3. Group participants can in many situations be empowered to contribute to decision-making, however this should be contingent on the situation. In situations such as those I encounter as a Squad Leader, the overall strategy is not always immediately evident. In this situation, the followers should be expected to maintain a high level of dedication to task regardless of whether or not they understand the full ramifications of their actions. In civilian life, where perhaps the stakes are lower, a company can succeed by empowering employees because the ability to make a contribution can increase their dedication to the task and to overall objectives. This is more reasonable because the objectives are often transparent throughout the organization. In addition, the organizational culture is one of employment at will, where there is no implicit dedication to the organization. Engagement from the employees is dependent on their feeling of empowerment. When the objectives of a task cannot be revealed, then it is necessary that the followers do not engage in participative leadership lest they move the outcome of the task...

Empowerment is not necessary in the military because of the nature of commitment that is implicit in the organizational culture, so participative leadership is not as necessary.
4. I have a combination of formal and informal power. As a Squad Leader, I have a high level of formal power based on my position. My company must obey my orders because of my rank, just the same as I must obey the commands of my superiors. I also have some degree of informal power, based on knowledge and experience. In particular, my input may be required at times when my superiors need the insight of my field experience. Because I am the gatekeeper of field knowledge at times, I am called upon to share that knowledge, contributing in some way to the decision-making process. I also feel that I have some charismatic power as well. I feel that I can exert this influence on my peers in particular, not just because of my experience but because I have cultivated a high level of trust among those with whom I work. I have a high degree of integrity and honesty and I feel that this supports my charismatic power.