Empowering for More
The Molecule of More: How a Single Molecule in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity- Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race by Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long is fascinating. The book examines the neurotransmitter dopamine and its role in causing us to desire “more” as we anticipate future pleasure and excitement.[1] The opposing neurotransmitters are responsible for contentment, relationships, and present focus.[2] The authors refer to these as the here-and-now (H&N) chemicals. The Molecule of More addresses the outcomes of the imbalance between dopamine and H&N neurotransmitters. Dopamine’s effect is broken down into different categories such as addictions, creativity, politics, as well as medical and psychological implications. When dopamine is used to gain the “mastery” of a reward and allows the H&N chemicals to take over, that reward can be savored and enjoyed in the present moment.[3] This is the desired balance between dopamine and H&N neurotransmitters.
The nurse practitioner side of me loved the simple science-based explanations given in the book. I found myself diagnosing myself and others as I read. As a leader, I asked myself how I could use this in my leadership journey. Remembering Dr. Clark’s challenge to map this book against other recent readings, I jotted down a few highlights from the last few books. Subconsciously, my notes formed a triangle. Immediately, I connected these thoughts to another triangle, The Empowerment Dynamic (TED) triangle.[4] This is a tool I have referred to in a previous blog.
The concept of TED is that each person can be empowered to create their own story rather than fall prey to the “dreaded drama triangle,” an unhealthy cycle of anxious relationship dynamics between a victim, a villain, and a savior.[5] In contrast, TED comprises a coach and a challenger who encourages and empowers the Creator to design a hopeful outcome for her circumstances.[6] Looking at TED, we rotate through the three roles in relationships and our lives at different times. Using TED as the structure, I will map out some leadership concepts in the following books: The Molecule of More, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, and Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential.
The Creator is the key person in TED. This person is finding forward momentum through her passions and personal interests.[7] This is you as a leader; at other times, this is someone you lead. At her best, the Creator has a flourishing balance of perseverance and passion. This person is what Angela Duckworth calls “a paragon of grit.”[8] The Creator takes her talents, puts in effort, and gains skills, resulting in high accomplishments.[9] She displays grit by pursuing interests,[10] practicing for needed skills,[11] being fueled by a profound purpose,[12] and being driven by hope.[13]
The Coach is a supportive person who asks questions and supports the Creator as she determines her new direction in life.[14] The Coach helps the Creator develop what Carol Dweck calls a “growth mindset.”[15] In Mindset, Dweck identifies three characteristics of teachers who encourage a growth mindset in their students.
- They believe in their student’s growth. [16]
- They cultivate a nurturing environment with high standards.[17]
- They make learning contagious and challenge students to form their own opinions.[18]
The Coach leader can apply these principles while encouraging others to develop a growth mindset.
The Challenger is the force pressing for change to reach a high goal despite challenges.[19] For this analogy, I will call this the role of dopamine in striving for more. As mentioned above, dopamine and the H&N neurotransmitters are in a constant state of tension. With proper balance and cohesion, these chemicals elicit a feeling called the “internal locus of control.”[20] This is when one recognizes and believes that they have agency.[21] Leaders should desire to see this balance between the dopamine drive for desires in the future and the H&N contentment in the present. This sets the stage for high achievements, satisfaction, and overall success in life.[22]
TED is an image and a tool I have found invaluable in my leadership journey. Our roles change depending on the situation. However, it is a good reminder that we can create desirable outcomes in challenges. Leaders can empower others by leading by example as we create our own stories, support others as coaches, and encourage growth through challenges. I want to be someone who helps empower and gives a voice to those who do not have one. The Molecule of More has challenged me to continue to empower those I serve, strive to help them create a better future, and enjoy the relationships built here in the present.
[1] Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long, The Molecule of More: How a Single Molecule in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity-And Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race, Ebook (Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, Inc, 2018), 7.
[2] Ibid, introduction.
[3] Ibid, 214.
[4] “Transform Everyday Drama: TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic),” Center for The Empowerment Dynamic (blog), December 31, 2021, https://theempowermentdynamic.com/about/.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid,
[7] Ibid.
[8] Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (New York, NY: Scribner, 2016).
[9] Ibid, 42.
[10] Ibid, 91.
[11] Ibid, 131.
[12] Ibid, 143.
[13] Ibid, 169.
[14] “Transform Everyday Drama: TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic).”
[15] Carol Dweck, Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential, Revised Ed. (London, UK: Robinson, 2017), 7.
[16] Ibid, 200.
[17] Ibid, 201.
[18] Ibid, 202.
[19] “Transform Everyday Drama: TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic).”
[20] Lieberman and Long, The Molecule of More, 214.
[21] Ibid, 214.
[22] Ibid, 214-215
About the Author
Kari
Kari is a passionate follower of Jesus. Her journey with Him currently has her living in the Sahara in North Africa. With over a decade of experience as a family nurse practitioner and living cross-culturally, she enjoys being a champion for others. She combines her cross-cultural experience, her health care profession, and her skills in coaching to encourage holistic health and growth. She desires to see each person she encounters walk in fullness of joy, fulfilling their God-designed purpose. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV10 responses to “Empowering for More”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Kari, I don’t think I can love this article any more than I do. 🙂 You connect the dots to something you already know and love and then extrapolate to new applications. Thank you. I recently bought the TED book; now I MUST read it! 🙂
One thing I’d love to know; where might you see application of this understanding of the role of dopamine (and H&N) in your walk with Jesus? And/or as a ministry leader, specifically?
Thank you, Debbie, for your kind words!
In my walk with Jesus, dopamine is involved in those exciting times when I see the Holy Spirit working unexpectedly. This can be in my personal life or seeing Him work in those around me. If I do not intentionally take that moment and solidify it with H&Ns, it will be just a “spurt of the Spirit” in my life and a fleeting moment. Journalling the moment, spending time on Thanksgiving, recording it, and sharing it with others help me move these moments into the H&N domain.
This works amazingly when paired with an intentional Sabbath every week! Often, I use my Sabbath to reflect on the past week. Sabbath also helps me stop my search for dopamine hits and be in God’s presence.
Hi Kari, I really enjoyed your post. Thank you for reminding me about the TED triangle. It was a creative way to connect the last few assigned readings together. I am curious to know which person you are in the TED triangle today. Also, what has it looked like for you to use the empowerment dynamic tool to give a voice to those who do not have one? Do you have a favorite, most impactful example?
Hi Elysse,
Today, I am coming off of my Sabbath, so I am “just” the creator. On most days, I switch between the three roles quite often. I have been able to be the challenger for others and encourage them to switch from the victim to the creator role. When they see themselves as the creator, they can then be coached to use their own voice in a way that will allow them to be heard.
I don’t have a favorite example, but I’ll give this week’s example. Someone we both know was feeling unheard and frustrated about a team situation. With some coaching and challenge (from both of us), she spoke up and has completely changed that circumstance for the good of the entire team.
Hey Kari! I loved the Ted Triangle. It took me back to a leadership summit where this was discussed. If you had to give a Ted Talk on Dopamine what would be the key takeaway you want your audience to walk away with?
Thanks, Daren. Great question; you must know that I dream of the day I give a TED talk. The takeaway would be, “You can change your world with the right balance of dopamine and H&Ns.”
Kari, Thanks for this great post utilizing our recent readings and framing them within the TED model. The TED model was new to me and very, very helpful for organizing our books into leadership model. As you lead in your current context, where do you see dopamine as ‘challenger’ active (or not) in the people around you?
Hi Julie, Thank you for your question. In my context, society as a whole tends to be focused more on the present or past rather than the future. I see dopamine challenging people regarding money. People are seeking the next (easy) money-making opportunity–the next loan, the next NGO financial incentive, or the next exciting business opportunity.
Hi Kari, I like how you brought out Dweck’s characteristics of teachers who encourage a growth mindset in relation to the coach in the TED model. In your setting, how do you encourage a growth mindset beyond using just words?
Thank you for your great question, Diane. In addition to words and questions, I encourage a growth mindset by making new opportunities and lessons fun and interactive (beyond lectures!), put visible trust in those I am coaching and letting them make mistakes, pushing for them to find their own answers instead of giving them the answer, holding people accountable to what they say or what they do, and being vulnerable about my own growth mindset journey.