Roles of Leaders and Managers in Operational Management: Report

This report examines the distinct roles and characteristics of leaders and managers within the context of operational management, using Burberry as a case study. It contrasts leadership and management functions, analyzing their application in various situations, such as overtime work and technological changes. The report delves into different leadership theories, including trait and management theories, and explores situational leadership styles like telling and selling. Key approaches to operation management are discussed, highlighting the importance of operational efficiency in achieving business objectives. Furthermore, the report assesses factors impacting decision-making within the business environment and concludes with an evaluation of how leaders and managers can improve operational management. The report provides a comprehensive overview of leadership, management, and their impact on organizational success.

Management
and
Operations

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of leader and manager.........1
M1. Analyse the differentiate between role of leader and manager function that effectively
apply on the basis of range of concept...................................................................................3
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................4
P2. Interpret the roles of leader and function of manager to apply in different situational
context. ..................................................................................................................................4
P3: Illustrate and relate the different theories and styles of leadership..................................6
M2. Differentiate the Strength and Weakness of Leadership theories...................................7
Task 3. .............................................................................................................................................8
P4. Explains the key approaches to operation management and the role of leader and manager.
................................................................................................................................................8
P5. Discuss in detail the importance and value of operations management in achieving
business objectives. .............................................................................................................11
M3. To evaluate about leaders and managers can improve efficiencies of operational
management to successfully meet the objectives.................................................................12
Task 4. ...........................................................................................................................................13
P6. To assess the factors which is involve in business environment that create an impact in
decision making by leader and manager. ...........................................................................13
M4. Different factor that affect the business environment. .................................................14
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
The description of management is a term which defines to helps the organisation related
with managerial activities that undertaking it to accomplish profit and non profit aspect of work.
This works through the functions such as planning, organising, directing and controlling to
enhance the production process for attaining the goals for the organisation (Ahmed and et. al.,
2018). The Operation management is an area of management segment where to manage, control
and design the process of production to generating the favourable outputs. The involvement
factor in operation management to assorting resources from staff, material, advanced
technologies. To form effective strategies for handling the different issues, wider range of
manufacturing plant and project management method to implements the structure of information
technology network.
In this report the organisation is been considered Burberry, it is a British luxury fashion
house where the headquarter is situated in United Kingdom. They basically deal with designing
and distributes to wear branded clothing, fashionable footwear, eye wear and other cosmetics. It
was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry (Busarello and et. al., 2018). In this report the topic is
going to be taken comparison between leader and manager roles and characteristics, through
examples discuss the role of leader and function of manager in situational perspective. Implies
the different theories and model approach of leadership, discuss the key approach of operational
management along with their role of leader and manager. Highlight the importance and value of
operation management in achieving business objectives. To indicates the factors of business
within the operational management that depicts decision making through leaders and manager.
MAIN BODY
Task 1.
P1. Define and compare the different roles and characteristics of leader and manager.
Leader: They are the ones who create influence to others from their working style and
capabilities to make leads the other for their goals and objectives. They work on their vision
perspective to putting the people in first phase to provide them guidance to accomplish in
successful manner (Chan and et. al, 2018). By using different leadership styles where it changes
1

as per the situation. In perspective of Burberry, their leaders are assigned with responsibilities to
provide better guidance to employees where they can achieve their targets effectively.
Manager: In organisation the responsibility of manager is to analyse and handle the
situation under which the different set of activities is performed as in authentic manner. They
generally ensures the work and mapping the performance of manpower, resources as well as
provide essential instruction to employees to work related aspect objective and motivate them
towards goals or objective of organisation. The perspective of Burberry, the manager perform as
to undertaking the responsibility to form policies and norms, manage the employee grievances as
well as to measure the performances (Chelyshkov and Aralkin, 2018). They also determine that
the organisation goals are is generates through employees productivity.
Comparison between role and characteristics of leaders and manger.
Basis Leader Manager
Roles A leader is having more potential
capabilities to bring change it helps to
improve the working ability. This is
most productive outcomes to be
convinced as in unique procedure way
(Fu and Zhao, 2020). Within the
perspective of Burberry, their leader
are able to control and manage the
overall situation as systematic way.
Manager are focuses to forming the
policies in the perspective of
company regulation and different set
of policy rules which is abide as
well as follow by employees. The
manger of Burberry make the
policies to ensures that employees
contribute their working objectives
as per rules and regulation.
Characteristics  The qualities in leader is seems
to be like as they are positive
influencer and charismatic
attribute in their personality
that attract to the people and
they became the idol for all
others. As Burberry, they
appointed a experienced
 The qualities of a manager is
defines about their time
management skills to
stabilise of implement in the
way to proceed the flexible
way (Gomez-Exposito, and
et. al, 2018). In Burberry, the
manager applies their
2

oriented type of leader where
they have clarity in their vision
and mission to accomplish
motive in effective way.
optimum managerial skills to
apply in their task and
activities for appropriate
procedure.
M1. Analyse the differentiate between role of leader and manager function that effectively apply
on the basis of range of concept.
Basis Leader Manager
Roles Leaders enhance to provide
better clarity of vision which
play essential role as well as
contribute through team
member to approach effective
directive path way to attain the
objectives.
They also assigned the roles
and responsibilities towards
work as per the capabilities of
individual employee in
effective way.
Characteristics The skills of communication is
very effective of an potential
leader where it helps to
convinced and better
understand to the followers
about the leader vision and
objective (Gschwind,.,
International Business
Machines Corp, 2020). In the
perspective of Burberry, their
leaders is having better skills
of interpersonal, adaptability
and communication.
A manager is also contains the
qualities of skills as in
interpersonal, communication,
better observation as well as
effective presentation skill. All
these above skills is available
in Burberry's manager to
approach the aims and further
targets.
Theories The theory which illustrate in In management the theory is
3

leadership is Contingency and
situational based theory.
highlighted as in terms of
behavioural, goal oriented and
bureaucratic theory.
Leadership Theory: According to this theory is derives about the traits of individual and team
which helps to the individual for becoming the effective leader. It explains the framework of
theory in context of Burberry:
Trait Theory: In this theory, it describes the assorting for measuring the individual leader
through its traits and attributes. On the basis of Burberry, it identifies the characteristics to
differentiate the capable leaders who determine the leading effectiveness.
Management theory: this theory is defines about the specific supervisor that implies their
strategy to accomplish the objectives and that helps to motivate employees the performance
ability. To determine the suitable management theory for Burberry is Scientific management
theory to analyse the study of performance scientifically of individuals. It also utilise for
performing the task or measure their performance on the basis of their behaviour or capabilities
for evaluate the performances by leader and manager.
Task 2.
P2. Interpret the roles of leader and function of manager to apply in different situational context.
There are different perspective roles of leader and function of manager to perform in
different operation and function in the manager and leader proceed their working in which all
compelxive condition that turns into easier way. In significant situation it brings many
opportunities as well as challenges which create an impact to the employee and business
behaviour as per the aggressive marketplace as per the given period of time. Similarly, in
Burberry there is two major situation arises in which the leader role and function of manager to
be play a important such as:
Situation 1: Overtime Work
As per the situation of devoting overtime in beyond working hours is to making the work
enhance to complete in more efficient way for more revenue expectation increases in the
organisation premises (Hoang and et. al., 2020). As in Burberry organisation there is situation
4

raise of workload where employees need to contribute their extra time for accomplish more
targets. The role and of leader and function of manager is elaborated in below:
Role of leader:
 The leader would approach their leadership style, to motivate employees in terms of
provide essential information as well as better understanding of benefits towards
overtime. As, it will helps to increase the individual workforce creditability.
 To enhance to improve the skills and other attributes by leaders through which it helps
to increase the productivity as well as changes the working styles. To better analyse
for accountability of effective proceeds of decision making and the problem solving
capacity also get integrated manner.
Function of manager:
 By analyse the situation of Burberry manger as the uncertainty arrives of high work
load where they would motivates and provide the necessity instruction which need to
follow by the employees (Khodaei and et. al., 2018). The manager will forms the
policies regarding with overtime commencement in that the factor and conditions
involves related with the working aspect such as time limitation, work strategies etc.
 To provide optimum and valuable resources, more incentives to workforce that helps
to improve the better work quality as well as employees can accomplish their targets
or objectives in effective period of time.
Situation 2. Implement to new technology change:
In this situation, Burberry company would introduce for new product development where
many norms and process will involve to make the customer attractive that becomes more
flexible. The leader role and function of manger enhance the skills and competency to perform
significant role and function to increase the perfection which explains below:
Role of leader:
 In this the leader play essential role to provide the information the market behaviour and
how to behave with the new product to pitch. All this guidance derive by leader for
employee productivity perspective.
5

 The Burberry leader can shows some presentation related with spoke person which is
presented in the seminar related with communication and how to present a prouduct in
the market.
 Leaders support to improve the decision making process which is very important for
employee project where they can involves their outputs effectively.
Function of Manager:
 The manger will play important function to making ensure and evaluate about the
product manufacturing as well as packaging should be in systematic manner.
 By planing for better recruitment of potential employees who are having unique form of
skills that helps to driven towards work objective0 accomplish in effective manner (Liu
and et. al., 2018). As per the manufacturing and production capability yo getting more
enhanced along with more sense of satisfaction.
 The manger also motivate and influence to the employees that provide the appropriate
level of benefits. The benefits makes the employees influence in positive direction on
which the decision making of manager would attain optimum successful.
P3: Illustrate and relate the different theories and styles of leadership.
Situational leadership :- Situational leadership is a flexible approach that can be changed
according to the need of a situation. Leaders doesn't require to posses special skills and qualities
to use this style of leadership. In terms of leaders of Burberry uses 4 styles of situational
leadership are discussed as follows:
 Telling leadership : This style of situational leadership is based on one-way
communication. Telling leaders are the leaders who only give instructions to employees.
Leader of Burberry can use this style of leadership in the situation of business crisis. This
style of leadership is applied when quick actions and controls are required (Liu and et. al.,
2018). This is vital model in crisis situation and in quick resolution of problems.
 Selling leadership : Another important type of situational leadership is selling
leadership. Leaders sell their unique sense and knowledge to employees that's why it is
known as selling model. Burberry's leader is supportive & co-operative and helps
employees in accomplishment of tasks and duties in given time with effectiveness.
6

 Participating leadership : This style of leadership plays significant role in business
performance. Participating leaders involve their employees in the process of taking
important decisions for the growth of the organisation. The impressive financial position
and global presence of Burberry shows the effectiveness of its leader.
 Delegating leadership : This style of situational leadership is based on the concept that
tasks and duties of employees are assigned with authority. Delegating leaders give their
employees ability to perform tasks by their own. Burberry's leader is trustworthy, loyal,
supportive and sets an example of a best leader.
System leadership :- In this style of leadership, leaders have some special skills and
experiences. This model helps leaders to make a situation where organisation can attain higher
productivity in work from lower to upper level. It is an important theory of leadership that helps
enterprises in seeking changes in external environment and also in obtaining individual as well as
company goals (Locke, Low and Forsgren., 2019). System leadership is not applicable in every
situation as it creates delay in the process of decision-making. When there is a conflict occurs
between employees and supervisor then the leader of Burberry can adopt this model of effective
leadership for resolve the conflict & create a healthy relationship in environment. This healthy
environment energise the employees to work productively.
Contingency leadership :- This is not only related with the skills and abilities of a good
leader, but also with the employees & environment of the organisation. This theory is based on
the fact that there is no effective way to lead a company or make better decision. In contingency
leadership style leader is free to use own style as per the demand of situation. For example if
Burberry wants to adopt a change in the environment and employees resist it. In this situation the
leader of company can use this leadership style to deal with particular situation in effective
manner.
M2. Differentiate the Strength and Weakness of Leadership theories.
Leadership Styles Strengths Weakness
Situational leadership Through this leadership style
support to reduces the barriers or
complexity through which
employees individual and team
By not having assurance of its
positive outcomes for the long
term perspective.
It is hard to procure the
7

approach the objectives in effective
manner. In Burberry organisation,
this style helps to commence the
business motive in systematic way.
information to form decision
making and implement it.
System leadership As the employees who work in
individual get highly influenced
through their performances.
It provides the wide range of
direction in leadership.
It consume more time for
making the decision. On the
basis of situation and condition
that generates to creates
complexity, as they are
interdependent with each other
where it raises the conflicts.
Contingency leadership In this leadership style is reflects the
dynamic in nature where it
fluctuates as per the provided
situation.
To effectively support to manager
for adapt the leadership by more
decision making skills and
generating favourable outcomes.
This is flexible form of
approach but it create more
issues when it implies on the
practical situation.
For manager is hard to get
leadership handle the situation
as it make a complicate.
Task 3.
P4. Explains the key approaches to operation management and the role of leader and manager.
On the basis of different compelxive situation as it based of operation management where
manager and leader needs approaches which helps to getting overcame or improve the decision
making of manager and leader to reduces the uncertainty. The approach of operation
management would not having assurance of outcomes in context for Burberry, it could provide
positive and negative results (Ma, Liu and Meng, 2020). But the manager and leader should have
ability which helps to change the better business operations and gain the objectives. There are
three main approaches of operation management that helps to enhance effective changes:
8

 Six Sigma: According to this approach it derives about set of tools and techniques which
enhance for better improvement in capabilities that direct impact on business operation
process. This propaganda of business depicts the increase in performance and decrease in
process the variation which helps to diminishes the errors and develop the scope of
revenues, employee morale and the quality of product or services (Mueller and
Deutschland , 2018). In the Burberry, the role of leader would be to improve the working
style as well as to develop the skills and further attributes that helps to make the work in
better presentation. In other hand, he manager would proper instruct about the task with
current sort of particular task evidence as well as form different policies which maintain
the work discipline in the business environment.
 Total Quality of Management: In this approach, the concept of total quality of
management is explains about the managerial approach for the successful gaining
through customer satisfaction in long term aspect. As in context of Burberry, all the
employees and other staff influence from this approach where they take initiate to
participate for improvising process, product development and work culture that support to
achieve the targets. The role of leader and manager in Burberry to provide the correct
form of direction where leader where they play important role to approach the task
objective where in other hand, manager having responsibility to facilitates better
understanding.
There some reason to implement Total Quality of Management in the premises such as:
To focus on customer: Through this factor of TQM employees determines the level of quality
where the organisation does not bother about what type of strategic improvement they will
brought to integrate the product quality which makes the customer expectation fulfilled.
Participation of Workforce: As per the employee perspective of employees they working on the
common goal. In Burberry, all staffs and other employees are goal oriented personalities and
having high potential to approach the task (Pierce and et. al, 2018). Overall involvement of
employees is derives their commitment related with work fear at the workplace. The high work
performances enhances the improvement efforts in Burberry's business operation which leads to
successful objectives driven.
9

 Lean Principle: It is principle of related with operation management where it helps to
eliminates the wastage part through which cost of production also get reduced (Rocchetta
and et. al., 2019). This approach implies on Burberry for enhance the changes which
support to gain the satisfaction of customer. The role of leader would to train the
employees along with guidance about how to mapped the inner abilities and manger will
applies to instruct as well as they will provide the resources which would increase the
mobility.
10
Illustration 1: Total Quality Management, 2018.
Source: Total Quality Management, 2018.