Page 37 - Here and Now – Apr 2024

Conclusion

Power is an important need for individuals as it gives them a sense of significance and purpose.
However, we all differ from one another; and our ability to co-exist with power differences

comes from acceptance rather than resentment, questioning or confrontation. We learn to
conform to societal expectations, including our agreements and disagreements with peers or
authority figures. Sometimes, we submit to power figures or retreat and accommodate denials
and differences while being aware of our inner discomfort. Ignoring or denying this discomfort
adds toxicity, causing an imbalance that can lead to interpersonal conflict.

As group facilitators or trainers, being fully aware of our inner discomfort and unease allows us
to live with differences of opinion in group processes and helps us develop functional coping
abilities. We can understand this analogy through our physical being - our body parts come

together to carry out the tasks that our mind and brain command. If we facilitate group
dynamics and act like the invisible mind and soul of the group, where each member is like an
autonomous body part, respecting differences and sensing the merit of one another, the group
will experience togetherness and the power of mutuality.

Power is significant as long as we strive to find our inner worth. Otherwise, we feel powerless.
It does not work well when we are unaware of our inner power to confront our discomfort
through acceptance. Process research has proved that the journey of self-discovery is to locate
self-worth while coming to terms with visible and invisible processes of denial. Power matters,
and empowers our ability to act if we understand the conceptual underpinnings and insights

into group behaviour. Of course, our inner and outer sensitivity assumes critical importance in
our dealing with power. As we move forward, we navigate the complexities of group facilitation
processes and become clearer about our role, our needs,
our purpose in what we do and why we do it.

Nagendra P Singh is President, AIDMAT Leadership
Academy, former President of ISABS and currently Dean-

External Linkage of ISABS nagenidmat@gmail.com

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