Final answer:
The duty of an agent to prioritize their client's interests above all others, including their own, is known as loyalty. Loyalty is essential for maintaining trust and integrity in professional relationships and aligns with Ross's duty of fidelity.
Step-by-step explanation:
a) Loyalty
An agent's duty to place their client's interests above their own is referred to as the duty of loyalty. This principle is part of the ethical obligations in various professional domains, including law and real estate. The duty of loyalty is grounded in the belief that an agent should prioritize the client's needs and goals over any potential personal gains or outside influences. As one of the main moral commitments identified by Ross, it aligns closely with his described duty of fidelity, which dictates honesty and promise-keeping within moral and professional relationships.
By exercising loyalty, an agent not only ensures a trust-based relationship with their client but also upholds a standard of ethics that benefits the integrity of the profession. It is imperative that this duty be taken seriously, as the failure to do so can result in legal consequences, a damaged reputation, and a breach of trust that can be difficult, if not impossible, to repair.