Management and Leadership

Management and Leadership

Management refers to the functions of planning, organizing, coordinating and staffing in an organization. Management is the basic principle behind the running of any institution. Leadership refers to the pivotal role played by individuals in an organization that aims at providing guidance and direction to others. In order to look deeply as to what entails leadership and management, is it better if an analysis is made of Allegiant Air, an airline that is headquartered in Orlando, Las Vegas.

The CEO of Allegiant Air is credited for the success of the company in the recent times. However, one may overlook the fact that his role is only that of providing the top management leadership that steers the company forward. This does not imply that everything in the company is done by him. Leadership is not about doing everything, but it is about coordination. With over 30 destinations all over the world where Allegiant Air has landing destinations, it is impossible for the CEO to coordinate all these directly (Thornton, 2003). However, the CEO carries the vision that makes him sit down, formulate policies and put up mechanisms that make things happen.

Management has all to do with putting up policies while leadership supplements it by ensuring that policies are followed. Leadership is about being an example to the rest and bearing the vision of the organization. During the recent volcano eruption in Iceland, very many flights to and from Europe were cancelled. This resulted in huge losses to many airline companies. The Chief Executive officer of Allegiant Air issued statements over this issue, in addition to the huge losses that the situation would lead to. To the ordinary employees, the effects may have been negligent except if they directly affected their job security. However, the Allegiant Air CEO was seen issuing the statement with a sad face, one could imagine he was crying. This depiction indicates somebody with a vision for the organization. They would do anything to ensure the vision is delivered (Forssell, 2008).

In order to boost the performance of organizations, leaders must put into consideration the need to consider quality before quantity. A study of the Allegiant Air indicated that the company made heavy losses during the Icelandic eruptions. However, this was not a reason to leave its clients stranded in airports. The company therefore decided to look for alternative accommodation for its clients as they wait to take their flights. Even as some managers complained that the company would have found cheaper hotels and accommodation for stranded passengers, the CEO gave a leadership contribution which was to allow them enjoy this so that they may be able to make Allegiant Air their preferred airline. This is all about leadership as the CEO could see beyond the eruption and the losses. As a matter or fact, this strategy paid well and the company has registered an eighty percent increase in profits in the year ending June 2011.

Organizational managers have a great role to play in terms of establishing and maintaining organizational culture. This is best done through defending organizational principles and stand at all times. This would entail following organizations working codes from dressing to operations. Since mangers are looked upon as leaders, they would be role models for other to follow. For instance, Allegiant Air has a policy of putting on staff identification cards. In order for this rule to be upheld, the CEO has to lead by example by always putting his on whenever he is on duty. He does this regardless of the fact that he has nobody above him that would dictate for him to do so. This makes it easier for other staff to follow suit.

One of the most important functions of management is staffing. Staffing would make or break an organization. The management of an organization has the obligation of ensuring that the organization has adequate staff. However, leadership is about creating a unifying factor for the workers. It is clear that Allegiant Air cannot do without staff including the crew and engineers. However, there is engineers and crew work under policies and plans established by the management starting from the board of directors (Mabey & Finch-Lees, 2007).

Globalization has seen organizations changing their operations and modes of business transactions. This is through the full embrace of technology and boundary expansion. Through these organizations are able to expanding and have their overseas operations increased for more profits. Allegiant Air has not been left behind in terms of globalization effect. The company has recognized the need to masses travelling to various parts of the world. This has made it engage in massive expansion plan that has seen it opening six new destination centers in 2011 alone (Armstrong & Stephens, 2005).

In order to maintain a healthy organizational environment, there is need for companies to always learn from mistakes and be ready to learn from other players in the industry. Through this, managers would be able to make sound decisions that would eventually steer the organization to success. Allegiant Air has been successful due to massive exchange programs that have taken place involving both the management and the staff of the company. The company has been organizing for exchange programs with other big players in the industry such as the British and the Dutch Airlines. This has seen various operational and managerial stakeholders in the co0mpany gaining knowledge that has been useful in the growth of the company.

Organizational managers need to be inclusive and open minded in order for them to play leadership roles and steer organizations ahead. This would entail that they be quick in putting in place contingency measures. The business environment is at times unpredictable. This means that mangers need to work with what has been predicted, but also prepare to change the management style if the unpredicted happens. Managers ought not to be rigid but be quick thinkers who can make fast yet informed decisions whenever the unpredicted happens (Thornton, 2003). This is what leadership entails, making decisions that others would follow and at the end delivering on the goal of the organization. 

References

Armstrong M., Stephens T. (2005), A handbook of management and leadership: a guide to managing for results, New York: Kogan Page Publishers

Mabey C., Finch-Lees T. (2007).Management and Leadership Development, London: SAGE Publishers

ForssellD.C. (2008), Management and Leadership: Insight for Effective Practice, New York: Living Control Systems Publ,

Thornton P.B (2003), The Triangles of Management and Leadership, Vancouver: Media Creations

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