Introduction

Strategic management refers to taking the initiatives and actions to achieve the goals of the organization. On the other hand, leadership means to lead the people of the organization so that the employees of the organization can move on an aligned objectives with the other employees of the organization to reach the goals of the organization. Leadership and strategic management are internally related to each other, one is not complete without the assistance of the other one. Relation between strategic management and leadership is intricate. This piece of writing will explore the relation between strategic management and leadership.

Relation between strategic management and leadership

Before linking the two elements, this is important to define these two concepts. Strategic management refers to taking actions to reach the goals and vision set by the top management of the organization in consideration of the resources available to it. On the other hand leadership is a strategic action which takes different strategic leadership styles on the basis of the needs of the needs of the organization and the external environment so that the employees are motivated to reach the goals of the business. Relation between strategic management and leadership is intricate, one of the function cannot operate without the help of the other one because the objectives of the top management cannot be met if the employees are not motivated and if the employees are not directed at the right way. Direction to the employees to the right way and making them motivated to accomplish the goals of the organizations are the jobs of leadership.

Strategic management of an organisation sets the broader aims and objectives that all the employees and leaders of the organisation should follow. This means even the leadership styles and leadership positions must align with the strategic directions. This suggests that strategic management and strategic directions should work in close association with leadership in an organisation.

Application of the relation between strategic management and leadership in Unilever

In Unilever, both of the concepts, leadership and strategic management are very much important. Unilever has a vision and the strategic management of the company makes strategic plan, organize the resources and take actions to accomplish the vision of the organization. To accomplish the vision of Unilever, the employees of the company must be directed to the proper way and they must be motivated so that they are willing to reach the goals of the company. Thus if the strategic management of the company accomplishes the duties of the company properly and if the leadership styles of the company can properly trace the leadership style needs and take actions to provide that, the employees of Unilever will likely to reach the vision of the organization.