Which of the following is NOT one of the six core empowering interactions?

• A. Listening
• B. Reflective Statements
• C. Relating Statements and Empathy
• D. Giving direct orders to change behavior

Answer: (D)

Empowering interactions are ways to engage with someone that honor their autonomy, build trust, and support collaboration toward their goals. Listening shows you’re truly hearing and valuing what the person is saying, which validates their experience. Reflective statements help ensure you understood them correctly and give them space to articulate thoughts more clearly. Relating statements and empathy connect you to their feelings and experiences, signaling that you’re on their side and not just giving advice from afar. Giving direct orders to change behavior, however, is not empowering because it directs what the person must do rather than inviting their input, reflection, or ownership of the process. It can feel controlling and undermine motivation and independence. So the option that involves giving direct orders is not part of these empowering interactions.