The Space Between: How Viktor Frankl's Wisdom Unlocks Professional Power
- Brian Duff
- Oct 31
- 3 min read
In my life as a scientist - a world of PhDs, biotech, and empirical data - I was trained to see the world as a linear equation: Stimulus → Response. If you wanted a result, you executed the protocol. If you encountered a problem, you found the (sometimes) immediate, logical fix.
This rigorous, left-brain dominant approach served me well for over a decade. But what I've learned in my journey as a coach is that the most profound challenges - in leadership, career, and personal fulfillment - are solved not by speed, but by silence.
The brilliant psychiatrist Viktor E. Frankl articulated the core of all transformation:
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
This "space" is more than a moment of hesitation; it is the launchpad for emotional intelligence and intentional leadership. In the professional world, reclaiming this space is the single most powerful act we can undertake.
The Cost of a Knee-Jerk Reaction
How many times have you been caught in the professional undertow?
An urgent, demanding email lands in your inbox, and you feel the immediate pressure to fire back a defensive reply.
A colleague offers criticism that stings, and your first thought is to justify or deflect.
A plan derails, and the immediate fear triggers a reactive, ill-thought-out decision.
When we eliminate the "space," we operate from a place of fear, habit, or autopilot. We forfeit our power to the circumstance. We are, quite literally, "stuck".
Reclaiming the Space: A Daily Practice of Power
This is where the real work begins - and I speak from experience. I have to practice this daily, too.
I know the temptation to react immediately, whether it's managing a complex client issue or simply navigating life at home when my husband and I are busy, or when my English Bulldog, Billie, plants all four paws and refuses to go for her walk in the rain.
It is in those small, everyday moments that we train the muscle of intentionality.
This practice is the path toward the kind of grounded confidence that Brené Brown champions - the ability to be disciplined and accountable and fully human.
The Coach's Approach: From Logic to Limitless
For those of us who are left-brain dominant and value data, logic, and a clear plan, entering the "space" can feel intimidating - like stepping into an abstract, creative void.
But we can make it feel safe. We simply treat the "space" as the first logical step in a new process.
As a coach, I use a structured framework like the CUSP pathway to make this transformation achievable.
C - Centering (Grounding in Data): We start by noticing what is truly present. For the left-brained, this means acknowledging the observable facts that brought you to the moment, creating a solid, logical starting point.
U - Uncovering (The "What If" Experiment): Now that we're grounded, we can frame the exploration of new possibilities as a scientific experiment. We make it safe to explore new perspectives and different hypotheses.
S - Sourcing (The Core Hypothesis): We move from possibilities to purpose by identifying your core values. This becomes the "core hypothesis" of your life - the fundamental principle that guides all future responses.
P - Propelling (Actionable Steps for Change): Only then do we propel forward, turning that insight into a clear, methodical action plan.
The power is not in the action itself, but in the alignment of that action with your authentic self.
If you are standing on your own cusp - in career, leadership, or life - and feel the quiet hum of restlessness, it is a signal that your power awaits you in the space. Let’s find the space together.
Ready to step into the space and choose your response?
Book a complimentary chemistry session with me to turn your insights into powerful action.
