Prevention Tool of the Month: The Temperature of Powerlessness

Powerlessness is part of the work in many professions. But it is not experienced in the same way – some situations are manageable, while others linger and have a lasting impact.

 

Many people know the feeling of going home thinking: “That wasn’t good enough” – even in situations where it was actually unclear what could have been done differently. This exercise helps identify when powerlessness becomes burdensome – and what can make a difference.

For facilitators:

You can introduce the exercise like this: "We will all encounter situations where we cannot do what we truly feel is right. Today, our goal is not to find the right solutions – but to explore these situations together a bit more closely."

Create a safe space where the focus is on understanding – not judging. Help the group stay in reflection and avoid jumping too quickly to solutions. Pay particular attention to step 5, where the complexity and conditions of the situation can become clearer.


Time Frame:

Approx. 20–30 minutes in small groups (3–5 people)


The Exercise:


1. Think of a Situation

Reflect on a concrete situation where you could not do what you felt was the right thing to do.


2. Set the Temperature
On a scale of 1–10: How strong was the feeling of powerlessness?

  • What made the temperature so high?
  • What could have made it lower?


3. Explore the Situation

  • What made the situation difficult?
  • What was at stake – professionally, personally, or ethically?


4. What Did You Do?

  • What did you do in the situation?
  • Did you try to act, be present, or both?


5. A Moment of Guilt-Free Reflection
Look back at the situation:

  • Were you in a situation where you genuinely didn’t know what to do? For example, whether to move on to the next client/student/patient – or stay where you were?


In some situations, there isn’t a single “right” action, but several options, each with its own cost. In the moment when you genuinely don’t know what to do, a small pocket of guilt-free space can arise – because you aren’t actually doing anything wrong. Afterwards, it’s easy to interpret the situation as if you should have acted differently.


6. Reflect on your own story

  • What did you say to yourself afterward?
  • What would you say to a colleague in the same situation?


7. Share and learn together

  • What helps when feelings of powerlessness are high?
  • What do you need from each other in those situations?


Conclusion:

Feel free to end by having each participant state one thing they will take with them into their work. Even when there is nothing more to do, there is still something to be – together.