Management and Leadership Styles at Mothercare: A Detailed Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the management and leadership practices at Mothercare, focusing on the style of its CEO. It explores the participative management style employed, detailing its advantages and disadvantages within the context of the organization. The report further examines the organizational structure, specifically the functional structure, and its impact on achieving high performance, including an overview of organizational culture through Schein's model. Additionally, it describes the CEO's leadership style, highlighting the democratic approach and its effects on organizational effectiveness. The analysis extends to the impact of power, conflict, and influence within Mothercare, followed by an examination of the motivational strategies utilized. The report concludes with corporate examples and recommendations for future improvements, offering valuable insights into the company's management and leadership dynamics.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................1
A. Illustrate management style used by CEO..............................................................................1
B. Analyse organisational structure for attaining high performance...........................................3
C. Depict leadership style for enhancing organisational effectiveness.......................................5
D. Analyse impact of power, conflict and influence...................................................................6
E. Illustrate kind of motivation utilised within Mothercare........................................................7
Corporate Examples.....................................................................................................................9
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
REREFENCES..............................................................................................................................11

Introduction
The set of principles associated with functions for planning, organising, directing,
controlling along with applications of principles in harnessing resources in an effective as well as
efficient way for attaining organisational goals is referred to as management. There are different
management styles that are being utilised by entrepreneurs or managers of organisation for
making sure that all the employees can cope up with working structure and they can be made to
work as per guidelines given by them (Adler and Laasch, 2020). The art of motivating group of
individuals for acting towards attainment of identical goal is defined as leadership. This aspect is
liable for creating an influence with respect to ways in which certain group of people can work to
ensure that they complete their tasks as per desired standards and within time. Along with this,
different leadership styles are being used by leaders depending on group of people through which
they can ensure that their team is capable enough to deal with deadlines. Both management and
leadership are traits that are being possessed by individuals for dealing with different aspects
within organisation.
This report is based on Mothercare Plc who is British retailers and are specialised within
products for expectant mother as well as general merchandise for kids up to age of eight years.
This is a public organisation which was founded in 1961by James Goldsmith and Selim Zikha
with headquarters in Waltford, Hertfordshire. They have near about 1200 franchise and furnish
their services worldwide. This report provide an insight into different management as well as
leadership styles that are being utilised within organisation for ensuring that firm is able to attain
their goals as per desired standards. Along with this, organisational structure will be analysed
and ways in which it creates an impact on performance will be discussed. Furthermore aspects
related with conflicts and power will also be analysed by identification of its probable impact on
employees as well as organisation on the whole. Adequate motivation is required through which
morale of employees can be boosted up to furnish their jobs precisely. Moreover some examples
will be presented with reference to this.
A. Illustrate management style used by CEO
Management implies process to administer and control affairs of organisation irrespective
of their type, structure, size and nature. It denotes act of creation as well as maintaining business
environment in which all individuals work simultaneously for attainment of business objectives
efficiently and effectively (Bolden, 2020). Management styles comprises of ways in which
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managers go for accomplishment of these objectives by formulation of effectual decisions with
respect to planning, organisation of work as well as manner in which authority is being exercised
by them. Within Mothercare CEO has opted for making use of participative management style. It
is also known as democratic style of leadership which involves employees within decision
making, inspires their involvement at different levels of organisation within analysing problems,
formulation of strategies along with execution of probable solution the reason for making use of
this style is that when employees are being involved then it leads to employee engagement as
well as it boost up their morale as a sense of being valued is being generated (Bratton, 2020).
Democratic or participative style of management: This style furnishes employees of an
organisation with an opportunity to make their contribution within work place decisions along
with policies for attainment of business goals. For this management of Mothercare approach to
have open and transparent interaction among employees as well as employers as it leads to foster
mutual respect along with cooperation. The essential aspects with respect to this management
style in context of Mothercare have been specified below:
Participative manager: Within Mothercare, manager is inclined towards listening to their
employees and acknowledges ideas given by them while formulation of decision. Both
employers as well employees work as a single unit for attainment of identical goals thus, it is
important to consider into view points as there is probability that something innovative can be
brought in by them through which overall working of organisation can be enhanced (Chumg and
et. al, 2016). They encourage employees to participate in decision making along with other
aspects and inspires them by recognising efforts made by them.
Advantages: Democratic style enables management of Mothercare to formulate trust
within their relationship both among employees as well as customers. This style is liable for
encouraging cooperation between employees through which they helps each other in wys they
render their services.
Disadvantage: Progress can be slow as it takes time to come to a conclusion as each
employee of Mothercare has different opinions so the ideas have to eb analysed before making
any decisions (Ellis and Abbott, 2020).
This style have an affirmative impact on overall operations of firm as employees will be
satisfied with their work and will also be motivated.
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B. Analyse organisational structure for attaining high performance
The system that is liable for outlining ways in which certain activities are being
conducted for attainment of organisation’s goals is defined as organisational structure, this
involves, roles, responsibilities and rules. It is liable for identification of flow of information
among levels in firm. With reference to Mothercare, this aspect comprises of allocation of tasks,
coordination along with supervision that are directed for achieving organisational goals. With
reference to this, there are different organisational structures which can be utilised by
organisation to furnish their services (Fowler, 2020). But generally, complex organisational
structure leads to conflicts and confusion which have negative impact on overall operations of
firm.
Functional organisational structure: When employee specialists is incorporated within
organisation and are being placed at certain authoritative level then it is referred to as functional
organisational structure (Golensky and Hager, 2020). This is being used by Mothercare to make
sure that employees have adequate guidelines from experts within particular function as it will
avoid confusion associated with whom they need to report or talk with when problems are
encountered while rendering their service.
Illustration 1: Functional Organisational Structure
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Advantages: Each functional in charge is specialist which aids Mothercare to have
effective coordination through which problems of subordinates can be handled efficiently. This
will minimise burden of top executives as specialist will handle particular area which smoothen
the operations of organisation thereby leads to attain high performance along with enhanced
efficiency can be attained (Jo and et. al, 2020).
Disadvantage: Due to various technicalities, this is complicated and employees within
Mothercare will have various instructions from different heads. There will be limited perspective
as each specialist within Mothercare will only emphasise on their functions instead of
organisation on the whole.
Organisational Culture: The underlying beliefs, values, assumptions as well as ways to
interact that contributes within unique psychological and social environ of organisation is
referred to as organisational culture. Within Mothercare, this aspect creates an impact on way
people communicate in context of certain changes.
Schein’s model of organisational culture: This is being divided into three levels in
which cultural concepts can move among two layers with respect to awareness levels of firm
(Johannessen, 2020). These levels are:
 Artifacts: They are visible symbols of culture which comprises of anything from clothing
to posters this implies physical artifcats. Language illustrates culture in terms of mode of
speaking, types and sound levels.
Illustration 2: Edgar Schien's Culture Framework
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 Values: It reflects shared opinion with respect to how things can be done means acting as
per their values. This aids employees of Mothercare to classify situations and their
actions either desirable or undesirable.
 Basic assumptions: They are beliefs on the basis of which people formulate their
everyday decisions like sales will increase so firm needs to update their inventory. This is
an assumption which is being made by sales department (Khattab and et. al, 2020).
Both culture and structure have significant impact on ways in which operations are being
carried out within organisation. This leads to either have affirmative or pessimistic impact on
overall performance.
C. Depict leadership style for enhancing organisational effectiveness
The method utilised by leaders for rendering or furnishing directions, execution of plans
along with motivating people is referred to as leadership style. Basically, leadership refers to art
of motivating group of people through which organisation goal can be attained means that giving
adequate direction to employees and colleagues with respect to ways in which organisational
needs can be accomplished. Leader within Mothercare possess leadership quality which enables
them to make people work as per desired standards and ensure that they are able to work
appropriately (Prado and et. al, 2020). This does not means that they are forced to do so but are
being motivated through which they accomplish their tasks by having relevant guidelines from
leader. With respect to Mothercare, Leader also opts for democratic leadership style.
Democratic leadership style: The segregation of laissez-faire and autocratic kind of
leaders. Here, leader takes input from employees and also takes into consideration feedback
given by other team members before making a final decision. With respect to this employees of
Mothercare feel that their voice is being heard along with this, they have relevant contribution
within decision making which makes them feel valued. This leads to foster high levels of
employee engagement as well as provide workplace satisfaction.
Advantages: Democratic leadership style acts as a crucial asset while firm is thinking to
solve critical aspects like to meet the requirements of market they have to bring in something
innovative product that can catch eye of their customers (Radoynovska, Ocasio and Laasch,
2020). When this style will be used within Mothercare then different opinions will be furnished
and if it is possible then by merging one or two impelling results can be attained. This leads to
creation of strong bond among team members as a supportive bond will be developed among
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them which will also encourage voluntary collaboration. Apart from this, there will be a job
satisfaction as employees are being treated as warm bodies instead of machine which develops
sense of empowerment which leads to responsibility.
Disadvantage: When people share their viewpoint within Mothercare then there is
probability that some do not have any idea which means that they will be highlighted. In case
when ideas of one team member are executed and others are not then it leads to development of
resentful and will lead to develop feeling that their creativity is not being valued (Rowland and
Chandler, 2020). This is time consuming process as formulation of decisions will take time as
each aspect needs to be carefully analysed before coming to any conclusion.
D. Analyse impact of power, conflict and influence
The unofficial, informal and behind scenes effort for selling ideas, influencing
organisation or attaining targeted objectives is referred to as organisational politics. This
involves wide range of activities related with usage of influencing tactics for improvising
organisational or personal interests. There are different power which are present within
organisation, they are:
 Legitimate: This depends on position of person within structural hierarchy of business
and can experience their power on subordinates. Like CEO of Mothercare can give
instruction to executive manager but opposite is not possible.
 Coercive: This power is being utilised by threats, sanctions and punishments in order to
ensure that employees abide to policies and procedures of organisation (Selvarajah and
et. al, 2020).
 Reward: This creates impact on other by giving rewards such as bonuses and promotions
depending upon performance of individuals. Referent: This implies those who are being admired like leaders within Mothercare gain
this power when they prompt affirmative rapport as well as trust among employees. Expert: Those who have expertise within peculiar field tends to power those who do not
have like head of department within Mothercare have this power.
With respect to power, reward power is being utilised by CEO of Mothercare in order to
make sure that employees are being provided with identification or recognition for work that is
being carried out by them (Adler and Laasch, 2020). This leads to creation of an affirmative
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impact on the ways they furnish their services. By giving them rewards they are motivated to
perform better and prove their efforts within attainment of organisational goals. Mothercare
make use of this power as it influence their employees to work in an impelling manner through
which it can be ensured that overall goals as well as objectives can be attained on time as well as
per desired standards.
When democratic style of leadership is being used then it can lead to creation of conflict
as different people will share their views but there will be sense of competition which will lead
to have negative impact on mindset of employees (Bolden, 2020). This will often lead to conflict
among team when idea of someone else is considered over others. An instance can be taken to
understand this like with designing of kids clothes employee A said they can make use of soft
cloth along with warm stuff and B aid they can have cartoon patterns in them. The idea of B was
approved by leader within Mothercare as carton will seem more appealing but when each time
idea of B will be considered then there will be impact on performance of employees.
Furthermore, conflicts will occur while working on that particular idea like if something is done
in other way then there is probability that idea is yours do that by yourself. At such condition,
Thomas Kilman model can be utilised by leader within Mothercare in which emphasis will be
laid on conflict response depending on what is needed and other aspect is what other want.
Illustration 3: Thomas Kilman Model
This is co-operative and assertive model which furnishes positive impact by analysing
requirement of both parties involved within conflict (Bratton, 2020).
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E. Illustrate kind of motivation utilised within Mothercare
For motivation employees, Mothercare has opted to make use of Maslow’s hierarchy of
needs which comprises of different hierarchies and when one level is fulfilled then that will not
be able to accomplish motivational requirements of an individual. With respect to Mothercare,
this model is illustrated below:
 Physiological needs: They involve biological needs of employees like shelter,
clothing’s, food, sleep and warmth. When these needs will be accomplished by
management of Mothercare then it will have relevant impact on employees (Chumg and
et. al, 2016).
 Safety needs: Once physiological needs of employees will be fulfilled then this aspect
will not be able to accomplish their requirements. This aspect comprises of financial,
emotional, social stability, health and wellbeing of employees of Mothercare.
Illustration 4: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
 Love & belongingness: When both the above needs are accomplished then employees
work for attainment of these requirements. It comprises of friendship, acceptance,
affection, etc (Ellis and Abbott, 2020).
 Esteem needs: This comprises of esteem for oneself (independence, dignity,
achievement, mastery) and desire for respect or reputation (prestige, status). This need
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will lead to develop confidence among employees as well as boost up their morale with
respect to ways in which they carry out their operations.
 Self-actualisation needs: This is highest level of model and refers to realisation of self-
fulfilment, potential of person and having personal growth.
These are the needs which are illustrated above within the model; Mothercare can have
enhanced impact on performance of employees by making sure that these requirements are being
fulfilled (Fowler, 2020). The reason behind this is that when employees will be motivated they
will work as per desired standards as they are aware of fact that they will have certain benefits by
doing their tasks in an adequate manner.
Corporate Example
An instance can be taken with respect to Mothercare with reference to motivational
factor, like to make people work different strategies or tactics are being applied by organisation
like employee of month. Due to increased sale, the production of clothes has to be increased
which means that employees need to work by which they can accomplish needs of organisation.
But why employees will work until they have adequate benefits or something which impels them
to work harder. Therefore, it is regular that to boost up morale of employees they are being
provided with employee of moth reward (Golensky and Hager, 2020). As sales have enhanced
then, they need to work extra thus working hours have to be increased. For this it is necessary
that management of Mothercare analyse the requirements of employees that can motivate them
like each employee cannot be motivated by financial assets while others work only for this. So
depending upon these needs, management can come to a conclusion by taking into consideration
all the assets that will captivate employees to work harder. They provide their employees with
extra paid working hours and leave as per work that is being done by them but when complete
work is done. It will have relevant impact on performance of work as needs of both employees
and organisation will be accomplished within time. This will lead Motheracre to have adequate
benefits and it will not be a big deal to give employees leave when there is minimum work.
Along with this, profit attained is high and when employees are being paid more than there will
be hardly any impact on profit margin as it is a huge value. From the perspective of employees,
there needs have been accomplished.
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Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that, management and leadership are crucial aspects that
aids firm within attainment of overall goals of firm. For this they can make use of different styles
but this do not means that if they are making use of democratic style then they cannot change it.
As per requirements or situations which prevail within, working methods can be altered
accordingly. Furthermore, as number of people work together there is high probability that at one
or other instance conflicts may occur thus, it is important to have open communication through
which if something of such sort is occurring then it can be analysed before things get worst. In
addition to this, each employee has certain requirements and when firm accomplish those then
their morale and confidence is enhanced to work harder. This creates an overall affirmative
impact on operations of firm and also ensures that they can attain their goals within timely
manner. Furthermore, when employees are involved within process of decision making then they
will feel valued and sense of responsibility will be developed among them. It is necessary to
ensure that any kind of politics do not prevails within working environment as it creates negative
impact on ways in which operations are conducted. Some recommendations with respect to
Mothercare are:
 It is recommended that democratic style of management is apt for Mothercare with
respect to ways in which they deliver their services as it not only involve promotion of
harmony among employees but also aims at establishment of consensus as well as
formulation of commitment among them.
 Along with this, while dealing with conflicts that occurs due to any reason, it is liability
of management of organisation to take into consideration all the aspects behind conflict
as it will eliminate sense of being discriminated. It is essential to listen to all persons
involve within this and try to analyse problem completely before coming to a conclusion
as this will have significant impact on employees who were right with respect to
particular condition.
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REREFENCES
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