Power in Relationships

Power in Relationships

Wilmot & Hocker (2017) defines power currencies as the extent to which your resources are valued by other persons in the context of a relationship and are known to have a significant influence in conflict management. In a good relationship, power is not static because each partner considers the needs of the other and takes power accordingly (Hall & Knox, 2019). Four different types of power currencies drive many relationships. These are resource control, communication skills, interpersonal linkage, and expertise. It is important to note that, if other people have power currencies that you need, then they have power over you, and the converse is also true.

There are various techniques of balancing power, according to the balance of power theory. The first technique is to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the other party (VanderDrift et al., 2019). The second technique entails understanding each others’ perspectives in conflict management. The third technique is defining a conflict as a matter that is mutual for both of you (Lucas, 2011). The next methods are practicing restraint, focusing on interdependence, and relying on calm persistence (Wilmot & Hocker, 2017). Staying actively engaged in a conflict is a useful technique of balancing power, but if all of them fail to achieve good results, it is always essential to seek guidance from a third party.

Power and status are crucial aspects of conflict management. Having a low-power position in conflict means that you cannot exercise full control in an attempt to solve a dispute with your partner (Wilmot & Hocker, 2017). In many instances, being in a low power position puts one at risk of being misused by the other. It is always important to balance power during a negotiation because this will ensure that the issue at hand is solved amicably (Hall & Knox, 2019). Healthy relationships are much more than power because they entail respect, intimacy, love, and sharing.