This document discusses different types of group power dynamics: - Compliance refers to obeying authority and conforming to group norms. Conformity can be more powerful than authority alone. - Coalitions form when subgroups or individuals temporarily align to achieve mutual benefits or objectives, increasing their influence. Coalitions alter the balance of power in a group. - Resistance is a covert form of noncompliance that can include strategic mistakes, forgetfulness, tardiness, and procrastination. It is important to confront resistance strategies and provide clear directions. - Defiance is overt rebellion against attempts to induce compliance, which risks alienating others if not addressed properly depending on the norms.

1. Compliance: Group Power
POWER IN GROUPS
A Central Dynamic

2. Compliance
 The process of consenting to the
dictates and desires of others.
 Obedience to authority
 Conformity to group norms
 Conformity to group norms is sometimes more
powerful than authority
 ‘Code Red’ in USMC
 Senior ‘Skip Day’ in high schools

3. Alliance: Coalition
Formation
 An association of sub-groups and
(sometimes) individuals entered into for
their mutual benefit or to achieve a mutual
objective.
 Must involve two or more sub-groups or individuals
 Temporary in nature (i.e. until objective is achieved)
 Increases influence of parties in a matter of mutual
importance
 These temporary alliances are called coalitions
 All coalitions are negotiated
 Coalitions can change the distribution of power in a
group – and often do!

4. Coalitions & Power
 Power is the central reason
for the formation of a
coalition
 Increases the power of the
members
 Control of the decisions of the
group
 Formation of a coalition is
adversarial and contentious.
 Alters balance of power in the
group
 Communication is important
 Poor communication lowers
enthusiasm

5. Resistance: ‘Foot Dragging’
 Resistance is a covert form of
communicating non-compliance.
 Non-cooperation is well hidden
 Covert non-compliance
 Subtle sabotage
 Duplicitous and manipulative
 Hard to identify
 Outwardly sincere
 Seemingly compliant

6. Resistance
Strategies
 Strategic Stupidity
 Appearing to be foolish
 Loss of Motor
Function
 Sudden bouts of clumsiness
 Misunderstanding
Mirage!
 Illusory errors

7. [Still more] Resistance
Strategies
 Selective forgetting!
 Only forget the distasteful
 Tactical tardiness!
 Late for reasons in person’s
control
 Purposeful Procrastination
 Putting tasks off repeatedly
 ‘Manana, manana!’

8. Coping with
Resistance
Confront the strategy
 Identify the communication
 Uncover hidden hostility
 Find alternatives that work
Don’t encourage or
enable
 Don’t do tasks for resisters
 Begin meetings on time
Give specific directions
 Write out what you want
 Repeat and go over instructions

9. DEFIANCE!!!
Defiance is overt, not covert!
Audacious rebellion against attempts to induce compliance.
No ambiguity or subtlety!

10. Defiance continued…
 Defiance can spread quickly
 If one person acts in a defiant way, the numbers can
grow
 Reactions to defiance vary depending
on the norms in play and which norms
are violated
 Some norms are more important than others
 Degree of deviation also affects group response
 Defiance must be obvious – not inadvertant or
incidental
 The person who is acting in a defiant
manner runs the risk of alienating the