Leadership and Power Dynamics: A Summary

Assignment Criteria

  • The assignment should be 45 minutes to 1 hour long.
  • The language analyzed cannot be newer than 1000 years old.
  • Textual analysis can be from the country of origin for foreign programs if explained properly.

People as Products of Their Environment

  • College teaches critical thinking, not boxing people into categories.
  • Birth order can afford certain leadership opportunities, especially for older siblings.
  • Youngest siblings may find it more difficult to be heard.
  • Some individuals may feel their identity prevents them from being seen as leaders.
  • The idea of people being born leaders needs critical examination.
  • Circumstances can hone leadership skills in some while others lack opportunities.
  • Observing classmates' presentations may lead to self-doubt.
  • More practice, not innate talent, is often the reason for strong presentations.
  • Household environments emphasizing such skills can also enable one to excel.

Leadership in the Digital Age: Old Power vs. New Power

  • Leadership is now about values, competencies, and understanding the culture of followers.
  • Scholars classify leadership in digital contexts as "old power" versus "new power."
  • Some aspects of old power remain important.
  • Leaders must recognize differences in those they lead to avoid unintentional friction.
  • Proper communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings.

Old Power

  • In the past, differences between managers, supervisors, professors, and students were distinct.
  • Negatively, this could lead to dictatorship and stifle voices, preventing leaders from tapping into their followers' talents.
  • Followers may not feel empowered to be themselves.

New Power

  • Everyone has a platform (TikTok, Snapchat).
  • People want to feel part of something and contribute.
  • Traditional leadership can isolate individuals.

The Value of Expertise

  • Old power emphasized expertise, while new power questions who gets to say what.
  • Dismissing experts undermines the foundation of knowledge.
  • Leaders need to establish their expertise.

New Power: Collaboration and Participation

  • Strength in new power comes from letting others join in.
  • New power is about participatory culture and involvement for community cohesion.
  • If team members don't feel comfortable sharing ideas, these ideas and critiques will be lost.

Expectations and Acknowledgment

  • People expect collaboration and voice amplification.
  • Acknowledging that everyone can learn from each other is important.
  • Leaders who acknowledge this create reciprocity.
  • Old power: The lab is my world.
  • New power: The world is my lab.
  • This generation blends professional, political, and personal experiences on social media.
  • Being a leader involves listening and negotiating boundaries.
  • Assertiveness is important but should be balanced with flexibility.
  • Avoid being authoritarian (my way or the highway).
  • Being reflective is crucial for leaders and individuals.

Ethical Leadership

  • Some leaders may treat people poorly but still achieve goals.
  • Effectiveness should be judged by whether the goals of the team are met

The Frankfurt School and Authoritarian Power

  • Theodore Adorno wrote about the types of people to whom authoritarian power appeals.

Bureaucracy vs. New Power

  • New power involves contributing ideas collaboratively to find solutions.
  • Old power can be bureaucratic.
  • New power is about doing and collaborating, not competing.
  • Certain careers still exist within old power structures.
  • Leaders in old power incentivize through bonuses or threats.

Motivation through Projects and Acknowledgment

  • Motivate people (including children) through collaborative projects.
  • Acknowledgment is important; recognize those who may not speak up but are engaged.
  • Acknowledge people's efforts to make them feel heard and recognized.

Language and Reciprocity

  • Avoid language that creates "winners" and "losers."
  • Focus on language that encourages accomplishment.

Radical Transparency and Social Media

  • People are used to radical transparency due to social media.
  • What you do at work used to be distinct from what you did at home.
  • Be aware that your social media activity can be traced and used to judge you.
  • Consider the consequences of your posts.
  • Be willing to face the consequences that might occur.

Course Evaluations

  • Students should provide honest feedback on the course.