Hi all
"With great power comes great responsibility"
So some of you out there will recognise the above Spiderman quote but although it is cliched it's also very true!
I recently attended a course in which "power sources" were discussed, the different types of power & how it can influence behaviour in others.
The following have been identified as sources of social power:
1. Legitimate Power - this comes from your place in a hierarchy. E.g The boss.
2. Coercivce Power - this is based on fear.
3. Reward Power - this is based on what you can offer someone. E.g. Bribery.
4. Referent Power - this is based on personal relationships, charisma & likeability. E.g. "I like you therefore i will do this for you"
5. Expert Power - this is based on the knowledge & skills you have. E.g special abilities.
6. Connect Power - this is based on using your links to other influential individuals to strengthen your own position. E.g "It's who you know"
7. Information Power - this is based on accessing information. E.g "It's what you know"
8. Resource Power - this is based on controlling access to resources or information. E.g The Gate-keeper
Essentially we all have power of some sort we just need to be aware of it & how we use it.
Do we use our power for good or evil? (Perhaps a bit dramatic for a Monday!).
What power source do you use or have been subjected to?
Jill
Replies
We probably all have each of these power sources available to us in our lives if we think about it in that way. How we choose to avail ourselves of each source is up to us I suppose. Often we can't change the relationship we have with the 'other' over whom we potentially have this power.
Whether great responsibility comes with great power is also a matter of choice. I daresay a powerful person could choose to be irresponsible or could even inadvertantly be irresponsible in their use of power.
I think perhaps the expression could be modernised to say "with great power comes great accountability"!
Sigh...
On that point, I wonder if accountability is 'to someone' and responsibility is 'for something'. I know we can be responsible for someone, say as a parent, but the context will probably make it clear.
Hi Alison
It was a coaching course but i think it's applicable in all relationships. I agree we probably all have each of these power sources available to us & can't change the relationship but i think the key point is being aware of the power & how we use it.
Haha accountability & responsibility are rather interchangeable aren't they? I think the difference is subtle in that responsiblity is about control & authority over something & accountability is being responsible for something and being able to explain yourself/actions...i think...I'm tempted to look it up! Haha.
Jill