lecture 8 influence and power Flashcards
(10 cards)
definition of influence
Influence is a softer form of power and is often exerted through leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
how can power be used in a group setting?
- Build trust and relationship Enhance cohesiveness enhance connectedness let people feel like they are valued even distribution of power among the group increased engagement
To facilitate effective collaboration, decision- making, and the achievement of group goals. Can leverage power to foster a supportive environment that promotes participation, ensures every voice is heard, and actively addresses imbalances that could marginalize certain members.
types of power and their difference (Toseland & Rivas, 2022)
- Attributed power
o Perception among members of the leader’s ability to lead. It is often based on factors like position, status, or reputation.
o Example: In a group project, a student who comes from a prestigious university or has a strong academic record may be perceived as having more power, even if their contributions to the group are limited - Actual power
o Refers to the worker’s resources for changing conditions inside and outside the group, dependent on the sources of a worker’s influence.
o Example: In the same group project, a student who has strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities, and a willingness to take on leadership roles may have more actual power, despite their perceived status.
possible consequence if power is not brought up in a group setting
o Silent power struggle
Chaos; Potential conflict
Build up of resentment
Poor engagement
Why is there a need to differentiate the types of power?
- Real power and attributed power can be from a different person
- The person with attributed power can be useless and not have real power
- Goal: Alignment between attributed power and actual power
- When there is misalignment between attributed power and actual power, members might become disengaged as there is a mismatch of expectations
How may power be misused?
- To dominate, manipulate, or control group members rather than fostering collaboration and inclusion.
- Misuse may appear in the form of coercion, preferential treatment, or silencing certain members, which creates imbalances that isolate individuals and weaken group unity.
bases of power
- Legitimate
- Reward
- Expert
- Referent
- Coercive: threats; negative consequences e.g. school discipline; prison
- Informational: ability to provide crucial information that can influence decision making
- Connection: Networks and resources
How can we manage power in groups to ensure that no one feels powerless/oppressed
- Recognise the power struggle/dynamics (before the explosion of this power struggle occurs)
o Distinguish between being helpful and trying to exert control instead - If the power dynamics is helpful, leverage on it
- If the power dynamics is unhealthy, need to manage it
Considerations when managing power
- While adhering to the code of ethics and social work values is foundational, managing power effectively in group work requires a multifaceted approach that considers various factors such as phases of group work, Tuckman’s stages of development and facilitation skills.
o Ethics
o Within the context
o What is the purpose of the action?
o phases of group work
o Tuckman’s stages of development
o facilitation skills
How to manage power (practical approaches)
- shared leadership
o after norming, give the power back to the group more distribution of power - group becomes more democratic - build trust and safety
o when it comes to power, there is always fear and distrust; especially when there is sharing of information which attributes power - alignment and open discussion
o when there is differing expectations and desired outcomes need to find a common ground (when facilitating group aims) - group agreements, self-awareness
o competence of the worker awareness of what is happening in the group & skills to manage the group
