All power is relational. So to truly understand power, one must know the different types of relationships that define the organization and, more importantly, how these relationships manifest themselves. This involves observing the relationships as they play out under normal everyday circumstances.

• What are specific ways to limit the potential for power abuse in health care organizations?

• What specific human resource strategies and transparency mechanisms could be created within hospitals or physician practices, for example, that would help prevent any stakeholder, particularly the top leaders of an organization, from pursuing self-interested goals in suspect ways?