Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Case Notes
Chapter 12: Addressing Ethics in Leadership
Case 12.1: The Write Choice
Case Summary
This case study outlines the ethical decision-making process that leaders (in this case, a
professor) must make when faced with dilemmas aligned with following policy. In this case, a
student, Kelly, openly plagiarized a brochure from a community agency in order to meet
requirements for an assignment. The professor in this case, Professor Ramirez, is left with an
ethical dilemma as whether or not to report Kelly for plagiarism, which could have a significant
impact on her ability to obtain employment (which Professor Ramirez has already recommended
her for), and to graduate from community college.
Case Analysis
This case study presents a scenario where ethical values, actions, honesty, and character
conflict with institutional roles in regulations. In this scenario, Kelly, the student in question,
clearly breached an institutional policy. However, the seriousness of the policy could have had
very severe consequences on Kelly’s future, preventing her from securing employment post–
graduation and requiring her to repeat the course after a semester suspension.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Even though Professor Ramirez deviated from the college’s policy regarding plagiarism, do
you feel she acted ethically?
Professor Ramirez acted ethically by still holding Kelly to a standard and not permitting her to
2. If you were a student in this class and learned Professor Ramirez made an exception for this
student, would you think she acted ethically? Explain.
There are two perspectives for this answer. On one end of the spectrum, some students would
3. In Table 11.1 the Six Pillars of Character are detailed. Which of these six pillars did
Professor Ramirez display in consideration for her student, and how?
Professor Ramirez displayed trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, and caring for her
student, Kelly.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
4. Professor Ramirez’s actions ultimately brought into question whether or not the ends justify
the means. Do you feel that her leniency in this case made her a stronger or more ethical leader?
Explain.
It could be argued that Professor Ramirez was a weaker ethical leader by not ultimately
Case 12.2—In Good Company
Case Summary
Over the past decade, companies and businesses have been making a conscious effort to change
the current viewpoint of the standard measurement of success. Profitability tends to be the
measure in which most of the world uses when evaluating success, but a new movement has
taken root and is causing businesses and companies to rethink the current way in which success
is evaluated.
Vermont, in particular, became the second state in the United States to enact benefit corporation
legislation, outnumbering the number of B Corps per capita with more than 30 throughout the
state. Green Mountain Power, for example, is working hard to come to a better conclusion as to
how to provide people with the power that they need in order to function and survive that is more
sustainable and environmentally friendly. The state was ranked as number one on the 2017
Opportunity Index (evaluates four aspects of a community’s well-being: economy, education,
health, and community).
Case Analysis
This case study offers a perspective of two different measures of success for businesses other
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
It is additionally important to remember the impact that ethical values may have on profitability
in the long-term. As more companies are moving to this model of environmental sustainability, it
could have a positive impact on profitability. As more consumers worry about the character and
actions of corporations, Benefit Corporations, despite not maximizing profits, may still end up
extremely profitable.
Sample Answers to Case Questions
1. Discuss how the concepts of Triple Bottom Line and the B Corporation relate to each of
the Six Pillars of Character that influence ethical leadership.
B Corporation
Trustworthiness
Transparency is built into the structure of the B Corps, requiring them to
transparent third-party standard.
Respect
Required to pursue positive stakeholder impact alongside profit.
Responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is built into the framework of this model.
corporation.
structure.
communities.
2. Ethical leaders as discussed in the chapter use “moral means to achieve their goals.”
Discuss how this definition would apply to companies desiring to be B Corporations.
The entire idea surrounding B Corporations is using a moral compass in order to achieve the
goals that are set forth. B Corporations strive to be a force for good within a community as well
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
3. Transparency in B Corporations is a key element to their status and certification. How
does this transparency relate to the chapter’s discussion on honesty and the balance
required to appropriate disclose information?
Transparency is demonstrated through the publication of “annual benefit reports of their social
4. The chapter outlines 3 leadership values used to distinguish ethical leaders: Ethical,
Modal, and End.
a. Describe how each of these values might be reflected in a B Corporation?
Ethical – company leaders can build in methods to show fairness for employees and community
b. Describe how each of these values are reflected in the State of Vermont’s encouragement
of B corporations in their state.
Ethical – The State of Vermont itself is focused on making the community livable and a healthy
state economic positioning
5. The text defines ethical leadership as “the influence of a moral person who moves others
to do the right thing in the right way for the right reasons.” Do you think, after reading the
above case, that this definition applies only to “persons” or can it be expanded to entities
such as companies, states, and other government entities? Why or why not?
Companies, states, and other government entities have the responsibility to display ethical
leadership and ethical standards of behavior. Rules and regulations are put into place to protect
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 5e
SAGE Publishing, 2021
6. Research a Vermont B Corporation – you may use one discussed in the case or search
the directory provided at https://bcorporation.net/directory (filter on Vermont). Discuss