Case Analysis: Two Tough Calls (A) Introduction: In this case, a young female manager had to decide

whether to terminate two underperforming people in her team while considering the pressures from her
superiors and boss with her decision-making and what would be best for the company and her team.
Leadership and Ethical Dilemmas in the Case: The first ethical dilemma she faced was whether to fire
Terry, who is friends with some of the company's CEO and Vice Presidents and was appointed by them to
join the company. She was in a tough decision because her superiors questioned her and pinpointed that
she might be wrong because of her poor management skills. Firing him would show as a failure on their
record since they were responsible for taking him into the company. She must decide whether to take a
stand and go against them to keep Terry, who has not contributed anything to her team, or fire him and
carefully consider that Terry might want revenge because of his questionable behaviors and because he
carries a gun. The other dilemma is whether to fire Phil or keep him in the company. It was challenging
because her boss wanted Phil to go because of a personal vendetta. On the other hand, Phil is married,
has a daughter, and is sick and might not be in the hiring state as where he is now. Looking at the
morality and ethics of the situation, she finds it a difficult decision to make. My Position on the Case: I
know the manager is in a challenging situation, but if she wants to move to the next level. She would
have to stand up for what she believes in, take the risk, and fire Terry even after seeing that her superiors
do not want him to go. Because, in the end, it is her decision, and she has to decide on what is best for
her team. As for Phil, even though there is acceptable evidence for him to get fired, it might display a
negative image of her and the company for firing someone with an illness or health issues, which may
send wrong signals to people outside and can affect her and the company's reputation. Therefore, the
company has been overgrowing, and Phil used to be a call center manager. I feel like she can speak with
the boss and devise an alternative for him to work somewhere in other parts of the company that may
be similar to what he used to do.

Relations of Article Readings to the Case: "The Parable of the Sadhu" We can relate Phil's case to the
Sadhu because they were both in terrible situations. The manager and her team tried to help him and
did all they could by taking support responsibilities from each other on the team while he was on leave
for treatment. However, it is unavoidable that he may still get fired and be left alone in a dire position,
just as the Sadhu was left alone after people did what they could for him. "Level 5 Leadership: The
Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve" The young manager has what it takes to become a level 5
leader. The situation she is in is demanding, and the choices she makes in those situations will define
who she is and if she has what it takes to reach level 5 leadership. In Terry's position, she risks showing a
strong professional will and getting rid of an unqualified employee even if it angers her superiors. As for
Phil, whether she will show humility and compassion and look for alternatives for him not to face or be
in a horrible situation.

References Badaracco, JR. Joseph L. "Two Tough Calls (A)."- Harvard Business School,
https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=9306027. McCoy, B. H. (1997). The Parable of the
Sadhu.Harvard Business Review,75(3), 54-64. Collins, J. (2005). Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of
Humility and Fierce Resolve. (cover story).Harvard Business Review,83(7/8), 136-146.