After decades of work we have boiled down the sum total of our work into these 3 questions. Those questions are now available for you in a self-paced online digital course.
25 years ago my life was about as bad as it could get. I was extremely unhappy in my job, primarily because I was working under one of the worst bosses I have ever experienced, my father died prematurely, and I found out I was unable to have children and as a result, my marriage dissolved. I felt like things couldn’t possibly get any worse.
I then found the Karpman Drama Triangle and its roles of Victim, Persecutor, and Rescuer. With these roles in mind, I asked myself, “Why do I feel like a victim in life?” This led me to realize that, “There’s got to be a better way to live!” This thought sparked the epiphany that is at the heart of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic): that we can live life as Creators rather than as Victims. What a relief!
With this newfound insight, I was able to arrive at what has become the Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) and the 3 Vital Questions and live my life as a Creator rather than a Victim – while helping others, just like you, do the same.
Author and Course Creator, David Emerald
“…Really smart and helpful information about…stronger, saner, and healthier ways of behaving.”
– Elizabeth Gilbert, Author of Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic
The 3 Vital Questions provides a simple way to start a nuanced conversation about how we can all be empowered to succeed at the important work we do here at Children’s Hospital Colorado. The skills we developed in the program enabled us to bring heart to what we do, while also ensuring we execute on our long-term vision.
– Ryan Simmons, Director of People Development
Children’s Hospital Colorado
The TED* framework allowed me to be more focused and aware of what dynamics I was creating within my team.
The addition of the TED* ideas really allowed my team to organize the feelings of being stuck and frustrated.
This was a springboard away from problem-focused thinking and into a solution-focused mindset.
Thanks again for the TED* work and your coaching.
– Nate B, Corporate Executive, Dallas, Texas
8 units of unique content
We’ve created 8 bite-sized units for you to follow at your own pace that can be easily digested and retained within 30 – 45 minutes each. Why self paced?
Because we know everyone learns at their own speed!
We want to make sure you absorb this information and are able to put it into practice as you go. That’s why, in addition to written content, we’ve also included 18+ videos – all less than 4 minutes long, tons of graphics, a workbook to help guide you, and lots of independent assessments and exercises along the way. This mobile friendly course content can be applied to single individuals or with teams or groups.
Plus, you get lifetime access!
Once you register you will receive access to the entire course. You can work through the 8 units on your own time. You can go through the course as many times as you wish!
UNIT 1: WHAT’S THE COST OF DRAMA?
Begin by truly understanding the cost of drama in your life both at work and at home.
UNIT 2: FOCUS – FISBE INTRODUCTION
Take a closer look at the 3 Vital Questions and immediately dive into Question #1: Where are you putting your focus? You’ll discover the importance of FISBE – Focus, Inner State and Behavior – as an “internal operating system,” in which your focus produces an inner state that drives behavior.
UNIT 3: THE TWO MINDSETS
Introduces you to two basic operating mindsets, the FISBE of both orientations, and the important differences between them. Increase your awareness of your own mindset when confronted with different challenges.
UNIT 4: FACING LIFE’S DRAMA’S – THE ROLES WE PLAY
Explore Vital Question #2: How are you relating? You’ll gain insight into the Dreaded Drama Triangle™ (DDT) and the roles of Victim, Persecutor, and Challenger.
UNIT 5: LIBERATING WORKPLACE DRAMA – INTRODUCING TED* (*THE EMPOWERMENT DYNAMIC)®
Receive an introduction to The Empowerment Dynamic and learn about the three distinct roles involved in this dynamic: Creator, Challenger and Coach. Learn how each of these roles are the “antidote” to the corresponding toxic Dreaded Drama Triangle roles.
UNIT 6: MAKING SHIFTS HAPPEN
Learn ways in which you can catch yourself in the DDT roles and consciously make the shift into the resourceful, resilient, and innovative roles of TED*. You will then learn how to look at drama in a new light and consider how you might change your response to challenging situations and co-create outcomes with others.
UNIT 7: THE MAGIC OF DYNAMIC TENSION
Vital Question #3: What actions are you taking? You’ll be able to explore the concept of dynamic tension and the power of Baby Steps to create outcomes and make decisions.
UNIT 8: EMBRACE THE JOURNEY – WHAT ACTIONS WILL YOU TAKE?
Unit 8 contains an overall summary of what you’ve learned and how you can apply the principles from The 3 Vital Questions into your everyday life, both at work and at home.
There is no doubt The Power of TED* changed how I view and respond to various life situations. David illustrates how we are responsible for our choices and outcomes: in recognizing this, our mindset shifts and we become empowered to create a new way of showing up in the world.
– Shelly Egan
Stagen Leadership Academy participant
The Power of TED* is a highly effective, deceptively simple tool for achieving personal and professional transformation.
In addition, David and Donna are an amazing partnership and resource for implementing TED* in all aspects of life.
The Foundations of The Power of TED*
Once you’ve completed The 3 Vital Questions: Applying the Power of TED* to Work and Life online course, you will have an excellent understanding of how to use The Power of TED* to decrease drama in your everyday life.
Interactive PDF Downloadable Workbook
This downloadable Student Workbook will help you track your progress as you make your way through the course. It contains 29 pages of guidance and encouragement, goal setting and reflection exercises, and a safe space to make observations and Baby Steps.
Drama and conflict in life and at work results in lost productivity, lack of focus, turf battles and in-fighting, rumors, distrust, blaming, and fault finding, absenteeism, exhaustion, turnover, and generally toxic relationships. Imagine how much easier your life would be without those things around you!
Be a positive influence and inspire change around you
When you move from the Victim to Creator role you empower the people around you to abandon their Dreaded Drama Triangle roles as well. Once you and the people around you, whether at work or in your everyday life, start relating to each other using the TED* triangle roles you’ll find your relationships get stronger, more productive, and easier.
A bit more about what you’ll learn in the course:
In the movie Groundhog Day, the main character (played by Bill Murray) remains stuck in a repetitive cycle until he learns the lesson he is meant to learn. My own life felt that way for so many years.
After having been stuck in a negative cycle for over 30 years of my career, and as I began to actively self-observe, I finally started to see the pattern and even started to get inklings of how to get out of it. Yet the way out still remained unclear. That was until I came across The Power of TED*, which clearly showed me the way out of the maze.
This book, along with Language and the Pursuit of Happiness by Chalmers Brothers and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, have had a significant positive influence on my personal transformation. I continue to actively work with the material to apply it to me – the only person I can change.
These materials, though deceptively simple, are not easy. And yet the efforts are well worth it, if you desire more joy, greater inner peace, stronger relationships, and better outcomes. In-terms of my own journey of learning, growth, and development, it’s all still work in progress. The good thing is, that thanks to this work, it’s moving in a positive direction.
– Vinay K, Virginia, USA
I’ve been a business consultant, facilitator and trainer for over 30 years and am the author of The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic). I created this short leadership fable to help people take control of daily drama and get a grip on life. It is a book for both individuals and organizations who want to create more effective and positive communication and relationships.
It is my mission to deliver a fresh look at how relationship drama gets in the way of effective working relationships.
I’m also:
Then now is the time to register for the 3 Vital Questions online course and take control of your life and relationships.
Here’s our policy for this program:
Refunds: If, after you’ve enrolled and completed all of the course work, you are unsatisfied with the content and changes you’ve seen in your life, we will offer you a full refund up to 30 days after you enrolled.
I know this is a strong position to take.
But I also know this stuff works. I feel very confident that as long as you put in the work, you’ll see immense changes in your relationships with those around you, whether in your everyday life or at work. I’ve been teaching this for over 30 years, and firmly believe in it.
Questions?
If you have any questions at all, please reach out to us here.
You’re missing out as the days go by.
Every day you experience with drama is one day too much. Drama inhibits our ability to truly connect with others and have healthy and productive relationships. Without the ability to self-reflect in moments of drama, you’re stuck in an endless cycle and inviting toxicity into your life.
What problem this course is trying to solve?
In this course, we talk a lot about drama. We’re not referring to the dramas we see on television or in the movies. No, we’re talking about the type of drama we experience in our daily lives – at work, at home, and in other areas of our lives.
We ALL experience drama – it is part of the human experience. If we can learn to see when we are engaged in daily drama, pause, and ask ourselves and others the 3 Vital Questions of this course, you will be well on your way to transforming your relationships.
After completing this course, you’ll understand and be able to put these questions into practice. You will also forever change the way you relate to others, how you relate to yourself, and enhance your capacity for taking empowered action.
While we will be talking mainly about these ideas as they show up in our workplaces, we trust you will find the concepts, tools and experiences as being just as relevant to your personal life.
What makes this course different from other online training programs out there?
Through my work, I’ve found that people want to make progress together. Until there is a shared way of relating and taking action, this possibility is viewed as a distant concept. It is the interaction between human beings that matters. Something powerful is revealed in the work with the 3 Vital Questions that forever enhances the way people work and engage with one another. I encourage you to experience this change for yourself by enrolling yourself or your team in the 3 Vital Questions today!
Who is the course for?
This is the perfect online course for people or teams who are seeking a way to transform their everyday drama into resilient and resourceful relationships that improve organizational outcomes. Common problems that students experience before enrolling in the course include, but are not limited to, the following:
© 2020 – David Emerald and The Power of TED*. All Rights Reserved.