12 Powers

Overview
The Twelve Powers are an organization of spiritual strengths that can be enhanced by a connection with the Source. All humans inherently have these powers but use of them in the realm of sense consciousness may distort their power for selfish gain. Using them from a higher level of consciousness enhances personal well-being and can raise the collective consciousness of groups in which we may participate.

The Twelve Powers as discussed here are a Unity New Thought formulation presented by Charles Fillmore. However, they have similarities to collections of 12 in other traditions such as the 12 Chakras and the Kabala 12 Steps. For Unity, the 12 Powers are linked directly with the Christian tradition through metaphysical interpretation of the 12 disciples in the New Testament. Each disciple represents one of the 12 Powers in a metaphorical sense.

The 12 Powers can also be viewed as leadership traits. Books such as John C. Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and other leadership books and studies frequently describe some number of traits of leadership. Most of these can be mapped into one of the 12 Powers. Since I have recently read a few leadership books, I will relate each Power to leadership traits, roles and psychological profiles. This will help connect the dots from the more abstract 12 Powers presentation to other more concrete formulations.

Other systems that I will reference as each Power is described include a system of organizational theory (Adizes 4 primary roles of an organization as defined in “the Ideal Executive” (PAEI)) and a psychological system (Riso/Hudson’s “Personality Types” that are based on the 9 types of the Enneagram, a tool for self-discovery).

One thing that is interesting to note is the way that the 12 Powers delineate between the higher consciousness expression of a Power and the lower sense consciousness expression. Sense consciousness expression can result in holding things back and creating problems in the manifest world, whereas higher consciousness expressions create positive results and advance environments forward. The same is true of the organizational and psychological systems I will reference.

The Enneagram describes levels of development within a personality type that range from super functional (Level 1) to completely dysfunctional (Level 9). The further one progresses up the levels of development toward Level 1 the less selfish, more self-actualizing a personality becomes. The further down the levels toward Level 9 the more selfish, more self-destructive the personality types become. The Adizes Organizational Roles Theory supports the same notion as shown below:

• Producer (positive, functional) vs. Lone Wolf (negative, dysfunctional)
• Administrator (positive, functional) vs. Bureaucrat (negative, dysfunctional)
• Entrepreneur (positive, functional) vs. Arsonist (negative, dysfunctional)
• Integrator (positive, functional) vs. Super Follower (negative, dysfunctional)

12 Powers
Love
Love functions to harmonize, unify and attract. In personal relationships, this creates an environment of peace and good feeling in relationships. In leadership this power manifests in a leader’s ability to truly care about the people being led so that they take the time to understand individual stories, hopes and dreams.

In Adizes leadership roles, this Power is best reflected in the Type I (Integrator). In the Enneagram this power is best reflected in Type 2 (The Helper) for empathy and Type 9 (The Peacemaker) for coordination and conflict resolution. Maxwell’s Leadership Laws touch on this through the Law of Connection where leaders that can touch emotions have more success than leaders who cannot.

Imagination
Imagination provides the ability to image, conceptualize and envision. Leadership requires imagination to create a vision of the future for an organization or team. In the Adizes system this Power is best represented by the Type E (Entrepreneur). In the Enneagram, this Power might best be represented by Type 5 (The Investigator) or Type 4 (The Individualist).

Power
Power provides the ability to master, dominate and control. In the Adizes system this Power is represented again by the Type E (Entrepreneur) or possibly the Type P (Producer). In the Enneagram, this Power is represented by Type 3 (The Motivator) and Type 8 (The Leader). Maxwell’s Law of Influence relates to this Power by insisting that the true measure of leadership is influence.

Judgment
Judgment is the ability to evaluate, discern, be wise and appraise. It includes wisdom and knowledge. This Power is reflected by the Adizes Type I (Integrator), who brings disparate organizational groups together and facilitates constructive conflict resolution. The Enneagram type that best represents this Power is Type 1 (The Reformer). At lower levels of functionality, Judgment can devolve into being Judgmental.

Understanding
Understanding is the ability to know and perceive. This is our intellectual faculty. In the Adizes world, this Power is best shown by Type E (Entrepreneur) and Type P (Producer). In the Enneagram, the closest personality type is Type 5 (The Investigator).

Zeal
Zeal is the ability to start, motivate, be passionate and be enthusiastic. In the Adizes world, this is typically the Type E (Entrepreneur) who is very passionate and excited about new ideas and possibilities and communicates enthusiasm to the people in the environment. The Enneagram personality is Type 7 (The Enthusiast) who is passionate about trying new things and experiences.

Elimination
Elimination is the ability to release, remove and denounce stale and non-useful behavior patterns in our lives. This Power relates to leadership in the sense that a leader must continually move forward and allow criticisms and failures to fade into the past and become part of experience that improves future endeavors. This is the power to move on and not be paralyzed by mistakes or misfortune.

Faith
Faith is the ability to believe and intuit. It is the ability to move forward and act as if it is impossible to fail. In John Maxwell’s 21 Leadership Laws, this Power relates to the Law of Victory, the Law of Intuition and the Law of Timing. Leaders find a way for the team to win and never give up.

Life
Life is the ability to energize, vitalize and enliven. It is expressed in Maxwell’s leadership laws as the Law of Empowerment, the Law of Magnetism and the Law of Connection. Leaders instill a sense of energy and urgency into the group.

Order
Order is the ability to organize sequence and adjust. In organizational theory this is represented first and foremost by a Type A (Administrator) and secondarily by Type I (Integrator). In terms of leadership laws this is represented by Maxwell’s Law of Priorities.

Will
Will is the ability to choose and decide. This Power keeps us from getting mired in analysis paralysis. After enough analysis, finally it is time to act and the Power of Will provides that for us. In organizational theory, the Type P (Producer) is the most closely connected with the Will to act. In Enneagram personality types, the Type 8 (The Leader) and Type 3 (The Motivator) are the most willful of the group.

Strength
Strength is the power to endure, stay the course, be persistent, persevere and be stable. It relates to Maxwell’s Law of Solid Ground for a leader to build trust as the foundation of leadership. A leader needs a rock solid foundation so that followers will respect and trust his positions.