New Power
Unlocks the secret to navigating power dynamics in our hyperconnected world.
Summary of 5 Key Points
Key Points
- Understanding old vs new power
- Harnessing the power of the crowd
- Leveraging participatory culture
- Engaging and mobilizing communities
- Building effective movements
key point 1 of 5
Understanding old vs new power
Old power works like a currency. It is held by few. Once gained, it is jealously guarded, and the powerful have a substantial store of it to spend. It is closed, inaccessible, and leader-driven. It downloads, and it captures. Old power creates barriers to participation and change. The more you hoard old power, the more powerful you are. Old power is power as muscle— you either have it or you don’t. When old power rules, the king is the king-maker…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 5
Harnessing the power of the crowd
Harnessing the power of the crowd is a formidable strategy, which capitalizes on the collective strength, wisdom, and influence of a multitude of people to achieve particular objectives. This concept leans into the idea of ‘new power’, which fundamentally differs from the conventional understanding of power. It is less about command and control, and more about channeling the collaborative energy of a community or group towards a shared vision…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 5
Leveraging participatory culture
Leveraging participatory culture involves harnessing the collective power of the masses to effect change. It’s about encouraging a more inclusive and democratic approach where everyone is given the opportunity to contribute their skills, resources, and knowledge. This bottom-up approach often results in more innovative solutions and a much wider reach. The key to leveraging this culture lies in engaging and mobilising the crowd, not just in broadcasting a message but in creating platforms for discussion where everyone’s input is valued…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 5
Engaging and mobilizing communities
Engaging and mobilizing communities in the context of ‘New Power’ involves a paradigm shift from traditional top-down leadership to a more participatory, peer-driven approach. The authors describe ‘New Power’ as an open, participatory, and peer-driven force that operates differently from ‘Old Power,’ which is held by few, is closed, inaccessible, and leader-driven. ‘New Power’ leaders are those who can harness the energy of the masses, not by controlling them, but by galvanizing them towards a common cause or movement. This approach relies heavily on building and nurturing communities that are highly engaged and willing to contribute to the collective endeavor…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 5
Building effective movements
Building effective movements, as elucidated in the work, involves a complex mix of harnessing new power values and effectively deploying new power models. The authors emphasize a shift from old power, characterized by exclusivity and secrecy to new power, which is open, participatory, and peer-driven. In this context, movements are built by embracing the values of transparency, collaboration, and empowerment, and by leveraging the power of digital platforms and networks to mobilize and engage communities…Read&Listen More