Multi-Training Systems, LLC

What is the difference between power and privilege—and how does it show up in the workplace?

Power is defined as the ability to direct and influence behavior, events, and the allocation of resources.

A privilege is a form of societal power. Specifically, privilege is a form of unearned power that is derived from s*x, race, gender, ability, and/or socioeconomic standing.

Having privilege does not mean that an individual is immune to life’s hardships, but it does mean having an unearned benefit or advantage one receives in society by nature of their identity. Why is it important to talk about privilege at all? Because it can raise awareness about advantages and disadvantages, it challenges norms that might work against underrepresented groups and leads to a more diverse and inclusive culture, which ample research shows is a competitive advantage.

Cultural Competence can be broken down into 3 sections:

AWARENESS
Recognizing that someone’s experiences are different from your own.

UNDERSTANDING
Understanding why those experiences are different from your own. This area often includes an understanding of historical, economic, political, or other social factors that result in inequity.

For example, to truly understand some of the challenges and experiences that many African-Americans face today, an individual needs to understand the economic and social history of slavery in America and how the inequities created in the past transitioned and evolved over time.

APPLICATION
Being able to apply your understanding of other people’s experiences to effectively empathize with them.

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