What (Arche)Type of Leader Are You?
Putting the Jungian Archetypes to work.
Are you a Creator?
An Explorer?
A Caregiver?
Or maybe a Magician?
Chances are you lead in the style of one of these Archetypes created by psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung.
Carl Jung's Archetypes are personas. Also seen as patterns or symbols that he believed exist in everyone's mind. These patterns help shape how we see the world and influence our behavior. Jung thought that understanding these common archetypes, like the Explorer or the Caregiver, could help us better understand ourselves and others better.
I work with a lot of leaders and I see different types; Archetypes, if you will.
How about you? Do you see yourself in any these Jungian Archetypes below:
The Explorer. This persona wants to explore the world and create new things for a better life.
The Rebel. This persona wants to break or change the rules to bring about some kind of revolution.
The Caregiver. This persona looks out for people and wants to help others.
The Hero. This persona believes that anything is possible and through courageous acts they can improve any situation or the world at large.
The Creator. This persona imagines the possibilities and creates all manner of things.
The Sage. This persona is the wise one; a seeker and bringer of truth.
The Magician. This persona makes incredible things happen and brings about things people dream about.
The Ruler. This persona is all about command and control and the creation of a community of followers.
The Jester. This persona is the happy go-lucky sort, always looking to conjure up a laugh and have a good time.
The Lover. This persona is all about creating intimacy and strives to be in a relationship.
The Innocent. This persona is all about freedom and wants to bring people to a place where all can be happy.
The Orphan. This persona believes everyone is created equal. Their quest is to belong. And make other feel a sense of belonging as well.
Suffice it to say, you are not only one Archetype. Fact is, you may have to act as a different Archetype in different situations.
Yet, with the leaders I work with, one of the Archetype tends to dominate their leadership style.
I see Creators who make amazing things. I see Caregivers who want to “protect their pack.” I see Heroes who truly believe anything is possible.
It helps to understand what your dominant Archetype is. After all, you will see what you’re prioritizing through the lens of this persona. You might also see what “vibes” you’re giving off and that might help you understand other people’s reaction to you.
Nothing is set in stone here.
But an understanding of your Archetype will help with your self-awareness. And if you’re looking to change something about yourself, maybe start with the Archetype you are. And think about the one you’d like to be.
Image: Matt Shearing