Power, privilege, Rank and Response

Power To influence and to do Power is neither good nor bad We all have multiple forms of power It’s composed of our talents, skills, abilities, characteristics Power comes in many different forms

Privilege Freedom, license, opportunities and advantages Privilege exists in a social context We are more aware of the privilege that we don’t have than the privilege that we do have Our privilege directly impacts our ability to exercise our power

EVERYONE HAS POWER PRIVILEGE IS THE “GATEKEEPER”

Common Western Privilege (Arnold Mindell, Ph.D.) UNEARNED MOSTLY EARNED BOTH Age Gender Sexual Orientation Skin Color Expertise Profession Spirituality Economic Class Education Mental Health Physical Health Religion

Common Western Privilege (Arnold Mindell, Ph.D.) UNEARNED MOSTLY EARNED BOTH Age (Generations) Gender Sexual Orientation Skin Color (Race) Expertise Profession Spirituality Economic Class Education Mental Health & Physical Health (Disabilities) Religion

Rank The sum of one’s privileges (not your GS#) The more you have, the less conscious of it you tend to be Rank can be used consciously or unconsciously Rank can be used with intent to empower or disempower

“If you use rank consciously, it’s medicine. Otherwise it’s poison.” ~Arnold Mindell, Ph.D.

POISONOUS Use of rank Creates the likely responses of: Fight: Flight: Grievances, positioning, sabotage, retribution, speaking truth to power, change efforts, political action… Flight: Withdrawal, transfers, attrition… Freeze: Compliance, submission, silence…

MEDICINAL Use of rank Creates an opening for: New information, ideas and solutions Increased productivity Curiosity about marginalized voices Collaborative leadership Co-creating from common interests Vigorous debates Openness to influence