XIII Examples of Roles in the Emotional Body

The below examples are given to support you to discover, uncover and become aware of your Limiting Roles and create your own Peaceful Warrior roles. Look for resonance. Take those adjectives and nouns that resonate with you and leave out those that don’t.

1. Dysfunctional Roles / Limiting Roles
i. Avoider – Passive, Hesitant, Disconnected Observer
ii. Rescuer – Overprotective, Enabling, Self-sacrificing Saviour
iii. Fighter (Persecutor) – Aggressive, Controlling, Judgmental Enforcer
iv. Victim – Helpless, Dependent, Defeated Bystander

Functional Roles / Peaceful Warrior Roles
i. Engager (Avoider Shifted) – Present, Courageous, Proactive Connector
ii. Guide (Rescuer Shifted) – Supportive, Empowering, Wise Mentor
iii. Challenger (Fighter Shifted) – Assertive, Growth-oriented, Fair Leader
iv. Creator (Victim Shifted) – Resourceful, Resilient, Self-directed Innovator


2. Dysfunctional Roles / Limiting Roles
i. Avoider - Indecisive, Withdrawn, Apathetic Bystander
ii. Rescuer - Over-involved, Martyr-like, Controlling Saviour
iii. Fighter (Persecutor) - Rigid, Critical, Domineering Commander
iv. Victim - Defeated, Dependent, Fearful Survivor

Functional Roles / Peaceful Warrior Roles
i. Engager (Avoider Shift) - Courageous, Open, Authentic Explorer
ii. Guide (Rescuer Shift) - Thoughtful, Insightful, Patient Coach
iii. Challenger (Fighter Shift) - Bold, Honest, Transformational Leader
iv. Creator (Victim Shift) - Adaptable, Self-reliant, Inspired Architect
 
3. Dysfunctional Roles / Limiting Roles
i. Avoider - Silent, Hesitant, Uninvolved Shadow
ii. Rescuer - Over-giving, Sacrificial, Intrusive Guardian
iii. Fighter (Persecutor) - Harsh, Forceful, Intimidating Punisher
iv. Victim - Hopeless, Drained, Reactive Prisoner

Healthy Functional Roles / Peaceful Warrior Roles
i. Engager (Avoider Shift) - Bold, Curious, Interactive Bridge-Builder
ii. Guide (Rescuer Shift) - Grounded, Encouraging, Wise Beacon
iii. Challenger (Fighter Shift) - Decisive, Motivating, Fair Disruptor
iv. Creator (Victim Shift) - Fearless, Innovative, Empowered Trailblazer
 

4. Dysfunctional Roles / Limiting Roles

For workplace teams, collaboration, and leadership:

i. Avoider → Engager
Avoider → Hesitant, Unexpressive, Invisible Spectator
Engager → Proactive, Communicative, Open Collaborator

ii. Rescuer → Guide
Rescuer → Overbearing, Over-responsible, Fixated Micromanager
Guide → Supportive, Strategic, Empowering Mentor

iii. Fighter (Persecutor) → Challenger
Fighter → Dominating, Harsh, Rigid Taskmaster
Challenger → Assertive, Fair, Visionary Innovator

iv. Victim → Creator
Victim → Defeated, Excuse-driven, Passive Spectator
Creator → Resourceful, Growth-oriented, Accountable Problem-Solver
 

5. Dysfunctional → Functional Roles in Relationships
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For personal, family, and romantic relationships

i. Avoider → Engager
Avoider → Emotionally distant, Detached, Evasive Ghost
Engager → Present, Emotionally available, Authentic Connector

ii. Rescuer → Guide
Rescuer → Overprotective, Controlling, Suffocating Over-giver
Guide → Compassionate, Encouraging, Balanced Supporter

iii. Fighter (Persecutor) → Challenger
Fighter → Critical, Confrontational, Demanding Dictator
Challenger → Honest, Direct, Motivating Truth-Teller

iv. Victim → Creator
Victim → Helpless, Needy, Self-pitying Drainer
Creator → Self-aware, Solution-focused, Confident Life-builder
 

6. Dysfunctional → Functional Roles in Coaching 

i. Avoider → Engager
Avoider → Passive, Non-confrontational, Hesitant Fence-Sitter
Engager → Decisive, Adaptive, Growth-driven Strategist

ii. Rescuer → Guide
Rescuer → Over-involved, Dependency-creating, Self-sacrificing Firefighter
Guide → Wise, Thoughtful, Enabling Coach

iii. Fighter (Persecutor) → Challenger
Fighter → Aggressive, Overpowering, Harsh Drill Sergeant
Challenger → Bold, Visionary, Empowering Trailblazer

iv. Victim → Creator
Victim → Reactive, Stuck, Fear-driven Excuse-Maker
Creator → Accountable, Proactive, Visionary Game-Changer
 
The most important point to note is that our work is to turn our torch of awareness inwards to discover, uncover and become aware of our own limiting roles; and be creators of our own peaceful warrior roles.
 
It is unhealthy, unwise and ineffective to turn the torch outwards and look for limiting roles in others. That doesn’t serve them and it definitely doesn’t serve us.

It is not our job to see other's hole in the soul, small mind and limiting roles because in the instant we are seeing their hole in the soul, small mind, limiting roles; in that very instant, our hole in the soul, small mind and limiting roles are activated and getting strengthened.