Development of Strategic Leadership Skills at Sainsbury's Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership development and strategic management, using Sainsbury's as a case study. It begins by examining the strategic direction of the organization, evaluating the essential strategic skills required of leaders in a complex environment. The report assesses the relationship between existing, required, and future skills to achieve strategic ambitions. It then explores opportunities to support leadership development, including the design of a personal development plan and an implementation process. The report evaluates the plan's outcomes, the impact of leadership style on strategic ambitions, and concludes with a review and update of the leadership development plan. Furthermore, it critically evaluates the impact of corporate commitment to employee welfare on strategic objectives and organizational values.

Development as a Strategic
Manager
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CONTENTS
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 – Critically analyse the strategic direction of the organisation..............................................3
1.2 – Critically evaluate the strategic skills required of the leader operating in a complex
environment to achieve personal and organisational strategic ambitions...................................4
1.3 - Assess the relationship between existing, required and future skills to achieve the
strategic ambitions.......................................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
2.1 – Critically discuss the opportunities to support leadership development............................5
2.2 – Design a personal development plan to direct leadership development in a complex
environment.................................................................................................................................6
2.3 – Devise an implementation process to underpin the success of the development plan that
can realise substantial changes in leadership style......................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 – Critically evaluate the achievement of outcomes of the plan against original objectives. .8
3.2 – Evaluate the impact of leadership style and the achievement of objectives on strategic
ambitions in different organisational settings..............................................................................8
3.3 – Critically review and update the leadership development plan..........................................8
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
4.1 - Critically evaluate the impact of corporate commitment to employee welfare on strategic
organisational objectives...........................................................................................................10
4.2 – Discuss how an employee welfare environment can effect achievement of strategic
organisational objectives...........................................................................................................11
4.3 – Determine the influence of corporate commitment to employee welfare on the
development of organisational values that will realise strategic ambitions..............................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13
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3

INTRODUCTION
In the competitive business environment, each organisation stands with some strategic
objectives which they required to accomplish and an integrated strategic plan which is directed
through clear vision in order to get successful in the market. For delivering strategic objectives of
an organisation, strategic managers require numerous skills and competencies. This report is
based on Sainsbury’s which is one of the well-known and leading supermarket chain in United
Kingdom. The company was established in 1869 and is headquartered in London.
This report covers analysis of strategic direction of organisation, evaluation of strategic
skills needed by leader and assessment of relationship between required, existing and future
skills to accomplish strategic ambitions. It also discusses about opportunities to support
development of leadership, personal development plan is prepared and an implementation
process is device to underpin success of development plan. Apart from this, it evaluates
achievement of outcomes of plan, impact of leadership style and objective achievement on
strategic ambitions and review and update the plan of leadership development. At last, the report
evaluates influence of corporate commitment to employee welfare, the way employee welfare
environment influence achievement of strategic objectives and determine the influence of
commitment to employee welfare on organisational values development.
TASK 1
1.1 – Critical analysis of organisational strategic direction
Strategic directions are termed to plans which are required to be executed for progress of
venture towards vision along with fulfilling goals. All business concerns has several strategic
ambitions which they have desires to attain. The term strategic objective is delineated to a path
for a venture to move ahead together with assist in growth. To analyse strategic direction of
Sainsbury's, it is very important to analyses that mission statement of firm which is mentioned
below:
According to the website of organisation, its mission statement is to be the primary choice
of consumers for delivering products with high quality, food as well as excellent services at
competitive pricing through working collectively. The primary purpose of Sainsbury's is to
administer good quality food products to consumers at affordable rates with high quality service
to satisfy their preferences and increase profit of an organisation. With the hope of moving
towards identified strategic direction, managers of company have adopted differentiation strategy
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along with believes that it have chances to achieve via delivering best quality of offerings
including food and service. The company is clear regarding what it wants to accomplish and it
has needed resources to accomplish strategic ambitions. So it can be said that, the mission
statement of firm is feasible and specific towards its operations. Mission of Sainsbury's reflects
the value of customer as well as employee along with main component of strategy and the way to
attain strategic objectives. For directing the firm towards mission, company develop strategies
including growing supermarket space, good food at fair price, active property management,
reaching large group of customers by additional channels etc.
1.2 – Critically evaluate the strategic skills required of the leader operating in a complex
environment to achieve personal and organisational strategic ambitions
For directing the organisation to strategic objectives, the leaders must take appropriate
decisions on time. It is essential for organisational leaders to posses many abilities and skills set
as well as proper alignment among strategic ambitions, it is because all these play important
function in providing direction or path to organisation. In relevance to Sainsbury's, leader plays
architectural role in which they emphasizes towards control, construction and reward. To help in
lead of company towards strategic ambitions, leaders needs to have distinct skills at different
levels. At corporate level, competencies and skills that are needed comprises quality to create
alignment and alliances, communication skills, leadership skills and many more. Moreover, the
competencies and skills which are required at business level comprises of problem solving,
tactical, interpersonal skills, understanding environment in people and hence forth. Key skills
among leaders at operational level includes customer service skills, informational technology
skill, data interpretation skill, multitasking skills, etc. are requisite by the leader. So, as per the
strategic ambitions, the leader must develop needed skills and competencies as these helps them
in managing the complex change effectively.
1.3 - Assess the relationship between existing, required and future skills to achieve the strategic
ambitions
Currently, the strategic manager of Sainsbury's has few skills to attain strategic ambitions.
For all strategic leaders as well as managers, it is requisite to take part in activities that includes
audit their own capabilities, knowledge together with skills for analysing that weather all these
are sufficient or nor for accomplishment results or needs to develop new skills. For the analysis
of gap, integrated competency model is an appropriate model that can be used by leader of
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Sainsbury's in order to assess the relationship between existing, needed and future skills and
competencies. According to the model, the capabilities or competencies of a person should meet
the environment of company as well as demand of job. These aspects depict effectiveness of
behaviour as well as actions of leader in order to lead company towards strategic ambitions.
TASK 2
2.1 – Critically discussion of opportunities supporting development of leadership
All organisations believes that personal leadership guides and support reaching towards
strategic ambitions. To foster effectiveness associated to personal leadership, professionals of
business looks towards opportunity for training, development and education. In order to explore
the opportunities for development, Johari window framework is useful for self-development,
self-awareness and understanding the relationship. Four perspectives are included in Johari
window including facade, arena, blind spot and unknown.
Moreover, another aspect that helps in improving leadership development is gaining
feedbacks from different methods that are mentoring, 360 degree feedback, coaching,
psychometric assessment, 360-degree feedback, interaction sessions and performance appraisal.
Sainsbury's also provide work based learning and apprenticeships program as well as conduct
training and development program for management. The mentoring program has also set by
company that helps in developing self-learning environment to leaders by rendering
Management related magazines, newspapers and books. In order to maximize the personal
development and self-awareness, leader can use techniques like personal SWOT analysis, Kolb's
learning cycle etc.
2.2 – Design a personal development plan to direct leadership development in a complex
environment
The personal development plan in order to direct the leadership development in complex
environment are as follows:
Objectives Success criteria Actions to be
taken
Expected
outcomes
Time frame
Communication
skills
Effective
interaction with
others.
In order to
improve
communication
By this, my
communication
skills will
3 months
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skills, I will
undertake
communication
classes of
professionals and
will also take
help of online
sessions.
enhance and
enable me to
interact
effectively with
others.
Presentation
skills
Effectively
present things in
front of others.
I will take
feedbacks from
colleagues and
also do more
presentations and
public speaking
so as to enhance
my presentation
skills.
Improved
presentation
skills which will
help me in
presenting things
effectively in
front of others.
2 months
Decision making Effective
decisions that
leads
organisation
towards success.
Instead of taking
decisions on
assumptions, I
will rely more on
information and
data at the time
of taking
decisions and
weigh the pros
and cons of each
decision.
Able to take
effective
decisions that are
beneficial for
organisation.
3 months
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2.3 – Devise an implementation process to underpin the success of the development plan that can
realise substantial changes in leadership style
In order to implement the development plan in an effective way, there are several steps that
need to be taken into consideration. Personal development planning support in specifying goals
and map out various ways to turn them into reality. For implementing the development plan,
smart objectives will be developed which are based on plan in order to develop leadership in
Sainsbury's. After that, a skill audit will be performed by measuring multi rated questionnaire
along with the customising option and alleviate 360-degree feedback through one on one
development discussion. With the help of questionnaire, impractical skills like decision making,
modifying change, considering unannounced opportunities, time management etc. Were listed
out to develop and encounter strategic ambition of Sainsbury's. For improving the skills,
different ways are undertake including attending workshops, seminars etc. Time limits are set
and a verifiable based plan is prepared to accomplish the developmental objectives effectively.
TASK 3
3.1 – Critically evaluate the achievement of outcomes of the plan against original objectives
The main objective of developing the personal development plan is to develop skills in an
effective way. The development programs that I undertake help in improving the performance
and developing the skills that are less effective. The personal development plan proves to be very
effective in developing my communication skills, presentation skills and decision making
capabilities. The different activities and actions that are undertaken by me helps in improving my
skills as well as enhancing knowledge base. This provides me an advantage to leads the
organisation towards accomplishment of strategic ambition and also helps in attaining
predetermined goals and objectives of company. This have guided me to provide right direction
addition to making people able to perform for reaching great heights as well as achieving
identified objectives of Sainsbury's.
3.2 – evaluation of potential impacts of styles of leadership style as well as attaining objectives
concerned with strategic ambitions withn various companies
With effective leadership style, a leader will be able to set effective goals and strategies
which leads the organisation towards success. By the help of their leadership style, leaders
provide appropriate path and direction today team members which enable them to accomplish
pre-set goals and objectives of company related to strategic ambitions. This helps in bringing
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improvement within the workplace and assistant attaining both short as well as long term goals
of Sainsbury's. An effective leader motivates employees by developing clear path for them and
ensure accomplishment of goals. At the time of uncertainty and complex situations, the leader,
by using effective leadership style, encourage employees to face challenges effectively and leads
the company towards success.
3.3 – Critically review and update the leadership development plan
For reviewing the development plan, a formal development program may include. job
assignments, 360-degree feedback, mentoring, action learning, and reflection are some outdoor
challenges that assist help to review development plan in effective manner. In order to develop
the leadership more effectively, proper review and updating the plan is an effective way. The
updated leadership development plan is mentioned below:
Objectives Success criteria Actions to be
taken
Expected
outcomes
Time frame
Communication
skills
Effectively able
to interact with
others.
In order to
enhance
communication
skills, I will also
read, write and
listen videos on
communication
along with
communication
classes of
professionals as
well as taking
help of online
sessions.
This will help in
improving my
communication
skills more
effectively that
will make me
able to convey
all the
information
effectively to my
team members.
2 months
Presentation
skills
Effectively
enable to give
presentation.
Along with
taking feedbacks
from colleagues
as well as doing
Improved
presentation
skills will assist
me in presenting
6 weeks
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more
presentations and
public speaking
activities, I also
will participate
more on group
working and take
help of
professionals so
as to improve my
presentation
skills.
the things more
effectively in
front of others.
Decision making Effective
decisions
making.
I will trust on my
instincts and take
decisions
logically by
considering all
the aspects of an
issue or a
particular
situation along
with relying
more on data and
information at
the time of
making decisions
and weigh the
benefits and
disadvantages of
each decision.
This enable me
to take much
effective
decisions which
proves to be
beneficial for
organisation.
2 months
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TASK 4
4.1 - Critically evaluate the impact of corporate commitment to employee welfare on strategic
organisational objectives
Staff welfare includes developing an environment that encourage a state of contentment
that enable an employee to work with their full potential and flourish for the benefit of self as
well as organisation. It is believed by the Sainsbury's that being a good place to work is the key
to success and it is rooted in its values and heritage that plays a significant role in accomplishing
the objectives of business. Employees are the great asset for an organisation autocomplete its
ambitions. With the help of skilled and well-motivated employees, an organisation can reach to
its strategic ambitions. It is very necessary for the company to treat its employees in well manner
and provide them with equal growth opportunities in order to motivate and encourage them.
Sainsbury's keep its employees in the core of strategy. For this, the company has its own policy
of welfare for staff that assist in reducing the absenteeism of employees and also help in saving
cost that incur in recruiting employees frequently. The presence or absence of a staff welfare
environment is strongly linked to the engagement or disengagement of staff, which ultimately
will determine whether a company’s goals will be achieved. Staff welfare environment can be
considered a working environment, where the culture fostered by a company allows employees
to feel physically, mentally and emotionally healthy, where staff are granted the freedom to
express their opinions and religious beliefs, where nobody is discriminated against based on
gender identity or sexual orientation, where an atmosphere of respect and inclusiveness is
promoted, diversity is embraced and employees have the opportunity to develop their skill sets
and grow their personal and professional potential. In short a staff welfare environment promotes
the complete well-being of staff.
The company is committed to increase health and wellbeing of workers by promoting their
healthy lifestyles. It also promotes equitable work life balance for all by providing them with
health and safety training. Managers of Sainsbury's are dedicated for administering opportunity
to foster leadership, education and other aspects with 'You Can' program. This commitment of
organisation to employee welfare highly contribute in motivating employees and improving their
productivity that ultimately leads the organisation towards accomplishment of strategic
objectives and attaining long-term growth and success in the market.
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4.2 – Discuss how an employee welfare environment can effect achievement of strategic
organisational objectives
There are three aspects which includes in staff welfare and contributes to it. These includes
flexible working, work life balance and reduction of stress related to work. In order to gain the
loyalty of employees and enhance their morale, staff welfare is necessary as it helps in
developing efficiency and productivity of workers. It also supports in developing a stable
employee base by reducing their absenteeism and turnover. It also helps in increasing Goodwill
of the company and combat socialist ideas and trade unionism which leaves the organisation
towards success. Without loyal and motivated workforce, attainment of strategic objectives is
difficult.
In order to develop a motivated workforce, it is necessary for Sainsbury's to develop staff
welfare environment. Such activities must be developed by leader that emphasize on employees
and working environment. Creation of such an environment that helps in welfare of employees
will highly contribute in accomplishment of organisational objectives. Sainsbury's is providing
health assessment, basic medical facilities, promotes good health education and counselling
services to its staff members. Development of such kind of staff welfare environment it helps
company in reducing cost, turnover rates, level of absenteeism, threat of legal action and
developing good brand image along with increasing productivity. All this will ultimately help in
attaining organisational objectives.
4.3 – Determine the influence of corporate commitment to employee welfare on the development
of organisational values that will realise strategic ambitions
Organisational values are referred as the beliefs and rules of company that control the
administration of organisation. It signifies the philosophy of Corporate support to organisational
culture. When developing values of company, ask some Corporate commitment effects to
welfare of employee. In the current business environment, many of the companies are keeping an
eye on welfare of employees to gain their loyalty as well as enhance their morale which enable to
promote efficiency of employee in workplace that ultimately advantageous to not only the
workers, but to company as well. The commitment of corporate impact positively to welfare of
employees as well as development of organisational values.
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