Week Three Reflection Replies

Reply to the TWO students discussion posts 125+ word each.

Felix Corona

Reflecting on the week's content and readings made me realize that power can be distributed fairly, but it can also be abused. I'm not currently in a “power position” within a team. In my last job, I worked on various two-person teams. As a team, we would locate the building to be serviced and figure out a plan to effectively execute preventive maintenance on air conditioning units. The power in this situation is knowing where the units are so you can quickly PM them. This type of power is reward-oriented. Johnson and Johnson (2016) state that power over other group members exists if he or she can deliver positive consequences or remove negative consequences in response to their behavior (p.226). I believe this type of power benefits both the team and the individual. Knowing where the specific air conditioning units are in the building saves time and manpower. This helps the team complete the assigned task more quickly and achieve its goals.

I will, of course, use this new information in my future endeavors. It will help me distribute power within the team. Just because you are an adaptive leader does not mean we should stop teaching others how to become better, effective, moral leaders. I feel this is a perishable skill, and you need to stay active in developing your power, leadership style, and psychological safety net daily. I value this week's lesson because it showed me different ways to distribute power equally within a team, as well as the different bases of power someone may hold within a team. In the Marine Corps, you often find yourself at the bottom of many pecking orders throughout your career. Legitimate power usually comes with seniority and rank. I believe this week's lesson will help me in the civilian sector when selecting a team and building my power style without bias or prejudice. 

References:

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, F. P. (2016). Joining together: Group theory and group skills (12th ed.). p.140. Pearson Education. https://nu.vitalsource.com/books/9780134323305

Jabrian Johnson

This module reinforced something I have come to understand throughout my professional career: leadership is not simply about having authority but understanding how your influence affects the people around you. Having spent 13 years in the Navy, followed by my transition into Human Resources management and now labor relations, I have experienced leadership from several different perspectives. What stood out to me most was the distinction between having power and using that power effectively. I have worked with individuals who held significant authority but struggled to earn the respect of their teams. On the other hand, I have seen individuals with little formal authority become some of the most influential people in an organization simply because others trusted their judgment.

The information presented in this module encourages me to be more intentional about how I exercise influence, especially in my current role as a Labor Relations Officer. Unlike my previous management positions, where I had direct authority over employees and organizational decisions, my current responsibilities require me to advocate, negotiate, and influence outcomes without necessarily having the final say. This has challenged me to approach leadership differently. I cannot simply rely on a title or position. Instead, I must build relationships, understand different perspectives, and communicate effectively to achieve meaningful results.

One of the most valuable lessons I take from this module is the importance of recognizing how power can influence someone's willingness to speak up. In employee relations, I regularly work with individuals who may feel intimidated or uncertain about challenging management decisions. This reminds me that leadership is not only about making decisions but also creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing concerns and asking questions.

Moving forward, I intend to apply these concepts by continuing to prioritize transparency, accountability, and collaboration. I also want to remain mindful that my experience does not automatically make my perspective the correct one. After years of serving in leadership positions, I have learned that some of the best decisions come from being willing to listen to someone with a completely different perspective.

Ultimately, the greatest value of this module is that it challenges me to evaluate not just what I accomplish as a leader, but how I accomplish it. I want my leadership to be measured by the trust I build, the people I support, and the positive impact I leave behind. To me, effective leadership means using whatever influence you have to make others better, not simply demonstrating that you are in charge.