In addition to enabling you to demonstrate your ability to write an academic essay, this element of the Study Skills module requires you to research, analyse and apply your understanding of a topical business management related issue.

The essay forms an important part of your degree studies in terms of broadening your knowledge and understanding of a key issue facing organisations and employers in contemporary society.

The topic for the essay is:

“Some commentators argue that leadership is simply one facet of the management role.  Others argue that leaders and managers make different contributions: leaders have followers, managers have subordinates” (Buchanan and Huczynski, 2007, 598).

Focusing on your own company or organisation, address the issues an effective manager would need to consider when engaged in the management and leadership of the workforce.

You should ensure that there is appropriate academic research to underpin the work.  Your essay should contain the following elements:

Introduction (approx. 10% of word count)

• Introduce the topic, briefly considering why it is an issue and outlining the aim, objective and scope of the essay, with reference to appropriate literature to demonstrate the academic basis of your work.

Main body (approx. 80% of word count)

• Identify the characteristics of an effective manager;

• Consider the role of a manager within your organisation, focusing in particular on:
  • managing personnel whilst meeting organisational needs;
  • the importance/relevance of both management and leadership when managing a workforce.

Conclusion (approx. 10% of word count)

• Informed by the main body of the work, provide your own opinion and draw conclusions about the issues an effective manager should consider when managing and/or leading a workforce;

If appropriate, make a recommendation(s) for your organisation