The Power Position

Ethical Decision Making, Power and Vulnerability

Dec 11, 2008 Rachael Scott

In any relationship where there is conflict there are two roles that generally emerge: the Power Position and the Position of Vulnerability.

The person in the Power Position may hold valuable resources and have the ability to make decisions that affect others. The person in the Position of Vulnerability is usually a subordinate, or someone who does not have the same level of influence. In essence, one is at the mercy of the other.

"With great power comes great responsibility." - Winston Churchill

In any situation, determine which position you are in. Then carefully note how your position influences your judgment and ability to make a decision.

Position of Vulnerability

If you are in the Position of Vulnerability, your actions may be driven by self-preservation. You may consider compromising your personal values in order to appease the person who holds power over you. Your actions may be driven by fear or even by pride. Perhaps you resent your position. Manipulative, underhanded behavior may result from feeling vulnerable or victimized.

To take advantage of the position of vulnerability, it is best to keep a positive outlook. Admitting powerlessness may free you from the sense of needing to gain a sense of control. Commit yourself to making ethical choices, not matter what the outcome and refuse to compromise core values. For example, be honest, transparent, and minimize harm to others.

Position of Power

If you are in the Power Position, realize that your actions have consequences for people other than yourself. With power comes responsibility. Consider how your choices can potentially cause harm to others. How you would want to be treated if the roles were reversed? Employ deductive reasoning to create solutions that are fair and just.

If you are the power holder and do everything you can to:

• Accurately and objectively assess the situation
• See the situation from the perspectives of others involved
• Consider multiple ways to resolve the situation
• Assess potential consequences of each potential action

Then it reasons that you have acted ethically and to the best of your ability. If however, you do not employ reasoning and instead act hastily, then you have (perhaps out of ignorance) left the consequences to chance. If chance favors you, you may see a sound resolution. However, if the winds of fate are not so kind, others will suffer and the burden of blame rests on you.

Further Consideration

The idea that there are distinct positions of power and vulnerability in conflict arises from the game of chess and strategic warfare. Someone always has the upper hand. However, there are more dynamic models of conflict and decision making to consider. Check out Amarendra Bhushan's extensive discussion of the topic.

To act ethically, one must be informed and considerate. Self-seeking behavior is definitively unethical and unenlightened. The Mind Tools website has information on many decision making tools that can aid in balance, fair deduction.

The copyright of the article The Power Position in Social Corporate Responsibility is owned by Rachael Scott. Permission to republish The Power Position in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Ethics