Dignity & Power

How can I use my power without reducing someone else's agency?

Power can help us protect a boundary, share resources, make a decision or create room for someone else to contribute. It also shapes what others feel able to question or refuse. Responsible use of power means examining the actual conditions of an interaction, including dependency and unspoken penalties. Good intentions need to be tested against how our actions affect people. The more control we have over their options, the more responsibility we carry for fairness, clarity and accountability.

A question to sit with (optional): Can the person affected say no without facing a penalty I have left unspoken?