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Have you ever felt like a damsel in distress, constantly battling dragons in your entrepreneurial journey? Or perhaps you've played the role of a rescuer, swooping in to save your business or clients from disaster.
Maybe you've even been the villain, harshly criticizing yourself for every misstep.
If any of these roles sound familiar, welcome to the Drama Triangle.
The Drama Triangle is a psychological model conceived by Stephen Karpman that maps out destructive interactions we often find ourselves caught up in. It consists of three roles: Victim (the Damsel), Prosecutor/Villain (the Dragon), and Rescuer/Hero (the Knight).
While it may seem like an innocuous game of make-believe, this dynamic can have serious implications for our productivity and success as entrepreneurs. My hypnotherapist brain loves a good analogy.
Let's take a close look at each role:
1. The Victim or Damsel:
She feels helpless and powerless, overwhelmed by her circumstances.
2. The Persecutor, Villian or Dragon:
This could be an external entity causing stress or internal self-criticism.
3. The Rescuer, Hero or Knight:
Someone who steps in to solve problems but ends up fostering dependency instead.
Now imagine being trapped within this triangle while running your business – it’s akin to navigating through a stormy sea without a compass!
But here's the good news - once identified, this pattern can be broken! Here are some practical tips:
- Recognize when you're stepping into one of these roles. Awareness is half the battle won.
- Replace victimhood with empowerment. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by challenges, view them as opportunities for growth.
- Transform criticism into constructive feedback – whether it's coming from others or yourself.
- Encourage independence as opposed to dependency within your clientele or team.
Remember that Harvard Business Review study which found that women entrepreneurs bring in 20% more revenue with 50% less money invested? You're part of that statistic!
So, don't let the Drama Triangle hinder your potential.
Stepping out of the Drama Triangle requires practice and patience. It's like learning to dance - at first, you may stumble and step on a few toes, but with time, you'll be gliding gracefully across the floor. Hypnotherapy metaphor brain again!
And just as every accomplished dancer has a teacher guiding her steps, consider seeking my coaching support to provide objective insights and strategies.
The Drama Triangle doesn't have to dictate your entrepreneurial journey. By recognizing these patterns and making conscious changes, you can break free from this destructive cycle and steer your business toward success.
With love,
Jenna
P.S. Did you know hypnotherapy can help you be authentically you in interactions with clients, colleagues, and partners?
