)
I need to enhance my leadership qualities so that I can rule other people and make them to
achieve targets efficiently. The main challenge which I am facing while leading others is
communication. That is why I have made an action plan which includes learning leadership
through inspirational audios and videos.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
George, and et.al., 2016. Social structure, reasonable gain, and entrepreneurship in Africa.
Strategic Management Journal, 37(6), pp.1118-1131.
Godina, and et.al ., 2016. Dynamic approach to strategic analysis of the innovative environment
of the regional socio-economic system. Indian Journal of Science and
Technology,9(16), pp.1-6.
Huang, and et.al., 2016. Towards a framework for strategic knowledge management practice:
Integrating soft and hard systems for competitive advantage. VINE Journal of
Information and Knowledge Management Systems.
Kane, G.C., and et.al, 2019. How digital leadership is (n't) different. MIT Sloan Management
Review, 60(3), pp.34-39.
Kellermanns, and et.al., 2016. The resource‐based view in entrepreneurship: A content‐
analytical comparison of researchers' and entrepreneurs' views.Journal of Small
Business Management,54(1), pp.26-48.
Khan, N., 2017. Adaptive or transactional leadership in current higher education: A brief
comparison. International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 18(3),
pp.178-183.
Krivtsov, and et.al., 2016. Managing change in the holding company as a factor in solving
strategic problems of the region.International Journal of Environmental and Science
Education, 11(15), pp.7754-7762.
Laihonen, H. and Mäntylä, S., 2018. Strategic knowledge management and evolving local
government. Journal of Knowledge Management.
Oc, B., 2018. Contextual leadership: A systematic review of how contextual factors shape
leadership and its outcomes. The Leadership Quarterly, 29(1), pp.218-235.
Pettit, K. L. and Crossan, M. M., 2020. Strategic renewal: Beyond the functional resource role
of occupational members.Strategic Management Journal, 41(6), pp.1112-1138.