human resource

Assignment 2 Part B: Going Beyond the Case

JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century

Write Your Professor’s Name here

Write the Date here

How to Get Started:

Use the bolded black section and sub-section titles below to organize your paper. For each section, read the notes in green, which explains what to cover in that section. Then, delete the green notes and write your content for that section in regular black text. Write this paper in your own words, only citing course materials and other sources when paraphrasing ideas or quoting specific content from the source text.

When you have finished writing your paper, keep the section and sub-section titles in bolded black text as part of your paper and your own content in regular black text. Remember to delete all the green text before submitting your paper.

The Body of Your Paper Starts Here:

Introduction

An Introduction should be succinct and to the point. Start your Introduction with a brief summary of the paper’s topic - in this case, the paper connects the case study about Nadella at Microsoft with your own leadership journey. Next, write a thesis statement where you describe the major areas you will address in your paper - indicate which four of the six topic areas you have chosen to focus on. Write the thesis statement after you complete the other sections of the paper. It only needs to be one paragraph in length.

Learning From Nadella’s Example

This section corresponds to Topic 1. It examines Nadella’s style as a leader and gives you the opportunity to compare your leadership style with his. The suggested length is 1 to 2 pages for this section.

Under this main heading, briefly introduce the topic for this section, and then explain why you selected this as one of your four topic areas. Then, use the subheadings below to provide more details.

Nadella and His Background

In this sub-section, describe the experiences from Nadella’s professional and personal life that helped him to be successful as the CEO of Microsoft. Make specific reference to relevant details from the case study and explain the benefits of those experiences for Nadella as preparation for the CEO role.

Nadella and Authentic Leadership

In this sub-section, explain what made Nadella an “ authentic leader.” Refer to relevant examples in the case study. What is meant by the term “ role-model management?” Identify actions Nadella took that demonstrate his beliefs in “ role-model management.” Include references to course materials and the case study to support your position.

In this sub-section, compare your leadership style with that of Nadella. Specifically, identify which of Nadella’s leadership traits closely align with traits that you have or wish to develop. Then, identify the ways in which you are most different from Nadella in terms of your leadership style.

Leadership and Taking Risks

In this sub-section, reflect on your ideas about the importance of a leader's willingness to take risks. Refer to relevant examples in the case study. Give examples of appropriate risks for a leader to take and discuss your ideas about when risk-taking might not be an appropriate leadership response.

Building a High-Performing Culture

This section corresponds to Topic 2. It compares your organization's culture with the culture at Microsoft when Nadella became CEO. It then explores how to build a stronger culture in your own organization. The suggested length is 1 to 2 pages for this section.

Under this main heading, briefly introduce the topic for this section, and then explain why you selected this as one of your four topic areas. Then, use the subheadings below to provide more details.

Building a Learning Culture

In this sub-section, describe specific steps leaders must take to build a learning culture at their organizations. Include references to course materials to support your position. Clearly explain why this approach is the best way to improve the learning environment at your organization.

Comparing Cultures

In this sub-section, identify similarities between your organization’s culture and that of Microsoft’s when Nadella became CEO. Make specific references to relevant details from the case study focusing on Microsoft’s culture that Nadella inherited from previous leaders of the organization.

Changing the Culture: Where to Start?

In this sub-section, describe the first steps you would take if you wanted to change or realign the culture at your organization. Refer to relevant sources from the course that support your ideas. Clearly explain why these first steps are the best ways to begin the process of change.

Changing the Culture: Major Challenges

In this sub-section, identify the biggest challenges you would face when trying to change or realign your organization's culture. Explain why these issues pose the most difficulty for a change leader at your organization.

Channeling Conflict

This section corresponds to Topic 3. It provides an opportunity to explore methods of managing conflict, both by Nadella at Microsoft and by your organization's leadership. The suggested length is 1 to 2 pages for this section.

Under this main heading, briefly introduce the topic for this section, and then explain why you selected this as one of your four topic areas. Then, use the subheadings below to provide more details.

Nadella and Conflict

In this sub-section, describe how Nadella accepted the reality of conflict at Microsoft and embraced it as a leader. Make specific reference to relevant details from the case study about Microsoft’s environment when Nadella took over as CEO.

How Should Leaders Manage Conflict

In this sub-section, consider how leaders determine which conflicts to embrace and which conflicts to avoid. How should a leader achieve a positive resolution in the areas of conflict that you have identified? Include references to course materials to support your position.

Areas of Conflict in Your Organization

In this sub-section, describe some of the biggest areas of conflict in your own organization. Explain why these areas are the ones that create the most conflict.

Management of Conflict at Your Organization

In this sub-section, assess how well conflict is handled at your own organization. Be sure to include both the handling of conflict within your own team and the handling of conflict across the larger organization by the CEO and executive team.

Effective Communication

This section corresponds to Topic 4. It describes the communication challenges Nadella faced at Microsoft, explores communication barriers at your own organization, and ways of overcoming them. The suggested length is 1 to 2 pages for this section.

Under this main heading, briefly introduce the topic for this section, and then explain why you selected this as one of your four topic areas. Then, use the subheadings below to provide more details.

Nadella and Communication Barriers

In this sub-section, describe the biggest communication barriers that Nadella faced at Microsoft and explain how they made it hard for him to realize his vision of “one Microsoft.” Refer to specific relevant details from the case study about Microsoft’s culture when Nadella took over as CEO.

How Leaders Approach Effective Communication

In this sub-section, focus on what tools and communication practices are most useful to leaders in building teams that embrace a common vision. Explain why these are the more useful tools and practices. Refer to relevant course materials to support your position.

Communication Barriers at Large and Small Organizations

In this sub-section, answer the question, “ Do you believe that the communication barriers Nadella faced are unique to large organizations, or do they occur at smaller organizations, too?” Give a clear rationale for your answer, referring to relevant course materials in support of your ideas.

Communication Barriers at Your Organization

In this sub-section, consider if these communication barriers occur in your own organization. Explain why the communication barriers that Nadella encountered do (or do not) occur in the context and culture of your company.

Fostering Diversity and Learning

This section corresponds to Topic 5. It describes how Nadella sought to increase diversity at Microsoft, explores the benefits of diversity in the workplace, and identifies obstacles to increasing diversity. You will also discuss ways to achieve greater diversity in your own organization. The suggested length is 1 to 2 pages for this section.

Under this main heading, briefly introduce the topic for this section, and then explain why you selected this as one of your four topic areas. Then, use the subheadings below to provide more details.

Nadella and Diversity

In this sub-section, describe how Nadella worked to enhance diversity when he became CEO at Microsoft. Explain why it was one of his goals to enhance diversity across the organization. Refer to relevant details from the case study about the levels of diversity at Microsoft when Nadella took over as CEO.

The Importance of Diversity

In this sub-section, explain why diversity, in terms of culture, experience, background, and viewpoint, is so important for any organization. Additionally, explain the value of having a diverse workforce. Be sure to explore the different meanings of the word “diversity” as part of your discussion. Refer to relevant course materials to support your position.

Obstacles to Diversity

In this sub-section, describe some of the risks and obstacles that leaders face when seeking to instill more diversity in their organizations. Refer to relevant course materials and/or real-world examples to support your ideas.

Your Approach to Increasing Diversity

In this sub-section, focus on your own approach to increasing diversity. Describe what steps you could take to strengthen your own organization by increasing diversity in your team, as well as the organization’s broader workforce. Explain the benefits that increased diversity would bring.

Building a Learning Organization

This section corresponds to Topic 6. It describes how Nadella changed his team’s attitude to learning, explores learning at your organization, and encourages reflection on the value of a “learn-it-all” mindset. The suggested length is 1 to 2 pages for this section.

Under this main heading, briefly introduce the topic for this section, and then explain why you selected this as one of your four topic areas. Then, use the subheadings below to provide more details.

Nadella’s Team and Learning

In this sub-section, describe what Nadella did to change his team’s approach to learning when he became CEO at Microsoft. Explain why he felt that it was important to transform the “ know-it-alls” into “ learn-it-alls.” Refer to relevant details from the case study regarding the various attitudes towards learning at Microsoft when Nadella became CEO.

Promoting Learning in a Team

To be an effective leader, Jack Welch said that you must be confident enough to ask a lot of questions and not be afraid to be the dumbest person in the room. In this sub-section, discuss how a leader can promote a hunger for learning in their teams and consider how a leader can support team members who are afraid to ask questions or challenge the status quo. Include references to course materials to support your position. Consider real-world examples, as well.

Learning at Your Organization

In this sub-section, describe where your organization fits in terms of the “ knowledge-learning” spectrum. Be sure to explore the meaning of the term “ knowledge-learning” as part of your discussion. Refer to relevant course materials to support your ideas.

Your “Learn-It-All” Mindset

In this sub-section, define what the term “ learn-it-all” mindset means, then explain how this concept can be valuable for you as an MBA student. Describe what steps you will take to embrace a “ learn-it-all” mindset and apply it in your workplace and your studies.

Conclusion

Write a short conclusion to summarize your main findings and key points. State clearly how you have gone beyond the case and connected the themes from the case study with your own experience and your leadership journey. Like the Introduction, write this after you complete the other sections of your paper. It only needs to be one paragraph in length. This is not a graded part of your rubric, but it wraps up your paper and allows your reader to remember the main points you have made.

Finish Your Paper: Add a References (or Sources) page: