Assignment 1: Individual Essay
Weighting: 15%
Due Date: 19 October 2022@ 10.55pm Jam/11.55pm ECT
Related Course Objectives:
Critically examine the role of leadership in organizational transformation, with a view to
proposing measures for success in any given organization.
Make environmentally sound management/business decisions as a business owner or partner
Exercise ethical management and business choices in the conduct of the affairs of the
organization.
Assignment Description and Instructions:
The purpose of this assignment is to assess ethical implications in organizational leadership.
Read the case below, view the video on ‘Ethical Leadership’ and read the article on ‘Developing
a Framework for Ethical Leadership’ before answering the questions.
Case
James Bernard became the acting Principal of a secondary school in Trinidad on the retirement
of Principal Janice Maharaj. James was a former student of this school and was appointed to
teach Physics at his alma mater over 30 year ago. During that period he was promoted to the
position of Dean where he was involved in participatory leadership decision making. James was
also a builder in home construction and was granted a number of contracts by the principal to
refurbish certain areas of the school. Using his initiative, James would also paint and refurbish
areas of the school for no pay. Upon Janice Maharaj’s retirement, she left agreed contracts of
work by other companies with James who was expected to honour those contracts. However, on
his appointment as acting Principal, James did not proceed with these contracts. Instead, he
proceeded to refurbish other areas of the school and also repainted the external walls of the
school using his wife’s construction company. James indicated to concerned staff members that
the school supervisor did not have a problem with this once he followed the procedure of
obtaining three bids for contracted work, which he did. James retired as acting Principal two
years after his appointment to that position.
Video – McCombs School of Business, 2019. Ethical Leadership, Part 1: Perilous at the Top,
Concepts Unwrapped. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmsl1xVx7Ec
Article – Lawton, A., & Páez, I. (2015). Developing a framework for ethical leadership. Journal
of Business Ethics, 130(3), 639-649. Available at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/AlanLawton2/publication/271922258_Developing_a_Framework_for_Ethical_Leadership/links/5719892e08
aed8a339e7033e/Developing-a-Framework-for-Ethical-Leadership.pdf
Questions
Using insights form the video, article and other readings (ensure that aspects of the video and
chosen articles are included in your response).
- Discuss five characteristics of ethical leadership with the use of relevant examples from
ethical leaders. - State and discuss three challenges of ethical leadership, and state three solutions to
address each of the challenges discussed. - Evaluate James Bernard’s ethical leadership as a dean and as a principal based on the
criteria as highlighted in your course readings.
Format for Discussion
Introduction
Analysis
o Response to Question 1
o Response to Question 2
o Response to Question 3
Conclusion
Reference List
Presentation and referencing:
Your word limit is 1000
Use Times New Roman Font, with a Font Size of 12 and Double Line Spacing
The assignment must contain proper citations 10 sources minimum with at least 6
scholarly peer reviewed journal sources and referencing using the APA Style, Version 7.
Submission: The report will be submitted as a Microsoft Word file to the designated Turn-It-In
Assignment Drop box.
Rubric for Individual Essay
Criteria Excellent 9-10 Good 7-8 Satisfactory 5-6 Poor 0-4
Organization &
Style (10)
Information is
presented in a
logical, interesting
way, which is easy
to follow. Purpose
is clearly stated and
explains the
structure of work
Information is
presented in a
logical manner,
which is easily
followed. Purpose
of work is clearly
stated and assists in
the structure of the
work
Work is sometimes
difficult to follow.
Lacks continuity
Purpose of work is
stated, but does not
assist in explaining
the structure of
work
Poor Sequencing
and organization.
Structure poorly
executed. Purpose
of work not given
Content &
Knowledge (30)
(Mark x 3 for
weight)
Excellent quality of
analysis and
evaluation –
presents a strong
essay. Very good
depth and breadth of
research, relevant to
theory and course
literature
Good analysis and
evaluation – essay
well presented.
Fairly good depth
and breadth of
research, relevant to
theory and course
literature
Only basic concepts
are addressed. Fair
relevance to theory
and course literature
Very little grasp of
information. Very
little knowledge of
subject matter. Very
few questions are
answered. Poor
interpretation made
Mechanics (Spelling
& Grammar) (10)
There are no errors
in spelling or in
punctuation,
grammar. Technical
terms are clearly
defined. Writing is
clear, concise and
persuasive
There are only a
few minor spellings
and/or grammatical
errors, and technical
terms are not always
clearly defined.
Writing is mostly
clear but somewhat
lacks conciseness or
There are a few
minor spelling
and/or grammatical
errors and technical
terms are not
defined. Writing is
not always clear and
lacks conciseness or
persuasiveness
There are several
spelling and or
grammatical errors;
technical terms are
not defined or are
poorly defined.
Writing lacks
clarity, conciseness
and persuasiveness
persuasiveness
Citations and
References (10)
Academic
references used
effectively and
source requirement
met. References
produced during the
last five years. APA
style always
correctly used
Academic
references used
effectively and
source requirement
somewhat met.
Most references
produced during the
last five years. APA
style almost always
correctly used
Academic
references mostly
used effectively and
source requirement
met partially. Most
references used over
five years old. APA
style correctly used
in some instances
No worthwhile
academic references
used and source
requirement not
met. APA style not
correctly used
Score Breakdown:
The maximum points you will be awarded for this assessment item total 60 points.
NB: Your final grade of 15% will be prorated based on the total number of points you are
awarded.
You will see this final grade listed against your name on the course page. For example, if
you are awarded 20/60 points and this assessment item is weighted out of 15%, your final
grade for this assessment item will be 5 % (20/60 x 15).