The Harvest: Shared Power

The fall harvest comes upon us once a year. The farmers collect the sometimes-scant rewards of their heroic efforts begun months before. For those of us who are hobby or family gardeners, fall is the time for us to pluck the firm orange pumpkins, the deep green flowers of broccoli, and the plump red tomatoes from their vines. As we reap our rewards of months of work and waiting from the backdrop of the black, black earth, we realize our personal power. If not for our labors, if not for our devoted attention and timely reaction to environmental hazards, these fruits would not be borne. The seeds we sowed in the early spring have given us sustenance and security for the coming frigidness.

Much like our work in the garden, we have no power singly, as power does not exist in isolation. Only when we work with others and interact to produce something of value, with constant alertness to outside variables and others' responses, do we have power. Our personal power enhances our own and others' capacities.

When the seedlings thickened, we thinned them so they would not choke each other out. When the vines fell from the weight, we supported them. When the drought threatened their very life, we watered them. When the bugs invaded, we protected them. When the frost came nipping at their foliage, we shielded them. Through our power we gave birth to something fresh and wondrous that would not have existed without us. This was not fulfilled through power over the seed, but through power with the seed, leaving ourselves open, vulnerable, and ready to act with the environment.

Power has historically been viewed as a situation in which one must lose in order for another to win. That is not power, that is force. True power is connected with others. True power is accepting the responsibility to act when needed. True power is moving toward a vision of the future to effect change.

When we supervise others, we must remember, understand and accept the potential and limitations of our power. If we give in to the temptation to dictate someone's life, to tell someone what to do, we strip others of their power. This is a form of force, not power. Only when we assist others in recognizing and using their own power are we truly powerful. To allow someone to become empowered is a gift that we can give.

The opposite of empowerment is dependency. Nothing and no one is totally dependent or helpless. Just as our gardens were dependent upon us for some things, they were not dependent upon us for everything. The ability for life was inherent in the seed, the sun, the soil and the rain. Without all these other forces we could not have willed or controlled the gardens to grow. So it is with others whom we assist.

Our role then, as managers becomes one of teaching others how to sow their own gardens and, with that, reap their own personal power. And for ourselves, when feeling helpless, fearful, and powerless to change, let us remember our gardens: those glorious green beans, or crisp cucumbers, that through our power were created.

About The Author

Linda LaPointe, MRA, is the author of the book, The New Supervisor, in which she describes how to develop self-managed staff to increase loyalty and decrease stress in the workplace. Email her at lapointell@yahoo.com

---

Personal Life Coaching And How It Can Help You

Coaching is an effective process used to support individuals in... Read More

Embracing Excellence

Joey rises before dawn to pack his lunch, eager for... Read More

The Right Coach

Who is the Best Coach For Achieving Your Goals?A friend... Read More

Do You Mind If Someone Screams At You?

A headhunter was on the other end of the phone.... Read More

The Real Truth About Working Smarter, Not Harder

Running a business or department can often stretch you to... Read More

Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 2)

Yes, that pillar of society that has been with us... Read More

How Does Sports Coaching Differ from Corporate Coaching?

Athletes Versus EmployeesMost athletes are young, open to improvement, eager... Read More

Coaching for Physicians

Is Having a Professional Coach a Solution to Optimizing your... Read More

The Power of Visualization

Professional athletes and other highly successful people use the power... Read More

Ten Ways to Make New Years Resolutions That You Can Actually Keep!

Are you one of the millions of people who make... Read More

Helping Relationships: Understanding the Helpee

One of the most distressing observations I have made among... Read More

Guilt: Is it Getting in the Way of Your Self-Care?

When Do We Usually Feel Guilty? When:We're not feeling ok... Read More

Making Communication Effective: 4 Language Filters

Language is a challenging way to communicate. It allows us... Read More

Coaching Prime Time

An awful lot of fantastic coaching has been coming out... Read More

Why Things Are The Way They Are

Things are the way you think they are, because you... Read More

How to Crack a Daunting Task!

If you have a daunting task and the mere thought... Read More

Using Audio Programs to Increase Your Knowledge and Productivity

If you do any significant amount of driving, a simple... Read More

A Sure-Fire, 10-Step Formula To Get Started As A Coach Or Consultant

"My guess is first I'll need some zippy flyers and... Read More

Listen To Me Lad Says Jack

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, when... Read More

Being an Emotional Victim

None of us like to think of ourselves as victims.... Read More

Can You Say No?

As a manager you are constantly being asked to do... Read More

Executive Coaching Case Studies

If you are wondering whether investment in executive coaching would... Read More

Six Steps for Creating Work-Life Balance

Today an increasing number of us are experiencing burnout, low... Read More

Creating Supportive Environments

I'm writing this on my laptop in a Cosi café... Read More

Coaching: Change Made Simple

Here's a story that I think gets at why we... Read More

What Are Your Priorities?

"The indispensable first step to getting the things you want... Read More

Context is King!

If you've been around the Internet for more than two... Read More

Tripping On Mindfulness

One of the ironies of mindfulness is that it's still... Read More

Choosing an Apprentice

Along the path from where you are now to millions... Read More

5 Steps to Derail Difficult People - Your Surefire Way to a Peaceful Resolution

That one guy at work that always has to be... Read More

How to Get a Grip on Your Money

Most people have no idea where their money goes. They... Read More

Get Out What You Put In!

During a recent coaching session with Mark, I was briefly... Read More

Coaching Employees - The Chronic Excuser

Most of us find coaching employees to be an effective,... Read More