Unconditional Power: Thriving in Any Situation, No Matter How Frustrating, Complex, or Unpredictable

By Steven Gaffney

Ever notice how your brilliance amplifies when in a good mood? What if you could tap into that heightened state, no matter the circumstances? Unconditional Power by Steven Gaffney reveals the path to such a life of triumph, rooted not in external factors, but in your chosen mindset.

This transformative book w

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rivertowns Books
• Release date: Sep 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781953943330

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UNCONDITIONAL POWER

"Smart leaders know that power is meant to be shared and multiplied—which is why their teams are more creative, productive, and smart. Unconditional Power shows you how to use this wisdom to reach amazing new levels of success by helping people who are powerless to become powerful."—John Benner, Associate Laboratory Director for Weapons Production, Los Alamos National Laboratory

"I have worked with Steven Gaffney for over ten years. His brand of honest communication and getting the unsaid said have been instrumental to me in creating high-performance teams. Now his book Unconditional Power provides effective techniques to help you find the power within you, allowing you to have a greater impact on your organization. It may even change your life!"—Kathy Kerchner, retired executive, Lockheed Martin Corporation

"In Unconditional Power, Steven Gaffney articulates a framework for teaching leaders the correlation between attitude and unconditional power, which I often refer to as influential power, highlighting the impact influential power has when dealing with human beings. As Steven shows, culture is everything, and the amplification you get by creating a powerful culture that intentionally disrupts counterproductive organizational habits can ultimately shift not only how you believe in yourself, but how others behave as well."—Rick Ambrose, Former Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Space

The 21st century is not a simple time to live in. We can’t control the events that surround us, but we can control our reactions—that’s the moral of this amazing book, in which Steven Gaffney offers enlightening cases and strategies we can use to achieve and sustain our best lives.—Prof. Newton H. Howard, Department of Neurosurgery, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, and Senior Fellow at the Brain Sciences Foundation, USA

"Unconditional Power by Steven Gaffney is a practical, relatable take on the power of the human mind, outlining the systemic impacts our mood can have on everything from our decision making and our creative flow to the quality of our leadership and, ultimately, to our team outputs and organizational culture. A must-read for business leaders or anyone who aims to manage high-performing teams, or for anyone interested in simply starting down the path towards better mood discipline."—Horace Blackman, Senior Vice President, CGI Federal

"Unconditional Power is a compelling and inspiring book that offers practical guidance on how you can shape your own mindset, with a profoundly positive effect on your personal and professional relationships—all supported by numerous stories and insightful examples."—Rob Krcmarov, Former Executive VP Global Exploration, Barrick

"Packed with real-world examples, case studies, and expert advice, Steven Gaffney’s Unconditional Power is a must-read for anyone looking to unlock their full potential and achieve lasting success in the workplace, and help their colleagues do the same."—Dr. Cristal Glangchai, founder and CEO, VentureLab

"Working with Steven Gaffney has been a professional and personal game changer for me and my team. Now he has done it again! Unconditional Power teaches you to create a powerful culture of high achievement based on a foundation of trust, honesty, and transparency. Buy it and apply what you learn from it."—Alison Rosen, Chief Performance Office, SeKON Enterprise, Inc.

In my life and career, I’ve found that happiness is a choice, not an emotion—an idea that closely mirrors Steven Gaffney’s insights into unconditional power and mood. His book offers insights that are super interesting and actionable for anyone who hopes to become a more effective leader.—Julie Charlestein, President & CEO, Premier Dental Products, and author of How to Lead Your Family Business

"Unconditional Power conveys a simple, common sense but powerful framework for a better career and a better life. It is an easy and worthwhile read with interesting stories and examples."—Dr. Larry Senn, Founder Senn Delaney Culture Shaping, Partner Heidrick Consulting, author of The Mood Elevator

"Unconditional Power is compelling for its insight into the human brain and its applicability to our daily lives. Gaffney provides a set of tools to guide you toward achievement and transforms you into a leader. This book is uplifting and a necessary guide for every working person."—Anthony Nozzoli, President, Nozzoli Consulting LLC

"We all have experienced times in our lives when we were highly effective and creative. Yet for most people, those moments are fleeting and disappear without a trace. In Unconditional Power, Steven Gaffney demystifies the process of becoming powerful and describes practical methods for reaching this high performance level whenever you want. I only wish I had found this book earlier in my life. Read it!"—Alex Counts, founder, Grameen Foundation, and author of Changing the World Without Losing Your Mind

"In Unconditional Power, Steven Gaffney lays out exceptional ways to not only become a better executive but also to motivate your teams to be more powerful in their own roles."—Kirk Wiles, CEO and Founder, Paradise Springs Winery

A unique and provocative exploration of how organizations and individuals can thrive at work. Gaffney’s focus on moods and belief systems brings an exciting new frame to the business leadership lexicon.—William D. Eggers, best-selling author of nine books, including Bridgebuilders, The Solution Revolution, and If We Can Put a Man on the Moon, all published by Harvard Business Review Press This book is special. Steven Gaffney has developed simple, memorable tools for anyone serious about unlocking their state of mind to become more powerful in business or in life.—Adam Aloi, President, Alliance Interactive

"Unconditional Power is a great read for anyone wanting to lead a life of achievement and anyone leading a team toward success. The idea that mood can change everything and that you can change your mood is simple, yet powerful."—Charlene Wheeless, TEDx Speaker, Coach/Thought Partner, Author, Trailblazer

"Unconditional Power has a message that is both timely and timeless. Packed with principles that are so needed for leadership, in an era when people can feel whipped about at a moment’s notice by circumstances, life, and the actions of others, this book belongs on the desk of every leader. Read it—but more important, reference it often, and live from its principles."—Rebecca de Azevedo, Business Strategist, Trainer, and Mindset Coach

Steven Gaffney has created a team-transforming handbook on how to disrupt negative beliefs and activate a high-performing Dream Team. Inspiring change is difficult whether you are coaching kids or executives in a boardroom, but you can take these principles anywhere and wield the power!—Ray Regan, Private Equity Consultant and former collegiate rowing coach

"Through the years, Steven Gaffney has helped me in both my personal and business growth. He has an uncanny ability to help individuals and businesses get to the core of the problems they face and perform better. His new book, Unconditional Power, is another amazing chapter in his illustrious career. As soon as I finished it, I found myself utilizing the book’s techniques."—Joe Colao, Partner, Colao & Peter, Luxury Outdoor Living

"Steven’s strategies are team fuel and personal fuel. Whether you’re leading a small startup or a multinational corporation, Unconditional Power is an essential resource for anyone looking to take their team to the next level."—David Feather, Executive Director, Fluor Mission Solutions

"Unconditional Power is an excellent read, backed by sound psychology and years of Steve’s coaching and motivational experience. For business leaders, the wisdom it contains should be absorbed, practiced, and mastered over time."—Edward Christopher Dent, President, McMahon-Dent Inc.

While at times it flies under my personal radar, I'm an absolute believer in the profound effect that mood has had in enabling every success I have been fortunate enough to achieve. Starting from this simple intuitive truth, this book illuminates a path to unlock our ability to personally act, providing practical guidance, exercises, and aim points to enable one to drive a virtuous cycle for ourselves, individuals in our orbit, and ultimately organizations. The result is an elegant guidebook to keep within reach on your closest bookshelf, much like a good friend reminding you to periodically recenter and refocus on your way to your next great accomplishment.—Dan Sheridan, Angel Investor

Steven’s approach to flipping the power switch inspires personal accountability! Over the past 15 years while at two Fortune 500 companies, I’ve called upon Steven to help me successfully lead positive change through open and honest communication. Now he’s identified, and teased out, a practical way for individuals to own up to, and change, their moods to enable higher personal and team performance. Read on. Once you see the part mood plays—you won’t be able to un-see it!—Dave Fuino, GM/Principal Consultant, Wayfinder Group, LLC

I’ve been working with Steven Gaffney for several years, and I’ve seen the impact his ideas can have on the power and productivity of a team. He understands how an optimistic mindset can be the foundation for phenomenal accomplishment.—Ken Slaughter, Program Manager, DoD Healthcare Management System Modernization (DHMSM), Defense Health Agency

"If you desire to drive your organization to new levels, Unconditional Power is the secret sauce you’ve been looking for. It provides solution questions to move your team from powerless to powerful."—J.C. Epting, Colonel, USAF (Retired) and Senior Vice President for NNSA Ops and Programs

I love Steven’s clear and direct approach to leadership. It is truly not rocket science. I have found his Power Continuum model a valuable tool to empower my workforce and to help them achieve things they never thought possible.—Mark Davis, Associate Laboratory Director Weapons Production (ALDWP) Chief Operating Officer, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Steven Gaffney has developed a framework through which we can identify our (often faulty) understanding of power, and how we can leverage our moods to an end result that is strikingly effective. The key word in the subtitle of this book is ‘system.’ This isn’t a rah-rah hype book full of self-affirmations. It is a carefully crafted system that helps you increase influence, lead like a champion, and live a better life.—Jeff Shore, Founder, Shore Consulting

"Unconditional Power is a must-read for professionals looking to improve their performance and their resilience in the face of life’s inevitable challenges. Steven Gaffney uses real-life examples and practical tips that can help all of us take control of our mood and, by extension, our lives."—Steve Schmida, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Resonance, and author of Partner With Purpose

Copyright © 2023 by Steven Gaffney. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Printed in the United States of America ˙ September 2023 ˙ I

Hardcover edition ISBN-13: 978-1-953943-08-8

Ebook edition ISBN-13: 978-1-953943-33-0

LCCN Imprint Name: Rivertowns Books

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023901381

Illustrations by Wendy Wade

Rivertowns Books are available from all bookstores, other stores that carry books, and online retailers. Visit our website at www.rivertownsbooks.com. Requests for information and other correspondence may be addressed to:

Rivertowns Books

240 Locust Lane

Irvington NY 10533

Email: [e-mail]

This book is dedicated to all the people

who feel stopped but see greatness;

who feel restrained but want to be free;

and who want to make the seemingly impossible, possible.

My hope is that this book will provide you the power

to make your dreams quickly become a reality.

CONTENTS

Introduction: The Secret of Unconditional Power

Part One - Mood Discipline: The First Step to Unconditional Power

The Incredible Power of Mood

When a Mood Becomes a State of Being

Mood Discipline and the Power Switch

Part Two - Flip the Power Switch: Nine Strategies to Instantly Achieve Unconditional Power

Strategy One: Make the Unaware, Aware

Strategy Two: Believe in Your Power

Strategy Three: See It, Hear It, Feel It

Strategy Four: Intentionally Disrupt Yourself—And Others

Strategy Five: Reframe to Refocus

Strategy Six: Be the Part

Strategy Seven: Control Your Input

Strategy Eight: Feel the Pain, Then the Gain

Strategy Nine: Share Wins, Values, and Blessings

Part Three - Leading with Unconditional Power

Sustaining Your Unconditional Power: The Four Energy Modes

Creating a Powerful Culture: Putting It All Together

Coda: The Ultimate Power Switch

Acknowledgments

Source Notes

Index

About the Author

INTRODUCTION: THE SECRET OF UNCONDITIONAL POWER

LET’S BEGIN WITH A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION: What mood are you in today—right at this moment?

That question might be a surprising way to start a book about power. What does your mood have to do with your power?

Believe it or not, your mood has everything to do with your power.

You’re reading this book because you have challenges to overcome, problems to solve, and goals to achieve. As you think about these things, what is your mood?

Does thinking about the challenges make you feel anxious—or energized?

Does thinking about the problems make you feel resentful—or engaged?

Does thinking about the goals make you feel frustrated—or hopeful?

The answers matter a lot. Because your mood determines the amount of power you have.

The Difference Your Mood Makes

WE ALL KNOW THAT MOOD AFFECTS the way we react to things. When someone