The way in which we use power is changing. This session will not explore the theory: rather it will give practical, real-life examples of organisations in the UK that are adopting a new mindset, empowering their staff and volunteers, and transforming their organisations. In doing so, they seek to redefine the relationship with their users and make lives better. But, does it work?
Old power – like a currency – is closed, guarded, and held by a few. New power, a hot topic right now, operates like a current: it is open, driven by people and most powerful when it is channelled towards a cause. The ability to mobile people to a cause (or a service) – think #MeToo, Donald Trump or Wikipedia – is a defining feature of our time.
The Civil Society Futures report makes this challenge to the voluntary sector: we must devolve power, distribute leadership and reconnect with local communities. But how do you do this? How much power are really we willing to give away? How do we take our organisations on this journey? A new generation of leaders must find a way through this.
A3: New power: Harnessing the power of others to achieve change
1. #NEWPOWER
HARNESSING THE POWER
OF OTHERS TO ACHIEVE
CHANGE
@EDELHARRIS
@KATHRYNPERERA
@ALEXJAMESFARROW
#NCVOCONF
Headline
sponsor:
Lead
sponsor:
Dinner
sponsors:
Drinks
sponsor:
2. #NEWPOWER
• Hear from two #newpower leaders – Edel
Harris & Kathryn Perera
• Exploring #newpower in your organisations
• Questions, answers and reflections
OUR SESSION
4. UNDERSTANDING NEW POWER
• Old power works like a currency. It is held by
few. Once gained, it is jealously guarded. It is
closed, inaccessible, and leader-driven.The
goal of old power is to keep it.
• New power operates like a current. It is made
by many. It is open, participatory, and peer-
driven. Like water or electricity, it’s most
forceful when it surges.The goal with new
power is not to hoard it but to channel it.
8. Local Cornerstone Presentation 2018
Our Vision –
Local Cornerstone
Let us continue to put people at the
centre of our activity and assist them to
live the life they choose
Let us continually strive to do more than
we are contractually obliged to do
Let us demonstrate that we genuinely
value social care as a profession
Let us use our charitable income to do
some amazing things that help all the
people we support to live a valued life
26. MINDSET VS MODELS
Old power values
formal, competition,
expertise
New power values
informal, collaboration &
DIY
New power model –
enabled by the
empowerment &
activity of people
• Facebook
• Uber
• Trump
• Wikipedia
• #ASLIceBucketChallenge
• Cornerstone Scotland
• Airbnb
• Community bought
libraries/pubs
Old power model –
enabled by what
organisations own,
know or control
• Apple
• NHS
• Schools
• Military
• The Guardian
• John Lewis
• Girlguiding/Scouts
28. #NEWPOWER COMPASS
CONNECTORS
The Connector harnesses a networked
crowd, skilfully deploying new power tools
and methods—but does so with an old
power mindset that values hierarchy and
order. Decisions may centralised, but often
rely on a crowd for engagement, work or
value.
CROWDS
The Crowd combines new power methods –
inspiring a connected crowd – with a new
power mindset. Their core operating models
are peer-driven, and their values celebrate
the power of the crowd. This could include
distributed activist groups and radically
open-education models.
CASTLES
The Castle pairs an old power mindset with
old power methods. This is the traditional
hierarchical and authority-based model of
leadership and organisations that most of us
grew up with, such as the military, business,
and education.
CHEERLEADERS
The Cheerleader champions new power
values, with a mindset towards
collaboration, transparency, and
participation. However, they often use old
power methods. Cheerleaders may not be
able - or don’t want to - genuinely distribute
power.
29. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
• Which quadrant is your organisation
currently in?
• Which quadrant would you like your
organisation to be in in 5 years time?
• What problem are you trying to solve
(your reason for being) that couldn’t be
done in a #newpower way?
• What needs to happen for you to lead
with #newpower values?
WITH YOUR NEIGHBOUR…
31. WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
• The home of #newpower at
thisisnewpower.com with
resources, quiz & articles
• NCVO’s strategy training
course adopts a #newpower
mindset (30% off for
members!)
• The book is a great read!