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JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century
Assignment 2: Part B
© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
JWI 510 – Assignment 2B (1244) Page 1 of 5
Assignment 2, Part B: Going Beyond the Case
Due: Monday, 9 am (eastern), Week 11 (25% of course grade)
Instructions
As you know, a core principle at JWMI is “learn it today; apply it tomorrow.” This assignment is a
continuation of the work you did in Part A, but the questions challenge you to go beyond simply analyzing
what Satya Nadella did at Microsoft. It is time to consider how you can apply the leadership principles
presented in the case to your own career. To prepare for Part B of this assignment, reread the entire case
and review the feedback you received from your professor on Part A.
Write a 6–7-page paper that draws links between the case and your own leadership journey. Of the six
topic areas below, select four (4) you would like to focus on.
1. Learning from Nadella’s Example
2. Building a High Performing Culture
3. Channeling Conflict
4. Effective Communication
5. Fostering Diversity and Learning
6. Building a Learning Organization
Make sure you consider each question in your response. Remember, a good response paper is one in
which you: (a) show you understand what happened in the case, (b) apply tools and citations from course
materials, and (c) offer insights into how you can apply the case and course materials to your own
leadership journey.
Use the Assignment 2, Part B template provided in your Canvas course. It has headings and sub-
headings, along with instructions on formatting of citations and references and topics to be covered.
1. Learning from Nadella’s Example
a. What did Nadella bring in terms of his own background (professional and personal) that
helped him to be successful in stepping into the CEO role?
b. What makes Nadella an “authentic leader”? What actions did he take that demonstrate
he believes in role-model management? Include references to course materials to
support your position.
c. What characteristics does Nadella display that most closely align to traits you have, or
aspire to develop, in your own leadership style? How are you most different from him in
your leadership style?
d. Why is it important for leaders to take (appropriate) risks?
2. Building a High Performing Culture in Your Organization
a. What steps must leaders take to build a learning culture? Include references to course
materials to support your position.
JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century
Assignment 2: Part B
© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
JWI 510 – Assignment 2B (1244) Page 2 of 5
b. In what ways is the culture in your current or former organization similar to what Nadella
faced when he took over Microsoft?
c. If you wanted to change or realign this culture, where would you begin?
d. What would be your biggest challenges? Why?
3. Channeling Conflict
a. In what ways did Nadella embrace conflict in his role as leader?
b. How should leaders determine which conflicts to embrace and which conflicts to avoid,
and once they make that decision, what can they do to encourage a positive resolution to
the conflict? Include references to course materials to support your position.
c. What are some of the biggest potential areas of conflict within your own organization?
d. How well do you and your organization handle conflict now? Explain
4. Effective Communication
a. What were the biggest communicative barriers that Nadella faced in creating “one
Microsoft”?
b. What tools and communication practices are most useful to leaders in building teams that
embrace a common vision? Include references to course materials to support your
position.
c. Are these barriers unique to large corporations, or do all organizations face them?
d. Do they occur in your own organization? Explain.
5. Fostering Diversity and Learning
a. How did Nadella seek to enhance diversity at Microsoft?
b. Why is diversity – in terms of culture, experience, background, and viewpoint – so
important for an organization? Include references to course materials to support your
position.
c. What are some risks or obstacles to instilling more diversity?
d. What steps can you take to make your organization stronger by bringing in more
diversity?
6. Building a Learning Organization
a. What did Nadella do to transform his team from “know-it-alls” to “learn-it-alls”?
b. Jack has said that to be an effective leader, you have to be confident enough to ask a lot
of questions and not be afraid of looking like the dumbest person in the room.
i. How can leaders promote a hunger for learning in their teams?
ii. How can leaders support team members who may be too afraid to ask questions
or challenge the status quo? Include references to course materials to support
your position.
c. On the “knowledge-learning” spectrum, where does your organization fit?
d. As an MBA student, especially if you have been out of school for a long time, what does
a “learn-it-all” mindset mean to you? What will you do to embrace it?
JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century
Assignment 2: Part B
© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
JWI 510 – Assignment 2B (1244) Page 3 of 5
Professional Formatting Requirements:
• Typed, double spaced professional font (size 10-12), includes headings and
subheadings, with one-inch margins on all sides.
• References must be included and provide accurate information that enables the reader
to locate the original source. Application and analysis of course materials and resources
is expected. Additional research is welcome.
• Include a Cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s
name, the course title, and the date.
• The paper’s length is 6-7 pages, excluding your Cover page and Reference list.
• Before submitting your paper, use Grammarly to check for punctuation and usage
errors, and make the required corrections.
JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century
Assignment 2: Part B
© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
JWI 510 – Assignment 2B (1244) Page 4 of 5
Rubric: Assignment 2, Part B
Weight: 25% Assignment 2 – Part B: Going Beyond the Case
Criteria Honors High Pass Pass Low Pass Unsatisfactory
1. Engages with
the case, as
well as other
course
materials
Weight: 25%
Exemplarily
refers to the
case and other
materials;
draws
comprehensive
and detailed
insights that
expand upon
the materials.
It is highly
logical, clear,
and concise.
Refers in detail
to the case and
other course
materials;
demonstrates a
clear
understanding
of the materials.
It is mostly
logical, clear,
and concise.
Satisfactorily
refers to the case
and/or course
materials.
It is somewhat
logical, clear, and
concise.
Vaguely alludes
to the case or
course
materials.
It does not contain
much detail about
any resources
used.
Does not make
any reference to
the case or
course materials.
It lacks any
link to the
course.
2. Provides
detailed
answers to
prompts in
four unique
topic areas
Weight: 20%
Offers
comprehensive
and detailed
answers to all
prompts in four
unique topic
areas;
demonstrates a
thorough
understanding of
the chosen
topics.
Responds to four
unique topic
areas and
answers all of the
stated prompts;
answers are kept
distinct and
detailed.
Satisfactorily
responds to four
unique topic areas
and provides good,
but basic answers
to all of the stated
prompts.
Partially responds
to three or fewer
unique topic
areas; not all of
the stated
prompts are
answered.
Does not
respond or
responds to two
or fewer unique
topic areas;
ignores all of the
stated prompts.
3. Draws
lessons and
insights from
the materials
to the
student’s
personal
leadership
journey
Weight: 35%
Provides an
extremely
comprehensive
analysis of
lessons from the
materials and
how to apply
them to the
student’s
leadership
journey.
Links to readings
and other
resources are
insightful,
impactful, and
manifold.
Offers a strong
explanation of the
student’s
leadership
journey, as well as
how to apply
lessons from the
reading materials.
Links are
extremely clear
and strong.
Satisfactorily
refers to the
student’s
leadership journey
with some detail.
References are
made to the reading
materials, but clear
links may be
missing.
Partially refers to
the student’s
leadership
journey, but does
not go into
significant detail.
Very few links are
made back to the
reading materials.
Does not or
unsatisfactorily
makes reference to
the student’s
leadership journey;
does not talk about
the student at all,
and does not
demonstrate an
ability to apply the
materials.
JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century
Assignment 2: Part B
© Strayer University. All Rights Reserved. This document contains Strayer University confidential and proprietary information and may not be
copied, further distributed, or otherwise disclosed, in whole or in part, without the expressed written permission of Strayer University. This
document is subject to change based on the needs of the class.
JWI 510 – Assignment 2B (1244) Page 5 of 5
Criteria Honors High Pass Pass Low Pass Unsatisfactory
4. The paper is
professionally
formatted and
includes in-
text citations,
references,
and is free
from grammar
and spelling
errors
Weight: 20%
The paper is
exceptionally
formatted. It is
highly professional
in look and easy to
quickly locate
information.
It includes a cover
page, headings,
professional
formatting, font,
and spacing.
All sources are
consistently cited in
text, and accurate
references are
included.
There are no
mechanics or
usage errors.
The paper is
professionally
formatted.
It includes a
cover page,
headings,
professional
formatting, font,
and spacing.
All sources are
consistently cited
in text, and
accurate
references are
included.
There are no
mechanics or
usage errors.
The paper is
satisfactorily
formatted.
It includes a cover
page and headings,
but may lack
professional
choices in
formatting, font,
and spacing.
Sources may not
be consistently
cited in text, and
accurate
references may not
be included.
There may be
some minor
mechanics or
usage errors.
The paper is
partially
satisfactorily
formatted.
It may not include
a cover page and
headings, or lacks
professional
choices in
formatting, font,
and spacing.
Sources are not
consistently cited
in text, and
accurate
references may
not be included.
There are some
mechanics or
usage errors.
The paper is
unsatisfactorily
formatted.
It may not
include a cover
page and
headings, or
lacks
professional
choices in
formatting, font,
and spacing.
Sources are not
consistently
cited in text, and
accurate
references are
not included.
There are
mechanics
and/or usage
errors.
