Your task is to write a 2,500-word management report that critically examines the suitability of the Skills approach to leadership in the independent retailer.

Module code and title:

MG629 - Developing Leadership & Management Skills

Module leader:

Assignment No. and type:

CW1: Written Report: 2,500-word report evaluating leadership within an organisation.

Assessment weighting:

70%

Submission time and date:

Target feedback time and date:

3 Weeks

Assignment task

The Purpose

This module will provide an understanding of the core competencies relating to management and leadership skills in organisations. The module will examine management and leadership models and evaluate the effectiveness of those in the 21st Century, including the difference between management and leadership. This module will be assessed through a business report, which will analyse the effectiveness of leadership within an organisation through applying key models and theories.

Understanding the different styles of leadership and management is an important skill set for business school graduates to have in their toolkits, as one size does not fit all. Knowing which style to use, where and when is part of developing your junior executive capabilities.

The Context

You are a mid-level management consultant working for the top-tier global consulting firm McKinsey & Co. You have been engaged by a private equity client that has acquired a firm in a sector they have limited knowledge. The client has identified a new CEO they wish to install in the firm with extensive sector knowledge but is concerned about the CEO`s leadership approach. The new CEO has some professional colleagues who already work in the sector and feel it would be inappropriate to conduct primary research within the sector as the new CEO would likely find out about their concerns and may choose not to accept the new position. If the CEO`s leadership style is appropriate, then the client has nothing to worry about, but if, on the other hand, their leadership approach is less suitable, then they want to know what to look out for and what alternative leadership approach would be best suited.

The Task

Your task is to write a 2,500-word management report that critically examines the suitability of the Skills approach to leadership in the independent retailer. You should base your work around Next, the clothing company as the case study for this report.

• How effective do you believe this approach would be, and what impact would this have on the overall performance of the organisation? Provide evidence and examples to support your argument.
• What potential warning signs should management be aware of that could be signs of employee and organisational distress? Provide evidence and examples to support your argument.
• Suggest a more suitable leadership or alternative approach that you feel would be more relevant to the given context. Provide evidence and examples to support your argument.

This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:

LO 1: Understand and critically evaluate contemporary theories and models of management and leadership.

LO 3: Analyse the significance and impact of leadership performance in relation to overall business performance.

Practicalities: Referencing, presenting and submitting your work

Please see your programme handbook for information on the required referencing style, any presentational requirements and the process for submitting your work.

Confidentiality

You should maintain and respect confidentiality in relation to the protection of personal, technical and/or commercial information of a sensitive nature in your assessed work.

For further information and guidance, please see your programme handbook.

Academic integrity - MG629 - Developing Leadership & Management Skills

Academic integrity means taking responsibility for your own work.

When you submit an assignment, you are making a declaration that it is your own work and that you have acknowledged the contribution of others and their ideas in its development (for example, by referencing them appropriately). For further information and guidance, please see the University website: https://www.bnu.ac.uk/current-students/registry-helpdesk-and-academic-advice/academic-integrity-and- misconduct

Understand and critically evaluate contemporary theories and models of management and leadership. Please also see the University’s guidance for students on the appropriate use of generative AI as part of assessed work: https://www.bucks.ac.uk/current-students/registry-helpdesk-and-academic-advice/artificial- intelligence-guidance-students

0- 34 (F) –

Fail

Not successful

35- 39 E –

Marginal fail Below required standard

40- 49 (D)

Pass Satisfactory

50- 59 (C)

Pass Good

60- 69 (B)

Pass Very Good

70- 79 (A)

Pass Excellent

80- 100 (A+)

Pass Outstanding

Criterion 1

Knowledge and understanding 25%

(Key indicators for Knowledge and understanding)

• Depth of knowledge and understanding

• Engagement with subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts, and principles

• Background investigation, analysis, research, enquiry and/or study.

The work demonstrates a limited and/or substantially inaccurate or no understanding of key aspects of the subject, with few if any examples of coherent and detailed knowledge, which is unlikely to be at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of the discipline e.g., recent research, latest techniques.

The work does not: Show awareness of the subject matter of leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, nor any awareness of the case study and actors involved.

The work demonstrates insufficient understanding of key aspects of the subject, including some coherent and detailed knowledge, little of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of the discipline e.g., recent research, latest techniques.

The work does not: Show enough understanding and awareness of the subject matter of leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, nor any awareness of the case study and actors involved.

The work demonstrates a basic yet systematic understanding of key aspects of the subject, including some coherent and detailed knowledge, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of the discipline e.g., recent research, latest techniques.

The work:

Shows enough understanding and awareness of the subject matter of leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, with some awareness of the case study and actors involved.

The work demonstrates a sound breadth and depth of systematic understanding of key aspects of the subject, including some coherent and detailed knowledge, some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of the discipline e.g., recent research, latest techniques.

The work:

Shows good understanding and awareness of the subject matter of leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, and good awareness of the case study and actors involved.

The work demonstrates a sophisticated and critical systematic understanding of key aspects of the subject, including coherent and detailed knowledge, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of the discipline e.g., recent research, latest techniques.

The work:

Shows very good understanding and awareness of the subject matter of leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, and very good awareness of the case study and actors involved.

The work demonstrates a highly accomplished systematic understanding of key aspects of the subject beyond what has been taught, including coherent and detailed knowledge, most of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of the discipline e.g., recent research, latest techniques.

The work:

Shows excellent understanding and awareness of the subject matter of leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, and excellent awareness of the case study and actors involved.

The work demonstrates an exceptional systematic understanding of key aspects of the subject, including coherent and detailed knowledge well beyond what has been taught, all of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of the discipline e.g., recent research, latest techniques.

The work:

Shows exceptional understanding and awareness of the subject matter of leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, and outstanding awareness of the case study and actors involved.

Criterion 2

Analysis and criticality

25%

(Key indicators for analysis and criticality)

• Logic and argument
• Use and range of independently selected sources

• Analysis and synthesis

• Organisation and communication of ideas and evidence

The work demonstrates a limited or no ability to work independently and deploy relevant techniques of analysis and enquiry accurately;

The work shows insufficient knowledge of the subject areas; leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, with which to formulate a coherent and logical argument.

The range, age and validity of secondary research sources & literature is inappropriate.

Analysis of the case study and synthesis of relevant academic theory is absent.

The communication and organisation of the work lacks flow and coherency.

How effective do you believe this approach would be, and what impact would this have on the overall performance of the organisation? Provide evidence and examples to support your argument.

The work demonstrates an insufficient ability to work independently, deploying accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline;

The work shows limited knowledge of the subject areas; leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, with which to formulate a coherent and logical argument.

The range, age and validity of secondary research sources & literature is mostly inappropriate.

Analysis of the case study and synthesis of relevant academic theory is absent.

The communication and organisation of the work is weak and lacks flow and coherency.

The work demonstrates a sufficient ability to work independently, deploying accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline;

The work shows satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas; leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, with which to formulate a coherent and logical argument.

The range, age and validity of secondary research sources & literature is satisfactory.

Analysis of the case study and synthesis of relevant academic theory is satisfactory but lacks depth and breadth.

The communication and organisation of the work is satisfactory and struggles for flow and coherency.

The work demonstrates a sound ability to work independently, deploying accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline;

The work shows good knowledge of the subject areas; leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, with which to formulate a coherent and logical argument.

The range, age and validity of secondary research sources & literature is good.

Analysis of the case study and synthesis of relevant academic theory is good.

The communication and organisation of the work is good, with the flow and coherency of the argument clear to the reader.

The work demonstrates a sophisticated ability to work independently, deploying accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline.

The work shows very good knowledge of the subject areas; leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, with which to formulate a coherent and logical argument.

The range, age and validity of secondary research sources & literature is very good. The use of wider and less obvious sources enhances the work.

Analysis of the case study and synthesis of relevant academic theory is very good, with excellent integration within the argument and evidence used.

The communication and organisation of the work is very good, with the flow and coherency of the argument clear to the reader.

The work demonstrates a highly accomplished ability to work independently, deploying accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline;

The work shows excellent knowledge of the subject areas; leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, with which to formulate a strong, coherent and logical argument.

The range, age and validity of secondary research sources & literature is excellent. The use of wider and less obvious sources enhances the work and demonstrates originality in their thinking and work.

Analysis of the case study and synthesis of relevant academic theory is excellent, with excellent integration within the argument and evidence used.

The communication and organisation of the work is excellent, with the flow and coherency of the argument clear to the reader and presents original conceptual thinking.

The work demonstrates a highly accomplished ability to work independently, deploying accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline;

The work shows outstanding knowledge of the subject areas; leadership, management, firm performance, performance metrics, fiduciary duty, ethics, investor relations and stakeholder analysis, with which to formulate an exceptionally strong, coherent and logical argument.

The range, age and validity of secondary research sources & literature is outstanding. The use of wider and less obvious sources enhances the work and demonstrates originality in their thinking and work.

Analysis of the case study and synthesis of relevant academic theory is outstanding, with exceptional integration within the argument and evidence used.

The communication and organisation of the work is outstanding, with the flow and coherency of the argument clear to the reader and presents original conceptual thinking.

Criterion 3

Application and practice 25%

(Key indicators for application and practice)

• Development and/or application discipline- specific specialist skills

• Accuracy, coordination, and proficiency in completion of practical tasks/processes

Work demonstrates a limited or no ability to select and apply appropriate, discipline- specific methods and techniques to develop and apply knowledge and understanding and to initiate, and in turn:

The development and application of secondary research skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and information is not evident within the work.

The ability to draw conclusions for the reader is clearly missing and/or inappropriate for the standard required as a manager.

The ability to read and follow instructions is clearly absent with no evidence of conceptual awareness of the wider business contexts involved that could be researched and/or integrated into the work.

The work fails to address all the required elements set out in the briefing.

Work demonstrates an insufficient ability to select and apply appropriate, discipline specific methods and techniques to develop and apply knowledge and understanding and to initiate, and in turn:

The development and application of secondary research skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and information is weak within the work.

The ability to draw conclusions for the reader is clearly missing and/or inappropriate for the standard required as a manager.

The ability to read and follow instructions is clearly absent with no evidence of conceptual awareness of the wider business contexts involved that could be researched and/or integrated into the work.

The work fails to address all the required elements set out in the

briefing.

Work demonstrates a sufficient ability to select and apply appropriate, discipline specific methods and techniques to develop and apply knowledge and understanding and to initiate, and in turn:

The development and application of secondary research skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and information is acceptable within the work.

The ability to draw conclusions for the reader is evident but this is acceptable and mostly appropriate for the standard required as a manager.

The ability to read and follow instructions is acceptable with some evidence of conceptual awareness of the wider business contexts involved that could be researched and/or integrated into the work.

The work mostly addresses the required elements set out in the briefing.

Work demonstrates an ability to select and apply in a consistent and informed manner appropriate, discipline specific methods and techniques to develop and apply knowledge and understanding and to initiate, and in turn:

The development and application of secondary research skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and information is good.

The ability to draw conclusions for the reader is evident and what is presented is to a good standard and appropriate for the standard required as a manager.

The ability to read and follow instructions is good with some evidence of conceptual awareness of the wider business contexts involved that could be researched and/or integrated into the work.

The work meets all the required elements set out in the briefing.

Work demonstrates an ability to select and apply in a capable and effective manner appropriate, discipline specific methods and techniques to develop and apply knowledge and understanding and to initiate, and in turn:

The development and application of secondary research skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and information is very good.

The ability to draw conclusions for the reader is evident and what is presented is to a very good standard and appropriate for the standard required as a manager.

The ability to read and follow instructions is very good with clear evidence of conceptual awareness of the wider business contexts involved that could be researched and/or integrated into the work.

The work meets all the

required elements set out in the briefing.

Work demonstrates an ability to select and apply in a highly accomplished manner appropriate, discipline specific methods and techniques to develop and apply knowledge and understanding and to initiate, and in turn:

The development and application of secondary research skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and information is excellent.

The ability to draw conclusions for the reader is evident and what is presented is to an excellent standard and appropriate for the standard required as a middle manager.

The ability to read and follow instructions is excellent with clear evidence of conceptual awareness of the wider business contexts involved that could be researched and/or integrated into the work.

The work meets all the required elements set out in the briefing.

Work demonstrates an ability to select and apply in a highly accomplished and innovative manner appropriate, discipline specific methods and techniques to develop and apply knowledge and understanding and to initiate, and in turn:

The development and application of secondary research skills, analysis, evaluation and synthesis of data and information is outstanding.

The ability to draw conclusions for the reader is evident and what is presented is to an outstanding standard and appropriate for the standard required as a senior manager.

The ability to read and follow instructions is outstanding with clear evidence of conceptual awareness of the wider business contexts involved that could be researched and integrated into the work.

The work meets all the required elements set out in the briefing.

0- 34 (F) –

Fail

Not successful

35- 39 E –

Marginal fail Below required

standard

40- 49 (D)

Pass

Satisfactory

50- 59 (C)

Pass Good

60- 69 (B)

Pass

Very Good

70- 79 (A)

Pass Excellent

80- 100 (A+)

Pass

Outstanding

Criterion 4 Transferable skills 15%

(Key indicators for transferable skills)

• • Written, verbal and electronic communication
• • Numeracy and digital literacy
• • Personal motivation, organisation, and time- management

Work demonstrates limited or no ability to:

-communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions accurately and reliably utilising relevant numeracy, digital literacy, oral and written communication skills in a manner fit for purpose.

- an ability to manage their learning and work with minimal or no supervision.

-use initiative to take responsibility for determining and achieving personal outcomes and/or outputs.

Work demonstrates insufficient ability to:

-communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions accurately and reliably utilising relevant numeracy, digital literacy, oral and written communication skills in a manner fit for purpose.

-an ability to manage their learning and work with minimal or no supervision.

-use initiative to take responsibility for determining and achieving personal outcomes and/or outputs.

Work demonstrates a sufficient ability to:

-communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions accurately and reliably utilising relevant numeracy, digital literacy, oral and written communication skills in a manner fit for purpose.

-an ability to manage their learning and work with minimal or no supervision.

-use initiative to take responsibility for determining and achieving personal outcomes and/or outputs.

Work demonstrates a consistent and confident ability to:

-communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions accurately and reliably utilising relevant numeracy, digital literacy, oral and written communication skills in a manner fit for purpose.

-an ability to manage their learning and work with minimal or no supervision.

-use initiative to take responsibility for determining and achieving personal outcomes and/or outputs

Work demonstrates a highly proficient ability to:

-communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions accurately and reliably utilising relevant numeracy, digital literacy, oral and written communication skills in a manner fit for purpose.

-an ability to manage their learning and work with minimal or no supervision.

-use initiative to take responsibility for determining and achieving personal outcomes and/or outputs.

Work demonstrates a highly accomplished ability to:

-communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions accurately and reliably utilising relevant numeracy, digital literacy, oral and written communication skills in a manner fit for purpose.

-an ability to manage their learning and work with minimal or no supervision.

-use initiative to take responsibility for determining and achieving personal outcomes and/or outputs.

Work demonstrates an exceptional ability to:

-communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions accurately and reliably utilising relevant numeracy, digital literacy, oral and written communication skills in a manner fit for purpose.

-an ability to manage their learning and work with minimal or no supervision.

-use initiative to take responsibility for determining and achieving personal outcomes and/or outputs.

- consideration of sustainability (environmental, economic, and personal) and social and ethical matters in their work/solutions.