Power is defined as the capability of doing or accomplishing something (noun). Like many definitions, this doesn’t exactly cover all the nuances of ‘power’ – how it shows up in relationships, what it means to share it, and why we need to talk about it when we facilitate collaboration. In my own work, I’ve seen power imbalances show up between designers and community organizers, architects and residents, and researchers and participants.
Most of us, whether we call ourselves designers or not, could benefit from better understanding our own privileges and lived experiences, and how these elements translate into different power dynamics depending on the setting.
Here are a few things helping me on this journey…