Which of the following, if true, strengthens the manager's argument?

A) Many other corporations have adopted ACME's definition of leadership.
B) ACME's cross-functional team structure allows individuals to influence other people despite a lack of direct authority.
C) Most of the company's leaders have come from the sales department, and relatively few have come from the quality control department.
D) ACME's human resources department makes outstanding efforts to recruit a diverse group of employment candidates.
E) Executives at ACME are often recruited to serve in leadership positions at other organizations.

Answer: B
Explanation: B) Normally, a lack of direct authority suggests less ability to influence others. But if Choice B is correct, then the lack of authority makes less of a difference at ACME. Choice B, therefore, strengthens the argument about equal opportunity. Choice A: The popularity of ACME's definition doesn't matter. Choice C suggests that opportunity isn't equal at all. Choice D speaks to equal opportunity in recruiting but not in leadership. Choice E suggests that the executives at ACME have other opportunities, but not that everyone at ACME has leadership opportunities.