Final answer:
The effort to develop and maintain a network of partners is part of the mobilize phase but is relevant throughout the entire leadership and change process. Social media accelerates the awareness and leadership emergence in the preliminary stage, and building a strong network is fundamental for the success of social movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effort to develop and maintain a network of partners is integral to the leadership process. This does not solely pertain to one phase but spans the entire spectrum, from initiation through empowerment. The mobilization of resources is crucial, and for a movement or change process to succeed, it relies on the effective engagement and collaboration of a broad network of individuals and organizations.
Utilizing social media as a tool in the preliminary stage of a social movement helps in quickly raising awareness and bringing leaders to the forefront. These leaders contribute not just in the early stages but also in coalescing support, which is essential throughout the coalescence stage and beyond. Subsequent stages, including institutionalization and potential movement decline, also benefit from a strong network cultivated in earlier phases.
Building social cohesion and adopting an asset-based approach to identify and strengthen existing social resources, like community leaders, are fundamental components of a successful change process. This illustrates why maintaining a network of partners is of high priority and should be addressed throughout all stages of leadership and social movement development.