Developing Manager

Developing Manager

The report primarily focuses on management and leadership skills on the personal level and as they relate to Tesco managers introduced in the case. The first section of the report is learning outcome two, which assesses my own management skills and personal strengths, weaknesses, and threats of Tesco managers. It also defines the prioritisation of objectives to develop the potential for Stephen. More so, learning outcome three illustrates that the Christmas Party in college was a success because I demonstrated open leadership that gave everyone the opportunity to participate effectively. The learning outcome four indicates that personal and managerial skills are goal setters in career development and that the review of personal strengths and weaknesses facilitates managerial success. The report concludes that individuals intending to be managers and leaders must learn to solve organisational problems and motivate their employees.

Managerial and leadership skills are vital for success within an organisational context. Accordingly, organisations require effective planning and the motivation of employees to achieve the set goals and objectives in the best fashion possible. In the given Tesco case, it is evident that leaders exhibit diverse strengths and weaknesses in the course of their performance. Thus, it might be vital to have a variety of individuals with numerous leadership skills to help manage the organisation and address the problems it faces. I had the chance to illustrate my managerial capacity by leadership approach during the Christmas Party in college, where I cooperatively worked with my team through elements of open communication. Effective management and leadership skills are a prerequisite for the success of any organisation because they facilitate decision-making, problem-solving, team management, and employee motivation.

An Assessment of My Own Management Skills

As the new Tesco store manager, I would use my self-knowledge on the difference between a manager and a leader to effectively and efficiently take up my tasks. As far as I am concerned, a manager always wants to see things in perspective. On the other hand, a leader sets an example towards the achievements of the goals and objectives of an organisation. Therefore, I would employ the democratic style of leadership to ensure that I give my subordinates an opportunity to participate in the decision making process regarding store management. Moreover, I will serve positively, confidently and genuinely besides ensuring that my team produces the required products by allowing them to take individual responsibility in achieving the desired results. I would also review and reflect on my strengths and weaknesses to ensure that I do the right thing in ensuring the success of the organisation.

I would also employ critical success factors to ensure that I develop my team in addition to managing by example. Firstly, I would build on my personal integrity with a view of setting a good example as a leader. I would serve diligently and honestly while following every ethical measure required by the organisation. The strategy would help in building trust and respect among the subordinates in the company. I would also encourage team work with a view of ensuring that products are never out of store. Moreover, I would encourage my subordinates to work harder to achieve the set target at the moment when things are not going on well and they seem to have given up. I would also foster positive relationships within my area of governance and ensure that I give each individual an opportunity to grow and develop in various aspects of their lives.

An Analysis of the Personal Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats

Each of the Tesco managers mentioned in the case has strengths, weaknesses and threats that can add values to a personal development plan. The first element is the analysis of their strengths. Berian, the bakery manager, employs good leadership and management skills by involving his team in providing crucial ideas for decision making. Consequently, his team members are given an opportunity to develop. The approach is crucial to personal development plan as it leads to the appreciation of new skills. On the other hand, Stephen, the Tesco store manager, ensures a prompt and coordinated response in case of the occurrence of an incident in the store, despite the fact that he allows his managers to make the majority of operational decisions. The strength is crucial to personal development plan as it encourages individual creativity and motivation. On his part, Martin, the programme manager for education and skills, empowers his employees by using the democratic leadership style to come up with a final agreed budget. The posed strengths give the team members an opportunity to grow and develop in addition to being creative with their ideas.

Despite the above mentioned strengths, the managers have weaknesses too. For instance, Martin uses an authoritarian style of leadership when he wants things to be one in a specified period of time. The method is a threat as it can result into wrong decisions being made as well as resentment of the team members. On the other hand, despite the fact that Stephen allows his managers to participate in the decision making process, he tends to impose decisions on innovations and corporate initiative. The style can pose a serious threat of resentment of the team members; therefore leading to the failure of achieving the stated goals and objectives. Additionally, Berian has a weakness of adopting the laissez-faire style of leadership with a bakery’s team new member without bothering to inform the new member on the instructions of operating the baking machine. By employing this type of leadership, he is oblivious of the safety of the new member.

Objectives and Targets to Develop Own Potential for Stephen

The objectives and targets to develop own potential for Stephen, the store manager, could be set and prioritised as follows. 

• Providing rewards to hardworking departmental managers.
• Motivating employees with successful experience.
• Applying for the Tesco Foundation Degree.
• Reducing the amount of time spent on responding to incidents.
• Inspiring and guiding his staff.
• Influencing his staff in accepting the new and helpful innovations.
• Making his staff understand the new and helpful innovations.

Time management is very important in achieving personal objectives, as it helps in translating priorities into concrete goals with the component activities. The approach aids in organising for success in addition to having the resources needed for the attainment of personal objectives. Time management also helps in the identification of deadlines as well as the intermediary time frames that are related to every activity step in the achievement of personal objectives. Time management also helps to identify the barriers that might hinder attaining personal objectives on time, such as procrastination. Additionally, work scheduling also has effects in the achievement of personal objectives. The reason is that it helps maintaining required competence levels. Additionally, the approach monitors and obtains feedback on the performance of work that relates to the achievement of personal objectives.

Moreover, the SMART tool impacts the achievement of personal goals. The tool enables one to identify the specific personal objectives besides coming up with goals that can be measured and attainable. The identification of definite goals contributes to collecting the necessary resources to be used in achieving personal objectives. Moreover, it helps to find out the various ways that can be used in measuring the attainment of the personal objectives. If one is able to gage if the set objectives are attainable, he/she can allocate adequate time with a view of achieving the set objectives. The tool also aids one in identifying the relevancy of the attained personal objectives and their time frame. Sometimes one can come up with personal objectives that are irrelevant. Therefore, identifying the importance of the personal objectives is crucial as it helps an individual to be motivated intrinsically and work harder with a view of achieving the set objectives. Furthermore, personal goals have to be restricted by time. Thus, the ability to control the specified time frame of goal achievement helps an individual to plan effectively and efficiently towards the attainment of the objectives.

Leadership Roles and Motivation Skills Demonstrated During the December 2015 Christmas Party

During the Christmas Party at the college in December 2015, I was involved in the food and beverage group which was also concerned with decoration, health, safety and entertainment.  In the group, we projected a positive attitude as the members of the group which made other groups to borrow a leaf from us. Moreover, we were very responsible in performing our various tasks. Specifically, the team members were able to show a sense of confidence towards the achievement of the objectives of the team; therefore ensuring productivity. Additionally, we presented clear goals to be achieved by the group and therefore worked extremely hard to achieve the set goals. As group members, we were motivated by the specified goals as chances of confusion in the team were eliminated. Moreover, the members of the team clarified the objectives to each other. Therefore, we were able to share a common vision with a view of ensuring that the identified projects were completed. Thus, we were motivated work harder achieve the goals as we had clearly understood and agreed with the stated goals. 

Furthermore, we maintained open communication in the group. We were able to ask ourselves questions for clarification in areas we did not understand. Additionally, we were praising each other in areas we had done well and also corrected each other in the areas we had lagged behind. This approach helped in boosting our morale towards the attainment of the objectives of the group as praising each other made us feel that our efforts were appreciated. We also worked together as a team and supported each other where necessary. We also made sure that we gave performance reviews in private to avoid embarrassing the weak team members with a view of protecting their egos and demotivating other team members.

Consequently, the December 2015 Christmas Party was successful as all the presented goals were achieved. Firstly, the student community received maximum entertainment as everyone looked jovial and satisfied during the party. Furthermore, everyone enjoyed the available food and beverages. There was an assurance of healthy food as no one complained of stomach upsets or any health hazard after the party. The goal of providing the safety for the students was achieved as there no case of insecurity was reported. The party started and ended peacefully without any threat. Conclusively, the achievements of the above mentioned goals were fuelled by our collaborative nature that played out during the even as well as the motivation of members in the team.  

Justification of the Managerial Decisions Made

During the Christmas Party, I made managerial decisions that supported the achievement of the agreed goals. Firstly, I established the objectives of the team as a member. The food and beverage team goal was to ensure that no student in attendance of the event missed food and beverages. On the other hand, the established objectives of the decoration, health, safety and entertainment part entailed ensuring that the venue was to be decorated on time and the appropriate resources for the event were put in place. Other objectives of the team were to ensure the safety of the students, to provide healthy food and to enable the students in attendance receive adequate entertainment.

Another managerial decision I made during the party was the definition of the possible problems that could occur during the party, as well as the identification of the possible and alternative solutions to the problems. I developed a hypothetical alternative course of action. For instance, for the possible problem of lack of adequate food and beverages, the hypothesis created as an alternative of solving the problem was:

• The immediate preparation of more food.
• Buying more beverages to be used in the party.

An evaluation of the course of action to be taken was another managerial decision I made. I collected relevant data in regard to the alternative course of action to be taken. For instance, I gathered data on the one identified supplier of beverages to order for beverages in case the drinks in possession were not enough. I also defined the types of beverages the supplier had in addition to their prices. The relevant information aided in evaluating if the identified course of action would be successful. 

Finally, the last managerial decision made was the implementation of the approaches. Therefore, I closely monitored the implementation process in order to make sure that the expected results are attained. During the party, a huge number of students turned up; it led to the shortage of beverages. Consequently, I called the identified supplier, who brought the drinks required on time hence leading to maximum satisfaction.

The recommendations made for the improvement of such an event in future included;

• The allocation of adequate funds to be used in the event.
• The allocation of adequate time for the event.
• The identification of an appropriate venue that accommodates a large number of students.
• Preparations of the event to be made on time.
• The identification of the overall manager and planner of the event.
• The ordering of adequate food and beverages to avoid shortages.

How Managerial and Personal Skills will Support Career Development

Managerial and personal skills will support career development as they help in the setting the career goals. Career goal definition involves the integration of self-assessment; therefore, it puts into consideration both managerial and personal skills. Additionally, they will help in creating a roadmap for activities to be developed. The managerial skills will aid in making the right decisions on the procedures to be taken towards career development. Personal skills are also crucial as they determine the right experience. In addition, managerial and personal skills will support career developing by creating milestones as well as timelines to be used in measuring the success of a career. The two aspects will also promote self-assessment; therefore, leading to career development. Furthermore, managerial and personal skills will help in career management, which is an essential element of development. Career management as one of the phases of career development is a continuous process; therefore, it is essential as a philosophy and a set of habits. The phenomenon promotes the achievement of career goals and objectives and develops career resiliency. Personal skills aid in career development due to skills perfection. Skill development implies that one is able to make an assessment of the crucial skills for the career. Consequently, one is able to seek training or job opportunities that lead to skill development and promote career advancement.     

Accordingly, both managerial and personal skills can harness the achievement of shared goals at the Tesco customer care department by elevating the level commitment of the managers in the department with a view ensuring the satisfaction of customers. Moreover, managerial and personal skills can aid the managers to choose the appropriate style of leadership in addition to the best communication channel for effective and efficient flow of crucial information.  Additionally, managerial and personal skill can promote cordial relationships among the employees in the department; hence leading to them working as a team towards the achievement of the shared goals. They can also aid in building trust among the customers as the team is committed to receiving only positive feedback.  To add on, managerial and personal skills will enable the head of the department to measure the level of success in achieving the shared goals in the Tesco customer care department.

A Review of Personal Development Needs

Personal development needs, current performance and future prospects constitute the basic elements in the production of a development plan. Firstly, there should be an evaluation of individual strengths and weaknesses in addition to the opportunities and threats presented by them. One should then focus on individual areas that should be developed in order to have a good development plan. A personal analysis helps in the reflection of personal experience as well as areas that need training and development. Secondly, one ought to set measurable goals. An individual should focus on the current performance to define future goals. The educational background should be put into consideration in addition to the current career level. Therefore, basing on the current educational performance and career level, one should come up with both measurable and attainable goals. Furthermore, setting the goals requires the specified time frame for their attainment. In the production of a development plan, one should also put into consideration the personal objectives. They should be specified and achieved in a definite period of time. 

A 360 degree feedback can be used in the assessment of Martin, the Tesco manager for education and skills. The 360 degree feedback can be used by soliciting information from various sources in his department on his behaviour and performance in the workplace. Specifically, information on his behaviour and performance should be collected from his subordinates, peers and supervisors. In addition, Martin should have a self-evaluation to give feedback on his performance as a manager in his point of view. Under the 360 degree feedback, the various stakeholders in Tesco share their perception of the performance of Martin in the organisation. For instance, the team members of the education and skills programme should provide feedback on his performance and productivity. On the other hand, appraisal can be used in the assessment of Martin’s development plan by systematic and periodic evaluation of his job performance in addition to his productivity and correspondence to the objectives set by Tesco in his area of jurisdiction. Appraisal also includes making an assessment of Martin’s strengths and weaknesses as well as his potential areas of improvement in the future. Three methods of data collection concerning Martin in the Tesco organisation are applicable. They include objective production, personal evaluation and judgmental evaluation. Consequently, the results derived from an appraisal should be used in determining his promotion, termination and transfer. Appraisal will also define if he is suitable for the managerial position and suggest further achievement of the objectives of the organization. The appraisal proposes rewards for performing his duties responsibly.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, from the above discussion across the learning outcomes, it is clear that as a leader, I will succeed through the employment of a democratic leadership style and the emphasis on critical success factors within the organisation. For the case of Tesco leaders, there are diverse strengths and weaknesses that offset each other hence leading to effective organisational management. The Christmas Party in college was an outstanding endeavour because of the effective management and leadership skills demonstrated through consultations and open communication. Lastly, personal skills play an instrumental role in career development through goal setting. Every person looking forward to hold a leadership or managerial position must be prepared to handle problems and motivate employees for success achievement.