Power Conflict

Learning Objectives

To understand how power dynamics influence conflict
To know the different types of power
To understand the different perspectives within power conflict
To learn strategies for resolving power conflict

What is Power Conflict

Power conflict is the conflict that arises when two people in a relationship clash based on their position or standing in the relationship. Often times when they are on the journey to achieve what they want. Some people may be unaware of the power they have in a social situation. In a workplace environment, power conflict happens between managers, employees, coworkers, and even between departments. Power can take as many forms as there are different types of relationships. Power conflict can be stressful for both sides. Employees may not want to get on the boss's bad side for fear of punishment and the manager may not want to ruffle feathers and be disliked by those that work for them. While this can be true, it is also true that power conflict can be a positive. Conflict can help resolve workplace issues, helps people express emotions, creates new ideas, and gives people a chance to practice active listening.

Types of Power

Formal Authority

This form of power is given by an institution that has set policies or laws given by ones position in the structure. A school principal or a store manager are examples of people with formal authority.

Moral

This form of power comes from people who align with certain values, beliefs, or ethics. Leaders such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. are known examples of this form of power.

Information

This type of power comes from a party having data or information that the other does not. The information can be used as a bargaining chip.

Resource

This type of power comes from the ability to control resources such as money, time, or reputation. These resources can be used as benefits or rewards which awards them a form of power.

Power Conflict Perspectives

Employee Perspective

Causes of conflicts from management actions:

Unsupportive leadership
Micromanagement/Lack of confidence
Lack of direction
"Unfair" criticism

Managers Perspective

Causes of conflict from employee actions:

Shirking
Attitude or disrespectful demeanor
Unwilling to take on tasks
Causes conflict with other coworkers

Interesting Facts about Power Conflict

Groups comprised of high power individuals were less creative than groups comprised of neutral or low power individuals ( Hildreth & Anderson, 2016). This is important to remember when you have an idea that you fear may cause conflict with someone of a higher power ranking. Your idea may be something they may not think of because they don't process information the same based on that status.

Although it is impossible to avoid conflict, given human nature and the pressures of organizational life, it can be managed so that a workplace can be created that is rewarding and invigorating (Sharpe, et al., 2002). Conflict is unavoidable and happens in so many aspects of our daily life. Its important to accept this fact and allow yourself to actively listen and keep an open mind.

Resolutions

Create Solutions Together - Working with the person you have a conflict with is a great way to not only find common ground, but also to find a solution that both parties are happy with. This also involves being honest and listening to achieve the best result
Address Behaviors - It's important to remember when being honest and addressing your reason for the conflict to focus on behaviors rather than personality traits.
Invoke Curiosity - Use thought-provoking questions about the subject or nature of the conflict to draw in the other person to think about the situation differently
Active Listening - Active listening allows one to hear and understand another while reducing stressors like defensiveness and tension by focusing on the facts and feeling expressed. "Listening allows us to look within ourselves and become aware of the barriers that inhibit our ability to listen effectively.” - Jessica Zisa
Keep an Open Mind - Being receptive to another

Extra Resource

Team effectiveness expert, Dr. Liane Davey, discusses how to handle conflict with your boss as well as some strategies to approach the conversation. Dr. Davey has incredible tips and examples that can help an employee find effective strategies to handle conflict with their bosses.

Key Tools to Remember

Empathy

Empathy is a person's ability to understand feelings through verbal and nonverbal messages, provide emotional support when needed, and understand the link between other's emotions and behaviors.

Support and Motivation

Support and motivation play a huge role in the mental wellbeing and potentially performance output of those around you.

Honesty

People appreciate honesty about situations surrounding their workplace. Harboring feelings can lead to more tumultuous conflict in the future.

A power struggle collapses when you withdraw your energy from it. Power struggles become uninteresting to you when you change your intention from winning to learning about yourself - Gary Zukav

Survey and Sharing

Survey Monkey

Click here to access our survey and discussion about power conflict. With permission, comments and stories left in the survey will be added to the site.

Sources

Hildreth, J. A. D., & Anderson, C. (2016). Failure at the Top: How Power Undermines Collaborative Performance. Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, 110(2), 261–286. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000045

Kamil Kozan, M., Ergin, C., & Varoglu, K. (2014). Bases of power and conflict intervention strategy: a study on Turkish managers. International Journal of Conflict Management, 25(1), 38-60. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCMA-05-2012-0041

Sharpe, Davida & Johnson, Elinor. (2002). Managing Conflict with Your Boss. For the Practicing Manager. An Ideas into Action Guidebook.

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