UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

TEST

COURSE : PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ETHICS

COURSE CODE : MGT 538
EXAMINATION : JUNE 2021
TIME : 7 DAYS

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

1.This question paper consists of TWO (2) parts: Part A (3 Questions)

Part B (2 Questions)

2. Answer ALL questions in Part A and B.

NAME MOHD SHARILL REZA BIN ROSLI

STUDENT ID 2021352709

GROUP ABA2431A

LECTURER MADAM IMA SYANAZ WAHIDIN

DO NOT TURN THIS PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

This examination paper consists of 4 printed pages
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PART A : SHORT ESSAY QUESTION

Answer ALL questions

Question 1

Self-discipline is the key element to enhance good personal qualities and work productivity.
In a way, it helps to transform what we are planning into reality. Identify FIVE (5) things a
person can do to achieve his/her self-discipline with the aid of an example for each.

(10 marks)

Question 2

Personal wellness involves the ability to maintain physical and mental health in dealing with
stress when it occurs. Stress can be handled either individually or with the assistance of the
organization which a person works in. Relate FIVE (5) ways of coping with stress according
to Islam.

(10 marks)

Question 3

Conflict competence is the ability to develop and use cognitive, emotional, and behavioral
skills that enhance productive outcomes of conflict reducing the likelihood of escalation of
harm (Runde & Flanagan, 2010). Differentiate between cool down and slow down with
appropriate examples.

(10 marks)

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PART B : CASE STUDY

Answer ALL questions

Question 1

Farhad has been an employee of XYZ company for the past 10 years. Farhad was very
outgoing, cheerful and bubbly in his casual smart daily attire. During his tenure there, he had
portrayed a positive image which every employer dreamed of. He was hardworking and
enthusiastic, and offered his help whenever it was needed. Due to that, he was promoted to
a managerial position in the company.

However, after 3 months in the new position, Farhad found it hard to cope with the tasks and
responsibilities of a manager. Previously, he only took orders and made small decisions, but
now, he was responsible for major decisions which affected the department, which he was
managing. Due to his lankness in completing his tasks, he worked increasingly long hours.
Eventually, he was hardly invited to any social events organized outside office hours and this
made him unhappy. Then, Farhad started to feel bad about his self-image. He felt that his
170cm height and 80kg of weight had to change. Despite his tight schedule, he registered
for some fitness classes which he failed to attend due to his bad time management. As the
General Manager to Farhad, what would be your advice to him?

(10 marks)

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Question 2

Safiyya is a manager in the human resource department. She oversees all recruitment
activities of the company. At every year end, department heads of other units would hand
over the planning and training needs analysis for their department. This would allow Safiyya
to plan her work as well as the overall allocation of budget for each department. Year end is
always a hectic time for all, including Safiyya, as there are many issues that need to be
cleared before the New Year begins. However, being a person who is very focused and has
all the necessary information at her fingertips, she managed to get everything done.
Safiyya’s performance garnered the attention of the top management and they are very
pleased with her.

On the other hand, Safiyya also has other qualities that only people who deal directly with
her are able to see. She is very insensitive person; she only focuses on getting her tasks
done and does not feel that understanding the feelings of employees and peers is important.
She would speak harshly, scream from her cubicle if she needs anything from the person
across the room and give blunt comments if the report given to her was not according to
what she wanted. Her attitude has made many of her subordinates look for job opportunities
elsewhere, as they feel that she is a harsh and hard person to work with.

a) Identify the type of communication style shown by Safiyya.

b) Explain the characteristics of the type of communication style mentioned above.
(10 marks)

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PART A: SHORT ESSAY ANSWER

1. FIVE (5) things that a person can do to achieve his/her self-discipline is by:

I. Utilize time efficiently

Keep asking yourself ‘What is the best use of my time right now?’
II. Develop self-control by taking charge of your feelings
Put aside immediate pleasure to attain a long-term goal
III. Get started and work on a task
Avoid being trapped into inaction by the desire for perfection. Break challenging
tasks into manageable chunks.
IV. Create momentum to get you moving on a difficult task
Set aside a specific time to work on it or begin by doing the easy part of it.
V. Reward yourself for completing unpleasant or difficult tasks
Reward yourself systematically; for example, at milestones that you achieve
throughout a project.

2. FIVE (5) ways of coping with stress according to Islam is by:

I. Do your part
Turn each worry or stress into a Dua and each Dua into an action plan. Dua is
basically talking to your Creator requesting Him to assist you in whatever areas
you wish to work on or improve. That will show your commitment to your request
and will focus your energy in the right direction.
‘Verify, Allah will not change the condition of people as long as they do not
change their state themselves.’ (Quran Ar-Rad,13:11)

II. Perform solah or prayers

In islam, the focusing and mentioning of Allah SWT and reciting the beautiful
names of His Attributes (Al-asma ul husna) are among the most effective of
meditation techniques for countless Muslims throughout the ages. Use the five
daily prayers as a means to become more Hereafter-oriented and less attached
to this temporary world. When you stand ready to pray, mentally prepare
yourself to leave this world and all of its worries and stress behind you.
Meditation and prayers help retain our sanity at its rightful place. Without them,
we weill surely lose our psycho-spiritual bearing.

III. Be patient
Seek help through Sabr and Salat. (Quran Al-Baqarah 2:45)
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IV. Do zikir
By remembering Allah in the way He has taught us to, we are more likely to gain
acceptance of our prayers and His Mercy in times of difficulty.
 Zikir means remembering Allah.
‘And your lord says’ Call on Me, I will answer your (prayer).’
(Quran Al-Ghafir, 40:60)

‘… without doubt in the remembrance (Zikir) of Allah do hearts find

tranquility.’
(Quran Ar- Rad, 13:28)
 Take your part, but remember, He who runs this world.
‘Verily Allah does not change man’s condition unless they change their
inner selves.’
(Quran Ar- Rad, 13:11)
V. Read the Al-Quran
Make the Al-Quran your partner when you are experiencing stress or facing
problems.
‘O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your lord and healing for
what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers.’
(Quran Yunus, 10:57)

3. Differentiate between cool down and slow down is a.

Cool Down
Cool down relates to your ability to regulate your emotion and cool down in stressful
and conflicting situations. The cooling down provides a more conducive setting for
further discussions. You do not allow yourself to remain in a state of emotional
imbalance for long because you understand that you may end up saying things that
may aggravate the situation. You are able to use proper breathing techniques and
positive visualizations to provide you with the calmness needed. If cooling down
doesn’t work, you know that you can always slow down.

Slow Down
Slow down involves developing a strategy for what to do when Cooling Down is not
working. Strong emotions can be challenging, and despite our best efforts there will
be times when our efforts to calm down will not be entirely effective. In these cases,
it is important to have ways of being able to slow things down. Taking a time out to
enable your emotions to calm down is way better that going too far and saying
something you will later regret. These comments that are accompanied by having
your foot in your mouth usually escalate the conflict and prove very hard to undo.

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PART B: CASE STUDY ANSWER

1. First of all, Farhad needs better self -management and time management. When he is
able to organize time to work and have fun, thus he can increase his productivity and
efficiency and this can make his life more balanced and avoid stress besides it also can
improve the social life of Farhad. For time management, he needs to organize the tasks
that have been given and prioritize which jobs should be done first so that the purpose is
clearer. Better if he has a schedule or planner to remind him. based from Farhad’s life,
we can see that he is under stress. Everyone will face stress in their life because life
involves constant change. The aim here is not to get rid of all of Farhad’s stress but to
avoid unnecessary stress and manage the rest effectively. With that said, I would
suggest Farhad to take time to have fun and relax and also adopt a healthy lifestyle. Eat
lots of fruit to get all the Vitamins needed for the body. Organize his life and plan ahead.
Next, Farhad lacks confidence because he has no experience being a manager. Some
suggestions to increase her confidence to take action to improve herself and develop
positive skills and habits. People sometimes make mistakes, let go of the past and focus
on the task ahead. Finally, Fahad needs to have self -acceptance. He needs to know
more about himself and he needs to understand that there are positive and negative
aspects in us. He needs to know his strengths and abandon self -defeating behaviors so
that he becomes a better and better self -acceptance manager.

2. a) Identify the type of communication style shown by Safiyya.

 Aggressive communication style

b) Explain the characteristics of the type of communication style mentioned above.

Aggressive communication is a style in which individuals express their feelings and

opinions to get what they want regardless of how they do it. They will also go to the
extent of violating the right of others just for their own needs and wants. Individuals who
practise aggressive communication are usually those with low self-esteem. This may be
due to past experience of physical and/or emotional abuse, unhealed emotional wouds,
and feeling of powerlessness. Aggressive communication styles are all about winning as
they believe that their needs are more important than others and must be fulfilled. They
feel that they are more deserving of good things than others people because they have
contributed more than other people. Aggressive communication usually use a harsh,
accusatory. Aggressive communicators usually use a harsh, accusatory tone of voice
that would lead to unnecessary conflict. They are also a poor listener who take the ‘my-
way-or-highway’ approach to leadership in order to accomplish their goals. If the
aggressive communicators are involved in a discussion, people would become defensive
around them and ignore their instructions even though they are technically correct
because of their abrasive manner.

 Try to dominate others

 Use humiliation to control others
 Criticize, blame or attack others
 Act very impulsively
 Speak in a loud, demanding and overbearing voice
 Act threateningly and rudely
 Do not listen well

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 Interrupt frequently

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