Week 9

“Leadership requires skill, a clear vision, and a strong commitment to establishing a constructive organizational climate.  It also requires that leaders understand diversity and inclusion, and the essential role these play in organizational outcomes. While many of the leadership concepts discussed…so far….involve rather straightforward leadership efforts, addressing diversity and inclusion is a multi-layered process that requires a wider range of leadership practices.” (Northouse, p 183).

For this assignment:

1. Read ‘9.2 Case Study – Mitch Landrieu: Symbolic Progress’ (pp 235-240).

2. After reading the case study, answer the following questions.  Compose your paper in ‘Q & A’ format and number each response.  Do not include the questions in your paper.  Do not write your paper in narrative form.

Questions:

1. Some people argue that leadership has a moral dimension that moves people toward the common good.  Mayor Landrieus speech clearly has a moral dimension.  Name two values Mayor Landrieu promotes and give an example from the speech to demonstrate each specific value.  Name one obstacle to his advocacy.  Is there a downside to his advocacy?  If so, what is it?  Is there a cost to the city of New Orleans if the statues stay? If they go?

2. The chapter discusses four barriers to diversity and inclusion: ethnocentrism, prejudice, stereotypes, and privilege. Explain how these statues were symbolic of each of these barriers.

3. Identify two groups within the community and discuss how different perceptions of the statues and their inherent messages may have affected each group.

4. By removing the statues and through his speech, Mayor Landrieu takes a strong stand against dignifying symbols of the Confederacy. Do you think his actions will foster a stronger sense of inclusion within the City of New Orleans? Why or why not. 

5. Consider the various symbols in your community, school, or workplace which you see every day. Select one and discuss the possible perceptions of that symbol by at least two different groups that are members of your community.  The groups in your community might be of different races, genders, religious affiliations, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, etc.

double spaced, use Times New Roman, font size 12, and submit your document below.  Link your reactions to the text citing the referenced page. Of course, papers should be organized, thorough, with proper sentence structure and grammar.