Unequal Power Relations

Issues surrounding unequal power relations are common but need not spell disaster for collaborative efforts. Bond and Keys (1993) studied the group dynamics of parents and other community members on the board of a human service agency to find out whether and how groups can share power equitably. They concluded the following:

"Both parents and other community members could be simultaneously empowered when the board culture promoted inclusionary group processes and the activation of member resources. Collaboration between empowered groups occurred when the board culture encouraged appreciation for interdependencies and the development of boundary spanners. When both groups were empowered and collaborated, there was a synergy in board functioning that enabled the organization to accomplish more than it did when only one group held power." (p. 37)

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