How are personality types in the workplace effecting your business? Whether you work alone as a sole trader or within a team, it will have an impact. In business, success hinges not only on strategy and market insights, but on understanding human nature. This could be to keep your team running smoothly, to get on with your suppliers, or to retain your clients. Whatever way you look at it, understanding business relationships is vital.
This is where Carl Jung’s archetypes are so helpful. They are a framework that offers insights into the human psyche and how we work. This can very easily be used in the context of how that manifests in the workplace. In this blog, we’ll explore how Jung’s archetypes can help you understand yourself and those around you.
Demystifying Jungian Archetypes
Before looking at how we are going to use this research from an entrepreneurial perspective, let’s first unpack what Jungian archetypes are all about. According to Carl Jung, archetypes are universal, innate symbols and motifs that live within us all. These archetypes represent fundamental aspects of the human experience and how we act accordingly.
With regards to personality types in the workplace, Jungian archetypes give us a way to understand how different personalities can (or can’t) work together. Absolutely everyone has strength that can be utilised, but what is the best way to do it? By recognizing what archetype we are, we can gain deeper insights into ourselves.
These archetypes are universal across all cultures and societies. Each archetype has both positive and negative aspects because:
- They all encompass a wide range of human experiences and behaviours, both positive and negative.
- Human beings are complex, with different emotions, desires, and motivations.
- Archetypes embody a duality of traits, where positive attributes can easily turn into negative ones when taken to extremes. For example, the ‘Hero’ can look like courage and determination but can also lead to arrogance and aggression when unchecked.
- You can achieve balance and harmony within yourself by acknowledging and integrating the positive and working on the negative.
A brief overview of the archetypes.
Initially, we are going to look at all 12 personality types, as this could be anyone you encounter day to day, in or out of a professional environment.
The Hero:
The Hero embodies courage, strength, and the desire to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. You are driven by a sense of purpose and a quest for personal and collective transformation. You inspire others through your bravery and willingness to face challenges head-on, appearing resilient and tenacious. However, an excessive focus on heroism can lead to arrogance, recklessness, or a disregard for others’ well-being. As a result, you may become overly competitive, seeking validation through external achievements at the expense of others.
The Lover:
The Lover represents passion, intimacy, and connection. You may find that you are driven by a deep longing for love and emotional fulfilment. You value intimacy, sensuality, and authentic connections with others. It is important to you to cultivate deep and meaningful relationships in both personal and professional capacities. This can manifest as possessiveness, jealousy, and a tendency towards obsession. You may find that you idealize relationships and people, leading to disappointment and disillusionment when reality fails to meet their expectations.
The Sage:
The Sage is wise, knowledgeable, and insightful. You want to work on yourself to be the best version of you and are known for your ability to mentor, guide, and inspire others with your insights and perspectives. Sage’s can be aloof and have a lack of empathy. You may become overly critical and detached, dismissing others’ perspectives and experiences as inferior to your own.
The Innocent:
The Innocent represents purity, simplicity, and a childlike sense of wonder. You are characterized by your optimism, naivety, and believe that the world is inherently good. You are curious and open to new experiences, viewing life with a sense of awe and innocence. This can manifest as naivety, gullibility, and an unwillingness to confront reality. You may ignore or deny the darker aspects of life, leading to a lack of growth and maturity.
The Explorer:
The Explorer embodies curiosity, adventure, and the quest for discovery. You are driven by a desire to explore new horizons, both physically and metaphorically, so don’t mind uncertainty and challenges as you see them as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Explorer’s actively seek to expand your horizons and push beyond your comfort zones but you may be restless, reckless, and have a disregard for consequences. You may seek constant stimulation and novelty, struggling with commitment and responsibility.
The Creator:
The Creator represents innovation, imagination, and the power of creative expression. You channel your artistic talents and inventive spirit to bring new ideas, products, and experiences into the world. You thrive on the process of creation, finding fulfilment in expressing yourself. This can lead to perfectionism, self-doubt, and a fear of criticism. You may struggle with feelings of inadequacy and failure which will hold you back from reaching your full potential.
The Ruler:
The Ruler has authority and is a natural born leader. You have a strong sense of responsibility and a desire for order and stability. You excel at planning and decision-making, commanding respectand loyalty from others. This can lead to tyranny, authoritarianism, and a fear of losing control. You may become dictatorial and oppressive, prioritizing your own interests over the well-being of others.
The Caregiver:
The Caregiver is compassionate, nurturing, and selfless. You have a deep desire to support and care for others, offering unconditional love, empathy, and support. You are fulfilled from serving the needs of others and creating a sense of safety and belonging. This could lead to martyrdom, co-dependency, and manipulation. You may sacrifice your own needs excessively, leading to resentment and a sense of being taken advantage of by others.
The Jester:
The Jester embodies humour, playfulness, and the power of laughter. You are an entertainer who uses wit and humour to lighten the mood and bring joy to others. With a knack for seeing the silly side of life, you infuse situations with laughter. You may find you are irresponsible with a tendency towards escapism. You may use humour as a defence mechanism to avoid dealing with serious issues, leading to a lack of authenticity.
The Magician:
The Magician represents transformation and mastery. You bring about profound change and transformation with a deep understanding of self and use your knowledge and intuition to manifest your own desires. You can be manipulative, deceptive, and misuse power, disregarding ethical considerations and harming others in the process.
The Rebel:
The Rebel embodies defiance, independence, and the quest for freedom. You challenge the status quo and question authority in pursuit of your ideals and values. You refuse to be bound by societal norms or conventions, forging your own path and inspiring others to question the limitations imposed upon them. Rebel’s may be defiant, rebellious for the sake of it, and have a lack of regard for rules or authority. When questioning personality types in the workplace, you may find this person is the most difficult employee to manage.
The Orphan:
The Orphan represents vulnerability, resilience, and the search for belonging. This archetype has experienced loss or adversity and are bravely navigating life’s challenges. You seek connection and support from others, longing to find a sense of belonging and acceptance in a world that can often feel uncertain and unpredictable, you may have feelings of abandonment, victimization, and powerlessness. You may also may struggle with self-pity and a sense of hopelessness, unable to see opportunities for growth or change.
Can you be more than one archetype?
In short, yes. You can personify multiple archetypes either simultaneously or at different points in your life. Archetypes are not mutually exclusive but rather coexist within your psyche in different degrees of prominence.
For example, you may identify with the Caregiver archetype, expressing nurturing and compassionate qualities in your relationships with others. However, you may also have traits of the Rebel archetype because you have a desire for independence and nonconformity in certain situations.
Additionally, you may experience shifts in which archetypes are more dominant depending on your life circumstances, personal growth, and developmental stages.
Some people have a clear dominant archetype that influences their personality. On the other hand, some have a balance of multiple archetypes.
The combination and interplay of this is due to the complexity and uniqueness of each of us, no one is the same!
How about in business?
I could write a whole book speaking about personality types in the workplace! Below are just a few archetypes and a short description as to how they lend themselves to businesses.
The Entrepreneur as the Hero
One of the most common archetypes in entrepreneurialism is the hero. The Hero embodies qualities such as courage, determination, and a relentless drive to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.
Entrepreneurs who embody the Hero archetype are visionaries who fearlessly pursue their dreams and inspire others to follow suit. Heroes are leaders that inspire others with their boldness and tenacity. They thrive in high-pressure environments and are often found at the helm of ground-breaking start-ups and ambitious ventures.
However, the hero’s journey is not without its pitfalls. Entrepreneurs who become too entrenched in the Hero archetype risk burnout, as they shoulder the weight of their ambitions alone. To avoid this, it’s crucial to cultivate humility, resilience, and a willingness to seek support and guidance from others.
The Mentor as the Sage
With regards to personality types in the workplace, mentors play a key role in guiding entrepreneurs. The Sage represents wisdom, insight, and a deep understanding of the intricacies of the business world.
Mentors offer knowledge and guidance, giving advice, perspective, and mentorship. The Sage embodies wisdom, knowledge, and a thirst for learning so are amazing in this role. Sages are valued for their expertise, strategic thinking, and ability to see the big picture.
For entrepreneurs, embracing the Sage archetype means that you recognise the value of mentorship and lifelong learning. By doing this you will gain access to invaluable insights and wisdom that can help you navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and achieve your goals.
The Collaborator as the Caregiver
Entrepreneurs who embody the caregiver archetype recognize the importance of cultivating strong relationships built on trust, respect, and mutual support. By nurturing their team members and creating a culture of collaboration and empathy, they create a cohesive and high-performing team that can achieve extraordinary results.
Caregivers excel in roles that involve mentorship, support, and fostering a sense of community within the workplace. They prioritize the well-being of their team members and are adept at creating a supportive and inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.
The Innovator as the Creator
The creator archetype embodies qualities such as creativity, imagination, and a pioneering spirit. Innovators who embody the creator archetype constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible and bringing bold ideas to life. In any personality types in the workplace considerations, these people are essential for growth.
For entrepreneurs, embracing the creator archetype involves tapping into their innate creativity and embracing a mindset of experimentation and exploration. By encouraging creative thinking among their team members, they can unleash the full potential of their organization and drive sustainable growth and success.
What kind of jobs are sited to what archetypes?
The Innocent:
Occupations may include roles in childcare, teaching, or counselling. Their optimism, purity of heart, and desire to maintain a sense of goodness and simplicity make them well-equipped to nurture and support others, especially in environments focused on growth and development.
The Explorer:
This archetype is drawn to professions that allow them to seek out new experiences, challenge the status quo, and push boundaries. Careers in travel, exploration, entrepreneurship, or outdoor adventure may resonate with their adventurous spirit and desire for freedom and self-discovery.
The Sage:
Jobs that require wisdom, insight, and a deep understanding of the human condition are well-suited. This may include roles in academia, psychology, counselling, or spiritual guidance, where their intellectual curiosity and desire for understanding can be fully realized.
The Hero:
Heroes are drawn to professions that allow them to demonstrate courage, strength, and resilience in the face of adversity. Careers in emergency services, military service, leadership roles, or social activism may appeal to their desire to make a meaningful impact and overcome challenges for the greater good.
The Rebel:
Occupations that challenge authority, question societal norms, and champion individual freedom will resonate. This may include roles in advocacy, activism, law, or creative industries, where their rebellious spirit and nonconformist attitude can be expressed constructively.
The Magician:
These people are drawn to professions that involve creativity, transformation, and the pursuit of knowledge. Careers in the arts, therapy, coaching, or technology may appeal to their ability to envision possibilities, inspire change, and harness the power of imagination and innovation.
The Lover:
Lovers are drawn to professions that involve passion, intimacy, and emotional connection. Careers in counselling, relationship coaching, the arts, or hospitality may appeal to their ability to foster deep connections, inspire others, and celebrate the beauty of life and love.
The Jester:
Careers that involve humour, spontaneity, and entertainment will resonate. This may include roles in comedy, performance arts, marketing, or event planning, where their ability to bring joy and laughter to others can be fully expressed.
The Caregiver:
Caregivers are drawn to professions that involve nurturing, compassion, and service to others. Careers in healthcare, social work, teaching, or counselling may appeal to their innate desire to support, heal, and empower those in need.
The Creator:
Occupations that involve creativity, innovation, and self-expression are well suited. This may include roles in design, writing, entrepreneurship, or the arts, where their ability to bring ideas to life and inspire others with their vision can flourish.
The Ruler:
Ruler archetype are drawn to personality types in the workplace that involve leadership, authority, and responsibility. Careers in management, politics, executive roles, or entrepreneurship may appeal to their natural ability to organize, strategize, and create order in complex situations.
So, what now?
Hopefully, you are now able to identify yourself. You’re not qualified to identify those around you, but this should give you a good idea so that you can consider personality types in the workplace.
Overall, understanding Carl Jung’s archetypes in the workplace offers you insight that means that you can actively work to build a culture of self-awareness, collaboration, and innovation in your workplace. If you would like help with this, why not consider coaching? We can either offer one off appointments, or a block of sessions to help you to make the very best out of your business. Just click here.