Karpman’s Drama Triangle - Part Three, The Persecutor

And finally the persecutor. In the drama triangle the persecutor is the one that is often feared by the victim and pacified by the rescuers.

The persecutor is the one that will attack and keep going until they get what they want - they keep the victim oppressed and will criticise the rescuer.

Without judgement this behaviour is likely coming from a place for fear and is a stress response - the fight response.

Karpman’s Drama Triangle - Part Two, The Victim

The victim is often looking for persecution or to be rescued and struggles to ask for what they need. Behaviour can often be seen as passive aggressive or ‘this always happens to me’

Karpman’s Drama Triangle - Part One, The Rescuer

First up I want to look at the Rescuer - not just because its something I resonate with (!) but its something I see business owners do all the time. Rescuing underperforming employees rather than upsetting them with a honest conversation.Feeling stressed, overwhelmed and under pressure as you want to 'save others' from feeling uncomfortable.

Taking the blame for mistakes that weren't yours as you don't want to upset others.Taking more and more on as you feel guilty for burdening others.

A brief introduction to Karpman’s Drama Triangle

People often want to control how others behave, yet this is impossible and highly stressful and damaging. A model I use all the time is something called the drama triangle. It’s shows the different roles we default to in situations with others.

When we're in a dysregulated nervous system state, it's nearly impossible to show up as our best selves in our life and work.

The procrastination and avoidance are often a self-protective mechanism.

By compassionately listening to the wisdom of the body, we can figure out the right level of intensity to stay within our window of tolerance and tune in to our nervous system; it’s here to help.

You know you are great at what you do, but sometimes you just feel frozen - stuck - and can’t move forwards.

That’s procrastination rearing its ugly head. Ready for a breakthrough?

As an experienced business coach, I've witnessed countless entrepreneurs seek out tactical advice to improve their performance and achieve their goals.

While strategic guidance and practical tips can certainly be valuable, I've come to realise that they often fail to address the deeper, underlying issues that hold many business owners back from reaching their full potential.

The truth is, life is inherently unpredictable. No matter how much we plan or how tightly we hold on, there will always be variables beyond our control. When we become fixated on controlling every detail, we not only create unnecessary stress for ourselves but also rob ourselves of the opportunity to grow and adapt.So, how can we work with these feelings of fear and the need for control?

In the coaching work I do now with founders and business owners, I see mental health struggles day in and day out. Lack of sleep, financial worries, pressure of payroll, employee issues, loneliness are some of the common themes I hear most days and can contribute to anxiety, depression and burnout if not managed.

According to a recent study, over 80% of founders experience poor mental health at some stage in their entrepreneurial journey.

That's a staggering statistic, but perhaps not surprising given the demands of running a business. The long hours, financial stresses, and weight of responsibility can take a serious toll.

New research reveals that loneliness is a major issue for 22% of small business owners. But I suspect that number is even higher. Because when you're at the helm of a company, there's a pressure to project an image of unwavering strength and confidence.

Admitting to feelings of isolation and loneliness can feel like a weakness.

But here's the truth: loneliness is an almost inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey. You're not alone in feeling alone. Trust me.

Founders, be honest: when was the last time you took a proper break?

Research shows 3 in 4 small business owners take less than 20 days off per year, far below the statutory entitlement.

With 46+ hour workweeks and under 5 hours of sleep a night, it's no wonder burnout is rife.

I know how hard it is to step away when your business is your baby, in the first 3 years of my business I took no time off (apart from Christmas) - boy did I learn the hard way.

As a small business owner do you feel stuck? Something niggling at you thats stopping you from getting to where you want to be in your business?

I hear you!

Read on for 5 things I see day in, day out with clients that hold them back that have nothing, zilch, nada to do with their skills and abilities as business owners....

I recently worked with Adam, a business owner overwhelmed by past challenges. Through coaching, we tackled his fears and rebuilt his operations from scratch. Today, his business is booming and he's boldly leading it into the future.

Remember, your past experiences do not define your future success. You have the power to create the business you've always wanted, but it requires letting go of limiting beliefs and embracing new opportunities.

Don't let fear of repeating past mistakes keep you stuck.

For me I know the signs, and I know how to quickly course correct. A weekend of downtime, a refocus on my values and goals, time in nature, some exercise last night and asking a trusted friend to hold me to account - I feel like myself again today.However it has taken me years to get to this point of self awareness and knowing what to do to get back on track.Don't be afraid to ask for help if you are feeling burnt out, or on the path to losing yourself.

If you're a business owner feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to move forward, know that you're not alone. With the right support, strategy, and mindset, it's possible to overcome even the most challenging obstacles and build a business that truly reflects your values and goals.

It's crucial to recognise that imposter syndrome is not an insurmountable obstacle. By understanding its commonality among high-achievers and developing strategies to combat it, you can begin to overcome these self-limiting beliefs and step into your full potential as a confident, capable business owner.

it's crucial to recognise that imposter syndrome is not an insurmountable obstacle. By developing strategies to combat it, you can begin to overcome these self-limiting beliefs and step into your full potential as a confident, capable business owner.

if you're eager to elevate your team to new heights and witness your business flourish, it's time to get serious about your people strategy. Believe me, with the right approach and a bit of care and attention, you can build a team that's truly unstoppable.