Click on the"Week Two Assignment"link above to submit your document,as well to get more information regarding the due date and grading rubric.Be sure to clearly identify each assignment including your

POWER 5

Annotated Bibliography-Power

Brandon S. Lale

National University

LED 602: Developing Groups and Teams

Dr. Sean Horrigan

April 21, 2020

Harrell, A., & Simpson, B. (2016). The Dynamics of Prosocial Leadership: Power and Influence in Collective Action Groups. Social Forces, 94(3), 1283–1308. Retrieved from https://muse.jhu.edu/journals/social_forces/v094/94.3.harrell.html

Harrell and Simpson shed insight on how power and influence are used in groups to solve collective action problems. The article focuses on whether power spread amongst group members equates to greater success than a “leader” possessing individual power in decision making. The experiment incorporated the use of punishment as a variable, distributing the power to an individual, and then to each group member as a “peer sanctioning condition”. When the individual leader was granted power, it was measured whether they would exercise power in a prosocial or proself manner. The results showed prosocial leaders increase their contributions to the group after ascending to leadership, while proself leaders reduce their contributions. These findings suggest it is crucial to put power with prosocial (collaborative) leaders, who in turn redistribute power back to the group, resulting in maximum group performance.

If power is defined as the capacity to effect outcomes of oneself, others, and environment, it is important to recognize how power spread amongst the group is more beneficial than individual power. When a leader is given the unilateral power to punish based on results, the work of the group becomes inhibited. When the power is distributed amongst group members, each able to hold the other accountable, a more synergistic, efficient environment is created. As we have learned from group dynamics, once goals are established and members feel they are directly contributing to the success of outcome, team cohesion and productivity increase. As a leader, I will be cognizant that prosocial power is the ideal way to implement leadership within the group.

Petrova, E. (2015). Leadership and Power in Large Social Groups. Land Forces Academy Review, 20(1), 82–86. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1673850937/

Petrova’s article examines leadership and power in large social groups. In the case where a “crowd” loses their group identity, they will seek a leader to rely on and redefine their purpose. The article examines how an individual possessing such power over a large social group can influence (manipulate) members to “follow blindly”. Using power, the leader takes advantage of the “crowd” by identifying the needs of the group and transforming his/her platform to meet group needs. The result is an increased group dependency, as the leader turns himself/herself and ideas to a symbol, becoming the idol that others follow blindly.

This type of power and influence is seen daily in the political arena. Politicians identify the needs of their constituents and transform their platform to represent “group needs”. A current example of power and dependency is the CVOID 19 pandemic. Based on the populaces response (fear, hoarding, etc.), it appears those in power have recognized an opportunity to increase their power through the dependency of a vulnerable citizenry. However, could it be this is a trojan horse, a metrics to evaluate our nation’s current resiliency and level of dependency during crisis? Will citizens relinquish their personal power and freedoms in exchange for increased “protection”? Increasing governmental power can only lead to increased dependence.

Lubin, A. (2011). Asserting Influence and Power. Marine Corps Gazette, 95(3), 71–80. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/856364157/

To examine power through a more macro lens, I chose the above article that evaluated our nations military strength, our naval fleets presence, and the impact it has on the world super powers. While China, India, and North Korea continue to expand their military fleets, the U.S. has downsized significantly. Lubin gives examples of why our Naval fleet is needed offshore, as they aid in peacekeeping, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief. The article submits the perceived and projected power of the U.S. Marine-Navy amphibious fleet is the quickest and most effective method of projecting influence and power to maintain worldwide stability.

Power, whether perceived or projected, influences behaviors in a group. On this macro scale, we can see that mere presence of power can influence other world powers to modify their actions and decisions. If our power is used for “prosocial” purposes, such as humanitarian aid or the overall improvement of life, then power is a necessary element in creating a stabilized environment. It is when the hidden agendas of individuals seeking power seep into the communal goals that the shadows of power manifest into a more sinister and proself agenda.

Power is the capacity or potential to influence. After researching the above articles, we can see that power can be applied through a proself (least effective) or prosocial (most effective) leadership platform. Power is also given when a group (or country) lacks identity and direction; consequently, they relinquish their own power to a projected image or “idol” to follow. This creates a level of social dependence within the group and a dynamic where the opportunistic can increase their personal power platform. Finally, the perception of power can modify actions and behavior without ever being fully exercised. The take away, power perceived is power achieved.

References

Lubin, A. (2011). Asserting Influence and Power. Marine Corps Gazette, 95(3), 71–80. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/856364157/

Petrova, E. (2015). Leadership and Power in Large Social Groups. Land Forces Academy Review, 20(1), 82–86. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1673850937/