Comparing Leadership and Management Roles: An Operations Perspective

This report delves into the core concepts of management and operations, focusing on the distinct roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within an organizational context. It begins by defining operational management as the process of enhancing business efficiency and converting inputs into outputs to maximize profit. The report then contrasts the roles of leaders, who are visionaries focused on setting direction and inspiring teams, with those of managers, who shape organizational culture and oversee day-to-day operations. It highlights key differences between leadership and management, such as building trust versus controlling, influencing people versus managing activities, and the distinction between hard and soft skills. The report further explores various leadership theories, including the great man theory and behavioral theory, offering a comprehensive analysis of effective leadership styles. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of adapting leadership styles to suit specific circumstances and organizational cultures, underscoring the critical roles of both leaders and managers in ensuring smooth business operations. The report includes references to academic sources for further reading.

MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATIONS

Table of Content
 Introduction
 Different roles and characteristics of a leader and a manager
 Conclusion
 References

Introduction
Operational management is the administration process of business to develop and increase the
efficiency within an organisation Operational management is responsible for converting raw
material and labour(input) into final goods and services(output) in order to maximize the profit
of an organisation.

Different roles and characteristics of a
leader and a manager
The combination of both Manager and Leader is essential to lead global organization in this
dynamic business environment. Someone who can shift their roles and characteristics
according to the conditions in order to accomplish the goals and objectives. Managers and
Leaders are the one who thinks strategically and are capable of building effective teams.

Cont.…
 Leader: The leaders are the one who are self-made and are capable of thinking out of the
box. The leader is one who is responsible for setting vision, direction and aligning
members of organization to accomplish the goals and objectives. They are responsible for
building new structures, relationship, influencing and inspiring team members in order to
achieve organizational goals.

Cont.…
Role of leader
 Supervisor
 Organizer
Characteristics of leader
 Ability to Delegate
 Self-awareness

Cont.…
 Manager: Managers are the one who shape the culture in an organization in number of
ways and plays many roles mainly as an administrator and advisor. They require multiple
set of skills for this role as their actions directly effects the functioning of organization
either in positive or negative way.

Cont.…
Role of Manager
 Front-man
 Communicator
Characteristics of Manger
 Time management
 Respect for Employees

Cont.…
Differences between leadership and management
 Builds trust vs control- The leadership in an organisation focus on building trust and maintaining
relationship with people.
 Influencing people vs managing activities- The leadership is good when the leaders have an ability
to influence the behavior of people in an organization.
 Skill vs Art- The leadership is an skill of people to influence others in an organization. Management
is an art of coordinating and managing activities in an organization.
 Invent vs organize- The leadership in an organization invents different things. The management
help organizations in organizing activities which are important to them.

Cont.…
 Hard Skills- These are technical knowledge received by people. The are developed by the
experiences and they are learnt from reading and practising. Example, data mining,
marketing management, IT services, etc.
 Soft Skills- These are skills which are personal to people and they explain their
nature. They are different and it an art that cannot be learnt as it is the behaviour of people.
Example, creativity, organising, leadership, etc.

Cont.…
Leadership theories
 The great man theory- This theory of leadership states that good leaders are
born not developed. Leadership is a skill not an art and people have the skills of
influencing others. They have the ability and confidence in them.
 The behavioral theory- This leadership is developed from the environment not the ability
of the leader. They are influenced with the people and it motivated them to be a leader.

Conclusion
In accordance with the above report, it can be concluded that there are various roles and
responsibilities that a manager and leader has to perform in order to maintain smooth
functioning of business operations. There are various leadership styles that a leader can adopt
to lead followers. Choice of style is in accordance of the circumstances and organisational
culture that is prevalent in company.