Power & Responsibility – Reflection on Authority in Educational Relationships
Power is unavoidable in educational relationships – but its impact depends decisively on how we shape it. This unit makes clear that educational authority does not mean control or obedience, but rather responsibility, relationship, and clarity. You will learn to distinguish between beneficial authority and harmful abuse of power, develop a reflective attitude, and gain tools for greater presence, dialogue, and relational security – in the spirit of a pedagogy of mindfulness and equal dignity.
Warm up
Think of a situation in which you were clearly “in the position of power.”
Write down: What did you decide – how was it received?
Exchange with your buddy:
-
When does power feel appropriate – when does it not?
Add together: What kinds of power are there? (e.g., structural, personal, symbolic)
Learn
Power requires reflection, attitude, and responsibility.
Power is the possibility to exert influence – whether consciously or unconsciously. Educational relationships are always shaped by a power imbalance. What matters is how we deal with it:
Forms of abuse of power:
-
humiliation (including nonverbal),
-
shaming in front of the group,
-
unequal treatment,
-
threats without relationship,
-
unannounced sanctions.
Important distinction:
-
Positional power: through role or function,
-
Personal power: through relationship, language, charisma,
-
Systemic power: through institutional structures.
FIND OUR MORE
Exchange in your buddy team
-
Which situations do you know from your practice? Which of them feel hurtful – which empowering?
-
Where do I exercise power without noticing it?
Dive in 1
“New Authority” according to Haim Omer and colleagues describes a paradigm shift: away from control, towards presence, self-control, and systemic involvement.
Core characteristics of the new authority:
-
Presence: being visible and approachable without dominating,
-
Transparency: clear rules + well-founded decisions,
-
Relationship instead of sanction: closeness & attitude take precedence over instruments of power,
-
Determination + dialogue: not giving in, but always remaining ready for conversation.
FIND OUT MORE
After reading the information, answer the following questions:
-
How do I act as an authority figure? Reactive or present?
-
When am I able to remain calm and effective in a crisis?
-
Which rituals strengthen my presence?
Exchange with your buddy:
-
Which elements of the “New Authority” would you like to strengthen – where do you see limits?
Transfer 1
Choose two examples from your educational practice in which you consciously exercised authority.
Analyze individually or with your buddy:
-
Which type of power did I use (positional, personal, symbolic)?
-
What impact did my behavior have on relationships & the learning climate?
Formulate concrete guidelines for your personal educational attitude based on these insights:
-
e.g., “I set clear boundaries, but with explanations.” / “I consciously avoid irony in conflict situations.”
Document your attitude in writing as a self-commitment (e.g., for your portfolio or for supervision).
Transfer 2
Application in Working with Children & Adolescents
Choose an everyday situation with a power asymmetry (e.g., rule violation, missed submission, refusal of a conversation offer).
Work out two possible courses of action with your buddy:
-
Option A: traditionally authoritarian (e.g., threat, consequence, monologue),
-
Option B: relationship-oriented, new authority (e.g., presence, invitation to dialogue, offering reflection).
Then reflect together:
-
How does the behavior of the young people change?
-
Where are the limits – where are the opportunities of this approach?
-
Which form strengthens trust and personal responsibility in the long term?
Optional: Develop a set of “emergency phrases” for escalations (e.g., “I am here and I remain calm.” / “Let’s talk later in peace.”).
Reflect
Observe deliberately for one day: When do you use authority? How is it received?
Document two situations in writing: How would you have solved them in the past – how do you solve them now with a new attitude?