FROM DRAMA TO EMPOWERMENT

Card 1 of 4 • The Two Triangles at a Glance
Reactive DDT → Deliberate TED*
Same energy, different operating system.

VICTIM (Reactive)
"Poor me"
Feels powerless and stuck. Waits to be rescued. Focuses on what's wrong, not what's possible.
↓
CREATOR (Deliberate)
"What do I want?"
Takes ownership of outcomes. Focuses on desired results. Asks what's possible, not just what's wrong.
PERSECUTOR (Reactive)
"It's your fault"
Blames, criticizes, controls. Often a Victim who got power, or a Rescuer who ran out of patience.
↓
CHALLENGER (Deliberate)
"I believe you can"
Direct and honest — but challenges toward growth, not shame. Holds people to their potential.
RESCUER (Reactive)
"Let me fix it"
Jumps in to fix and save. Keeps the Victim dependent. The most common leadership trap — looks like help.
↓
COACH (Deliberate)
"What do you think?"
Asks open-ended questions. Uses empathy to connect. Trusts capability. Develops, not rescues.
*The Dreaded Drama Triangle created by Steven B. Karpman
*The Empowerment Dynamic (TED*) created by David Emerald
Good Human Great Leader Workshop by Jody Fletcher

F.I.S.B.E.

Card 2 of 4 • Your Internal Operating Loop
What you focus on shapes how you feel. How you feel drives what you do.

1. FOCUS
  • 🔸
    DDT (Problem Focus): "What's wrong?" "Why is this happening?" "Who is to blame?" Locked on obstacles, what's broken, what can't change.
  • 🔹
    TED* (Outcome Focus): "What do I want?" "What's possible here?" "What matters most?" Locked on desired results, what can be created.
2. INNER STATE
  • 🔸
    DDT (Fear / Anxiety): Dread, helplessness, resentment, blame. Urgency to fix or flee. "I have no choice," "Nothing I do matters," "I have to rescue this."
  • 🔹
    TED* (Purpose / Passion): Curiosity, energy, calm, commitment. Drive to create. "I get to choose," "This is hard and I can navigate it."
3. BEHAVIOR
  • 🔸
    DDT (Reactive): Rescuing, blaming, avoiding, complaining. Reaction to the problem. (Victim: withdraws. Persecutor: attacks. Rescuer: over-functions.)
  • 🔹
    TED* (Inspired Action): Creating, asking, challenging, coaching. Movement toward outcome. (Creator: owns it. Challenger: speaks truth. Coach: asks + develops.)

THE ENTRY POINT

You can't control your Inner State directly. But you CAN shift your Focus. Change what you're focused on → and the feeling follows.

Good Human Great Leader Workshop by Jody Fletcher

COACH SELF-CHECK

Card 3 of 4 • Am I coaching or rescuing right now?
Yes/No shuts thinking down. Open-ended opens it up.

🚩 RED FLAGS (Coach mode breaking down)
  • ❌ Starting with "I would..." or "You should..."
  • ❌ Asking yes/no questions instead of open-ended
  • ❌ Sharing your story instead of asking
  • ❌ Impatient with their pace of thinking
  • ❌ Offering solutions before they've found theirs
  • ❌ Feeling responsible for solving their problem
✅ GREEN FLAGS (Coach mode holding)
  • ✔️ Asking open-ended questions even when you know
  • ✔️ Letting them sit in discomfort — no jumping in
  • ✔️ Noticing urge to rescue and choosing not to
  • ✔️ Supporting them in finding their own next move
  • ✔️ Ending with a specific commitment from them
  • ✔️ Feeling curious instead of responsible
WHEN YOU FEEL THE TRIANGLE — ASK:

"Which role am I in right now?"

"What outcome do I actually want?"

"What would the Coach ask instead?"

Awareness creates the gap. The gap is where choice lives.

Good Human Great Leader Workshop by Jody Fletcher

GO DEEPER

Card 4 of 4 • Resources from today's workshop

The Power of TED*
David Emerald — 10th Anniversary Edition
The foundational book behind today's workshop. The story of shifting from Victim to Creator, Rescuer to Coach, Persecutor to Challenger.
Get the book on Amazon →
Official TED Resource Center
theempowermentdynamic.com
The official home of TED workbook, online course, and ongoing resources from the TED community. In honor of David Emerald's legacy.
Visit the TED center →
Empathy vs. Sympathy
RSA Animated Short • Brené Brown
The difference between empathy and sympathy, and why empathy is the heart of the Coach role. "Empathy fuels connection. Sympathy drives disconnection."
Watch on YouTube →
*The Dreaded Drama Triangle created by Steven B. Karpman
*The Empowerment Dynamic (TED*) created by David Emerald
Leadership begins with the person in the mirror.
Good Human Great Leader Workshop by Jody Fletcher

Buy Good Humans Make Great Leaders HERE!

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