Trait Leader? Maybe Not So Much

Although each member is now playing individual in Survivor, for the most part, the members are still in alliances, which ultimately create groups. For example, in one group we have Jeremy, Natalie, John and Jacklyn. I argue that from the very beginning of the season, Jeremy has been a trait leader and he has demonstrated several forms of power including persuasive and charismatic power. Trait leader is defined in the book as a leader who is born instead of made.

Although it could be that he was taught him leadership skills, to me he always given me the impression of a natural leader. His persuasive and charismatic personality seems natural. For example, from the beginning people were trying to form alliances with him and he even expressed he felt like the “prom king.” His title of being a firefighter also gave me legitimate power, which is power from a job title. Especially at the beginning of the season, this title gave him the credibility of being physically trained and it carried on throughout the season. However, this did not save him from being eliminated.

Natalie and Jeremy showed Reward power when they traded their winning spot to John and Jacklyn. Reward power comes from giving out resources valued by members. Natalie and Jeremy though that by giving them these resources, they would guarantee their loyalty, strengthen their group/alliance and have better chances of being saved. Little did they know in this case that the reward power did not work because of the rules of the game.

Keith showed coercive power. In one of the scenes he says, “if anything I will play my idol and vote Josh out” Coercive power is power through having control and dealing out sanctions and punishments. He is trying to play the game by threatening to punish those against him, especially because he has an idol. This also gives him legitimate power because the idol was assigned and it gives him the upper hand if he plays his cards right.

For next episode, I am excited to see Natalie’s reaction and how she will handle the group tension!