,IOP3707 Assignment 1 (COMPLETE ANSWERS)
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 7 April 2025
Read the following case study carefully and answer ALL the
questions that follow.
CASE STUDY: XYZ Home Loans (Please note the case study is not a
real company situation.)
Mr Superhero has been appointed at ABC Banking and will soon start in
his new job as HR Director. At his previous company, XYZ Home Loans,
where he held the same position, he had to work a notice period of two
months to ensure a proper handover and the upskilling of his six direct
reports. During his notice period, Mr Superhero took two weeks’ leave
although company policy does not permit it. Furthermore, he decided to
go for extremely expensive training in leadership and executive coaching
with money from the training budget which was earmarked for his
subordinates’ training. His leadership and executive coach training lasted
two weeks and he never used his new coaching skills at XYZ Home
Loans. To tell the truth, he planned to set up his own coaching practice.
After his leave and coach training, he had one month left to hand over
and upskill his staff.
The CEO was quite upset when she heard about his leave and training.
When she confronted him about it, Mr Superhero replied that he was
unaware of the leave policy despite his position as HR Director. In
addition, he believed that he was entitled to spend money on his own
training and that it wasn’t wrong of him to use the training budget meant
for his subordinates. Back in his office, Mr Superhero worked behind
closed doors when his staff needed him to hand over. He made vague
promises that he would make himself available on his last day. It seemed
that Mr Superhero did not provide any direction to his team. His direct
reports were confused about their roles and responsibilities. As a result,
everyone went in his or her own direction. There was no team cohesion
and no purpose.
, During his tenure at XYZ Home Loans, Mr Superhero had a dislike in
one of his direct reports and he made sure that he was demoted before he
left. He felt that, as HR Director, he had the right to punish people as and
when he pleased. Lastly, Mr Superhero asked his six direct reports to each
write an impressive reference letter before his last day at XYZ Home
Loans and to arrange a farewell gift of R20 000. Mr Superhero was quite
pleased with himself.
QUESTIONS
1.1 Discuss moral leadership and explain what it is to act like a moral
leader. Support your answers with suitable examples from the case
study. (14)
Introduction to Moral Leadership
Moral leadership is a form of leadership that is built upon
ethical values, integrity, fairness, and a commitment to
doing what is right rather than prioritizing personal gain
or organizational politics. Moral leaders make decisions
based on ethical principles, ensure that their actions
align with their words, and serve as role models for their
teams and organizations. They do not abuse their power
for selfish reasons but instead use their authority to
empower their employees and create a positive and
ethical workplace culture.
Semester 1 2025 - DUE 7 April 2025
Read the following case study carefully and answer ALL the
questions that follow.
CASE STUDY: XYZ Home Loans (Please note the case study is not a
real company situation.)
Mr Superhero has been appointed at ABC Banking and will soon start in
his new job as HR Director. At his previous company, XYZ Home Loans,
where he held the same position, he had to work a notice period of two
months to ensure a proper handover and the upskilling of his six direct
reports. During his notice period, Mr Superhero took two weeks’ leave
although company policy does not permit it. Furthermore, he decided to
go for extremely expensive training in leadership and executive coaching
with money from the training budget which was earmarked for his
subordinates’ training. His leadership and executive coach training lasted
two weeks and he never used his new coaching skills at XYZ Home
Loans. To tell the truth, he planned to set up his own coaching practice.
After his leave and coach training, he had one month left to hand over
and upskill his staff.
The CEO was quite upset when she heard about his leave and training.
When she confronted him about it, Mr Superhero replied that he was
unaware of the leave policy despite his position as HR Director. In
addition, he believed that he was entitled to spend money on his own
training and that it wasn’t wrong of him to use the training budget meant
for his subordinates. Back in his office, Mr Superhero worked behind
closed doors when his staff needed him to hand over. He made vague
promises that he would make himself available on his last day. It seemed
that Mr Superhero did not provide any direction to his team. His direct
reports were confused about their roles and responsibilities. As a result,
everyone went in his or her own direction. There was no team cohesion
and no purpose.
, During his tenure at XYZ Home Loans, Mr Superhero had a dislike in
one of his direct reports and he made sure that he was demoted before he
left. He felt that, as HR Director, he had the right to punish people as and
when he pleased. Lastly, Mr Superhero asked his six direct reports to each
write an impressive reference letter before his last day at XYZ Home
Loans and to arrange a farewell gift of R20 000. Mr Superhero was quite
pleased with himself.
QUESTIONS
1.1 Discuss moral leadership and explain what it is to act like a moral
leader. Support your answers with suitable examples from the case
study. (14)
Introduction to Moral Leadership
Moral leadership is a form of leadership that is built upon
ethical values, integrity, fairness, and a commitment to
doing what is right rather than prioritizing personal gain
or organizational politics. Moral leaders make decisions
based on ethical principles, ensure that their actions
align with their words, and serve as role models for their
teams and organizations. They do not abuse their power
for selfish reasons but instead use their authority to
empower their employees and create a positive and
ethical workplace culture.
