Discussion

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Not all organizations are global, or international.  However, more such organizations exist now than in previous eras of human history.  And, some large and complex organizations, like the U.S. Army, involve individuals from other nations in their work.  Name and briefly describe an individual who has been a well-respected leader of global/international diversity. (The individual may or may not be known personally by you.) 350 words total finish this

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· After being in multiple courses regarding diversity and situations where people overcome certain obstacles, I knew the right person for this topic. Chimamanda Adichie, a well-known  author from Nigeria; Focusing on complications regarding her transitioning into the United States and the misunderstanding people can interpret if they only hear one story. Adichie is considered an influential leader due to the fact she preaches how to beat all odds especially if you are a minority or a women because the United States has a negative perception of gender equality. Adichie has encouraged women to not accept the norm of being inferior to men for as society has placed. Adichie goes by to tell women to know their worth, be mindful of what you deserve and never underestimate yourself. Coming from Nigeria Adichie has experienced discrimination in the workplace and has wrote mutilple books and journals on her tribulations. Her followers have gained insight on her experience and many are uplifted due to the fact people can correlate to such experiences.

REPLY TO THE ONE BELOW: 150 words

Most recently, after being sworn in as the United States (U.S.) Secretary of Defense on January 22, 2021, retired four-star Army general Lloyd Austin represents global and international diversity.  He is an African American man who has been the first in many cases.   The first African American to serve as the operations officer for the 82nd Airborne Division as a lieutenant colonel.  He was the first African American general officer to command a U.S. Army Division in combat and to lead a Corps in combat. He was the first African American general officer to command an entire theater of war (U.S. Forces-Iraq).  That is nearly a decade of being deployed overseas in a warzone.  He was also the first African American to serve as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and as Commander of U.S. Central Command.  

The Department of Defense is responsible for keeping the military forces prepared to deter war and protect the country.  The role of Secretary of Defense is to oversee the Defense Department and acts as the principal defense policymaker and adviser making this a global position considering our role in military affairs across the globe.  His role will be to understand the cultural component of the military before making decisions or drafting policy that affects the military culture and preparedness. Austin can be categorized as a culturally competent and proactive leader (Chin & Trimble, 2015).  He led and was accepted by his soldiers and subordinate commanders that spanned the full gamut of cultures in the military as observed in his successful career.  Through his success, it is evident that he successfully navigated and connected among different cultures supported by programs that fostered and promoted diversity.  It is the myriad differences tied by values that makes the United States so unique.  Austin’s collaborative leadership will facilitate the United States military and world to travel further down the continuum of diversity focused on achieving unified goals.  Austin is a visionary who can look at the past and present to exercise promising forethought of the outcome of tomorrow based on the current variables at his disposal.  His time as Secretary of Defense has the potential to continue to shatter false stereotypes making room for other diverse leadership in the 21st century.