How to get more out of your people by tapping into the secret drivers of their behaviour.
Human beings aren’t that unique when you think about it. I’m sure you have come across the same type of character in your personal and professional life. The reason for this is that we humans are governed by a finite set of wants and fears, which we call archetypes. How can you use your understanding of archetypes to increase your meeting and conversation productivity and get the best out of your people and conversations? Read on for more.
We are familiar with archetypes from the characters of the books we read, the films we watch and also from the meetings and social gatherings we attend. Put simply, an archetype is a person’s character who symbolises a specific set of universal, recognisable behaviours. Archetypes are the living system of reactions and aptitudes that determine an individual’s life in hidden ways. They are the secret forces behind human behaviour. Because archetypes reside in the unconscious — the part of our minds we aren’t aware of — they influence us without us even knowing it. Not only do they influence us, archetypes also influence our relationships and interactions with others and ourselves. It’s not a question of whether archetypes are influencing our behaviour - but it is a matter of degrees.
Carl Jung, one of the forefathers of psychoanalysis, suggested that they are part of the human collective unconscious. He believed that these archetypical figures are part of the fabric that is common to all humans. Knowing and understanding archetypes can help you to communicate with others more effectively by tapping into the invisible structure of the value system of your people.
Let’s review the "who's who in the room" and the roles archetypes play in our conversations and daily lives and see how you can engage on a more meaningful level with purpose and confidence. Archetypes are divided into four categories, Seeking either harmony and fulfilment, aiming to leave a legacy, or longing to connect with others, and the last category longs to provide structure and stability.
Archetypes who seek harmony and fulfilment.
Do you have meetings with self-empowered and independent thinkers? Does this person love to cut through the noise to give simple, honest and sometimes even frank suggestions or solutions? Whether it’s through creating safety, understanding, or freedom, the Innocent, the Sage and the Explorer archetypes want to empower themselves and others to search for an authentic and fulfilling solution to the problem that leads to harmony and bliss - without the fluff. Let's explore them in more detail.
The Innocent is pure, virtuous and faultless, the eternal optimist. This archetype’s glass is always half full. The Innocent lacks traits of trickery and corruption. In its most powerful expression, the Innocent embodies a sense of unity and acceptance and can be the virtuous voice in the room. The shadow version of the innocent is the victim. They are often gullible, helpless, and powerless and may find themselves being taken advantage of or being in situations where they feel hesitant and out of control.
The Sage is motivated by independence, cognitive fulfilment and facts. This archetype has a foundational identity attachment to the belief that thinking is what defines the human experience. The sage responds well to an expert opinion but is inherently a sceptic. Possessing a high need for autonomy, the sage values learning for its own sake because it allows for the capacity to remain objective. The shadow of the sage asserts itself in tendencies of being critical and dogmatic in their views.
The Explorer is motivated by a powerful craving for new experiences. Greatly valuing autonomy, the Explorer has a core desire to be free of the "establishment", but not necessarily to have to challenge it. This archetype is willing to do just about anything to avoid boredom and entrapment, even if it means taking great risks. The explorer is known to push boundaries and finds fulfilment in unexpected discoveries. The explorer can be rootless, aimless, and directionless. Those who identify with this shadow archetype may find themselves constantly moving from place to place or changing jobs frequently.
Archetypes who seek to leave a legacy.
Are you meeting with confident people who are driven to leave a mark and make an impression? You might find yourself in a room full of rule breakers and risk takers with the Outlaw, the Magician and the Hero. Whether it’s through revolution, excellence, or vision, these archetypes want to inspire and empower themselves and the people around them to be the best versions of themselves. Making an impression on the world is a duty, a privilege, and a calling.
The Outlaw is a force to be reckoned with, representing the voice that’s had enough. The Outlaw, although a challenging character at times, is a key to change as a driver of fresh perspectives. The Outlaw thrives on challenging convention by questioning the status quo and pushing the envelope. With a forceful attitude, courage and power, the Outlaw can help to push through fears and find new methods for success. However, the shadow of the outlaw can act fiercely and be extreme and employ disruptive or startling habits to shock those they interact with out of complacency.
The Magician is known to be dynamic, influential, charismatic and clever. This archetype has an inborn sense of curiosity about the hidden workings of the laws that govern the world we live in. Driven by invisible forces, the Magician manifests ideas into reality. Able to accomplish the seemingly impossible, the Magician gets results outside of the ordinary rules of life. On the flip side, hidden in the shadow, their power can get away from them, and they may easily cause chaos or harm without intending to. Along the same lines, the Magician may easily become corrupted when their power gets to their head.
The Hero comes into their own by overcoming great odds in successfully achieving extraordinary acts of strength, courage and excellence. The Hero is admired by those who appreciate the self-sacrifice, energy and courage required to triumph over adversity. The essence of the Hero lies in the willingness to make great sacrifices to achieve their goal. The dark side of the Hero might feel motivated to proclaim his superiority and his right to dominate others. Beneath this heroic exterior, however, can lie cowardice and deep insecurities.
Archetypes that thrive on connection.
Do some of the people you meet love being with others and spend hours talking and building relationships? Whether it’s through creating a sense of belonging, familiarity, or enjoyment, these personalities want to help themselves and others to get the most out of their time on this planet. Connecting deeply with others is a pleasure, a joy, and a driving purpose.
The Lover possesses an unbridled appreciation and affection for beauty, closeness and collaboration. Motivated to attract, give, receive and nurture. the Lover promotes happiness and harmony with a life-affirming attitude and is strengthened by great passion. This results in an experience of devotion that goes beyond a fleeting emotion or mindset and becomes a way of being. The Lover is an archetype of transformation and ideas that are driven by passion. The Seducer is the shadow version of the lover. This is the archetype that takes passion to the extreme, they can be manipulative, and alluring.
The Jester seeks to joyfully live in the moment. Able to bend perspective, twist meanings and interpret events and people in surprising ways, the Jester can speak truth to those in power. The Jester appreciates wonder, change, surprise and wicked intellect. Boldly genuine, irreverent and mischievous, this archetype sees life as a wild and crazy playground of opportunity. The shadow of the jester is the clown and can often act careless, irresponsible, and make light of serious situations without considering the long-term implications.
The Everyman or woman is driven by a need to feel a sense of belonging and believes that everyone matters equally, regardless of status, age, ethnicity or creed. Like a friendly, folksy neighbour always willing to help, the Everyman seeks to do the right thing, with no need for heroism or adventure and prefers a casual approach to life, choosing to be understated, and non-threatening. The Shadows of the Everyman is fearsome of individualism and being left out of the group. They have a fear of abandonment and not belonging. In extreme forms, this often results in a complete lack of self and identity.
Archetypes that provide structure and stability.
The last three archetypes are connected by their core motivation to provide structure. The Creator, The Ruler, and The Caregiver all aspire to oversee and tend to the people around them through innovation, control and acts of service. People who identify with these archetypes want to help others to be the absolute best versions of themselves. If that sounds like your manager or supervisor—or the person you are wanting to employ—read on for a deep look into these extraordinary archetypes.
The Caregiver wants to provide a structure through service and is driven by altruism. The warm devotion to nurture and care for others is their core driver. This archetype is compassionate, generous, efficient, highly competent and an excellent multitasker. The Caregiver remains calm in a crisis, can connect with everyone they meet, and radiates the lightness of optimism. The Martyr is the shadow version of the caregiver. This is the archetype that takes caregiving to the extreme. They are self-sacrificing and codependent and often hold on to relationships or jobs where they are not appreciated for who they are.
The Ruler represents power and control and is motivated to lead. The Ruler provides structure by taking command. Not afraid to rise to any occasion this archetype is a trustworthy, powerful, successful, charismatic, and natural leader. The Ruler’s position is forged by creating order from chaos rather than inherited. This archetype is a realist and finds meaning in creating structures and environments that are congruous, productive and constructive. In its shadow form, this archetype can take the form of a tyrant or dictator.
The Creator has a passionate need for self-expression and never shies away from a challenge. the Creator archetype celebrates the spirit of innovation and jumps on any opportunity to highlight their ingenuity. Innovation is the sandbox for their self-expression. The Creator is highly imaginative, with a developed sense of aesthetics. This archetype appreciates a peculiar point of view and acts upon their need for innovation, invention and reinterpretation. The Perfectionist is the shadow version of the creator. They are their own most brutal critic and often find themselves feeling disappointed with their work. They might also find themselves procrastinating or not finishing projects.
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Summary
Carl Jung believed that each archetype plays a role in our personality, but pointed out that most people are dominated by one specific archetype. How an archetype is represented or expressed relies upon several elements, including one's cultural influences, traditional upbringing, value and belief systems, environment and uniquely individual experiences.
Becoming mindful of the character traits of each archetype and understanding how the archetype thinks and acts will allow you to connect on a more meaningful level with those you meet. So the next time you get stuck with a 'difficult personality,' ask yourself what is their archetype and how you can connect to it. And with a bit of training, you might start to notice a very welcomed positive change in your meeting or conversational dynamic.