JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century
Assignment 2: Part A
© 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 2A (1212) Page 1 of 4
Part A: Analyzing the Case
Due Week 7, Sunday at midnight (16% of final grade)
Instructions
Download, read, and reread the case Satya Nadella at Microsoft: Instilling a Growth Mindset. Allow yourself
plenty of time for this. While this case is not long, you will get more out of it if you read it more than once.
Write a 4-5 page paper answering the following prompts. Your paper will essentially summarize the case,
specifically focusing on what challenges Nadella faced as a leader, what steps he took to overcome those
challenges, and whether he succeeded or not. Your responses must be supported by the facts of the case,
and make appropriate reference to course materials.
1. What was Nadella’s diagnosis of the problems at Microsoft?
a. What were the biggest challenges he faced when he took charge?
b. Which of Lencioni’s 5 areas of dysfunction in teams were most present at Microsoft?
c. What goals did Nadella set for transforming the organization?
2. In thinking about Nadella’s style and the steps he took as a change leader, address the following:
a. Drawing on Daniel Goleman’s “Leadership that Gets Results” (from Week 3), which styles of
leadership most closely match Nadella’s demonstrated behaviors? Explain.
b. Which of Jack’s “8 Rules of Leadership” are most evident in Nadella’s initiatives? Explain
using specific examples from the case to support your response.
c. In terms of company culture, how did Nadella change specific systems and processes to
improve teamwork?
d. Nadella frequently uses the term “growth mindset.” What does this mean, and how did he
foster it?
3. How effective have Nadella’s efforts been? In particular:
a. What metrics should be used to evaluate the success of his efforts? Why?
a. What else could Nadella and his team do to sustain the wins they have achieved so far?
b. What additional challenges do you expect he will face?
JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century
Assignment 2: Part A
© 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 2A (1212) Page 2 of 4
Professional Formatting Requirements:
• Typed, double spaced professional font (size 10-12), includes headings and subheadings, with
one-inch margins on all sides. See the Sample Professional Paper under Course Documents for
an example.
• 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 4-5 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 A
© 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 2A (1212) Page 3 of 4
Rubric Assignment 2: Part A
Weight: 16% Assignment 2 – Part A: Analyzing the Case
Criteria Unsatisfactory Low Pass Pass High Pass Honors
1. Describe
Microsoft’s
team
dysfunctions
and issues as
identified by
Nadella.
Weight: 25%
Did not or
unsatisfactorily
explains the
dysfunctions of the
team and the
biggest risks to the
business.
Partially explains
the dysfunctions
of the team, but
does not connect
these to the risks
they pose to the
business.
Satisfactorily
explains the
dysfunctions of
the team and
presents a basic
connection to the
threats these
pose to the
business.
Excellent
explanation of the
dysfunctions of
the team; makes
a strong, wellreasoned, and
well-supported
connection
between these
and the risks they
pose to the
business.
Exemplary
explanation of
the dysfunctions
of the team, and
extremely well
developed and
clearly explained
connection to the
risk the business
faces.
2. Summarize
Nadella’s
leadership
style and the
solutions he
implemented
at Microsoft.
Weight: 25%
Key elements of
Nadella’s leadership
style and solution
steps are missing,
unclear, or
inaccurate.
Basic summary of
Nadella’s
leadership style
and solution steps;
discussion lacks
clarity and/or
conciseness.
Good summary
of Nadella’s
leadership style
and solutions;
discussion may
lack some clarity,
conciseness, or
adequate
supporting
details.
Very good
summary of key
successes of
Nadella’s
leadership style
and solution
steps; discussion
is clear, concise,
and wellsupported by
references and
examples.
Exemplary
summary of key
points; includes
unique and wellreasoned
insights; clear
and concise, and
supported by
references and
examples.
3. Assess the
effectiveness of
Nadella’s
leadership and
improvement
efforts.
Weight: 30%
Did not or
unsatisfactorily
examines the
effects of
Nadella’s work.
Little to no
synthesis of ideas
is demonstrated
and logical
reasoning is not
included or evident.
Partially examines
the effects of
Nadella’s work.
Demonstrates
minimal synthesis
of ideas and
logical reasoning
from course
concepts.
Satisfactorily
examines the
effects of
Nadella’s work.
Demonstrates
basic synthesis of
ideas and
understanding of
course concepts;
provides
information more
than actual
analysis
Fully examines
the effects of
Nadella’s work.
Demonstrates
very good
synthesis of ideas
and
understanding of
course concepts;
draws inferences
and impacts from
their analysis.
Exemplarily
examines the
possible causes
of the team’s
dysfunctions.
Demonstrates
critical analysis,
excellent
synthesis of
ideas, and
understanding of
course concepts
and unique
insights; draws
comprehensive
impacts from their
analysis.
JWI 510: Leadership in the 21st Century
Assignment 2: Part A
© 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 2A (1212) Page 4 of 4
Weight: 16% Assignment 2 – Part A: Analyzing the Case
Criteria Unsatisfactory Low Pass Pass High Pass Honors
4 The paper is
professionally
formatted,
includes in-text
citations and
references, and
is free from
grammar and
spelling errors.
Weight: 20%
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.
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
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
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
exceptionally
formatted. It is
highly professional
in appearance and
clearly organized.
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.
