{"id":39600,"date":"2024-11-21T13:55:31","date_gmt":"2024-11-21T21:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=39600"},"modified":"2024-11-22T07:13:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T15:13:56","slug":"empowering-for-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/empowering-for-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering for More"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Molecule of More: How a Single Molecule in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity- Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race <\/em>by Daniel Lieberman and Michael Long is fascinating. The <\/em>book examines the neurotransmitter dopamine and its role in causing us to desire \u201cmore\u201d as we anticipate future pleasure and excitement.[1]<\/a> The opposing neurotransmitters are responsible for contentment, relationships, and present focus.[2]<\/a> The authors refer to these as the here-and-now (H&N) chemicals. The Molecule of More<\/em> addresses the outcomes of the imbalance between dopamine and H&N neurotransmitters. Dopamine\u2019s 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 \u201cmastery\u201d of a reward and allows the H&N chemicals to take over, that reward can be savored and enjoyed in the present moment.[3]<\/a> This is the desired balance between dopamine and H&N neurotransmitters.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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]<\/a> This is a tool I have referred to in a previous blog.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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]<\/a> In contrast, TED comprises a coach and a challenger who encourages and empowers the Creator to design a hopeful outcome for her circumstances.[6]<\/a> 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, <\/em>and Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Creator<\/strong> is the key person in TED. This person is finding forward momentum through her passions and personal interests.[7]<\/a> 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 \u201ca paragon of grit.\u201d[8]<\/a> The Creator takes her talents, puts in effort, and gains skills, resulting in high accomplishments.[9]<\/a> She displays grit by pursuing interests,[10]<\/a> practicing for needed skills,[11]<\/a> being fueled by a profound purpose,[12]<\/a> and being driven by hope.[13]<\/a><\/p>\n

The Coach<\/strong> is a supportive person who asks questions and supports the Creator as she determines her new direction in life.[14]<\/a> The Coach helps the Creator develop what Carol Dweck calls a \u201cgrowth mindset.\u201d[15]<\/a> In Mindset, <\/em>Dweck identifies three characteristics of teachers who encourage a growth mindset in their students.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. They believe in their student\u2019s growth. [16]<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. They cultivate a nurturing environment with high standards.[17]<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. They make learning contagious and challenge students to form their own opinions.[18]<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Coach leader can apply these principles while encouraging others to develop a growth mindset.<\/p>\n

    The Challenger <\/strong>is the force pressing for change to reach a high goal despite challenges.[19]<\/a> 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 \u201cinternal locus of control.\u201d[20]<\/a> This is when one recognizes and believes that they have agency.[21]<\/a> 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]<\/a><\/p>\n

    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 <\/em>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.<\/p>\n

    \n

    [1]<\/a> 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<\/em>, Ebook (Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, Inc, 2018), 7.<\/p>\n

    [2]<\/a> Ibid, introduction.<\/p>\n

    [3]<\/a> Ibid, 214.<\/p>\n

    [4]<\/a> \u201cTransform Everyday Drama: TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic),\u201d Center for The Empowerment Dynamic<\/em> (blog), December 31, 2021, https:\/\/theempowermentdynamic.com\/about\/.<\/p>\n

    [5]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

    [6]<\/a> Ibid,<\/p>\n

    [7]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

    [8]<\/a> Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance<\/em> (New York, NY: Scribner, 2016).<\/p>\n

    [9]<\/a> Ibid, 42.<\/p>\n

    [10]<\/a> Ibid, 91.<\/p>\n

    [11]<\/a> Ibid, 131.<\/p>\n

    [12]<\/a> Ibid, 143.<\/p>\n

    [13]<\/a> Ibid, 169.<\/p>\n

    [14]<\/a> \u201cTransform Everyday Drama: TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic).\u201d<\/p>\n

    [15]<\/a> Carol Dweck, Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential<\/em>, Revised Ed. (London, UK: Robinson, 2017), 7.<\/p>\n

    [16]<\/a> Ibid, 200.<\/p>\n

    [17]<\/a> Ibid, 201.<\/p>\n

    [18]<\/a> Ibid, 202.<\/p>\n

    [19]<\/a> \u201cTransform Everyday Drama: TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic).\u201d<\/p>\n

    [20]<\/a> Lieberman and Long, The Molecule of More, <\/em>214.<\/p>\n

    [21]<\/a> Ibid, 214.<\/p>\n

    [22]<\/a> Ibid, 214-215<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    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 \u201cmore\u201d as we anticipate future pleasure and excitement.[1] The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3382,2967],"class_list":["post-39600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-leiberman","tag-dlgp03","cohort-dlgp03"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39600"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39602,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39600\/revisions\/39602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}