Leadership and Management Essay Example

Leadership and Management Essay The terms leadership and management are often used interchangeably. While some writers argue that there is a clear distinction between leadership and management, others argue that leadership is simply a function of management. Which view do you feel is the most relevant in the context of your industry and why? According to Ricketts (2009) in today’s world effective leadership and management is essential in order to archive success. Terms of leadership and management are being seen as synonyms and often used interchangeably. Some writers such as Zeleznik, Kotter think that there is no close relationship between leadership and management, while others persuade us that leadership is simply one of the characteristic of the manager. This essay will compare and evaluate different approaches to the subject. Armstrong (2008) describes leadership as a process that focuses mostly developing, communicating and motivating. Further Armstrong indentifies three fundamental roles for leaders; defining the task, achieve the task and maintain effective relationship between themselves and group members. Moreover, Kanter (2004, as cited by Mullins 2007) states that leadership is not about leaders, but how they establish confidence of subordinates. Leaders must have followers, without them they would never reach their goals. Particularly in airline and airport management it vital, because they goals never change, customer experience is the most important for company. That is why line workers must be always confident and motivated by their leaders. According to Useem (2001, as cited by Mullins 2007) leadership is the most profitable, when the vision is strategic, the voice persuasive and the results appreciable. We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Management specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Management specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Management specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Leadership says Mullins (2007: 363) â€Å"is a relationship through which one person influences the behaviour or action of other people†. Leader in this indutry definitely must have strong interpersonal skills, having people coming for different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, effective communication between subordinates and customers, it the most important. Positive interpersonal skills may increase the productivity and satisfaction of followers as well overall customer experience. According to Drucker (2006, as cited by Mullins 2007) management is about making people capable of working toward a common goal. He states that management is the fundamental part of organisation. As it is with leadership management had many interpretations. Zeleznik believes (1989, as cited by McCrimmon 2006) managers are task orientated, cold, lacking of empathy. Furthermore, Armstrong (2008) says that management is to achieve goals using all available resources such as people, money, information, knowledge etc. On the other hand Mullins (2007) tries to answer the question whether managers are born or made. According to him neither is an answer, it is rather combination of both, he explains that even though there are certain innate characteristics of good manager they must be encourage, developed and trained. One of the key characteristic of the manager is that they are to ensure that the job gets done. They are also responsible for planning, introducing new policies, resolving problem. Airline and airport industry is very changeable, where profits are marginal and losses are common. Management must act quickly implicating new policies, change the companies aims, within this industry it can be matter be or not to be for companies. So how does one distinguish between leadership and management? Although these terms are frequently used interchangeably and they share some similarities such as working with people, influence and goal orientated work, there is also clear distinction between them. Zeleznik believes (1989, as cited by McCrimmon 2006) that managers and leaders differ in terms of their personality, he describes managers as cold machines who â€Å"adopt passive attitude toward goals†, according to him they maintain low emotional involvement and tend to be detached and manipulative. He sees leaders as creative and demanding changes. For Zeleznik they are more interested in ideas than how they work. He says that leaders are more empathetic than managers. McCrimmon (2006) summarise Zeleznik with assumption that both leaders and managers have some goal, aim and that is only the approach, personality that differentiate them. Leaders are very good at motivating people, taking them to next level. They take great care of their subordinates ensuring high level of confidence. Zeleznik’s ideas are now out-dated, in today world manager has to possess good leadership skills. No longer is it possible to describe manager as cold, task orientated, now they are more involved in their staff, taking care of them. On the other hand managers are good at planning, maintain stability, solving problems. Watson (1983, as cited in Mullins 2007) suggest that manager rely mostly on strategy, structure and system, leaders have an inherent tendency to soft Ss style, staff, super ordinate goals. According Mullins (2007) leadership does not have to be official in structure of organisation, further he says that many people work as leaders although their position in company does not require that. Kotter (1991, as cited in Armstrong 2008) likewise Zeleznik thinks that there is clear distinction among leaders and managers, although he says that they have different purposes. Management is about coping with complexity while leadership is about coping with change. Nevertheless, there is close relationship between two. Mullins (2008) it is not easy to isolate these activities. These days they appear to be seen more as synonymous. According to Fullan (2001, as quoted in Mullins 2008) both terms tend to overlap themselves and good manager or leader needs qualities of both. It is easy to agree that nowadays leadership is becoming more and more essential as function of management. It clearly seen within airline and airport industry. Leadership is being considered as one of the compulsory skills for managers. This brings up big challenge for managers to make sure that all employees are sufficiently motivated, receive enough support and are aware of company’s goals. Only when this is ensured by managers, companies in this industry can maintain stability even if they face major economic crisis. Almost every business today airline and airport industry needs effective and efficient management. It means that good manager must be good leader at the same time. These days, major airlines employ as many as 100,000 people. The structure of management, decision-making process within the industry is complex. It is difficult for individual employees to see their contribution to the company. Moreover, the industry is highly competitive and ineffective management or bad organisation may lead to destructive effects. To sum up, there are many ways of looking at leadership and management and even more interpretations of meaning. It is important to remember that there are definite strengths and weaknesses of both types. However, the most important is the relationship between them; they overlay themselves and often are seen as linked together. Furthermore, it essential to remember that not every leader is manager, as well as not every industry needs leader and manager in one. Sometimes it may be more beneficiary for the company when these activities are clearly distinguished. Bibliography Mullins, L. J. (2008) Management and organisational behaviour. 8th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd Armstrong M. (2008) How to Manage People. 1st ed. London: Kogan Page Ltd McCrimmon M. (2006) Zaleznik and Kotter on Leadership. online] Available from: http://www. leadersdirect. com [accessed on 15th November 2010) Bencivenga J. (2002) BNET website [online] Available from: lt;http:// http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m0JSD/is_59_2/ai_82492233/gt; [accessed on 15th November ] Ricketts G. K. (2009) Leadership vs. Management, University of Kentucky, issue 2. Wensveen J. G. (2007) Air Transportation, A Management Perspective: Dawsonera. com , 6th ed. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Available from: lt; http://www. dawsonera. com/depp/reader/protected/external/AbstractView/S9780754684749/S10. 92/0gt; [Accessed on 15th November 2010) William W. McCartney, Constance R. Campbell. (2006) Leadership, management, and derailment; A model of individual success and failure [onl ine] , Leadership amp; Organization Development Journal. Bradford: 2006. Vol. 27, Iss. 3, available from: lt; http://proquest. umi. com/gt; [accessed on 24 November 2010) Eli Nana, Brad Jackson, Giles St J Burch (2010) Attributing leadership personality and effectiveness from the leaders face: an exploratory study [online], Leadership amp; Organization Development Journal, Bradford: 2010. Vol. 31, Iss. 8, available from: lt; http://proquest. umi. com/gt; [accessed on 24 November 2010) i Leadership and Management Essay Example Leadership and Management Essay This assignment provides you with the understanding and skills required of a manager/leader in an organisational context, through applying current theories.Learning outcomes On successful completion of this assignment you will: 1 Understand the link between management and leadership 2 Understand the skills and styles of management and leadership 3 Be able to apply theory in an organisational context 4 Be able to plan for the development of leadership and management skills Assignment Focusing on a work role, previous work experience or a voluntary work position, using examples from your own workplace experiences where possible, and drawing on your studies of this subject, please answer ALL four sections below and please complete the reflective statement.Deadline for Submission: Please see your time table Please answer ALL four sections: Section 1 Word Length: Approx. 375 words Demonstrate your understanding of the link between management and leadership You will need to: ? ? explain the relationship between management and leadership analyse how management and leadership style impacts on the achievement of organisational objectives Section 2 Word Length: Approx. 375 words Explain the skills and styles of management and leadership You will need to: ? ? ? xplain the personal and professional skills required for effective management compare the skills and styles of successful leaders assess the expected impact of own leadership styles on work groups Brighton School of Business and Management Limited Brighton School of Business and Management Limited Section 3 Word Length: Approx. 375 words Demonstrate how you would apply theory in an organisational context You will need to: ? ? select appropriate theories of management and leadership to identify management and leadership requirements in given situations report on the usefulness of using theories or ga ining insights into leadership requirements in given situations Section 4 Word Length: Approx. 375 words Demonstrate how you would plan the development of leadership and management skills You will need to: ? ? ? use appropriate methods to assess the skills needed by a leader in a given situation plan the development of management and leadership skills for a given job role make justified evaluations of the management and leadership development methods selectedReflective Learning Statement Explain how the main themes of this unit have impacted (or could in the future) on your work role – you should include an analysis of your strengths and weaknesses relating to this unit both at the start and end of the unit. Word Length: 100 words Brighton School of Business and Management Limited Brighton School of Business and Management Limited Guidance on Grade AwardedThe final Unit grade assessment is based on how well you have met the Assignment Criteria / Task Requirements: we look pri marily for evidence that you have followed the Assignment instructions and have responded to the Assignment in a way that meets the specific outcomes / requirements / criteria as described in the Assignment Brief We also look at the depth and breadth of your work: where we look for evidence of supplementary reading and research, appropriate examples, some original thought, a professional standard of layout, structure, and overall presentation in order to come to a decision about the actual grade.Below is an overview of the guidelines that our Assessors work to: Pass All identified criteria in the assignment are met Merit Satisfied the identified Assignment criteria, plus the content confirms that the student has: Shown evidence of a sound understanding of the subject matter; Given a broad and detailed response to the assignment tasks and criteria; Shown evidence of careful analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information and data; Used complex arguments/lines of hinking; Shown the ability to make judgements based on the research and the response discussion points; Described how appropriate techniques and-or tools should be selected and used; Applied an appropriate structure and layout to their response; Selected and used relevant graphics to illustrate key points; Presented all documents to a professional standard that would be accepted at middle management level. Brighton School of Business and Management Limited Brighton School of Business and Management LimitedDistinction Satisfied the identified Assignment criteria, plus the content confirms that the student has: Demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge base and understanding of the subject matter; Shown originality of thought and application of ideas, models and theories to their assignment response; Shown evidence of the student using critical reflection to evaluate their own work and justify valid conclusions; Shown an awareness of the wider implications of the issues being analysed and discussed; Appli ed a customised structure and layout that supports and enhances their response; Selected and used a wide range of relevant graphics to illustrate key points; Presented all documents to a standard that would be accepted at executive-board level. Brighton School of Business and Management Limited We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Management specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Management specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership and Management specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer