Empowerment LO18400

Richard C. Holloway (learnshops@thresholds.com)
Sun, 14 Jun 1998 12:27:58 -0700

Replying to LO18361 --

Dale--

Thanks for being so generous in your response. I liked your example (and
found myself sharing in the joy you shared with "Susan" when she found new
insights through your coaching). Not to quibble over terms, but what you
called empowering I thought to be coaching or mentoring. Coaching is
commonly used to help people find their internal sources of power. I
suspect that you frequently find opportunities to help people discover
their own power sources--or their tacit knowledge. This is a wonderful
skill and gift you bring into your relationships.

walk in peace,

Doc

p.s. I'd be interested (knowing that you're involved in reading Follett's
book) what you think about her thoughts on power.

Dale Emery wrote:

> When I am able to empower someone, it is usually because the person has
> asked for my help. My favorite way of helping is to help the person
> find his or her own power and apply it.
>
> I'll give an example.

--snip--

> When Susan and I started talking she was stuck, and when we were done she
> was hopeful, confident, and energized. She had reconnected with her own
> power.
>
> By giving Susan information about the support I had to offer, I created an
> environment that included the possibility that she might get support from
> me. By listening, I created an environment that included my attention and
> caring, an opportunity for her to be heard and appreciated. By asking my
> two questions, I offered her an additional perspective. I don't know
> which of these was most important to her.

-- 
"The most invisible creators I know of are those artists whose medium is life
itself. The ones who express the inexpressible - without brush, hammer, clay or
guitar. They neither paint nor sculpt - their medium is being. Whatever their
presence touches has increased life. They see and don't have to draw. They are the
artists of being alive."  - J. Stone


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Richard C. "Doc" Holloway       Olympia, WA    ICQ# 10849650
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