‘Drama’ within teams and between colleagues is inevitable.  I see my fair share in my role as a coach and studies suggest that leaders spend 40-90% of their time dealing with conflicts. Furthermore, unresolved conflict is a factor in at least 50% of resignations. So, how can you cultivate more productive relationships? It requires high self-awareness and taking full responsibility for the roles you play that keep you repeating unhelpful patterns.

CADENCE CURATION

WATCH: The Drama Triangle | Conscious Leadership Group | 3 mins

This short video on Karpman’s ‘Drama Triangle’ effectively maps the three archetypal roles that play out in any interaction; the ‘Victim’ (the “poor me” role), the ‘Villain’ (the blamer), and the Hero (the rescuer). It also explains the way out; a set of roles – the ‘Creator’, ‘Challenger’, and ‘Coach’ – that serve as the alternative antidote to the default patterns. For more on these more evolved roles, click here.

CADENCE TOOLKIT

TOOL: TRANSFORM DRAMA INTO EMPOWERMENT

At the heart of more empowering relationship dynamics is learning to shift from reacting to choosing our response to life events. Consider these questions:
1.  Where are you putting your focus?
– Are you focusing on problems or outcomes? A problem focus engages the Victim orientation. When you update to a Creator Orientation, you focus on outcomes.

2.  How are you relating?
– Are you producing or perpetuating drama or are you empowering others and yourself to be more resourceful, resilient, and innovative?

3. What actions are you taking?
– Are you merely reacting to the problems of the moment or are you creating by taking small steps – including the solving of problems – in service to envisioned outcomes?

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

This is a classic…. have you ever fallen into this trap?