Exercise 12.1: Empowerment Profile
Step 1
Complete the following questionnaire. For each of the following items, select the alternative with which you feel more comfortable. While for some items you may feel that both (a) and (b) describe you or neither is ever applicable, you should select the alternative that better describes you most of the time.
When I have to give a talk or write a paper, I . . .
________
Base the content of my talk or paper on my own ideas.
________
Do a lot of research, and present the findings of others in my paper or talk.
When I read something I disagree with, I . . .
________
Assume my position is correct.
________
Assume what’s presented in the written word is correct.
When someone makes me extremely angry, I . . .
________
Ask the other person to stop the behavior that is offensive to me.
________
Say little, not quite knowing how to state my position.
When I do a good job, it is important to me that . . .
________
The job represents the best I can do.
________
Others take notice of the job I’ve done.
When I buy new clothes, I . . .
________
Buy what looks best on me.
________
Try to dress in accordance with the latest fashion.
When something goes wrong, I . . .
________
Try to solve the problem.
________
Try to find out who’s at fault.
As I anticipate my future, I . . .
________
Am confident I will be able to lead the kind of life I want to lead.
________
Worry about being able to live up to my obligations.
When examining my own resources and capacities, I . . .
________
Like what I find.
________
Find all kinds of things I wish were different.
When someone treats me unfairly, I . . .
________
Put my energies into getting what I want.
________
Tell others about the injustice.
When someone criticizes my efforts, I . . .
________
Ask questions to under-stand the basis for the criticism.
________
Defend my actions or decisions, trying to make my critic understand why I did what I did.
When I engage in an activity, it is very important to me that . . .
________
I live up to my own expectations.
________
I live up to the expectations of others.
When I let someone else down or disappoint them, I . . .
________
Resolve to do things differently next time.
________
Feel guilty, and wish I had done things differently.
I try to surround myself with people . . .
________
Whom I respect.
________
Who respect me.
I try to develop friendships with people who . . .
________
Are challenging and exciting.
________
Can make me feel a little safer and a little more secure.
I make my best efforts when . . .
________
I do something I want to do when I want to do it.
________
Someone else gives me an assignment, a deadline, and a reward for performing.
When I love a person, I . . .
________
Encourage him or her to be free and choose for himself or herself.
________
Encourage him or her to do the same thing I do and to make choices similar to mine.
When I play a competitive game, it is important to me that I . . .
________
Do the best I can.
________
Win.
I really like being around people who . . .
________
Can broaden my horizons and teach me something.
________
Can and want to learn from me.
My best days are those that . . .
________
Present unexpected opportunities.
________
Go according to plan.
When I get behind in my work, I . . .
________
Do the best I can and don’t worry.
________
Worry or push myself harder than I should.
Step 2
Score your responses as follows:
Total your (a) responses: ___________
Total your (b) responses: ___________
Reflect on the overall pattern of your a) and b) responses.
1) When I have to give a talk or write a paper, I . . .
b) Do a lot of research, and present the findings of others in my paper or talk.
2) When I read something I disagree with, I . . .
a) Assume my position is correct.
3) When someone makes me extremely angry, I . . .
b) Say little, not quite knowing how to state my position.
4) When I do a good job, it is important to me that . . .
b) Others take notice of the job I’ve done.
5) When I buy new clothes, I . . .
a) Buy what looks best on me.
6) When something goes wrong, I . . .
a) Try to solve the problem.
7) As I anticipate my future, I . . .
b) Worry about being able to live up to my obligations.
8) When examining my own resources and capacities, I . . .
a) Like what I find.
9) When someone treats me unfairly, I . . .
a) Put my energies into getting what I want.
10) When someone criticizes my efforts, I . . .
a) Ask questions to under-stand the basis for the criticism.
11) When I engage in an activity, it is very important to me that . . .
a) I live up to my own expectations.
12) When I let someone else down or disappoint them, I . . .
b) Feel guilty, and wish I had done things differently.
13) I try to surround myself with people . . .
b) Who respect me.
14) I try to develop friendships with people who . . .
a) Are challenging and exciting.
15) I make my best efforts when . . .
a) I do something I want to do when I want to do it.
16) When I love a person, I . . .
a) Encourage him or her to be free and choose for himself or herself.
17) When I play a competitive game, it is important to me that I . . .
a) Do the best I can.
18) I really like being around people who . . .
a) Can broaden my horizons and teach me something.
19) My best days are those that . . .
b) Go according to plan.
20) When I get behind in my work, I . . .
b) Worry or push myself harder than I should.
Total (a) responses: 12
Total (b) responses: 8
Here the majority of the questions have the response as (a). 60% of the responses were (a) whereas 8 responses were (b), which is 40% of the total responses were option (b).
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