Have you ever found yourself frustrated by someone who has the ability to take action but fails to do so? It can be disheartening to witness people cutting corners, making mistakes, and avoiding responsibility. However, rather than succumbing to negativity and blame, there is an alternative path to empowerment.

By adopting the role of the Challenger within the Empowerment Triangle, you can positively challenge others to recognize their own power, agency, and choices.  Through conscious challenging, we empower individuals to face reality, make different choices, and create the results they desire.

The Empowerment Triangle and the Role of the Challenger 

Within the framework of the Empowerment Triangle, the Challenger plays a crucial role in facilitating personal growth and empowerment. As a Challenger, you possess the ability to recognize the inherent potential in others, even when they fail to see it in themselves. Regardless of whether individuals feel powerless, believe they lack something, or consider their situation hopeless, the Challenger views them as resourceful and whole. It is important to understand that as a Challenger, your role is not to save others, but rather to empower them to save themselves. By applying loving pressure, you offer individuals an opportunity to take responsibility for their lives and make different choices.

Challengers reject the notion of victimhood and actively encourage others to acknowledge their power and agency. They employ accountability as a tool for growth, focusing on objective facts rather than resorting to blame, shame, or judgment. Through their conscious challenges, Challengers enable individuals to recognize areas where they can initiate action and effect change.

The Art of Challenging 

Effective challenging involves presenting factual observations without assigning blame or passing judgment. By consciously challenging someone, you invite them to confront their own role in creating their circumstances. Let’s consider an example in a personal setting:

“Hey, I’ve noticed that every night, you go to bed exhausted and leave dirty dishes in the kitchen. The next morning, you rush off to work, and I see you working tirelessly without taking breaks.”

In this statement, there is no blame, shame, or judgment. It simply highlights the facts and presents them as observations. By challenging someone consciously, you provide them with the opportunity to face their reality and take ownership of their actions.

Similarly, in a work scenario, imagine being a manager with an employee consistently arriving five to ten minutes late for meetings. You believe they can do better, and as a Challenger, you express this belief:

“During the last three meetings, you have been at least five minutes late. I expect you to be on time.”

The ultimate goal of the Challenger is to foster growth by dismantling victim mindsets and promoting accountability. A skilled Challenger looks beyond surface behaviors and examines the results individuals are creating, as they serve as evidence of their commitment. In the work example above, the late arrival at meetings indicates a lack of commitment to punctuality.

Challengers have unwavering faith in the potential of others. By challenging individuals and inviting them to acknowledge realities they may have ignored, Challengers genuinely believe in their capacity to achieve different outcomes. By shining a light on results and true impact, Challengers encourage individuals to remove the blinders they wear in a state of drama and victimhood.

Aligning Vision with Results 

When individuals confront their commitment level by evaluating their results, discomfort often arises if their outcomes fail to reflect their values. This discomfort serves as a catalyst for real change. It prompts individuals to reassess their approach and take the necessary steps to align their vision with their results, thus creating outcomes that support their aspirations.

Facing the misalignment between vision and results requires individuals to confront their choices and actions honestly. This introspection allows them to identify areas where changes need to be made to bring their outcomes in line with their desired vision. It empowers them to take ownership of their circumstances and proactively create the results they seek.

Conclusion 

Choosing to be a Challenger within the Empowerment Triangle is a powerful stance that promotes growth, accountability, and empowerment. By challenging others with love and compassion, you invite them to recognize their potential and take responsibility for their lives. Through conscious challenges, free from blame or judgment, you enable individuals to face their realities and make different choices.

Embracing the role of the Challenger requires an unwavering belief in the potential of others and a commitment to promoting personal growth. As a Challenger, you empower individuals to remove the limitations of victimhood and embrace their power, agency, and choice. By focusing on results and fostering accountability, you help individuals align their vision with their actions, creating a path towards meaningful change and a more empowered life.

This article is related to my podcast episode on the Challenger mindset – Listen here.