The Power Game - “hey! what’s going on?”
Friday, April 30, 2010 at 2:32PM We’ve talked about Power Plays and Compliance Capers as ways people cope with situations they don’t like or want - by manipulating/coercing/forcing others to do what they don’t want to do (Power Plays), or manipulating/coercing/forcing themselves to do what they don’t want to do (Compliance Capers).
Power Plays
People are most likely to use power plays when they think they have enough power to get away with using them to get people to do what they want, **and** they’re willing to get what they want at the expense of others.
Compliance Capers
People are most likely to use compliance capers when they think they don’t have enough power to get others to do what they want; and/or they’re not willing to get what they want at the expense of others.
The Power Game
- Power Plays amount to us using our power to get what we want at the expense of others,
- Compliance Capers amount to us giving up our power in favor of others.
Cope Strategies
Whether people are using power plays or compliance capers, they’re doing something they seem to be taking action. The reality is they’re playing the Power Game as a way of coping with a situation they don’t like or want - they’re taking action to avoid the issue that’s creating the situation they don’t like or want - they aren’t doing anything to “fix” the situation or change it!
It’s as if they’re sticking their head in the sand, saying:
So Cope Strategies are like a bandaid on a crack through a load-bearing wall.
A superficial “fix” for a much bigger issue.
For those up for the challenge...
Where might we be using;
- Power Plays to get others to do what we want them to do, or
- Compliance Capers to get ourselves to do what we don’t want to do...rather than talking about the issue and together finding a way to make it work for everyone?
If you’re willing to share your experiences of Cope Strategies & the Power Game your comments are welcome here on the blog.
- If you use Power Plays - what PP’s do you typically use to get others to do what you want? And how do you justify getting what you want at their expense?
- If you use Compliance Capers - what CC’s do you typically use to get yourself to do what others want? And how do you justify giving up what you want in favor of others?
More on what’s going on and what we can do about it in future posts.
If you’d like more information sooner it’s available in the digital version of the book:
“What’s Going On?” Communication: What Hurts & What Works
Link to buy the book & download now.
Next time... Displacing Rights & Responsibilities - How it hurts!
Until then - here’s hoping we experience less of what hurts and more of what works!
Wishing you happiness,
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How to Stand Up for Yourself - Without Being A B#@&!
A FREE Public Workshop - Wednesday, 5 May 2010.
Other dates available by arrangement.
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“What’s Going On?” Communication: What Hurts & What Works
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