AC 1.1 Analyse the external factors that drive the need for leadership and management within the organisation

5OS06 Leadership and management development

This unit builds on the fundamentals of learning and development, taking a closer look at the essential area of leadership and management and how this is critical in developing the right culture and behaviours to establish a working environment which cohesive, diverse, innovative and high performing. Choosing the right tools and approaches to facilitate development will impact organisational effectiveness. 

Preparation for the Tasks:

• At the start of your assignment, you are encouraged to plan your assessment work with your Assessor and where appropriate agree milestones so that they can help you monitor your progress.
• Refer to the indicative content in the unit to guide and support your evidence.
• Pay attention to how your evidence is presented, remember you are working in the People Practice Team.
• Ensure that the evidence generated for this assessment remains your own work.
• Completing and acting on formative feedback from your Assessor.
• Reflecting on your own experiences of learning opportunities and continuous professional development.
• Reading the CIPD Insight, Fact Sheets and related online material on these topics as well as key research authors on the subject.

You will also benefit from:

• Completing and acting on formative feedback from your Assessor.
• Reflecting on your own experiences of learning opportunities and continuous professional development.
• Reading the CIPD Insight, Fact Sheets and related online material on these topics as well as key research authors on the subject

Scenario

You have recently taken up the role of Learning and Development Manager at Highgate Opticals who are a medium-sized company that manufacture designer eyewear. They are experiencing rapid growth due to an increase in their customer base and are aware that they now need a strategic formalised learning and development plan to support the business.  

During your first meeting with the board, you ask why on reviewing the company’s performance and development records there is an absence of any leadership and management development. Further discussion reveals that the focus of the company has always been on developing the core workforce and that the majority of the line and senior managers have been promoted from within. Therefore, they have not felt a need to develop the management team.

Throughout the remainder of the meeting, they are extremely receptive to your ideas and welcome insight and understanding of this area of learning. They ask you to prepare a report to enlighten them.

To achieve this, you are required to produce a report that consists of two sections.  You should provide a written response to each point in each section, making appropriate use of academic theory and practical examples to expand your response and illustrate key points. 

To help the reader, please use headings and assessment criteria references to signpost the assessment criteria being addressed. Please refer to word count policy.

Section one

You are required to:

1. Analyse the external factors that drive the need for leadership and management within the organisation. (AC 1.1)
2. Explain the key differences between leadership and management roles and styles and the implications of each for organisational effectiveness. (AC 1.2)
3. Compare the different knowledge, skills and behaviours required for leadership and management in organisations. (AC 1.3)
4. Evaluate the different concepts and range of approaches that are available for effective leadership and management development. (AC 2.2)
5. Discuss why diversity and inclusion should be an integral component of leadership and management development initiatives. (AC 2.3)

Section two

Section two should provide understanding of the role of people professionals in supporting leadership and management initiatives, the range of stakeholders involved, and the impact of successful initiatives on the organisation.

You are required to:

1. Discuss the role of people professionals in supporting leadership and management development initiatives. (AC 2.1)
2. Evaluate the indicators of successful leadership and management development initiatives.     (AC 3.1)
3. Explain the range of stakeholders and involvement they have in leadership and management development initiatives. (AC 3.2)
4. Assess the impact and importance that development strategies have on organisational culture, strategy, reputation and performance. (AC 3.3)

Assessment Criteria Evidence Checklist

You may find the following checklist helpful to make sure that you have included the required evidence to meet the task. This is not a mandatory requirement as long as it is clear in your submission where the assessment criteria have been met.

SECTION 1 – Assessment criteria		Evidenced Y/N	Evidence reference
1.1	Analyse the external factors that drive the need for leadership and management within the organisation.
1.2	Explain the key differences between leadership and management roles and styles and the implications of each for organisational effectiveness.
1.3	Compare the different knowledge, skills and behaviours required for leadership and management in organisations.
2.2	Evaluate the different concepts and range of approaches that are available for effective leadership and management development.
2.3	Discuss why diversity and inclusion should be an integral component of leadership and management development initiatives.

SECTION 2 – Assessment criteria		Evidenced Y/N	Evidence reference
2.1	Discuss the role of people professionals in supporting leadership and management development initiatives.
3.1	Evaluate the indicators of successful leadership and management development initiatives.
3.2	Explain the range of stakeholders and the involvement they have in leadership and management development initiatives.
3.3	Assess the impact and importance that development strategies have on organisational culture, strategy, reputation and performance.

Example Answer (Plagiarised)

Analyse the external factors that drive the need for leadership and management within the organisation. (AC 1.1)

Analyzing External Factors Driving the Need for Leadership and Management

In understanding the necessity for leadership and management development within Highgate Opticals, it`s crucial to assess the external factors exerting influence on the organization. These factors not only shape the competitive landscape but also impact internal operations and employee performance. Here`s an analysis considering various external factors:

Market Dynamics (AC 1.1.1):

Highgate Opticals operates in an industry characterized by rapid changes in consumer preferences, technological advancements, and global market trends. The eyewear industry is highly competitive, with emerging players and disruptive innovations constantly reshaping the landscape. In such a dynamic environment, effective leadership and management are vital to navigate uncertainties, identify growth opportunities, and stay ahead of the competition.

Practical Example: Consider the rise of online eyewear retailers and the shift towards e-commerce platforms. Competitors leveraging digital strategies effectively require adept leadership to formulate and execute agile responses to stay relevant and capitalize on emerging trends.

Customer Expectations and Demands (AC 1.1.2):

Today`s consumers demand more than just quality products; they seek personalized experiences, ethical sourcing, and sustainability. Meeting these evolving demands necessitates visionary leadership to anticipate market shifts and effective management to align operations with customer expectations.

Practical Example: With increasing awareness about sustainability, consumers are inclined towards brands with eco-friendly practices. Leadership must drive initiatives for sustainable sourcing and manufacturing, while management ensures alignment of processes to uphold ethical standards.

Regulatory Environment (AC 1.1.3):

The eyewear industry is subject to various regulations regarding product safety, advertising standards, and labor practices. Compliance with these regulations requires vigilant leadership to interpret legal requirements and implement necessary protocols, along with adept management to ensure adherence across the organization.

Practical Example: Changes in health and safety regulations regarding manufacturing processes or product labeling necessitate proactive leadership to assess impacts and management to implement necessary changes swiftly.

Technological Advancements (AC 1.1.4):

Advancements in technology, such as 3D printing, augmented reality, and data analytics, are revolutionizing the eyewear industry. Organizations must embrace innovation to enhance product design, manufacturing processes, and customer experiences. Effective leadership fosters a culture of innovation, while skilled management facilitates the integration of new technologies into existing workflows.

Practical Example: Adoption of augmented reality for virtual try-on experiences requires visionary leadership to invest in research and development, and adept management to oversee the integration of AR technology into retail channels seamlessly.

Global Economic Trends (AC 1.1.5):

Highgate Opticals operates in a global marketplace influenced by economic factors like currency fluctuations, trade policies, and geopolitical tensions. Leadership must possess a global perspective to identify opportunities in emerging markets and mitigate risks associated with economic uncertainties. Management plays a crucial role in executing strategies to optimize resource allocation and adapt to changing market conditions.

Practical Example: Economic downturns or trade disputes impacting supply chains necessitate agile leadership to explore alternative sourcing options and efficient management to minimize disruptions in production and distribution.

The external factors shaping the eyewear industry underscore the critical need for robust leadership and management within Highgate Opticals. By understanding and responding effectively to these external dynamics, the organization can sustain growth, foster innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.