The Westminster Business School Debates concept seeks to bring together an interdisciplinary panel of speakers who bring a variety of perspectives to make for a stimulating and insightful debate around the topic under discussion.
The latest in our series of debates will explore what it really means to be a leader or manager. The distinction is often glossed over with the terms “management” and “leadership” even used interchangeably in some contexts. How then can we better define the terms and distinguish between what makes a good manager and a good leader? Managers are usually more clearly identified within organisational structures. How can we identify someone as a leader rather than a manager? Do you have to work your way up through different levels of management before you can become a leader? We will also consider the role of followers. Are all employees followers?
Speakers
Our speakers for the event are as follows:
- Professor Richard Harding is an expert in organisational history. From 1990 to 1999 he was Director of the Management Development and Accreditation Centre of the University of Westminster, which specialised in delivering competence-based and academic management awards to corporate clients. He has also worked on specialist Master's programmes in management/organisational development and strategic leadership. He was Head of the Department of Leadership and Professional Development (2009-2016)
- Dr Rebecca Wang has spent over 20 years working in Higher Education in both the UK and China. She is the Programme Director of MSc/MA International Business and Management at Westminster Business School and acts as the Director of Teaching, Learning and Quality
- The session will be chaired by Dr Karen Jackson, Reader in Economics and Assistant Head of School (Organisations, Economy and Society)