1. Thomas Wirtz
Reflection Paper 2
Scenarios 4, and 5
Please write out the questions below and provide your answers in double spaced,
Times New Roman 12 point font. Leave 1 inch margins on all sides and limit your
paper to 4 pages. Put your full names on upper right hand corner of page 1. Do
not leave space in between paragraphs.
1. What challenging behaviors did you see in these two scenarios (challenging for you as a
leader)? How did you effectively deal with them? Provide examples.
In scenario 4 and 5 I witnessed many challenging behaviors. One of the main
challenges was getting Herman and Will to feel comfortable around Alan because he is a
senior executive. Also, everyone is at higher level in the organization than Corey so it
was challenging to assert power in a room where there was none originally. Furthermore,
there is high tension and previous build up of stress in the room, which makes it
challenging to be able to introduce ideas and gain any power in the room.
In order to effectively deal with these challenges I needed to look for ideas that can
bring the group together and build up power enough to talk about the touchy subjects.
Green clicks were necessary on people and ideas, as well as completing ideas. These all
had the ability to lower stress, or even red clicking an idea nobody likes could achieve
this. I Introduced unfavorable ideas like “do nothing” out negatively to reduce stress and
gain power as well. It was important that I lowered stress slowly so the characters didn’t
get overwhelmed.
2. Describe a team situation at your workplace where others want (or wanted) to continue
with old ways of doing things when new ways are (or were) required.

2. Last year, Target Corporation switched their systems. We used to use a different
computer program and then our whole store changed in software and technology.
Everyone wanted to go back to everything they knew and constantly complained because
they would have issues with the new technology, which is typical of most new systems.
Eventually the new technology started growing on people after many mistakes and
complaining. People were eventually used to the change, but some still wished that we
would go back to the more simplistic system.
3. Describe a situation where you are challenged with leading people above you or from
other departments. If you have not experienced this situation, then think of a hypothetical
situation where you have to manage people above you and describe the difficulties
associated with it.
I had to lead my previous leader because he needed guidance and direction in his
actions as a leader and as a worker. At the time, I had more experience in my work center
and he had just taken over the department as the new leader. He had some experience
working in that department, but didn’t know everything in order to accomplish all the
tasks he needed to get done. As a result, he depended on me for the answers and advice in
specific situations in which I led him in the right direction. As he started getting used to
the department he began having continuous issues with some of the employees not
performing well. Then, I had to talk to him and tell him that the employees here will
never learn if he kept blowing off the issues that were happening. Eventually he followed
my advice and I ended up leading him to become the best leader for that department. He

3. was originally a good leader but I was able to give him the knowledge and advice he
needed to excel in that department.
Some challenges that I faced when trying to lead this leader was the feeling of
being out of place and being scared of how other employees felt. A lot of times I felt as
though the leader didn’t want my advice and guidance so I stepped away and waited for
him to come to me unless it was necessary. This is because I didn’t want to undermine his
authority and cause issues. Also, other employees thought as though I had become his
favorite because he had been dependent on me which sometimes caused issues. These
were challenges but they eventually dissolved away because he knew I was trying to help
him, the department, and the employees knew I was only dependent on because I had
been there the longest and had the most experience.
4. Integration: Explain how vLeader relates to one topic from the course. This is the part
where you provide details on how the concept we learned in class could have been (or
was) used to address the challenge you faced in a certain scenario. Take the concept and
apply it to the challenge.
One of the many topics that vLeader relates to in this course is the topic of using
power in chapter 5. There are 5 powers that are used in leadership which are coercive,
reward or legitimate, referent, connection, information or expert power. These powers are
demonstrated through all of the vLeader simulations but a good example is in scenario 4.
Being placed in a position where everyone is higher than you and you need to accomplish
specific tasks is hard and great chance to use leadership power. Although this is usually a
greater form of discipline, coercive power is represented by red clicking whereas reward

4. power was represented by green clicking ideas and people. Referent power deals with the
relationship aspect of power and influencing them through building a relationship which
is something you have to do in this entire scenario. In order to build power you need to
green click people and lower tension in the room continuously. This will allow ideas to
flow much easier. Also, by green clicking ideas you provide more information that
supports the concepts and builds power in that aspect. People get encouraged about ideas
when using these powers of leadership.
In the above challenge in my workplace, I also had to use different leadership powers to
accomplish what was needed. Like the scenario, I had to gain power in a situation where I
had no power in order to lead my leader in the right direction. The main power I used was
expert power. I had the experience and knowledge at this particular work center and I was
able to inform my leader about everything that he needed to do which made him
dependent on me and gave me power. Another power I used was referent power because I
was able to build a relationship through working so close with my leader. This gave me a
chance to lead him and put my input in all work related subjects. I used coercive power
by stepping in and telling him he was wrong about not taking corrective action for the
employees who were performing well. Similar to vLeader, I was able to build power and
lead someone who was above me to accomplish tasks that I needed to get done by using
the concepts of the various leadership powers.