Differentiated Self Leadership

Self Differentiation is the ability to hold onto your Self while staying fully in contact with others. Despite what some say, differentiation is not about distancing from others. Its really about how you can be both true to your Self and be relationally responsive. Sometimes I refer to it as "differentiated attachment," to highlight the balance that is characteristic of higher levels. I have conducted research on the predictors, outcomes, and characteristics of differentiation for over 20 years, including my doctoral dissertation, which assessed the impact of parental divorce and family dynamics (predictors) on the differentiation levels of young adults. Overall, the research is clear: higher levels of differentiation are associated with many dimensions of physical, psychological, and relational health throughout life. Individuals with higher levels of Self differentiation exhibit more personal power, less emotional reactivity, and better interpersonal boundaries. More recently, I have integrated my research with other approaches (most notably, IFS and EFT) and have applied this integrated model to executive coaching and organizational leadership. Differentiated Self Leadership is now part of the cornerstone of the leadership coaching we do at RJCG.