Power is the ability to bring about a change in our lives, or the lives of others. Many power imbalances show up in design, organisations and within systems. People often have more power through:
● Being part of a majority group
● Inherited privilege
● Wellness and ability
● Education and knowledge
● Connections with powerful people
● Experience, reputation and public regard
● Decision-making authority
● Money and financial assets
● Effective and influential communication
● Extroversion/gregariousness
● Physical appearance
● Whiteness
A lack of power is felt most strongly by those who have less of it. It’s hard to see it when we do, and when a lack of power doesn’t affect our day to day lives. Within design, those who have less power are often quiet and may feel unable to share their perspectives among those who have more, or are perceived to have more authority.
Power imbalances affect:
● The ability of people with less power to contribute in small and large ways
● The ability of those lacking influence to ask questions and challenge professionals/those with higher status, particularly when people with more power are lacking grounded knowledge and/or facts
● The quality of insights and solutions (they are weaker when we are missing perspectives of those who couldn’t share their views and ideas).
Further Resources
Powerplay, Lauren Weinstein - Resources on power, including a game to spark a reflection on power inventories and demonstrate the laws of power and equaliser cards to shift the power balance.
What is Psychological Safety? Dr Amy Silver - Maximise how safe you feel and how safe you make others feel
Naming and taming power, suggestion cards. The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI)