The Triangle of Disempowerment: How to Step Out of Conflict and Into Clarity
- Soul Journey
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
I first encountered the Triangle of Disempowerment in a way that I’ll never forget: on a bumpy bus ride through the Andes of Peru. Our shaman group from the Chacana Spiritual Center had just left sea level in Florida’s summer heat and landed in the crisp, thin air of the Andes mountains—13,000 feet up, cold, winded, and adjusting to a new rhythm of life.
As we loaded the bus to head toward our next destination, this topic was introduced and discussed as a means of preventing the all-too-common issue in group dynamics involving nearly 20 people, foreign terrain, elevation sickness, cold, early hours, a lot of walking, and 2 weeks of prolonged excitement.
The conversation that followed was illuminating: How do we navigate high-tension moments like this—when time is short, emotions run high, and the group’s needs feel at odds with individual needs—without falling into blame, helplessness, or control?
This is exactly where the Triangle of Disempowerment (also called the Drama Triangle) shows up.
What is the Triangle of Disempowerment?
The Triangle of Disempowerment was developed by Stephen Karpman, M.D., in 1968 as part of Transactional Analysis, a psychological framework that examines how unconscious patterns shape human interaction (Karpman, 1968). The triangle maps three dysfunctional roles people often fall into during conflict:
Victim – Feels powerless, mistreated, or hopeless.
Persecutor – Criticizes, blames, or exerts control over others.
Rescuer – Rushes in to fix or save others, often without being asked.
Importantly, these are roles, not identities. A person may cycle through all three in a single conversation. For example:
Someone starts out overwhelmed (Victim),
Another tries to take control (Persecutor),
A third tries to smooth things over (Rescuer).
And often, the roles quickly rotate. The Rescuer may later feel unappreciated and lash out (Persecutor). The Persecutor may feel guilty and swing into Victim.
This cycle keeps people stuck in disempowered states—focused on blame, helplessness, or control, rather than growth and responsibility.
Applications in Real Life
The Triangle of Disempowerment shows up almost everywhere:
Families: A parent scolding a child (Persecutor), another parent intervening (Rescuer), and the child withdrawing (Victim).
Workplaces: An overwhelmed employee (Victim) blames their boss (Persecutor) while a co-worker tries to step in and cover shifts (Rescuer).
Groups & Teams: Exactly like our Peru bus ride—balancing timelines, responsibility, and grace under pressure.
Recognizing the triangle is the first step to breaking free of it.
Stepping Out of the Triangle
The good news is that there are empowered alternatives to each role (Emerald, 2016; Choy, 1990):
Disempowered Role | Empowered Role | Shift in Perspective |
Victim | Creator | “I may not control everything, but I can choose my response and take action.” |
Persecutor | Challenger | “I can set clear boundaries or expectations without blame or shame.” |
Rescuer | Coach | “I can support others by asking questions that empower them to find their own solutions.” |
Instead of dramatizing conflict, the empowered stance invites responsibility, clarity, and compassion.
Returning to Peru: A Living Example
Back on the bus in Peru, each of us felt a tug toward one corner of the triangle, but instead of letting the roles run unchecked, we paused. Our shaman reframed the situation by asking:
What are you responsible for right now?
What choices can you make to help this group succeed?
How can we set boundaries with compassion and without blame?
In that moment, the triangle dissolved. Instead of falling into drama, the group began operating as creators, challengers, and coaches—clarifying responsibilities, allowing grace for delays, and still keeping the journey on track.
Why This Matters for You
Take a moment to reflect:
When conflict rises in your life, do you tend to slip into one of these roles?
Do you notice yourself rescuing others at your own expense, criticizing when things feel out of control, or shrinking into powerlessness when challenges feel overwhelming?
Seeing these patterns is not about judgment—it’s about awareness. The more clearly we recognize them, the more freedom we have to choose a different response.
Taking the Next Step
In our coaching work at Soul Journey, we go beyond simply naming the Triangle of Disempowerment. We help you explore:
How these roles show up in your personal or professional life.
What it feels like to step into the empowered roles of Creator, Challenger, and Coach.
How to transform high-tension moments into opportunities for clarity and growth.
This isn’t about memorizing a model. It’s about experiencing the shift for yourself—so that the next time you’re in a “bumpy bus ride” moment in life, you have the tools to stay centered and empowered.
If this resonates, you’re invited to take the next step with us. You can book a session online, or simply reach out by phone or text to begin a conversation.
References
Karpman, S. (1968). Fairy tales and script drama analysis. Transactional Analysis Bulletin, 7(26), 39–43.
Choy, A. (1990). The Winner’s Triangle. Transactional Analysis Journal, 20(1), 40–46.
Emerald, D. (2016). The Power of TED: 10th Anniversary Edition. Polaris Publishing.
