Executive Coaching: Power vs. Force (part2)

In part one we examined how we can slide down the slippery slope from “power to” (competence) into “power over” (domination). In other words, we can move from effectiveness into ineffectiveness, from operating from groundedness to operating from ungroundedness.  How often we move back and forth, and how long we’re able to sustain “power” are good indicators of high emotional intelligence.

The charts below, adapted from Dr. David Hawkins’ book, Power vs. Force, show an example of how each EnneaType’s strengths can easily slip in to less-effective behaviors (force) that knock us off center and disable our connection to our authentic power:

 One: The Perfectionist

Power	Force
Impartial (I am non-judgmental)	Righteous (I am superior)
Surrendering	Worrying
Responsible	Guilty

Two: The Helper

Power	Force
Helpful (I assist you without attachment)	Meddling (I insist on offering you assistance)
Devoted	•       Possessive
Empathetic	Pitying

Three: The Achiever

Power	Force
Encouraging (I facilitate achievements)	•       Promoting (I “advertise” achievements)
Diplomatic	Deceptive
Praising	Flattering

Four: The Individualist

Power	Force
Appreciative (I am content with what I have)	Envious (I want what you have)
Egalitarian	•       Elitist
Selective	Exclusive

Five: The Observer

Power	Force
Detached (I don’t have an attachment to the outcome)	•       Removed (I refuse to engage)
Aware	Preoccupied
Thoughtful	Pedantic

Six: The Loyalist

Power	Force
Courageous (I will do it no matter what)	•       Self-doubting (I don’t think I can do it, no matter what)
Equal	Superior
Loyal	Chauvinistic

Seven: The Enthusiast

Power	Force
Abundant (I have enough)	•       Excessive (I want more)
Enlivening	Exhausting
Spontaneous	Impulsive

Eight: The Challenger

Power	Force
Powerful (I invite you to follow)	Forceful (I demand that you follow)
Authoritative	•       Dogmatic
Confident	Arrogant

Nine: The Mediator

Power	Force
Reliant (I can rely on you to help me)	Dependent (I can’t do it myself)
Conciliatory	•       Stubborn
Serene	Dull

In part three we will part three we will examine how we can restore, and help sustain our power by shedding the self-defeating “ego structures” that show up in our lives.

Sandy Hogan is an executive coach headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. Through integral coaching, teaching, writing and speaking she is dedicated to “evoking of others the highest in themselves.” She infuses compassion and creativity into her coaching style and philosophy, working with clients’ particular leadership issues, backgrounds, disciplines, careers, goals, and views of life. Her clients are corporate executives, management professionals, non-profit and community leaders, and people who find themselves in the midst of major transitions. More on Sandy >