Privilege is Power

The discussion of equity is incomplete without understanding the reciprocal relationship between power, privilege, and discrimination. With power comes a sense of privilege and authority to make decisions for those who do not have power. An essential step for inspiring change is to understand one’s privilege. Reflecting on one’s privilege is the first step to understanding the benefits of the different forms of power in your life and how you can impact those who are disadvantaged. One person’s privilege can be another person’s disadvantage and vice versa.

Abuse of power can lead to discrimination and unjust treatment, and the vicious cycle continues. Leaders are in a position of power to make decisions for followers. It is very easy for a leader to be overconfident and blindsided by power. Just as a mango tree bends down when the fruit ripens for us to enjoy, power must bring humility for its true benefit.

As one of the women I interviewed, stated, “The power you have in your role greatly affects how you are seen. Power suppresses color”.

Introspection

Introspection and reflection on one’s own privilege are presented as essential first steps toward inspiring change and fostering equity. This process involves understanding the benefits of the different forms of power one holds and how that power can impact those who are disadvantaged. My book, “From Gaslighting to Truthlighting: A New Framework for Advancing Fair Opportunities for Women in the Workplace emphasizes that privilege is contextual; a person may feel privileged in one community or setting and underprivileged in another, making self-awareness critical.

For leaders, introspection is a key trait of effectiveness, as it enables them to recognize their biases and engage in self-regulation. The resources in my book offer practical tools, such as a “Privilege Self-Reflection Tool,” to facilitate this process, helping individuals assess their own advantages and disadvantages to foster deeper understanding and reduce unintentional harm. Download this tool and take a self-assessment.

Tool: Privilege Self-Reflection

A detailed tool to help you assess your privilege, identify areas of disadvantage, and recognize where you can be your most authentic self.

The exercise involves reviewing statements across nine key areas of life and marking whether you feel (P)rivileged, (U)nderprivileged, or (A)uthentic in each situation.

The categories for reflection include:

Demographics and Identity
Social Settings and Public Spaces
Grocery Stores and Daily Errands
Public Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Work and Career
Home and Family
Friends and Social Circles
Healthcare and Well-Being
Social Determinants of Health (Community and Systems)

From Reflection to Equitable Action

The Privilege Self-Reflection Tool stands as a critical resource intended to help individuals gain deeper self-awareness by assessing their personal privilege and identifying areas where they may experience disadvantage. By reflecting across specific categories—including demographics, identity, work, social settings, and healthcare—the tool provides crucial insights into environments where individuals feel comfortable being their authentic selves. This comprehensive reflection is designed to move beyond inducing guilt or shame, focusing instead on fostering genuine understanding and promoting informed decision-making about how one interacts with the world and others. Ultimately, the purpose of this exercise is to inspire intentional action; for those who recognize their areas of privilege, the prompt encourages them to consider how they can utilize that privilege to support others, thereby contributing directly to the goals outlined in the Bias Mitigation and Transparent Communication Framework and building a more equitable and accountable workplace.

Content provided by Women Belong member Falguni Shah, PhD

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Privilege is Power: Put Your Privilege in Action