Blogpost #8: Reflecting on the Iceberg and the Course

From today’s simulation, our groups were placed in two different scenarios: the first one as a solar wireless speaker company, and the other as a distributor if clean water to areas in need. In our initial run, I was a nonnative English speaker who could only read every other word or so that the other…

Blogpost #7: Thinking Globally!

Personally, leadership in a global context means the ability to adapt and effectively lead a group while also navigating through cultural differences. Because of the differences among cultures both nationally and internationally, methods of communication over physical distance, language barriers, and different expectations can lead to problems within a team. Without a global viewpoint, misunderstandings…

Blogpost #6: Climbing Mt. Everest!

In today’s simulation, I was the photographer with a group going up Mt. Everest. I had specific goals, including saying at camp 1 and 2 for multiple days so I could get some nice photos, and also making sure that I didn’t need to be rescued. The other roles, including leader, physician, environmentalist, and marathoner…

Blogpost #5: Implementing Change at Different Positions!

From the Power and Influence simulation today, I gained an understanding of the intricacies involved in implementing change among a group. I worked through the scenarios by introducing the idea of sustainability company-wide, and then interviewing employees with lots of connections throughout the group to see how they respond. I then used multiple options that…

Blogpost #4: “Patient Zero” Retrospect

In today’s simulation with the fictional virus, the decision I struggled most with was the decision to allow the invasive software to run without the general public’s knowledge. Though I’m generally pretty freaked out about personalized ads and the matter of cybersecurity in real life, I rationalized the decision to run the software and restrict…

Looking Back on “Judgement in a Crisis”

During our first simulation in the course, I was a product manager at a medical equipment company. The new product, GlucoGauge, that helped diabetic patients self-monitor their blood-glucose levels had performance issues stemming from various problems not detected before release. These included the younger and smarter demographic tests leaving certain issues unchecked, as well as…

Blogpost 2: My Leadership Views

From my experience with leaders in the past, I’ve definitely noticed a trend of having competence, understanding, and collaboration. They would make their teams reach common ground and then go from there. However, I haven’t been watching during particularly stressful leadership circumstances, so I’m a bit in the dark about understanding the high-stress decisions of…

An Introduction to Eirlys!

Hello! My name is Eirlys Barbara (pronounced Ar-liss), and I’m a rising junior double majoring in Biology and Anthropology and pursuing an Honors degree. I’m hoping to contribute to biological research within the anthropological field in the future, and lead studies as well. My hometown is West Chester, PA, and I’ve been staying there as…