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Sarah

Referent Power

If I were the Prime Minister for a day, I would rely on referent power to create long-term change. Referent power is rooted in the ability to influence others through personal qualities such as charisma, integrity, and the ability to inspire admiration and trust. Since I would only have one day to make a change, I think relying on coercive, legitimate or other brutal forms of power would be not so ideal. I would use the one day to foster bonds between me and the public so that they know that I am trustworthy and that my plans for the nation is based of my values and I am trying to do what’s best for them. This type of power does not rely on formal authority, but rather on the personal bond and respect a leader cultivates with their followers. When a leader possesses referent power, people are motivated to follow them because they believe in the vision and values, and they want to be associated with that positive influence. For example, Barack Obama was able to inspire millions of people through his vision of hope and change, relying on his authenticity and ability to connect with diverse groups of people. By leading with empathy, humility, and a sense of shared purpose, leaders with referent power foster trust and loyalty, which in turn strengthens their ability to drive long-term social, political, and cultural change. This approach not only motivates people to follow willingly but also helps to build a lasting sense of community and collective responsibility, ensuring that the changes they implement are sustainable and supported by the wider society. In today's world, where people often feel disconnected from traditional authority, referent power offers a effective way to lead, inspiring people to invest in creating a better future for everyone.

Hence I think reference power is the way to go!

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If I were the Prime Minister for a day, I would rely on expert power the most. Expert power helps save time as I already have knowledge on the different areas I have to work on. Without adequate knowledge on these fields, it would be very difficult for me to make a more effective decision, as I would not know what to do. With expert power, I think people would tend to trust me more, so I am able to make better decisions to make a greater impact. For example, when we use textbooks, we trust that the information inside is accurate since it is written by someone with knowledge of the subject of the textbook. If the information is correct, it helps us learn more.

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Alyssa Lin

If I was the prime minister for a day I would use the rewards method to create a long term change as I feel that it is the most effective. Using rewards builds positive reinforcement and motivation. When people see extrinsic benefits from following policies, they are more likely to adopt new behaviors willingly rather than out of fear or obligation. Over time, this repeated reinforcement forms lasting habits and cultural shifts, making the desired changes sustainable. Unlike punishment, which can lead to resistance or short-term compliance, rewards create a sense of achievement and encouragement, fostering loyalty and cooperation. By continuously recognizing and incentivizing good behavior, a leader can cultivate a society that actively supports and upholds beneficial policies.

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if I was the PM for one day I would use legitimate power,

Implement a "No Homework Day" once a month to give students a break.

Push for more hands-on learning instead of memorization.

Encourage coding, AI, and future skills in schools to prepare students for the digital world.

Environmental Change

Make public transport FREE for a day to promote eco-friendly commuting.

Ban single-use plastics in major malls for the day and push for greener alternatives.

Start a national tree-planting challenge where schools and companies compete to plant the most trees.

Youth Power & Fun

Create a "Youth Voice" Day where students can suggest policies to improve SG.

Free access to sports, museums, and entertainment spots for a day!

Organize a massive carnival at Marina Bay with games, music, and food stalls featuring local businesses.

Random Acts of Kindness

Introduce a "Give and Take" initiative where people donate unused items for those in need.

Free meals for low-income families and elderly folks for the day.

Encourage workplaces to let employees leave early to spend time with family.

Food & Culture Celebration

Make hawker food 60% off for a day to support local stalls.

Launch a "SG Food Day", where everyone is encouraged to try a different local dish.

Promote multicultural performances in schools to strengthen racial harmony.

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If I were the prime minister for a day, I would choose expert power to create long-lasting change. I think this power is most effective as,

1. A prime minister must be capable and knowledgeable in certain fields related to planning for the wellbeing and future of Singapore. By excelling in these fields, the prime minister will gain respect and public support from the citizens.

2. In a single day, many decisions need to be made swiftly. A prime minister who has in-depth knowledge of these problems and efficient decision-making skills will be able to identify and choose what is best for the country.

3. A prime minister who has deep expertise in a certain field is able to provide valuable insights on the situation and can make a real long-lasting change.

4. As a competent and capable leader, even if I am only a prime minister for a day, I can create a long-lasting impact by establishing a legacy. An example is raising awareness about an important issue that may or may not be affecting the wellbeing of the country. Even small changes can have a ripple effect and create long-lasting impact. By focusing my efforts and leveraging my expert power, I can make a real difference even in a day.

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If I were the Prime Minister for a day, I would rely on expert power to create long-term change. Expert power is based on knowledge in specific fields/areas, and credibility, which are necessary for making smart decisions that have a lasting impact. Lee Kuan Yew used his deep understanding of economics and governance to implement policies that transformed Singapore. This approach builds trust among citizens, so they will not despise me.

Why not reward power?

You cannot say that Singaporean's are not lazy. We most definitely are. Our favourite things to do are eat and sleep and NOT work out, in general.

If given a choice, we would pick whichever option allows us to stay at home and laze around, despite being given a reward.

Hence, reward power may not be the most effective, although it is the most ethical.

Why not legitimate power?

Causes people to lose respect for you, leading them to (of course) not want to listen, or do what you tell them to do

Especially if you're a person like Donald Trump, doing things illogically (he's as old as my grandfather who is old)

Why not coercive power?

Immediate rejection by people. And also, if Singaporeans know you will ultimately force them into doing things, why would they vote for you at the General Election? Did you force them into it?????

Why not referent power?

You are able to save time because people already trust you (reference: Lavena's post), BUT

There may be many people with the same type of power saying different things about one similar subject, making your opinion not to stand out as strongly.

For example, there are many YouTubers online talking about the same thing but everyone will have their own opinion (Annabelle will know a lot about this, please ask her if necessary)

P.S. Sorry for yapping. Thank you for reading to here.

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If I were the Prime Minister for the day, I would choose referent power.

Since I only have one day to make a difference, being charismatic and liked by the people will save me time. I would not have to use extra time for the people to trust me and even if I introduce an idea that is controversial, there is a higher chance of them going along with it simply because they like me. It will make it easier for me to try to create a change in the society that would be useful for a long period of time. Additionally, I am not forcing them into doing anything against their own will. Instead of disliking me for forcing them to do something, they do it willingly because they like me. I don't think I'm really losing anything. If the plan is a success, they might come to like me even more)

I remember that when I was younger, my mother got mad at my sister. Thinking that I was going to be next, I hugged my mother and tried to smile at her as innocently as I could. Eventually, I did not get scolded. (I used this more than once)

Thus, I think that making use of my likability is most effective if I want to make a change in a short period of time.

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If I was the PM for a day, I would use reward power, which is basically a nicer version of bribery. To me, people do things of there is an incentive they want, thus would obey when told to do something for a reward. It can be vouchers, food, free groceries etc. People can be more motivated as they have a purpose to why the are doing something. Lemme give an example: A Geometry Dash player named Zoink could not beat an extreme demon level called Quanteuse Processing, as it required lots of frame perfects. Vortrox promised him if he could beat it by tomorrow, he would receive 10k Robux, and feeling motivated, Zoink beat it.

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If I was the Prime Minister for a day, I would mostly rely on referent power. I think people's heart rules more than their mind most of the time so if their heart feels that I'm a very charismatic Prime Minister, they'll automatically feel the want to listen to me. One reason I think(emphasis on think, I'm sorry XD) I'm charismatic (idk if I rlly am but if I was), is that I am a fair person and once I see something unfair, I will deal with it with no hesitation. Therefore, people will like me as I am a woman of justice ✨ and will trust me to lead their nation. -LAWUN

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Referent

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Expert

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Legitimate

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Coercive

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Reward

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[T1W5] Instructions

Step 1

Post Your Individual Response to the question 'If you were the Prime Minister for a day, which type of power would you rely on the most to create long-term change?'

In your response, state your chosen type of power (coercive, reward, legitimate, expert, or referent) and explain why it would be the most effective for creating long-term change.

Support your answer with examples or reasoning (e.g., real-world leaders, policies, or personal experiences).

Keep your response concise (about 4-6 sentences) but well-explained.

Please key in your response under the column for the power you have chosen.

Step 2

Comment on One Friend’s Post (and More if You Like!)

Find a post that has not been commented on yet to ensure everyone gets feedback.

Use the TAG Method for your comment:

Tell them what you liked about their response.

Ask them a question to push their thinking further.

Give them a suggestion or alternative perspective.

Feel free to comment on more than one post! The more discussion, the better.

Step 3 (Optional): Check Back and Respond

If someone comments on your post, you can choose to reply to their question or suggestion.

Engage in further discussions to explore different viewpoints if you like!