I was feeling inspired today conversing with my fellow coach April Hirschman….

We were discussing the idea of empowerment coaching and what kind of people would be looking for that.  I thought it sort of funny that I want to do empowerment coaching, and that I also want to coach executives and other influential people who already have power.  Then it dawned on me:

Power = Intimacy

Think about it.  What would someone in power want?  Most likely the complimentary opposite of power, which is intimacy. I will explain how this works in a minute.  First, think about how it feels to be a person in power by standing in their shoes….

There are various types of people who have power in society whether in business, politics, or simple fame and fortune such as celebrities.  We both fear and are attracted to people in power in different ways.  We sometimes condemn for how they abuse it and we sometimes covet it for ourselves.

Really there are much fewer rich and famous people than the rest of us.  How would it make you feel to be worshiped and feared?  Do you think you’d have as many trustworthy close friends as you do now?  People in power get used on an intimate level because other people want something from them.  Makes it hard to trust people don’t you think!

I use to mistrust and even resent people with more power or success than me.  Now I choose to feel compassion and see it from their perspective.It gets lonely at the top, as the old saying goes and often those with power will want Relationship and Intimacy Coaching to try to heal this aspect of their lives.  That may very well be me!

There is a phenomenal connection between power and intimacy.  Think of your most powerful moments.  For me it is the times I’ve spoken or performed on stage in front of hundreds of people.  These powerful experiences have also been the most vulnerable; where I’ve felt the most vulnerable, scrutinized, and exposed.  Being on stage is a raw moment.  It is both powerful and intimate.

Now think of the most intimate experiences.  The times you’ve laughed, cried or opened your heart to a friend.  Your first time having sex with your greatest lover.  How powerful and electrifying and intense were those moments of vulnerability?

Power and vulnerability walk hand in hand.  You cannot be powerful without also being vulnerable and you cannot be vulnerable without being powerful.
There is no separation and really they are the same thing.  Power = Intimacy.    Therefore, being vulnerable is a powerful act, and powerful acts also have a vulnerable side to them.

Further, your greatest fear is a source of power, all your insecurities can be transformed into strengths, and all your wounds and emotional baggage are the greatest tools to heal and inspire change in the world. Admitting that you have needs and being vulnerable is part of being a complete human being.  That means acknowledging and expressing our emotions and needs at all times to all people and in all situations is the ideal.

Lastly, the way to achieve invincibility is to face your fear.  Gently dancing at the edge of fears is the greatest source of personal transformation available and you can inspire no greater sense of awe in another than human being by demonstrating your raw, deeply authentic and vulnerable self.

In conclusion, the smallest person can wield the greatest power in this world- take this to heart my friends and be true to yourself because you can create the vision you want in your life.  And together, no matter how weak and distraught we feel at times, our small acts of courage can transform our reality.