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Successful businesses believe that leadership and management form an integral part of their success - NSC Business Studies - Question 8 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 8
Successful businesses believe that leadership and management form an integral part of their success. Others argue that management plays a more important role than le... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Successful businesses believe that leadership and management form an integral part of their success - NSC Business Studies - Question 8 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
Give TWO differences between leadership and management.
Answer
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Influence vs. Administration: Leadership influences human behavior and focuses on guiding people towards common goals, whereas management administers tasks, programs, and procedures to ensure operations run smoothly.
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Focus on People vs. Tasks: Leaders are often people-oriented, focusing on motivations and relationships, while managers are task-oriented, ensuring deadlines and processes are met.
Step 2
Discuss the situational and transformational leadership theories.
Answer
The situational leadership theory posits that no single leadership style is best. Instead, effective leadership varies according to the tasks and relationships within a given context. Leaders assess the competence and motivation of their followers and adapt their style accordingly.
The transformational leadership theory emphasizes inspiring and motivating followers to achieve higher levels of performance. Transformational leaders work towards change by appealing to followers' values and generating commitment towards goals. They are characterized by their ability to identify and challenge ineffectual practices and foster innovation.
Step 3
Evaluate the impact of autocratic and transactional leadership styles on businesses and suggest situations in which each leadership style can be applied.
Answer
The autocratic leadership style can lead to quick decision-making and clear directives, beneficial in crisis situations where prompt action is required. However, it may reduce morale and hinder creativity among team members as it limits their input.
The transactional leadership style focuses on structured tasks and rewards, motivating employees to meet established expectations. This style is effective in routine operations with clear goals, but can result in worker dissatisfaction if over-relied upon, as workers may feel unvalued in more dynamic or creative roles.
Situations for autocratic leadership include crisis management and emergency scenarios, while transactional leadership is best suited for environments with clear objectives and guidelines, such as production lines or sales teams under immediate targets.