3.1 Roles and Responsibilities of Employers, Directors and Managers

Question 1

The general management literature suggests that the key difference between leaders
and managers is that:

Answer 1

“Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right
things”

Question 2

If leadership is viewed as a process rather than an innate personal quality, the key
requirements for a leader are to:

Answer 2

 Set a clear and credible vision of the future state the organisation is trying to
achieve;
 Establish the style and tone of communication, the social architecture and
organisational culture;
 Create an atmosphere of two way trust between leaders, managers and the
workforce; and
 Visibly demonstrate: commitment; persistence; willingness to take risks / accept
losses; consistency; self-knowledge and above all learning.

Question 3

Middle managers provide the connection between strategic apex and operating core of
an organisation. For managers to be able to do things right, and to become committed
to the organisation’s health and safety objectives an effective infrastructure has to be
in place. The infrastructure should consist of:

Answer 3

 A robust health and safety management system (OHSAS 18001 or HSG65);
 Management health and safety training;
 Clear targets for health and safety management (proactive – including positive
behaviours);
 Provision of adequate resources to enable objectives to be met;
 Monitoring and review of performance against targets; and
 Recognition and reward for good health and safety performance.