Overview

Words beginning with each of the letters that spell power are listed for discussion purposes. Participants first make individual choices and then attempt to reach group consensus. The same process is then used as participants react to statements about ethical leadership.

PURPOSE

To spark ideas about the ethical correlations between power and leadership.

To challenge participants to reach consensus about leadership statements.

Group Size

Any number of participants can engage in this exercise, which has two parts. In each part, participants first work alone and then as part of a group.

Room Arrangement

Flexible seating, if possible, so that participants can form subgroups twice during the exercise.

Materials

Flipchart and marking pens

Handout 10.1, “Leading a Group”

Procedure

1.Write the letters P–O–W–E–R on the flipchart.

2.Ask participants, working alone, to come up with three words, beginning with the letter “p,” that relate to either leadership and/or ethics. Next, they will think of three words starting with the letter “o” that also relate to leadership and/or to ethics. They will continue in this manner with the letters “w,” “e,” and “r.”

3.After approximately 10 minutes, ask participants to determine which of all those words is the most important for a person practicing ethical leadership. They should place a checkmark in front of that word on their papers.

4.Ask the class to form groups of four or five. Each person will advocate for his or her word, trying to persuade the others that this one word is the most critical element of ethical leadership. The group will attempt to reach consensus on the one word that is most relevant or critical to the practice of ethical leadership. At the very least, group members will have an opportunity to explore aspects of ethical leadership. At best, such exploration will simultaneously serve as an exercise in consensus-building.

5.Call on each team to tell the selected word and write the various words on the flipchart, commenting on each as you do so.

6.Distribute the handout and ask participants to write their Agree or Disagree answers on the left-hand column only.

7.Next, form different groups of four or five this time, with participants moving to different seats. Ask the groups to work on completing the right-hand column of the handout. Groups should work towards consensus on the statements regarding leadership.

8.Debrief by asking a spokesperson from each group to describe briefly the process employed. After each person finishes, ask pertinent questions about the way power was used (if it was at all) as the groups worked to reach full agreement. Allude to the ethical use of power and the importance of having leaders who do not dominate or overpower others. Draw parallels among and between such words as “harmony,” “cooperation,” “participative leadership,” “equal voices,” and so on.

Variation

Appoint an observer for each group as they work to achieve consensus. Have the observers look specifically for participants who demonstrate leadership by suggesting compromise positions that might enable the group to reach accord about the statements. For example, the observer would be looking for someone who suggests altering the wording. (The directions do not prohibit such action.) Afterwards, ask the observers to meet for a few moments outside the room and to appoint one spokesperson who will make general comments about a leader’s ability to achieve agreement, as reflected in this microcosmic assignment.

Discussion

Beyond the obvious abuse-of-power answer, why does the word “power” carry such negative connotations?

To what extent do you feel leaders should enjoy exercising power?

How would you define “power”?

Quotation

“Tell the truth, but make the truth fascinating.”

—David Ogilvy

Points of Interest

As reported in The Economist, Harvard began offering courses in business ethics back in 1915. Today, it is rare for business programs not to include such courses. One business school sends MBA students to a monastery for a few weeks of soul-searching. Consider ways organizations can encourage such searches without having employees leave the premises.

HANDOUT 10.1