Reference no: EM132361028 , Length: 6000 words

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the relationship between strategic management and leadership.
• Be able to apply management and leadership theory to support organisational direction.
• Be able to assess leadership requirements and to plan the development of leadership skills.

Developing Strategic Management and Leadership Skills

Format: Research

Notes: To be presented and referenced in a written report of 6,000 words (+/- 10%) in length (excluding appendices). Please note that we request also tables, figures and charts. Furthermore, fundamental requirements to write the assignment are to follow the scenario and task guidelines, to mention the references and to use the Harvard Referencing. Finally it is fundamental that the learner gives its opinion in third person (for an example: "it is possible to say"; "from the data acquired it is safe to say..." and so on). Failing to follow one or more of these guidelines will automatically fail your assignment

The Purpose of this Assignment:

For an organisation to be competitive both now and in the future, it is vital to understand how current thinking on leadership influences an organisation's planning to meet current and future leadership requirements. This assignment will enable you to demonstrate an understanding of the links between strategic management, leadership and organisational direction, and the skills to be able to apply this understanding within an organisational context.

Scenario:

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational that develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and services. In this case you will work at the Microsoft Xbox Division. The Xbox is a home video game console and the first installment in the Xbox series of consoles manufactured by Microsoft.

You are appointed as an Assistant Manager in the head-office of Microsoft Xbox. The management asks you to conduct a research as they are planning to implement a new management and leadership method. In this case you are asked to provide a comprehensive review of the functions of major strategic management and leadership required to achieve strategic objectives. Before concluding this section you have to analyse the impact of different management and leadership styles on strategic decisions. Then you have to evaluate how these styles have been adapted to meet challenges in at least two (2) different situations and organizational contexts.

Once all that is completed the management wants you to critically analyse at least three management and leadership theories (with relevant models) and how these same models can be applied to Microsoft Xbox and which one is preferred.

Finally, once you complete all this your last task is to explore and assess some current challenges that leaders have to face now and in the near future. Next to this you also decide to propose a plan for the recruitment and future development for a specific leadership role in the form of a chart. You are required to submit a professionally presented research to the CEO by the agreed date.

On the base of the above scenario the Learner has to:

Task 1

I. Understand the relationship between strategic management and leadership

1. Provide a comprehensive review of the functions of major strategic management and leadership required to achieve strategic objectives of Microsoft Xbox. (1.1).

2. Analyse the impact of different management and leadership styles on strategic decisions of Microsoft. Finally evaluate how these styles have been adapted to meet challenges in at least two different situations and organisational contexts. (1.2, 1.3).

Task 2

II. Be able to apply management and leadership theory to support organisational direction.

1. Critically analyse a minimum of three management and leadership theories and models explaining how they can be applied to different situational contexts within Microsoft. This task should also include a discussion of the impact that different styles can have on the different situational contexts. (2.1).

2. Explain which management and leadership theories and models you would recommend for the organization in order to support its strategic direction. (2.2).

Task 3

III. Be able to assess leadership requirements and to plan the development of leadership skills.

1. Explore and assess some current challenges that leaders face both today and in the near future for a specific situation within Microsoft. (3.1 3.2).

2. Finally, you need to prepare a plan for the recruitment and future development for a specific leadership role in the form of a chart. These needs to address different ways and initiatives for developing leadership skills to meet these challenges identified in Task A and provide an analysis of the advantages, disadvantages and level of relevance of each method. Include a section on a plan for the development of your own leadership skills. (3.2, 4.1, 4.2).