Day 28: Power Distance

In the past few days we have been looking at ways Cambodian culture is different from
other cultures – particularly Western – such as how different cultures perceive time and
how they communicate. Today we will be looking at another issue one must address in
order to be effective in his or her ministry in Cambodia – power distance.
Power distance is the extent to which people who are less powerful in society – whether
youth, subordinate employees, lower class persons, etc. – will accept inequality in
power and consider that inequality to be normal. According to power distance theory,
there is inequality in power in every society, but the degree to which individuals within
that society will tolerate it varies.77 There are two types of power distances: high-power
distance and low-power distance.
In high-power distance countries and organizations, people don't question the
decisions of their leaders. Leader-follower relationships are not close and followers
expect to have their jobs and responsibilities dictated to them. In some cases, they will
not articulate disagreements with authority for fear of the consequences for stirring up
conflict. High-power distance societies perceive a clear delineation between superiors
and subordinates and between the young and the old, and they place high value on
obedience, respect and allegiance to superiors.78 Cambodia is a country with a highpower
distance culture where people expect leaders and followers to maintain their
roles in the social structure, both in the workplace, but also in everyday life between
elders and youth, parents and children, and other class, age, and societal distinctions.
Low-power distance countries, such as the United States, tend to have more
decentralized hierarchies and they encourage individualism and experimentation.79
Low-power distance individuals are expected to and are more comfortable with
voicing their opinions, even if it contradicts a supervisor’s word.80 Relationships outside
of the workplace – in families and other community groups – also tend to be less formal.
While elders and parents are given a certain degree of respect, individuals are often still
expected to make their own decisions according to their own best interests.
Since Cambodia is a high-power distance culture, it’s important that you show proper respect to those in authority. It is also important for you to know that as a foreigner, you
will be perceived as an honored guest, or person of authority yourself. Many
Cambodians, including AIM staff, may become uncomfortable if you break out of a
perceived hierarchical structure. For example: In an attempt to be kind, you decide to
go into the kitchen of a ministry site and make a meal for the Cambodian cook. While
your intention is to bless and honor him or her, the cook may become embarrassed or
uncomfortable that the honored guest is serving the staff. It may even be perceived as
insulting – that the cook’s service was not up to your standards or taste to the point that
you had to prepare the food yourself.
Because you will be viewed as a person of
authority by most Cambodians, you can use
this position to bless the staff and those you
are there to serve. One of the best ways to
serve Cambodians is to publicly praise and
give words of affirmation to those by whom
you have been blessed. Your words will give
them honor among their peers, followers
and/or superiors, and will allow you to serve
and encourage the staff while not making
them uncomfortable because of power
distance.
At the start of Jesus’ ministry, He went out to the desert to be baptized by John. As He
“came up out of the water, immediately He saw the heavens being torn open and the
Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my
beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’ The Spirit immediately drove Him out into the
wilderness.”81
God the Father affirmed Jesus publicly in His ministry. It was both a tangible reminder to
Jesus as well as an encouragement, particularly with the trials He was to face
immediately thereafter in the wilderness and in the years to come. Your words have the
power to build up the Cambodian staff by giving them honor and by encouraging
them. Remember that you are only there for a limited time, but it will be up to them to
face the challenges of the days and years ahead to continuously love and show Jesus’
love to the Cambodian people.
Regardless of what you think or how you feel about the high-power distance culture,
consider how you can operate within it to bless and to minister while you are in
Cambodia. Spend time in prayer asking God to prepare you to recognize and take
opportunities to bless others and bring glory to His name.