Power and leadership in collaborative & merger settings

“In politics and social science power is the ability to influence the behavior of people…

…the term authority is often used for power perceived as

legitimate by the social structure”

- Wikipedia

Different conceptions of power

• Power over

• Power to

• Power with

• Empowerment

Different conceptions of power

Which definitions are appropriate for us in collaborative and merger settings?

The Difficulties of Leadership

The Difficulties of Leadership

Varying levels of capacity within the group

•Members can nominate others to represent them

•Agenda setting before meetings

How can we deal with lack of capacity for group members to attend meetings?

How can a leader create a neutral space and encourage all members of the group to have the confidence to engage?

Varying levels of confidence

• Open spaces

• Small group work

• Outside facilitation

Chairing for Involvement V’s. Chairing for Silencing

The difficulties of chairing

• How do you make decisions as a group?

• How not to go back on decisions once away from the group?

• How not to take discussions offline

Leadership styles

Leadership stylesWhat do you think you naturally are?

•Commanding / coercive: dictatorship – ‘do what I say’

•Visionary/ Authoritative: mobilises people towards a vision

•Affiliative: focuses on emotional needs over work needs

•Democratic: uses participation, listening to both the bad and good news

•Pacesetting: builds challenging and exciting goals for people

•Coaching: connecting goals while helping people identify strengths and weaknesses

Leadership styles

In collaborative settings, it is important to assume humility in leadership;

…to create an open environment where challenge is welcomed, recognising when you need to adjust.

Processes

Processes

• Determine outcomes

• Must follow values and principles

•Can move a group forward when conflict becomes a problem

Phases in order to create processes‘Forming, storming, norming, performing and adjourning’ [Tuckman]

Processes

What processes have you implemented in your collaborations?

Discussion