2.1 Management and Leadership (AQA A Level Business): Flashcards
Exam code: 7132
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Define a manager.
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Cards in this collection (45)
Define a manager.
A manager is an individual responsible for overseeing the day-to-day organisation of a team or a specific function.
Name the four functions of management.
Planning, organising, directing, and controlling.
What does the 'planning' function of management involve?
Setting overall aims and objectives, deciding strategies to pursue, and setting timescales.
What does the 'controlling' function of management involve?
Tracking progress and making changes to ensure objectives are met (including contingency plans).
What is the role of directors and executives?
They set the business's overall goals and long-term targets and are ultimately responsible for performance.
Supervisors and team leaders support senior managers, reporting problems and making decisions such as allocating jobs.
Supervisors and team leaders support senior managers, reporting problems and making simple decisions such as allocating jobs.
What is leadership about?
Having a vision, sharing that vision with others, and providing direction.
What is the difference between leadership and management (vision vs execution)?
Leadership creates a vision and inspires others; management executes plans, organises resources and ensures tasks are done on time.
Leadership focuses on , while management focuses on processes, structures and systems.
Leadership focuses on people, while management focuses on processes, structures and systems.
Does leadership or management focus more on the long term?
Leadership focuses on the long-term vision and strategy; management focuses on short-term goals and targets.
True or False?
Managers exist at only one level within a business.
False.
Managers exist at various levels — directors/executives, senior managers, and supervisors/team leaders.
True or False?
Leadership tends to emphasise creativity, while management emphasises efficiency.
True.
Leadership encourages creativity and innovation; management focuses on efficiency and productivity.
What does the 'organising' function of management involve?
Ensuring resources — equipment, workers, supervision and logistics — are in place.
Name four common leadership styles.
Autocratic, paternalistic, democratic, and laissez-faire.
Define autocratic leadership.
Autocratic leadership is where a leader holds absolute power, making decisions without input and expecting strict obedience.
When is autocratic leadership beneficial?
In crises, hierarchical organisations, time-sensitive projects, and with inexperienced or unmotivated teams.
Give one disadvantage of autocratic leadership.
Reduced morale, limited creativity, and the loss of problem-solving ideas from the team.
Define paternalistic leadership.
Paternalistic leadership is where a leader takes a 'fatherly' role, making decisions for employees while showing concern for their welfare.
Give one advantage of paternalistic leadership.
It creates a sense of security and support, increasing loyalty and reducing staff turnover.
Give one disadvantage of paternalistic leadership.
It can feel controlling, limit creativity, and create a dependency on the leader.
Define democratic leadership.
Democratic leadership actively involves employees in decisions and encourages discussion, though the leader keeps the final say.
When is democratic leadership most effective?
In organisations with skilled, experienced and creative employees.
Give one disadvantage of democratic leadership.
It can be time-consuming, cause conflicts, and lead to compromised decision quality.
Define laissez-faire leadership.
Laissez-faire leadership is where the leader plays a minimal role, giving employees significant autonomy and freedom.
When is laissez-faire leadership most appropriate?
With a highly skilled, self-motivated team that requires minimal supervision.
Give one disadvantage of laissez-faire leadership.
Employees may struggle without guidance, risking inconsistency, poor coordination and lower productivity.
Autocratic leaders make decisions without seeking input, expecting strict from subordinates.
Autocratic leaders make decisions without seeking input, expecting strict obedience from subordinates.
A successful leader can use a of leadership styles depending on the situation.
A successful leader can use a variety of leadership styles depending on the situation.
True or False?
Democratic leadership encourages employee participation and can boost engagement and innovation.
True.
Involving employees raises engagement and job satisfaction and encourages creativity and innovation.
True or False?
Laissez-faire leadership works best with inexperienced teams that need close supervision.
False.
Laissez-faire suits highly skilled, self-motivated teams; inexperienced teams need more direction (e.g. autocratic).
Name two influences on a leader's choice of style.
The leader's personality, business tradition, the labour force, the task/timescale, and external factors (any two).
How can the nature of the task affect leadership style?
Routine, low-risk tasks can be delegated; urgent or high-risk tasks need fast, decisive leadership.
When is a leadership style considered effective?
When it helps the team meet its goals and keeps people motivated and productive in the long run.
What support does a leader need to be effective?
Backing and resources from senior leaders, and subordinates willing to follow their instructions.
In what situation does autocratic leadership tend to work well?
In an emergency or high-risk job, where fast, clear orders save time.
In what situation might democratic leadership fail?
In a crisis, where slow consultation is time-consuming and dangerous.
Define the Tannenbaum-Schmidt continuum.
The Tannenbaum-Schmidt continuum shows the range of leadership styles, from a 'tell' approach to full delegation — leadership as a sliding scale.
On the continuum, what happens to a manager's authority as they give the team more freedom?
The manager exercises less personal authority as the team gains more freedom.
What does the 'tell' position on the continuum mean?
The leader states the decision in full and specifies exactly how, when and by whom work is done; staff simply obey.
What does the 'delegate' position on the continuum mean?
The leader sets broad goals, then hands full decision-making to the team, who plan, decide and act independently.
On the Tannenbaum-Schmidt continuum, the 'sell' position means the leader decides but explains the to win commitment.
On the Tannenbaum-Schmidt continuum, the 'sell' position means the leader decides but explains the reasons to win commitment.
A leadership style is only effective if it keeps people motivated and productive in the run.
A leadership style is only effective if it keeps people motivated and productive in the long run.
True or False?
The Tannenbaum-Schmidt continuum shows that leadership style is fixed.
False.
It shows leadership is a sliding scale, not fixed — managers should shift style as the situation changes.
True or False?
Good leaders use the same leadership style all the time.
False.
Influences such as the task, team and external pressures mean good leaders vary their style.
Why is the Tannenbaum-Schmidt continuum useful to managers?
It guides style choice, supports staff development, and encourages flexibility as tasks or teams change.
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