Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Sunday 4th September 2011 | 3 comments
I was talking to a client last week about how she loved to come up with ideas, but was less interested in the follow-through. Her creative satisfaction came in the gestation of the idea, not the hands-on making part. I used some material I have had for ages, about creative archetypes, to contrast the 'Generator' and the 'Maker'.
This stuff is adapted in part from Carol Lloyd's Creating a Life Worth Living. Lloyd says that we all draw on a number of creative archetypes, and generally have one or two that predominate.
My client found it really useful, and I thought you might, too. Read through the list and see if you can identify your style.
Maker
Makers like to actually make things; they are kinaesthetic and like using their hands - they doodle rather than daydreaming.
Strength: actually creating and finishing something
Challenge: finding valued work, explaining their ideas in words
Teacher
Teachers love to give information and share knowledge, and are excited by
communication, learning and interaction. They often prefer small group environments, where they're in charge without too much personal focus.
Strength: ability to inspire and communicate to others
Challenge: can turn into a know-it-all
Thinker
Thinkers love to just think - they tend to value the idea even more than the realisation of it; it's about concept over form. They like interpreting, analysing and theorising, and love unsolved problems.
Strength: able to sit with a conundrum until they solve it
Challenge: communicating their idea, getting paid to think
Realiser
Realisers get things done - they are versatile, like a challenge, enjoy solving real life problems, but often prefer to be behind the scenes.
Strength: motivated to finish things, time management, can juggle lots of elements
Challenge: being co-opted to realise other people's dreams
Interpreter
Interpreters take something that already exists and bring it to life in new ways.
They combine intellect, steadiness and flashes of genius.
Strength: driven by the work, not ego; skills are in demand
Challenge: being midwife for other people's projects, finding their own passions
Generator
Generators manufacture ideas and schemes. They have enormous enthusiasm and initiative, and love beginnings. They enjoy brainstorming and dislike repetition.
Strength: lots of ideas, enthusiastic
Challenge: actually realising their ideas, staying with one project, finishing anything
Healer
Healers want to nurture - they are very sensitive to emotional states, and tend to be socially conscious.
Strength: caring, motivated
Challenge: burn out, getting paid
Leader
Effective leaders create visions that inspire or persuade people to move toward a common goal.
Strength: powerful, unstoppable
Challenge: using power responsibly, not team players
Inventor
Inventors create new forms, objects and ideas (unlike generators, inventors get off on the project, not just the idea). They may need to team up with a practical collaborator.
Strength: belief in self, can manifest an idea
Challenge: can lose track of reality, impractical, hard to communicate their ideas
Mystic
Mystics are not really product-oriented - they tap into spiritual energy, create moments, moods and ambiences.
Strength: independent thinkers, lives of simplicity, value-driven
Challenge: being respected in our product-oriented society
The individual archetypes fall into two broad clusters - working collaboratively (as part of a team or with others) and working alone.
Collaborative: Leader Teacher Realiser Healer Interpreter
Solo: Generator Inventor Maker Mystic Thinker
So, what archetypes do you relate to? Which would you like to develop more of?
Which is missing from your team or workplace? How can you plug any gaps?
How can you maximise your creative effectiveness and satisfaction by understanding your style?
Tag: creativity
Thanks for this morning wake up call, Joanna! I've just realised that my dominant archetype is 'interpreter' - so although I also love coming up with my own ideas I put them aside to help others bring their projects to life. And yes, that skill is in demand, so I need to be proactive about making time to let the 'generator' have its space. Hmmm... food for thought! It's a great way to look at team balance as well.
Sara, thank you. Great insight into the challenges of the interpreter - and yes, I use these (with a few tweaks) in my corporate work as well. It's great to see your archetype (strengths and challenges) in a neutral way.
I was talking to someone last night who was intrigued by this archetype list, but struggled to work out which one (or more than one) they fitted. I suggested this - it might be useful to you, too. Think back to the last time you started something new - it might be a business project (not just routine client work, some new venture) or planning a family holiday or a home project. Think about whether you enjoyed the idea phase most, or the follow-though, or whether you wanted to collaborate with others, or to grab another's idea and help them bring it to life. Did you need to be in charge, or were you happy to 'produce' the project from behind the scenes. Were you a perfectionist about it, or happy to focus on the big picture? Then, have a look at the list again, and see if it becomes clearer...