Four 'HorsePowers'
We distinguish four archetypal energies everyone possesses. Their relative balance and the way we express them vary depending on the context and the pressure we experience.
- The Intuitive Mare – Intuition, inner calm and connection with our own needs.
- The Fire Stallion – Initiative, decisiveness and the energy to create momentum.
- The Mirror Mare – Empathy, attunement and sensitivity to the needs and emotions of others.
- The Anchor Stallion – Clarity, responsibility and structure for the greater whole.
Four development domains – One integrated model
- SELF — Resilience & Adaptability How do you recognise, protect and restore your energy?
- OTHERS — Verbal & Non-verbal Communication How do you connect, attune to others and communicate clearly?
- THE HERD — Efficiency & Effectiveness How do you collaborate and turn energy into results?
- THE ORGANISATION — Leadership & Impact How do you take your place and provide direction for the greater whole?
These four domains are always interconnected and are explored in this sequence.
In team development, impact begins with the individual. Yet even in individual coaching, behaviour is always considered in relation to others and the organisation.
Energy and Intention
The model explores both how someone uses their energy — feeling, slowing down, accelerating or creating structure — and the intention behind that behaviour: am I acting in service of myself, others or the greater whole? This combination helps explain why the same observable behaviour can have a different meaning in different situations. Together, these four universal forces create a complete foundation for leadership. The HorsePowers can therefore be understood as follows:
The masculine energies of the Fiery Stallion and the Guiding Stallion bring decisiveness and structure. The feminine energies of the Intuitive Mare and the Mirror Mare bring sensitive wisdom and reflection.
Intention is something different. It is the why behind the energy we express. Our intention may be directed towards OTHERS or towards SELF, which should not be confused with ego. Every intention has a deeper root in either caring for others or caring for ourselves. Moreover, our true intentions are often deeply hidden in our subconscious. For example, we may feel guilty or repeatedly overstep our own boundaries without even realising it.
Under pressure, one particular HorsePower may go into overdrive while others become less accessible. We tend to fall back on familiar behavioural patterns, often developed during childhood.
