Understanding Power and Conflict

Power is the ability to influence an outcome or get a task completed. To understand power it is vital to know the context in which it is being exerted and the other forces and influences in play. In the context of conflict, power is defined as the ability to get one’s needs met. For a conflict to exist, each of those involved must have some degree of power and the ability to influence the outcome of the conflict.

Power is an elusive concept because it has so many manifestations. Everyone has many potential sources of power, most of which he or she is often unaware. Some are independent of the conflict while others can be enhanced or diminished by the process of conflict

Key Types of Power

Legitimate Power: The authority given by an institution, by a set of laws or policies or by virtue of one’s position, such as school principal, board president or city council member. One’s effectiveness using formal authority depends on their personal power.

Legal Prerogative: Rights and choices defined by law or policy. A related source of power is the resources a person has to pursue legal action.

Information: Data and knowledge. If one party to a conflict has information that the other doesn’t, they have power in a conflict based on their decision to share or conceal that knowledge.

Association: This kind of power comes from the connection with other people or groups, such as political entities, trade associations or any other organization.

Rewards and sanctions: The ability to confer benefits or rewards and impose sanctions or penalties are opposite sides of the same coin.

Morals: Power can flow from an appeal to the values, beliefs and ethics or from an attack on the values of those with whom you are in conflict.

Personal characteristics: This kind of power derives from an individual’s inherent make up, such as their perseverance, endurance, intelligence, communication skills, determination, and emotional and physical strength.

These types of power mix together in complex ways. The amount of power an individual has is less important than how effectively it is marshaled. For more insight into the role of power in conflict, see a previous post I wrote that includes discussion about structural vs. personal power. In the conflict resolution field, mediators are often working with parties who are attempting to use collaborative processes while at the same time preparing for a rights-based court process. A mediator’s effectiveness depends in part on how they help parties use their respective power.

Ellen F. Kandell is a certified professional mediator and attorney with over 30 years of public and private sector experience. She is one of eight Maryland mediators featured on a statewide demonstration video of good mediation practice. Ellen is certified by the International Mediation Institute.  She provides mediation, group facilitation and training to diverse clients in Washington, DC and the US. Get in touch with her via email, and follow her on LinkedIn, and Twitter.