MNG03217: Assessment 3 - Reflective Essay: Personal Leadership Model

This reflective essay, submitted by a student and available on Desklib, delves into the complexities of leadership within a global insurance company. The essay begins with a personal account of ethical dilemmas faced by the student, who served as a unit manager, highlighting conflicts between sales pressures and ethical conduct, particularly concerning the use of misleading information to boost sales. The essay then explores different leadership styles, including the contrast between the student's approach, which emphasizes ethical standards and consensus-building, and a colleague's more results-driven, potentially unethical approach. The influence of multiculturalism within the workplace is also discussed, reflecting on how personal values and beliefs, such as religious faith, shape leadership practices and decision-making. The essay further examines the importance of emotional intelligence, visionary leadership, and the impact of cultural values on personal traits and leadership styles, ultimately advocating for ethical and sustainable leadership practices.

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Leadership in Business
Personal Leadership Model

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
MNG03217: Assessment 3 – Reflective Essay 30%
STUDENT COPY
Marking Criteria
MNG03217: Assessment 3 – Reflective Essay 30%
NAME: Student ID:
Marking Criterion NS P C D HD
Identifies and presents the STUDENT’S OWN perspective and position. (6)
 See Marking Rubric below
Identifies and assesses key assumptions. (7)
 See Marking Rubric below
Identifies and considers the influence of the context *. (6)
 See Marking Rubric below
Identifies and assesses conclusions, implications and consequences. (7)
 See Marking Rubric below
Presentation: (4)
 Times New Roman font, 12-point font-size, 1.5 or double-spaced line
spacing, 2.54 cm margins and 1-line spacing between paragraphs.
 Within +/– 10% of word limit.
 Demonstrates clear and coherent writing style in first or third person
perspective.
 Demonstrates detailed attention to essay structure, expression,
spelling, punctuation and grammar.
 Provides minimum five (5) references, correctly formatted in-text and
in List of References in Harvard style.
Grade:
Comment:
MNG03217: Assignment 3 Marking Rubric
Not Satisfactory Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction
1. Identifies and presents the STUDENT’S OWN perspective and position as it is important to the analysis of the
issue. (6)
Addresses a single source
or view of the argument
Identifies own position on
the issue, relative to
Identifies, appropriately
own position on the
Identifies,
appropriately, one’s
Identifies,
appropriately, one’s

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
and fails to clarify the
established or presented
position relative to one’s
own.
Fails to establish other
critical distinctions.
other positions but does
not provide supporting
evidence for the position.
Fails to acknowledge the
possible validity of other
positions.
issue, drawing support
from experience, and
information from course
materials.
Recognizes that there
are other valid points of
view.
own position on the
issue, drawing support
from experience, and
information available
from course materials.
Recognizes other valid
points of view and
counter-arguments that
may be made.
own position on the
issue, drawing support
from experience, and
additional information
not available from
assigned sources.
Recognizes other valid
points of view and
counter-arguments that
may be made and
responds to them.
2. Identifies and assesses the key assumptions. (7)
Does not surface the
assumptions and ethical
issues that underlie the
issue, or does so
superficially.
Identifies some, but not
all, of the assumptions
that have been made in
their analysis. Only
superficially considers the
validity of those
assumptions.
Identifies the
assumptions made in
their analysis and
considers their validity,
yet fails to surface
important ethical issues.
Identifies the validity of
the key assumptions
and ethical dimensions
that underlie the issue.
Identifies and addresses
the validity of the key
assumptions and
ethical dimensions that
underlie the issue.
3. Identifies and considers the influence of the context * on the issue. (6)
Discusses the problem only
in egocentric or socio-
centric terms. Does not
present the problem as
having connections to
other contexts—cultural,
political, etc.
Recognizes the
importance of issues such
as ethical, political and
cultural elements related
to the task but does not
discuss their impact.
Recognizes the
importance of issues
such as ethical, political
and cultural elements
related to the task and
discusses their impact.
Analyses the issue
considering relevant
contexts, but fails to
consider one important
context.
Analyses the issue with
a clear sense of scope
and context, including
an assessment of the
audience of the
analysis. Considers
other pertinent
contexts.
4. Identifies and assesses conclusions, implications and consequences. (7)
Fails to identify
conclusions, implications,
and consequences of the
issue or the key
relationships between the
other elements of the
problem, such as context,
implications, assumptions,
or data and evidence.
Draws incomplete
conclusions or considers
only some of the
consequences of the
conclusions.
Fails to reconsider
assumptions identified
earlier. Fails to reflect
upon own work.
Draws satisfactory
conclusions and
considers some of the
consequences of the
conclusions.
Reconsiders
assumptions identified
earlier and reflects upon
own work.
Identifies and discusses
conclusions,
implications, and
consequences. Partially
considers context,
assumptions, data, and
evidence. Reflects upon
their own assertions.
Identifies and discusses
conclusions,
implications, and
consequences
considering context,
assumptions, data, and
evidence. Objectively
reflects upon their own
assertions.
5. Formats and presents essay clearly and correctly. (4)

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Incorrect font, font-size,
line spacing, margins and
no line spacing between
paragraphs. Word count
not within +/– 10% of word
limit. Unclear and
incoherent writing style in
first or third person
perspective. Poor essay
structure, expression,
spelling, punctuation and
grammar. Provides less
than five (5) sources,
incorrect formatting in-text
and in List of References.
Does not use Harvard
Referencing style correctly.
Adequate standard of
formatting. Word count is
within +/– 10% of word
limit. Unprofessional
writing style in first or
third person perspective.
Adequate essay
structure, expression,
spelling, punctuation and
grammar. Uses Harvard
Referencing style mostly
correctly. Provides
minimum (5) sources but
incorrect formatting in-
text and in List of
References.
Sound standard of
formatting. Word count
is within +/– 10% of
word limit. Mostly clear
writing style in first or
third person
perspective. Adequate
essay structure,
expression, spelling,
punctuation and
grammar. Uses Harvard
Referencing style
correctly. Provides
minimum (5) sources,
mostly correct
formatting in-text and in
List of References.
Mostly correct
formatting throughout.
Within +/– 10% of word
limit. Coherent writing
style in first or third
person perspective.
Mostly correct essay
structure, expression,
spelling, punctuation
and grammar. Provides
minimum five (5)
references, correctly
formatted in-text and in
List of References in
Harvard style.
Correct formatting
throughout. Within +/–
10% of word limit.
Clear and coherent
writing style in first or
third person
perspective. Detailed
attention to essay
structure, expression,
spelling, punctuation
and grammar. Provides
minimum five (5)
references, correctly
formatted in-text and in
List of References in
Harvard style.
*Contexts for consideration
Cultural/social: Group, national,
ethnic behaviour/attitude
Scientific: Conceptual, basic
science, scientific method
Technological: Applied
science, engineering
Political: Organizational or
governmental
Educational: Schooling, formal
training
Economic: Trade, business
concerns, costs
Ethical: Values Personal Experience: Personal
observation, informal character

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Introduction
During a short contract as the unit manager in a global insurance company, I faced different
ethical and leadership dilemmas. However, one occasion put to test my management skills in
leadership, ethics and multiculturalism. As a sales oriented company, my team was under
pressure to perform. We undertook projects based on result and each team was putting up enough
efforts to outperform the other. My colleague Timothy advised me that nothing comes easy in
marketing and I had to engage in corrupt dealings in order to sell the products. I had to use false
information about the price in order to convince more clients.
In his opinion, Insurance brokers from his home country excel because of skillful marketing
tactics that do not conceal the hidden charges. Timothy points out that marketing does not look at
the fairness in practice, competition nor pricing. This discussion brought about critical issues in
leadership, ethical management and personality traits. This essay unfolds the ethical dilemma
faced by leaders in the insurance industry. It focuses on the unit manager as a personal leader (Qi
& Ming-Xia, 2014). Level managers are responsible for setting a good example to subordinates
or followers. Employees in the global businesses come from different backgrounds hence are
guided by varied values and principles.

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Credibility Issues
The main components of leadership focus on each leader as an individual. This is a personal
approach to leadership. Aristotle one of the founding fathers of virtue leadership theories stated
that effective leadership is a combination of ethics coupled with action (Levine & Boaks, 2014).
Although I had a different opinion about Timothy’s approach to leadership, we were both
recognized leaders within the insurance company. In fact, it was commendable that his team
received awards severally for sales performance. I could not help but admire his charming
attitude and charisma, which endeared him to his teammates.
Credibility in management practices calls for emotional intelligence as propagated by Daniel
Goleman (Mohler, 2012). Leaders are different because of the influence that they have. Timothy
was the best manager in the company because he had a rare ability to influence individual
choices. However, he had his own perspective about leading and managing his team. His ideas of
success were different from mine. Although he depicted performance through tangible results in
sales activities, his model had questionable virtue. Goleman highlighted six models of leadership
including commanding, pacesetting, democratic and visionary. In the case of Timothy, he was a
pacesetter in the marketing department because of his vision to sell.
Timothy focused on the acquisition of more customers regardless of the channel he used. In this
case, the end justifies the means (Kemeny, et al., 2012). He set his pace based on self-direction
and not standard procedure. We had both gone through business classes and Ethics was part of
our professional training. However, my approach to leadership leans towards excellence and I
like to build consensus through effective leadership that supports quality standards. I found this
missing in Timothy because the corporate environment calls for affiliative leaders who connect
with team members within a harmonious system.

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Visionary Leadership and Personality Traits
In support of Goleman, contemporary leaders today develop ethical standards in personal
leadership styles (Goleman, et al., 2013). In business leadership, emotions have a critical
function because of self-awareness and decision making processes. I have personally faced
challenges that made me choose between earning more money and making quality, sustainable
decisions. Having personal values about business choices guides the self-regulation process.
When I encounter huge business deals that may not have ethical procedures, I find myself
tempted to ignore ethical values. Timothy was aware of the importance of performance in a
result-oriented industry.
Personal leadership defines a leaders attitudes, and practices. Engraved in cultural and ethical
frameworks, this leadership approach is subjective. This explains why Timothy’s style of leading
was different from mine. Although we were both unit managers, we approached our
responsibilities from a different point of view. Despite the fact that Timothy was leading in the
performance charts, I could not envy his management style because I felt that it was short-lived
and did not have personal fulfilment. I had the right perception of success and it did not matter
whether this had tangible results because my approach was more sustainable.
In my opinion, my behavior did not focus on pleasing people but on doing the right thing. In
order to develop the right management and leadership practices, I focused on a positive trait
while Timothy represented a callous approach that did not emphasize on the process. He showed
less commitment to his team members despite the fact that they liked his personality. His
approach is popular in marketing and advertising where there is a tussle between ethics and
business success (Boone & Kurtz, 2013). Globally, insurance firms and service providers arise

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
suspicion because of questionable ethics in product placement, pricing, professional conduct and
quality service delivery.
Multiculturalism
According to Chhokar, et al (2013) leading people is about the core personality traits and unique
values. These determine the type of leadership taken by industry leaders. Run by Indians, our
insurance firm had no restrictions on morality and my colleagues included a conglomerate of
Muslims, Christians and Buddhists. My perception of leadership is strongly based on spiritual
values. I am a Christian who believes in making concrete decisions based on love for the
neighbor and doing the right thing in fear of a supreme being. On the other hand, Timothy did
not commit to any religion.
Purporting to be an Atheist he ascribed to his own values defined by personal success factors. It
is good that he respected all kinds of faiths,but his actions failed to show enthusiasm for any
moral guidelines. His apathetic leadership practices did not consider service oriented leadership
and he prefered to lead a small team than a whole group. In his vision plan, unit managers had
better deals than branch managers because of the commissions. His idea of morality was
centered on reflection and not action or exemplar leadership. He ascribed to the right
management practices, which supported his outcome (Czinkota & Ronkainen, 2013).
Cultural values influence personal traits and some leaders are realistic while others are
impractical. If I chose to follow Timothys approach of dishonesty, I would be pessimistic about
building credible teams. During a HR appraisal process, it was evident that most of my team
members found motivation in group participation while Timothys team members were
indifferent and disorderly. They had no personal connection even though they produced positive

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
sales reports. I came to the conclusion that the professional work environment provided a perfect
setting for leaders to demonstrate their abilities as leaders and to gain the right perception about
work.
Leadership Theory
So what exactly is leadership? Timothy stands out as a leader in his own way but I recognize my
personal leadership style as more respectable. One of the critical assumptions about leadership is
that it comes naturally. However, I ascribe to the behaviorist approach, which concentrates on
tasks and relationships (Goleman, et al., 2013). This is different from traits based leadership
adopted by Timothy, which comes out as selfish. In his style of leadership, competition was key
to performance. His functional group in the organization often encountered challenges helping
customers to understand the importance of life and health insurance. On the other hand, my unit
had a convincing approach because we were honest when explaining our business approach to
our clients.
Behavioral leadership looks at the characteristics of the leader, and the connection to the
followers. In my team, people are more important than money. My followers were keen on the
clarification of each activity we undertook because it brought out our skills in sales and unique
attributes. We overcame barriers and took advantage of opportunities while emphasizing on
values. We organized our sales strategies around the company’s core values among them
integrity and customer service. On the other hand, in Timothy’s team individuals had divergent
goals based on assumptions like charisma and performance ability.

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Professional expertise calls for effective leadership, collaborative teamwork, and behavioral
support systems. Like other leaders, Timothy had the ability to engage others into sales actions.
However, his team lacked a leadership model to define the team’s core traits and values.
Influenced by individual philosophies, Timothy’s leadership style lacked morality and missed the
critical professional ethics. In order to harmonize his leadership approach with quality
leadership, he needed intellectual abilities that remain intact when tested. In Machiavelli’s word,
I support leaders who remain true to virtue in the midst of competing interests (Chervenak, et al.,
2013).
Conclusion
The consequences of following virtuous leadership may not always bear immediate positive
results. However, in the end virtue comes out as successful. Timothy may have won a number of
awards for leading the best performing team, but his approach exhibited vices. A deeper analysis
of his victory reveals loopholes and unnecessary risks. Like other businesses today, insurance
companies incur loses and legal suits because of failure to commit to their agreed service plans.
Customers around the globe feel duped in business by money hungry business leaders who focus
on profits while neglecting the non-tangible value approaches. I have learnt to differentiate
between leadership and personal interest because of real life examples by counterfeit leaders who
promote chaotic leadership. My primary function as a leader is not to gain popularity but to
provide service to humanity. I choose to implement rational leadership based on people.

MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
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MNG03217: ASSESSMENT 3 – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
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