We all use energy at work and in our lives, and we use it effectively or ineffectively. We can use our energy by reacting to situations, using automatic responses and believing that we have no other choice. And in contrast, we can use the power of choice, to choose to respond to the situation instead of reacting, to consciously decide how we will behave.
Susannah Temple has developed a model of Functional Fluency that precisely helps us understand people’s social behavior. Functional, indicates how we function, how we behave, and fluency indicates the importance of learning. It takes application and practice to become not only competent, but more than that, fluent in the chosen behavior.
The Functional Fluency model focuses on developing people’s ability to respond constructively and effectively.
The Functional Fluency model helps us recognize how we behave, how we use energy at work, and improve communication and collaboration skills.
Basically we use our experiences, senses and abilities to decide how we will behave:
- Self-actualization, this means to use our energy on our own behalf, to become who we really can be and express who we are.
- Reality assessment, we can use our energy to stay connected with present moment.
- Social responsibility, we can use our energy on behalf of others, to be in charge of things.
If we look deeper, what we do with our energy, there are 5 elements in our behavious: when we are using self-actualization, we may express our own self and use our energy to relate with others. For reality assessment, we use our energy for accounting the present situation. While using energy for social responsibility, we may guide and direct self and others, and look after self and others.
From these elements of behavior we came to 9 of behavioral modes. 5 modes are effective and are represented in gold in the picture, while 4 modes of behavior are ineffective and are represented in purple.
This predominance of effective over ineffective behaviors in the model indicates a developmental approach in the model alone. As Susannah Temple would say: Functional fluency promotes positive human development. (Temple, 2008).
In order to work on our functional fluency, it is useful to first understand our behavior. For these purposes, Susannah Temple developed the instrument on which she received her doctorate, TIFF (Temple Index of Functional Fluency). TIFF is an actometric tool for personal development. This means that by filling out the questionnaire, one gains insight into the functioning and behavior of a person, and not into personality characteristics.
The organization that owns the TIFF Questionnaire is Functional Fluency International
which gathers professionals around the world who use TIFF in their practice.
In which areas can TIFF be used?
- In coaching, in organizational projects, in the development of leaders and employees.
- Psychotherapy work, counselling work.
- In education.
- In career counseling and personal development. It is possible to use the questionnaire on your own initiative to improve the functioning of an individual in various areas of life.
Susannah Temple received the Berne Memorial Award 2014 for the development of the Functional Fluency model, which confirmed the application of this model in psychotherapy practice, counseling, education and organizations.
The representative or Connector for Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina is our organization.
If you are a trainer, coach, psychotherapist, advisor, mentor, consultant and are interested in using the TIFF questionnaire in your practice and becoming a Provider, please contact us.