A Personal Power Test For Weaker People

Which is your dominant hand?

Take that hand, extend your index finger (called Okasan in Japanese) and touch between your eyes.

Now that your finger is touching your forehead draw a capital

E

Did you draw it?

OK, here's the power test: which way did you draw it?

Did you draw it as though you were looking at it on a piece of paper?

Or did you draw it in reverse, so that someone looking at you would see a capital E on your forehead?

The articulate Daniel Pink – an advocate of persuasion – uses this as an example of exploring your personal power. People who have a strong sense of power and control, more often draw the E from their perspective.

People who feel weaker and insecure, more often draw the E so others can see it.

Is that a bad thing – to be weak and insecure?

It turns out – you have advantages!

What are these?

You are attuned to others – you understand their perspective. This inner partiality leaves you with an ability to influence others… 

Have we misinterpreted "weakness"...?

Can it be that you are NOT insecure and weak – in fact, you are strong. Strong in being able to understand others and understand what they want and need.

What has this to do with Alexander's Discovery?

Not much, but I think it is a fascinating way to reframe what conventional wisdom tends to despise. Too often, we are exhorted to be strong, to have goals, to conquer the world, to live our dream. 

Be bold, be strong etc…

Oh really?

We've seen "strong" recently in the White House and it is ugly. People with power who believe their own narrative over reality are not necessarily the great leaders our world needs.

Turns out – those we call "weak" are strong leaders - these are the people we need.

Next time you brutalize your Self as being too insecure or weak; redecide and look at this as one of your strengths.

Hey – when you do that it is likely that your head and whole Self will move into a more natural posture without ever needing a lesson in Alexander's Discovery.