What is your opinion on the “Power Grid”?
b.
There is a statement on page 15: “It is important to note that the quadrant in which you operate depends on the situation you are facing. Many of us can operate from more than one quadrant in the course of a given day” Do you agree or disagree with this statement and explain why.
c.
Respond to 2 other people
I feel that on a given occasion I might slide from the one quadrant towards another but I find 99% of the time I find that my feet are firmly grounded in the one area. If your feelings are strong enough on a situation some of the other qualities that are described in another area may show through in that instant but I think most people stay with what they are comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteQuadrants seem very clinical and sterile until I read further to find out Craddock said people may shift between them. My natural reactions are certainly stronger in one quadrant than the others. However, I find that it also depends on who I am dealing with as to the quadrant from which I react. I see myself in my natural quadrant when dealing with students, but shift when working with some adults. Emotions play a huge part in the responses I make so my quadrants do change. The idea of ‘family roles’ and reactions being brought into the work site has not occurred to me.
ReplyDeleteI agree that what we learn when young with our family situations likely has a profound impact on whom we become and how we respond to others in work situations. The four-quadrant Power Grid is likely an oversimplification, but a decent starting point to begin exploring our style of interaction. I find myself leaning more toward trust and informal, but also find that, depending on the demands of the situation and the people involved, I may operate with less comfort in differing quadrants. I agree with Amy and Jerrie that we each have that quadrant in which we are more comfortable and given opportunity will likely gravitate back to situations in which we feel comfortable when given the chance. However, learning to more easily approach others from differing perspectives when the situation demands could help us be more effective in our dealings with them and our effectiveness at work.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jerrie, as my first impression was that the quadrants seemed very clinical and definitive. I didn't like the idea of being placed in one quadrant and wanted to think of myself as setting where the two axis meet.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that you can operate from different quadrants in different situations. I think anyone with good interpersonal skills varies how they react/interact with others. Part of having good interpersonal skills is being able to adjust to different people, personalities, and situations. To do that effectively, you have to move between quadrants.
The idea of using a power grid reminded me of some of the personality tests you take that wants to put you into a definitive category--(I was never in the category I wanted to be.) What I really think it does though is help up look at our areas of strength and where we operate most comfortably. I also think that everyone has strengths within each quadrant and the structure helps you to realize when you need to move from one quadrant to another to deal with a specific situation. As you move through the power plays for each it also helps you to identify where others are coming from and how to best approach them. I also have to wonder if this applies more to people in business. It seems to me that people in education have to be more flexible and able to deal with a wide range of personalities. So maybe we just have well developed areas in each quadrant that we call upon as the need arises.
ReplyDeleteOk, so I am weird. I think I fit into one quadrant more at home, a different one more with friends and still a wider variety (depending on the people I am working with,) at work. I definitely have one quadrant that I am most comfortable in. And one that I am rather uncomfortable in.
ReplyDeleteWhile i was reading about the quads, i was thinking...what if i don't fit in any??? then got to thinking and comparing about the examples given and realized that, yes marci, i think we fit into different quads at any given time. with my coaching i'm more at the commander and inspirer and with my boss here at scott city, pleaser all the way, and @ home...def. a commander, pleaser and inspirer and to get my kids to do something @ home a charmer...i didn't like the clinical aspect either and kind of wished i could be given myers-briggs to see why i respond to certain situations like i do.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marcy it also reminded me of personality tests that you take. To me I think everything comes into play when I think about where I fit into the power grid. I think my personality, the way I was brought up determines where I would fall on the power grid. I do believe that you can operate from more than one quadrant in the course of a given day. I can actually think of several times a day that I go from a pleaser to a charmer to a commander. It all depends on the situation, who is involved and how comfortable I feel in the situation.
ReplyDeleteJerrie- I totally agree with you. To me I think it does depend on who I am dealing with which part of the power grid I would find myself in.
Marcy- I think you are right. I think as educators we do need to be more flexible and that may trigger where we fall on the power grid. As an educator I can easily find myself following into all four categories depending on who it involves. (student, parent, principal, co-worker, supervisor, director, para, custodian, etc.)
I was relieved to know that there were no good or bad quadrants on the grid. I was afraid you would find out I had some really bad character flaw. I found the grid interesting but thought there should have been more categories such as a pleaser in the informal to fear quadrant and possibly some others. Who am I to say as I’m certainly not a psychologist. Like several of you I agree that it depends on the situation to determine which quadrant we operate in. I find that with family I work more as a pleaser; when tackling new situations I may be working in the charmer quadrant; and at school I try to work more as an inspirer. It definitely depends on the situation.
ReplyDeleteMarcy- I really felt like you that this would be a personality test and that I wouldn’t fit the right category. It was a relief to read that it doesn’t matter where we fit that we all move around on the quadrant.
Alan: I wondered like you if this was an oversimplification power grid but like I mentioned in my post that who am I to know the personality traits of everyone.
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ReplyDeleteI had to read and reread the examples given for each quadrant to figure out where I fit best because I can see some of myself in each one. Like Jan, I want to be squarely in the middle where I can adapt to any given situation. I also relate to Marcy as seeing myself in different quadrants depending on the environment. I think that how I handle situations with my colleagues is very different from how I respond to my spouse.
ReplyDeleteI think that the quadrants are a an oversimplification of a person's basic character. Personality is far too complex to fit neatly into one little box; there's going to be overlap in each direction.
As I was reading the descriptions of each power style, different people I know came to mind. I could identify others based upon their power style. I also identified where I fell into the grid. I am eager to learn how to use this information to understand others and learn how to deal with coworkers in different situations.
ReplyDeleteMarcy - I was thinking the same thing when I was reading. I am in different quadrants depending on the environment. I definately feel like I was in a different quadrant during graduate school, when I was a teaching assistant to my peers. I was more of a commander than I normally would be.
Debi - I really like your statement "Personality is far too complex to fit neatly into one little box". I think this is very true and it would be impossible to create a grid that would work for everyone all of the time; however, the power grid may be a good start in understanding power styles in general.
When I first looked/read about the power grid, I had a good idea where I fit into it, but as I read I could see myself in different places, depending on who I was dealing with. I see myself in a different part of the grid at school than I do when I am at home or with family. So I guess I agree with Craddock's statement about operating in different quadrants, because I feel I do on any given day.
ReplyDeleteMarcy-you are not weird-because I think the same way-I guess that makes us unique and can get along with a variety of people?! Granted some people get on my nerves more than others, but I feel I can generally get along with a variety of personalities.
Jamie-I was thinking of different people also when I was reading and could place them on the grid pretty easy. I think it's interesting that I think I work with someone in each quadrant, but we all still get along-I think we compliment each other, so we can work well as a team.
Many of you have commented about moving between quadrants with one being more dominant at work and another more dominant at home, etc. I think that is true, and that we adjust to our environments. Look at the children we serve, and how their behaviors can vary greatly from one year to another based on the environment they are in. It seems to me that yes, the environment we were raised in has an impact on the quadrant we operate in, but the environment we are currently in also impacts it.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the Power Grid has been a useful tool that’s allowed me to gain a little more insight about myself. And although it’s gotten me to think more deeply about how I cope/operate in certain situations, by no means would I consider it as ”the” ultimate, go-to resource for this type of thing. However, I do think it’s a nice supplemental, self-evaluation that might assist in identifying particular strengths and/or areas for improvement.
ReplyDeleteTo everyone who spoke about not fitting into a definite category~
I’m joining the club! After initially seeing the 4 categories, I instantly thought, “Ok, I’m a Pleaser. That’s the part I need to pay attention to.” However, after I actually read about each power style, I began to think, “Well, I’m not entirely like that… But sometimes I am… But sometimes I feel like I’m operating in a different quadrant…” What a mess! I finally decided that Craddock needed to have a 5th style located right in the middle of the grid that’s made up of overlap from each of the other 4 power styles, and she could call it “The Educator.” Because from everyone’s posts, it seems like in our profession (and probably others as well), we’re switching hats so many times throughout our day that it’s hard to stay contained within just one specific category.
To everyone who commented about gravitating back to their comfortable quadrant~
I’m joining that club too! Although I just commented about how I’m a mixed breed when it comes to the power styles, I’ve also realized that in super stressful situations, when it’s fight or flight, I revert back to the operating system and coping skills I developed while growing up (According to the book, mine would usually be found within “The Pleaser” quadrant). Those are the lessons that are ingrained in me, and as such, they’re generally my initial reaction. It’s what I fall back on because it’s what I know best.
a.What is your opinion on the “Power Grid”?
ReplyDeleteI find the Power Grid to be an interesting tool. As I read the explanation of the x and y axis I was able to place myself on the grid. I think it could be a valuable and beneficial tool for self-reflection.
b.There is a statement on page 15: “It is important to note that the quadrant in which you operate depends on the situation you are facing. Many of us can operate from more than one quadrant in the course of a given day” Do you agree or disagree with this statement and explain why.
I agree 100% with this statement. Teachers have to be flexible and have to adapt to many different situations within a day. In order to effectively adapt we must use different strategies. These strategies fall within the quadrant.
Jamie -
ReplyDeleteI found myself identifying other people when I read about the grid too! It is interesting how we can see where ourselves and others fit.
Marcy-
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment about the personality test. It reminded me of doing a personality profile. I am never where I want to be on those either!
The idea of quadrants made me think of the many personality profiles I have done over the years. What I don't like about these kinds of things is that they tend to look so static. I think most people are formed to have a general kind of personality but the traits within it are more fluid. They way you react to stimuli can be different at any given moment and can be affected by anything from illness, family issues, your finance, to even the weather. Other people around you make a difference in your personality. You may be fun loving and carefree while with old friends, yet in the company of people you go to church with, you may be quiet and reserved. I was glad to note that the author felt the same way on page 15, stating that we may operate from many quadrants in one day.
ReplyDeleteIzilla-- I was thinking the same thing, about not fitting into any completely, but as i read on, I found small parts of each in my personality.
Amy Ricker- In a way I agree that we tend to stick work what's comfortable, but I also think that we cannot. We have to be different things to different people. I have to be a Mother and Wife at home, a professional and teacher at work, a giver and helper at church, and a mediator and peacekeeper when I spend time with my extended family. I am not aways comfortable in these roles, and they are quite different.
My first reaction when I began to read was, "Don't label me!!" I was feeling that I was a unique person who is unlike anyone else! As I was reading, I was thinking, "I don't want to find out that I function because of fear!" However, it was a relief to read that we may go from one quadrant to another throughout the day.
ReplyDeleteToday while I was in class, I noticed that I would jump from one quadrant to another in a 51 minute class period. It all depended upon the student I was working with. Their personality/actions would dictate how I would respond. At one point, I would be the commander who was telling the students to get busy and work. The next moment I would be the charmer who was trying to get an individual student motivated to care!
As I read the comments above, I was nodding in agreement to a lot of what was posted. The power grid we are functioning from depends upon who we are dealing with, what is happening, etc............ Some days I feel as if I were an actress in a soap opera!!
The Power Grid reminds me of the “Colors” personality/leadership styles. I know that I’ve “changed colors” as I’ve journeyed through life and encountered certain
ReplyDeleteEvents. As I’ve been reading Power Genes I think that I am in a different quadrant depending on the situation. While I didn’t really think I fit in the “pleaser” quadrant, I can see pieces of me there – at least during certain times.
I know how we grow up has a huge effect on our lives and that situations from the past can trigger emotions in the present when a similar situation presents itself.
Judy: you so stole my line…..”Some deals I feel if I’m an actress in a soap opera…” ;).
I enjoyed your self-observation about switching roles several different times, all in
the course of one class period with your role depending on the student you were
working with.
Blhoryna: I can relate to relying on the skills I grew up with when it comes down to “fight or flight” situations. Sometimes if I know a tough situation is coming I can
“plan” on how to deal with it or get through it; but when something pops up unexpectedly or I’m really tired I fall back on the coping skills from my growing up years
I am in agreement with most of who compared the grid with the personality profiles. As with personality profiles I had a hard time putting myself in just one quadrant. I tend to straddle th line between a couple.
ReplyDeleteMarcy I couldn't agree more with you that what quadrant we are in depends on our setting. We adapt ourselves to the setting we are in. I am different at home with my kids and husband than I am at work. I am also different with my students than I am with my paras.
I am like many of you, the power grid was too clear cut and I would like to think of myself as fitting into two. Although it does say that you shift based on the circumstance, I don't think we are cookie cutter molds but individuals. I do agree with him though that we do shift based on the circumstance and how we perceive that circumstance to be playing out, but in that I feel I would get into a third quadrant. I agree with him because I feel we all act different depending on where we are and who we are with. If we feel secure in that situation and with those people, our power genes/ behavior will be a certain way, but if we are insecure in the situation, we will take the gene that comes most naturally when we don't feel at ease/power-centered.
ReplyDeleteKaren - I agree with you that our experiences play out in how we handle different situations. This could even be transferred to working with out kids, but if we didn't feel success in that situation/environment before, we will take a certain defense mechanism to get us through. This mechanism is either more submissive or aggressive.
ReplyDeletedclodfelter - I agree that we have to be different things to different people, something that I am learning the importance of as I get older. There is a need in certain environment to carry yourself in a formal manner, and there is environment that you shouldn't. Personally I feel this can be related to the parents who try to be their children's friend, instead of their parent. It is not in the child's best interest to try this philosophy at certain ages or in certain situations.
Sorry this is late. Internet has not been working here at school and home has not been better. Like many of you there are times when I seem to work out of one quadrant and shift to another. There are many different things which factor into why I work from one quadrant or another. It could depend on what kind of day I am having and the type of situation I encounter. I also know that when I am around different people I shift quadrants depending on what our meeting is about.
ReplyDelete