Diversity, Power & Rank Hidden Causes of Conflict Development & Escalation

Rho Sandberg

CLE Consulting Australia

What attracted you to What attracted you to the workshop? the workshop?

What would you like to What would you like to take away? take away?

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In this session… In this session… •Discuss the relationship between diversity, power and

rank

•Explore their role in the development and escalation of

conflict

•Raise awareness of our own use of power and rank as

mediators and conflict facilitators

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PowerPower potential for influencepotential for influence Rank Rank one's comparative power in any one's comparative power in any given system or interpersonal given system or interpersonal relationshiprelationship

Privilege Privilege the benefits and advantages the benefits and advantages of one's rankof one's rank

Diversity Diversity –differences– in opinion, life –differences– in opinion, life experiences, gender, ethnicity, work experiences, gender, ethnicity, work styles styles

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UNDERSTANDING RANK UNDERSTANDING RANK

• Structural

• Social

• Psychological

• Moral

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STRUCTURAL RANKSTRUCTURAL RANK

Structural rank reflects the power and authority accompanying specific roles or positions.

Sources include:•formal positions of authority•educational qualifications •economic status

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““Rank makes us blind”Rank makes us blind”Arnold MindellArnold Mindell

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Why is that?Why is that?

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SOCIAL RANKSOCIAL RANK

Social rank tends to reflect the value systems of society, including its biases and prejudices.

Sources of social rank include:•gender•age•able-bodiedness / mental capacity •race / ethnicity•sexual orientation•relationship status

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PSYCHOLOGICAL RANKPSYCHOLOGICAL RANK

• self-esteem and confidence • emotional intelligence• understanding the impact of one's behaviour on others • resilience • innate or acquired understanding of social and political systems• charisma • capacity for detachment• stress tolerance

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MORAL RANKMORAL RANK

Moral rank is derived from a sense of purpose, values or inspiration more enduring and influential than daily workplace or life challenges.

POORLY USED RANK POORLY USED RANK

AN ESCALATION TRIGGERAN ESCALATION TRIGGER

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How do differences in How do differences in diversity, power and diversity, power and

rank impact your work rank impact your work as a conflict as a conflict

management management practitioner? practitioner?

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Five Common Problems Five Common Problems

Power is disowned

Power is projected

Power is taken for granted

Power becomes a crutch

Power is abused

In a mediation: In a mediation:

What impact might What impact might YOURYOUR

structural, social, psychological structural, social, psychological

and moral rank have? and moral rank have?

How might you be at risk of How might you be at risk of

taking your own power and taking your own power and

rank for granted?rank for granted?

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YOUR QUESTIONS … YOUR QUESTIONS …

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MORE INFORMATION MORE INFORMATION

CLE Consulting Australia is proud to offer exceptional professional development retreats in Provence.

www.retreatsinprovence.com

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MORE INFORMATION MORE INFORMATION

www.retreatsinprovence.com.auwww.conflictcoaching.com.au

www.cleconsulting.com.au rho@cleconsulting.com.au