Week 2 DQ 2 -- Diversity is having a team comprised of heterogeneous members -- in physical characteristics, education, experience, outlook and other facets of being. Diversity brings a number of viewpoints to the workplace. In addition, it helps the company to better understand its customers if the workforce reflects the customer base. By opening up more markets within the general populace, diversity can increase the potential value of a firm by increasing its potential revenue streams. There are a number of strategies to increase diversity, including targeting recruiting, building better networks in specific communities and establishing mentorship programs that can encourage members of different communities to apply at the firm by improving the firm's employer brand within those communities.

Week 3 DQ 1 -- I was engaged in a field operation and my team faced enemy fire. Keeping the team together under such an adverse circumstance was partly the result of strong leadership during the event, wherein my calm lent stability to the entire team. It was also partly the result of strong leadership preceding the event, during the planning and preparation phases. When crisis struck, the team was ready for it, and therefore was able to succeed in the mission despite the obstacles.

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Creating the context means that the leader creates the conditions in which the team will lead, as coach and architect. This allows the team to develop many leaders rather than rely upon a single visionary. Hill's views of leadership and power are consistent with the Dynamic Independent Approach to power in that they believe the leader must cultivate power throughout the organization, rather than simply use their power to order others. Hill's view helps understand the relationship between power and conflict because she explains that positive results can come from positive conflict, and that power comes from a leader allowing others to feel that they are involved. I believe that Hill's approach is valid in today's global environment because the information age relies heavily upon the intrinsic motivation, in particular when global teams are being used. It is difficult to lead from the front when the leader is in charge of a team of highly educated, highly talented people. Few leaders can deal with the complex challenges in today's world, so it is important for leaders to tap into the "slices of genius" of a…