Power Strategies in Relationships

Abstract

Power is the ability to influence the behavior of another person, but having that ability is different from acting on that ability. Power strategies are the different ways that people use their power to effect change in others. Sometimes, power is evident in the nonverbal behavior of others and is very subtle; other times it can be overt and appear in the verbal persuasive strategies that are used. In general, a collaborative and mutually beneficial strategy is one that minimizes power but is also the least destructive for relationships.