CM310:Communication & Conflict Final Project
Communication & Conflict Final Project
The Nature of Power in Conflict:
Power can be defined in many ways. Most simply, it is the ability to get what you want.
Power is a fundamental concept in any conflict. The nature of that power can depend upon how the power is distributed, how it is viewed, and how it is used. There can be power struggles between those that feel very powerful and those that feel that they have little to no power. The different individual perceptions of power within a conflict can affect communication.
Power can be distributed in three distinct ways: distributive, designated, and integrated (Wilmot and Hocker, 2007).
…show more content…
In conflict we often make the mistake of using our power to focus on the relationship or on the issue/ outcome we desire. The result is that we often attain one at the expense of the other. Our power may enable us to achieve our goal but damage or destroy the relationship. Alternatively, we may sustain the relationship at the expense of our needs or desired outcome. The ideal may be maintaining a healthy relationship while at the same time achieving our goal, but this requires a subtle and complex use of different kinds of power or perhaps not using the power at our disposal. This requires wisdom, self control and self discipline as well as skilled interpersonal behavior.
Nor can effective use of power be reduced to wise control of our personal powers, though that may be a good start. Social power, including our own, is concentrated, channelled, and distributed by the culture and structure of our families, communities, organizations, countries, etc. Personal power is limited or extended by such cultures and structures.
We have to contend, in the exercise of our personal power, with the influences of such power-channels in our environments and how they add to, limit or distort our exercise of power - e.g. hierarchies, coalitions,
There are many definitions of power but my definition of power is to rule over, or to have
“The first thing you must realise is that power is collective. The individual only has power in so far as he ceases to be an individual.” (Orwell).
Luke’s one-dimensional view of power is centred on this concept and in order to develop understanding as to how power is achieved and maintained within society, an analyses of decision-making in the public arena must be made. It also contests that the group that holds and maintains power can be determined by looking at who succeeds when there is political conflict. (Lukes, 1974:12) It emphasises the importance of the observed behaviour of those in power and analyses the effects on the wider community when making decisions (Lukes 1974:25) Lukes spends a lot of time discussing Dahl’s theory of power through his own theory. The power held by a specific group may be either, ‘overt’ or ‘covert’ but the triumph of power is at the point is during the decision-making process and when these decision have been made, especially, those of the controversial nature of ones centred around the most conflict (Lukes, 1974:13) The one dimensional view of power proposed by Lukes is the most straightforward of the three dimensions. In a way, it is also the easiest to observe, as the power structure through decision-making is more translucent and has a lot of clear definable features.
Power, a tool, a quality, an influence over others, in other words, a sense of control. In relation to this, those that are given or even earned a great amount of power should use it moderately. In the world we live in today, many “leaders” use their power negatively, resulting in unfairness to others.
Power is a negative concept that turns people against each other if power is used in a wrong way.
As evidenced from multiple books, power is something that is easy to abuse. When an individual is given the ability to control the masses, it can be used incorrectly. Power can lead to abusiveness, irresponsibility, and overconfidence.
Through these various accounts, one witnesses how the reactions in different situations allude to an individual’s outcome and their authoritative position in relevance to others. Ultimately, power is a state of mind in this sense, for an individual’s importance in these situations is determined by the power with which they believe they behold. Not only this, but their success as individuals and how they survive their various encounters is also projected through their mentality associated with power, and it allows them to better manage their
Power is not only necessary in our life, it's desired as well. Power has a positive effect on people because it gives us order in our daily life.
Power refers to the ownership of power and impact over others. Contingent upon how power is utilized, it can prompt positive or negative conclusions in an association. Control in individuals is similar to power in batteries; the higher the voltage of battery, the more electromotive energy it can convey; subsequently, it can have more noteworthy effect. Likewise, individuals with more prominent wellsprings of force are better ready to lead and impact others than individuals with less and lesser wellsprings of force. The all the more influential you are, the more impact you ought to have. Persons can have master force; referent force; prize force; coercive power or true blue force.
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a men's character, give him power" Abraham Lincoln power is the ability to control people in their actions or things that they say. power is the ability to get whatever you want from whom ever. power is a necessity in any society; otherwise all bodlm would be in chaos, leaders must be established. when taken to an extreme power is destructive.
Power is a double-edged sword. It has the capacity to do positive things and be a good force, but often turns into a slippery slope. Powerlessness is similar in fashion as it serves a purpose to elevate the notion of power, acting as a sort of byproduct of power, but is often a forced position that puts the “participant” at the bottom of the totem pole.
While conflict can be a healthy part of an organization, conflict managed poorly has significant impact on an organization. What further exacerbates this issue is when there is an imbalance of power. This paper examines the relationship of conflict and power. It will address how imbalance of power can impede one’s efforts in managing conflict in the workplace. It will also identify ideas on how to integrate ways to mediate conflict into the culture. Lastly, the paper will use a case study to illustrate these concepts.
I define power as somebody in leadership position that maintains control over his or her subordinate. For instance, governmental power is consistent as the president of the Unites States who is in charge of the executive branch. Thus, he is in charge over the military and the entire country. Some of the responsibility of his jobs entails is to protect the American people at the same time dealing other countries as far as trade etc. Other type of power is personal power that can also be interpreting as the ability to educate one and others. We often heard that “Knowledge is Power.” An example is Dr. Martin Luther Jr. was able to educate people of all races and ethnicity of his dream that one day he believes that humanity will live in a better
Throughout these last few weeks, the class has read writings from people who are battling similar issues or trying to prove something. Power and how it relates to people is something that keeps showing up. This is interesting because it’s easy to look at these writings as dated and irrelevant toward today’s culture. Contrary to that belief, the writings have been able to relate to the issues and thoughts of today. This may be because human beings tend to strive for power and the things that come with having power.
Power and politics have always been around but seldom openly discussed. Power is learned at an early age through family and schools. Ordinary people such as scholars hesitate to talk about power. It is often equated with force brutality, unethical behavior, manipulation, connivance, and subjugation.