READ & UNDERSTAND…

Understanding Community through its Dynamics

Leaders are important figures that will guide the members to carry out the plans in
pursuit of the group’s objectives. The guidance of a good leader in a group ensures the
coherence of plans and better implementation of programs.
In the Philippines, the government provides several levels of leadership, from the
president and vice-president, including other national and local government officials such as
mayors, congressmen, and governors. They are appointed based on qualifications, attitude, and
most often, through the votes of the residents. It is otherwise known as Formal Power
Structure because they are individuals whose authority is based on formal rules appointed by
the government.
There are also people who are appointed because of their ability to lead, direct or
achieve without an official leadership title. They are known as Informal Power Structures.
They are popular with others as influencers who can lead others with the most influence.
Informal power comes, not from an official position, but from the respect and appreciation one
has earned from the members of a group. This respect and appreciation allow the individual to
influence his or her peers in a way that others within the group cannot. Examples are managers,
supervisors, philanthropists, businessmen, producers, and even employees who lead their
groups as likable and charismatic leaders.
Legal authoritative decision-makers, on the other hand, are individuals or bodies
whose authority is based on formal rules and institutions. They are appointed because of their
intelligence, reputations, decision-making, dictation of laws and policies, and connections.
Examples are the appointments made by the president of the country through his/her Powers of
Appointment as stated in the constitution or with the consent of the Commission on
Appointments like the heads of the executive departments, board of members, and its leaders
from any national government-related institutions, ambassadors, other public ministers, and
consuls, etc.
The aforementioned (3) power dynamics are part of the individual dimensions of the
community which could be:
1. Interrelationship- community leaders are in direct relation with you through
familial relations, affinities or feelings of kinship, social network, and
2. Organization- they could be part of an institution or an association, that has a
particular purpose in our community

Activity (1 WHOLE SHEET OF PAPER) COPY & ANSWER!

Community Leaders, Community Builders!

Instruction: Can you give me the power dynamics of the following community leaders as well as
their individual dimensions and a short description of the kind of work they do in your
community?
For your guidance, Power Dynamics are the following:
Formal Power Structure
Informal Power Structures
Legal authoritative decision-makers

For your guidance, Individual Dimensions are the following:

Interrelationship
Organization
a. Barangay Captain

Power Dynamics

Individual Dimension

Job Description

a. Social Workers

Power Dynamics

Individual Dimension

Job Description

c. Local Farmer
Power Dynamics

Individual Dimension

Job Description