![[Mandala by Clare Goodwin]](../images/flower.gif)
The Seven Psychosynthesis Types Applied to Management Style
by John W. Cullen, Ph.D.
Contents
- Will
- Love
- Active/Practical
- Harmony
- Scientist
- Devotion
- Organizer
1. Will
The Will type is characterized by an attraction to power. This type is
probably most often seen as the "rugged individual" by other people as
well as by themselves. Ideals tend to center around growth of the individual in
the organization and opportunities for success of the individual. At the physical
level, this type is noted for prompt and decisive action, courage, the power and
need to conquer, rule, and dominate. This type will tend to be very competitive
and will therefore naturally favor capitalistic organizations where competitiveness
will be rewarded. Unfortunately, these tendencies often lead to violence and
destructiveness. While these attributes are not always bad, they are, to say the
least, generally very distracting and nonproductive in organizations.
Emotionally, Will types are introverted, not wishing to express themselves or
open themselves up to criticism in any way. For the most part, any displays of
emotionalism are inhibited, and the Will type goes so far as to consider these
emotions to be dangerous, obstacles to their overall success. People with strong
Will types will likewise have little consideration for the feelings of others,
can hurt other people easily and unknowingly, and will have little empathy in
organizations. Meetings and other organizational gatherings will be viewed as
forums for possible advancement or alternately as a boring waste of time if no
such opportunity exists. When the emotions are involved for the Will type,
there will be a tendency to display impatience, aggressiveness, and undue
irritation. In lacking feelings for themselves and with the lack of
consideration for others, this type is adapted to making great deeds of
heroic proportion, having no fear and being capable of great self-sacrifice
for the right cause. As such, this type is well-suited to leadership roles in
large organizations and corporations, and is definitely not prone to
"analysis paralysis."
Mentally, Will types have clear vision, uncolored and undistorted by
feelings. Thus, they are capable of making objective business decisions,
although they may have a decided self-interest in doing so. This type
also has great perseverance and reflects great powers of concentration.
As Will types have great pride in their superiority in a given area, they
will express their combativeness frequently in their love of criticism
and argument. This is a primary deficiency in the Will types'
organizational effectiveness, as their propensity to criticize is often
developed to an extreme. This, combined with a position of power and
authority, has a great potential for hurt and destructiveness.
Will types are not interested in the psychology of others or even
themselves for that matter. As such, these types tend to suffer in their
relationships. The very attributes that make these types successful in
business will cause them a great deal of anguish in their personal
interactions (both on and off the job). These attributes include
egocentrism, emotional isolation, and lack of sensitivity. However, with
regard to business acumen, these types occasionally display amazing
intuitive abilities in the form of "gut feel." This generally comes in a
business situation where an immediate, practical solution is required,
and the business person calls upon their business experience from the
realm of their subconscious.
As leaders, Will types are excellent. These are the people who are
self-confident and know that they were "born to lead." They tend
to exude a great deal of charisma, are usually good at public speaking, and
as such, can easily find people to follow them. Their leadership styles tend
to be direct, simple, aggressive, and non-approachable. They deal with
business problems from a position of power, and fully expect that
intimidation will benefit them in the organization. Other attributes
displayed by the Will type are: an acute sense of justice, a respect for
law and order, self-reliance, internal independence, a strong sense of
morality, steadiness, simplicity of purpose, generosity, an impatience
with detail, and impartiality. Besides business leaders, other
occupations that would attract the Will types would be politicians,
police officers, judges, and career soldier. Examples of Will types would
be Adolf Hitler, Richard Nixon, Howard Hughes, J. Paul Getty Jr., and
Ronald Reagan.
In organizations, the task of Will types is to align and harmonize with
the other components and other types within the organization. As this
type is markedly independent, there will be a tendency to operate from an
isolated perspective, refusing the input of others. This is particularly
dangerous when the input is of a technical nature, and technology is the
business of the organization. Therefore, the objective should be to
cooperate with, rather than dominate and direct others. An emphasis on
participation in groups, while bothersome and tiring to this type, will
provide a synthesis of group and individual objectives. Also, while the
pace of group decision-making may be slower than that to which the Will
type is accustomed, this type may be comforted in that the decisions
which result will generally be better organizationally than those made by
any one individual. While this may be threatening to Will types who are
the heads of a large organizations, they may again be comforted by the
knowledge that American business organizations will never lose the need
for those individuals who can take quick, decisive action when required.
The Will type will never become obsolete in business.
2. Love
The Love type is the opposite of the Will type in virtually all respects.
Where Will types look for power and individualism in organizations, the
Love types look for the human element and are at their best while
participating in groups. Ideals for the Love types include looking out
for the welfare of employees in a organization and the "humanizing" of
group decision-making processes. At the physical level, Love types tend
to be possessive of material objects and can many times be preoccupied
with money and property. This might take the form of an intense yearning
for luxury items and expensive material objects. Likewise, these types
are prone to becoming self-indulgent and somewhat lazy and can be found
seeking out a high comfort level. Their relationships with others can be
either warm and friendly or cold and stand-offish. This depends on the
age, maturity, and development of the individual. In the case of a Love
type who has matured, relationships will be warm and rapport will be
established easily. In this case, relationships are not seen as a threat.
In the opposing case Love types who perhaps have been hurt in previous
relationships will build a wall around themselves to prevent others from
getting near. The Love type may appear cold and uncaring, which is an
apparent inconsistency with the type involved.
The Emotional nature of the Love types become a primary focus in their
day-to-day living routine. This necessarily means that the Love types
draw a great deal of energy from their emotions As a result, romantic and
passionate love is of great importance to this type, which can lead to a
variety of problems in the workplace where people often share emotional
experiences. It is for this type that the current "male-female
relationship in business" workshops hold the most promise, so that men
and women can work harmoniously without unnecessary complications.
Because of the emotional intensity which a Love type exhibits, there is a
strong sense of attachment to the organization, and the resulting
empathetic identification may cause this type to behave as if he or she
were the organization, taking threats personally where none was intended.
The Love type will generally write this off to "being especially
sensitive" to the needs of the employees, people, or the organization in
general. A common scenario which is repeated many times over in almost
every company is the situation where the Love type might say to the Will
type: "How can you do something like this to me? I'd never do this to
you!" to which the Will type would respond: "What are you getting so
excited about?" This conversation is just one of many that illustrates
the wide emotional gap in perspective between opposing types.
Love types are best utilized within organizations in positions where
counselling may be needed by other employees. This might include
personnel, purchasing, or administrative staff positions. Also, on the
mental level, these types tend to have an inclination toward knowledge
and details. As such, these types tend to be good in accounting and
finance. Love types who are highly polarized at the mental level can
appear cold and insensitive, an apparent contradiction with their type.
However, this generally indicates that the individual just spends much of
his or her time at the mental level. In general, Love types are very
interested in the psychology of people, having compassion and sensitivity
toward those with whom they work. In those Love types who exhibit
egocentric tendencies, this compassion can easily degenerate into
self-pity, a chief organizational flaw for the Love type.
The most developed of the Love types will be highly intuitive, and this
can provide them with remarkable insights. Most interactions, however,
will continue to be at the emotional level where intuitions can become
clouded and confused. It is important, then, for Love types to provide
themselves with occasional environments where distraction is minimal and
where clarity of vision can be achieved. Since Love types realize
themselves through relationships, they are easily influenced by others.
In this regard, they crave the stimulation provided by other people and
will generally work better in groups than alone. They tend to see all
sides of an issue in their inclusive inclination, which produces a wide
field of vision, but sometimes this also produces a lack of resolution.
In leadership roles, Love types have many obstacles to overcome. This is
due to the natural predilection toward other people's approval. In other
words, it is very important to the Love types to have other people like
them. This makes it very hard for the Love types to achieve some of the
skills necessary to be good leaders. For example, public speaking will be
necessarily difficult to the Love types because they will need to be up
in front of people where they can view them. And then they must worry
about making a mistake in front of all those people. This is a very
distressing thought to the Love type. Also, taking charge of a meeting of
middle managers, for example, will be out of character for this type (e.g
exerting one's will on a group). Thus, the Love types have many hurdles
to overcome. However, if these impediments are dealt with, the Love types
have an opportunity to become excellent leaders, possessing synthesis
between compassion for the group and accomplishment of the task. Also,
they will have the capability of leading from a position of true
inspiration, perhaps in the role of facilitators or negotiators.
Attributes of the Love type include: wisdom, understanding, concern for
humanity, desire to unify, and friendship. Occupations where this type
might excel are jobs as teacher, nurse, counselor, and psychologist.
The primary task of Love types in organizations is to attain
nonattachment. In doing so, they will eliminate from their nature the
elements of greed and possessiveness, allowing an internal freedom to
operate with full consideration for others. Also, this will enable Love
types to not consider personally all things that occur in the
organization. This will allow them to work with a certain degree of
objectivity, an attribute which they usually need. Another task of the
Love types is to eliminate from their nature the weaknesses and
limitations in working within organizations. In this regard, a strong
will is needed to help control the effects of an otherwise uncontrolled
love for the organization and its people, which usually has ramifications
of the most complex nature. This is not say that organizations don't need
Love types. The need for compassion in our corporate structures is great
and will remain so for many years to come. However, the giving of oneself
to the organization must be controlled and planned within the framework
established by both.
3. Active/Practical
The Active type is characterized by intelligent activity and is highly
prevalent in business environments. This type will usually be seen as the
entrepreneur or sometimes at lower levels of development, the
manipulator. Generally, in business, this type can be associated with the
manufacturing and sales of some physical thing. Also, this type will
quite often utilize some form of tool in the creation of a new
enterprise, such as the recent explosion of high-tech companies who
utilize or manufacture micro-computers. Ideals for this type tends to
involve the creation of something - a form of organization, an invention,
whatever - where nothing existed before.
This type may be preoccupied by the process of making money, as the
object which ultimately decides value and wealth In this pursuit, there
is a similarity with the Love type. However, upon examination, it can be
found that there is an important difference between the two types in this
area. While Love types desire the luxury that money can bring, they place
no inherent value in money itself or how it was obtained. Thus, their
love of luxury could just as easily come from a sweepstakes win or
inheritance as from the building of a successful enterprise. The Active
type, however, is interested in the process of making money and in the
gamesmanship associated in creation of wealth. As such, the frequent
phrase of the Active type is to ask how much a person is worth. This is
the standard way to evaluate the achievement of a person's success to the
Active type.
On a physical level, Active types often tend to have a great ability to
construct and repair items, being comfortable with their manual ability.
As they tend to be intensely practical, they are persistent and clever
enough to see how an object, or an invention, might be ultimately
utilized in the marketplace. They are also quite confident in their
ability to manipulate matter and people, to be able to bend situations to
their benefit. As these situations occur around them in the outside
world, they are "plugged in" most of the time, and are very realistic
in their perspective. As their functioning is largely in the outside world,
most Active types are primarily extroverted in their personality traits.
The Emotional nature of the Active type is also extroverted in its
expression. Thus, this type is usually impulsive and immediately
reactive, and an animated response can normally be expected. Although
people of this type are ordinarily very efficient, they have an
inclination to be rash and impatient. It is very difficult, indeed, for
this type to be deliberate, waiting for the right moment or perhaps
waiting for group input. With regard to feelings and those situations
which require sensitivity, this type is typically at a loss. For this
reason, this type has extreme difficulties with their interpersonal
relationships, particularly those with romantic implications. Also, this
type simply has no use for psychology, either for themselves or for
others, instead wishing to involve themselves with only concrete and
practical items. With regard to their job, these types can isolate their
feelings, simply not paying any attention to them, and this will not
usually affect their job performance. Besides situations which affect
their feelings, items which require an aesthetic determination from these
types will produce only disinterest. Some Active types have been known to
own precious works of art, not due to their artistic importance, but
because it is fashionable and affords them an elevated status in their
communities.
On the mental level, this type displays an interesting dichotomy. In most
cases, people of this type will exhibit great intelligence, be mentally
active and alert, be enterprising, and find good solutions to perplexing
problems. However, if the subject matter becomes too abstract as to lose its
practical value, this type will instantly lose interest and turn its
attention to something else. Thus, discussions involving principle, or
other subjects that they consider to be too superficial will hold no
interest for them. Also, in situations where a degree of intuition is
required, this type will generally be incapacitated. Although this type
will occasionally reflect a "gut feel" that turns out to be accurate,
this is rarely more than a subconscious perspective derived from years of
accumulated experience in business. In this instance, it is more probable
that the insight is a behavioral pattern more than a result of receptive
or reflective thought. In summary, this type is rarely open to real
intuition, something that he or she would consider highly perfunctory.
The Active type generally falls within the Will sub-group of types (e.g
First, Third, Fifth and Seventh types), but in many aspects this type is
independent from all other types. In addition, the Active type can be
reflected as a strong second type with every other strong type. This is
usually not the case with the other types. In that respect, this type
does not seem to be threatening to other types but can complement them
all. In leadership situations, the Active type has some interesting
strengths and weaknesses. On the strength side, this type will recognize
the need for input from all concerned personnel. This is from the
practical need to make the individuals feel as though they are involved,
which brings us to the weaknesses. This type has an overbearing tendency
toward manipulation. As a rule, people of this type will be much more
aware of the organizational process than, say, the Will type. However,
their awareness many times will be utilized to manipulate the process or
the involved people to satisfy their own needs. This type will generally
not be comfortable in large group meetings, where manipulation is harder,
but is more at ease in smaller groups or one-to-one where the opportunity
to manipulate is greater. Other attributes of the Active type are: love
of risk-taking, skill in action, efficiency, quickness, excessive
"busyness," hyper-activity, and concern for wealth. Many business
executives will fall into this category of type, some in combination with
the Will or Organizer types. Besides business executives, other
occupations where this type might be found are attorneys, salespeople,
and agents. Examples of the Active type would be Henry Ford and Steven Jobs.
The task of the Third type in organizations is to cultivate the qualities
of the other types, particularly those of the Love and Harmony types.
This will assist this type in the recognition of the intangible, the
importance of psychological qualities in the business world and the
capability to utilize other types in day-to-day applications. This will
also allow this type to control the excesses of his or her hyperactivity,
and to allow time for rest, relaxation and silence. Also, the goal of
personal wealth must be transformed into a more organizational goal. That
is, the desire for personal well-being must become a desire for the
greatest well-being for the greatest number of people. In this way, the
destructive elements of greed can be largely avoided. Under this
scenario, the possession of property might be viewed as a social
responsibility rather than as a sign of wealth, so that an owner of a
valuable painting might be seen as the trustee of the painting rather
than the owner. This seems to be more realistic of the real situation
anyway, since none of us live forever.
4. Harmony
The Harmony type is the "free-spirit" of the seven types and is the
type that is most prone to having difficulty in business. This is because the
ideals of the Harmony type and the structures of American business
organizations are not usually compatible, especially when a profit is to
be made. The ideals of this type include harmony between people and a
working environment that characterizes beauty in some manifestation. This
type will seek to avoid or resolve conflict in an organization, depending
on the development of the individual, not realizing that this conflict is
sometimes the "fine-tuning" that occurs in organizations to make his
or her sharp. So while conflict will be itself the worst thing for this
type, it will be a necessary and sometimes enjoyable experience for other
types in the same organization. It might be analogous to "survival of the
fittest" in the wild, where the weak are killed off so that the strong
can live, to reproduce and make the species strong. In this instance, the
Harmony type will always identify and empathize with the weak.
At the physical level, people of the Harmony type demonstrate a fine
appreciation of beauty, color, and art. This instills in them many
aesthetic qualities and values. Their love of physical beauty and their
desire to create beauty also tends to intensify their sexual impulses,
which, like the love type, can lead to awkward situations in the
workplace. They tend to be demonstrative, though in a refined and stylish
manner, with their motions and nonverbal communication. Emotionally,
individuals of this type are very active and tend to experience emotional
hills and valleys, which comes upon them in great swings depending upon
their interactions in the external world. In this way, they can be
considered to be emotionally introverted, living their lives inwardly
with immense fluctuation. As with all introverts, however, they are
extremely sensitive to the external world and the events that occur in
it. This means that they are sensitive to impressions obtained through
events around them and are influenced easily by other people. Also, their
sensitivity for external events is blended with a robust taste for
fantasy, so that people of this type must take extra care to
differentiate fantasy from reality. As this type truly appreciates
beauty, people of the Harmony type are easily upset by discord, ugliness,
and vulgarity.
At the mental level, the prevailing characteristic is to bring together
opposing viewpoints, to harmonize and unify the different components of
the organization. Thus, this type can be effective in positions where
negotiation is an important tool. Also, as a group facilitator (as
opposed to a group leader), this type would be outstanding. Positions
where this type might be effective are staff-support positions, space
planning/interiors/architecture and training. Other occupations where
this type might be found in large numbers are artists and musicians.
Usually, people of this type are disposed toward combativeness only when
the difference between the beauty of the ideal and the stark ugliness of
the reality become apparent; at this time, Harmony types can be aroused
to fight the stupidity and blindness of those responsible for the
imperfection. Yet another attribute of this type are periods of feverish
activity, which are followed by periods of apathetic inertia, which tend
to occur in periodic cycles. While this occurs to some degree with all of
the types, the swing in activity level for this type is marked by huge
highs and lows within a relatively short period of time.
The Harmony type is apt to be the most intuitive. This is due to his or
her nature of being normally very receptive. There is always an
underlying understanding of which the Harmony tries to avail himself or
herself in external situations. In this regard, this type may look for
hidden meanings or symbols in events or predicaments. During this time,
the Harmony type may appear disorganized and not in control of his or
her own circumstances. However, this tends to be a gestation interval,
when this type is searching for answers from all possible sources. When
the answer is found, another active period will begin; whether the
project will be finished is another story, since the Harmony type is
known to have a problem with staying power. People of this type
ordinarily have several projects in process at the same time, none of
which usually have a completion date on the horizon.
The leadership style of the Harmony type, as previously discussed, is
that of facilitator. It is the preference of this type to be assisting in
the process of a group meeting rather to be in charge of or leading, the
meeting. These types are not particularly comfortable in front of a group
of people, where they can be judged in a leadership role. However, they
can be somewhat comfortable in a facilitating role, where they can be
more participative in the group process. Overall, the personality of this
type tends to be imaginative, dreamy and impractical. There is a
disposition on the part of Harmony types toward extravagance, with no
thought toward value of money or possessions. Other attributes of the
Harmony type are: understanding, solidarity, perceptiveness,
versatility, and generosity. Examples of Harmony types include
Shakespeare and Leonardo da Vinci.
The task of Harmony types in organizations is to achieve discipline and
focus. Normally, much energy will be expended on a variety of projects
with may be just a few resultant project completions. It is necessary
that this type achieve some inner disciplinary clock, to assist in the
increasing of personal productivity. To this end, it might be
advantageous for people of the Harmony type to take Time Management
courses at repeated intervals, to assure that these principles take their
place with other organizational norms. Also, it is incumbent upon people
of this persuasion to pursue courses and seminars that may be somewhat
uncomfortable to them; these might include public speaking, debate, and
marketing/sales. This would assist in offsetting the natural shyness of
this type, while at the same time assisting in the development of their
business skills.
5. Scientist
The fifth type, that of the Scientist, can best be characterized by the
search for truth, and the attention to detail. Ordinarily, this type is
concerned chiefly with those things which can be perceived by the five
senses and is not particularly interested in the larger meaning of life,
psychology, or assigning values to situations. Ideals for people of the
Scientific-type include objective analysis and concrete knowledge.
Answers to problems tend to be black and white, that is, there is a
right way and a wrong way to solve a problem. Rarely are there any gray
areas to a Scientific-type person. Physically, this type is constantly
alert and is interested in the smallest detail of existence, whether
earth-bound or in the heavens. Behind each inquiry that is made is the
need to know why something works or how it came to be. Besides the five
senses, this type is very interested in the development of instruments to
observe phenomena and especially, the determination of the laws that
govern these phenomena.
Emotionally, this type tends to be severely handicapped. Many times, the
Scientific type is viewed to be insensitive, cold and even inhuman. While
others may see this type to be cruel, it is more often the objective
search for truth that causes these characteristics to be demonstrated.
Also, this type has been observed to have an inability to feel human
emotions or to be able to express tenderness. It is hypothesized that the
Scientific type does have a capability toward devotion, but it is toward
either impersonal objects or toward theories and ideas. In this way, this
type will not need to deal with subjects that give him or her problems in
the pursuit of his or her goals. Feelings which are impersonalized can
then be channeled toward purely intellectual purposes.
On the mental level, the Scientific types are at their best. At this
level, this type is depicted as having a tireless mind and investigating
nature, while reflecting the habits of probing, experimenting and
discovering. Some of this type's greatest strengths are faculty for
prolonged attention and great mental concentration. Also, this type has a
gift for accuracy and demands nothing less than perfection in this area.
Commonly, persons of this type are not intuitive, as receptive thought
becomes strangled in the sensory search for truth. As so much of their
energy is expressed on the mental level, the primary weaknesses for the
participation in organizations are also on this level. These weaknesses
include a materialistic outlook, an analytical approach to all things,
destructive criticism, mental pride, arrogance, an exaggerated
concentration on details and a lack of psychological understanding.
In leadership situations, this type has the potential to be very good.
However, care must be taken not to bog meetings down with details or not
to confuse organizational goals with personal ones. If it is possible to
communicate enthusiasm for a project or a discovery or invention, and
this type also has some corresponding communication skills from
complementary types, then there are leadership potentials to explore.
Many Scientific types, however, will have no such interest in managerial
positions, as it would distract them from their primary interest - the
search for the truth. Other occupations where this type might be
prevalent are doctors, engineers, accountants and researcher.
The organizational task of the Fifth type is to control and sublimate the
desire for knowledge. As this is a thirst that is almost totally
engrossing, there will usually be no energy which remains for other
organizational tasks. As such, persons of this type will frequently
offend other members of their work group, sometimes without even knowing
it. The other important task is to emphasize compassion and empathy,
which will bring with them a strong organizational component of
cooperation, that is, seeing the other guy's viewpoint. To facilitate
these tasks, the Scientific type might want to take courses in such
subjects as team building or quality circles. The pursuit of these tasks
should enable a person of the Scientific type to see the larger
perspective of the organization, as opposed to the micro-view of the
individual. This is especially important to the manager or managerial
candidate with strong Fifth-type tendencies.
6. Devotion
The Devotion type can be generally seen as the most emotional of the
seven types. Not only is this type emotional, but it is also proud to be
emotional, as well as being proud of the other attributes usually
displayed by this type. The ideals chosen by this type tend to be easily
identifiable in nature. Therefore, these types are found professing great
and admirable qualities or converting people to their ideologies.
Physically, these types tend to express themselves in such a way as to
evoke an internal response in others, since this is the vehicle of change
for their own gratification. Therefore, their expressions and nonverbal
actions tend to be infused with a sense of importance and urgency. Their
attitudes toward their own bodies can indicate that they consider it an
obstacle in the accomplishment of their own lofty goals. If, in the
pursuit of an ideal, they must place their body in physical peril, they
will not hesitate to do so.
Many times the sixth types will speak of Love; however, the nature of the
Love of which they are concerned is generally of a different fibre. In
this regard, there is a decidedly aggressive quality to the Love of which
they are talking. The emotional life of the Devotion type is intense.
Feelings are passionate and pronounced, even to the point of
exaggeration. It is very difficult for this type to be objective in
organizations. Whereas this type will tend to prefer groups for
decision-making, it is primarily the group that provides the forum for an
impassioned plea for the "right" solution. Mentally, this type can be
somewhat underdeveloped because of the inclination toward frequent
utilization of strong emotions. As a result, this type can become
narrow-minded, intolerant, and critical. The persons who exemplify this
type tend to be proud and vociferous of their opinions, make rapid
judgment, are uncompromising, and will not change their mind, once they
have adopted a theory or attitude. If, by chance, one of their idols or
ideals does not live up to their expectations, they can tear them down in
rejection, with as much hate as they had given love before.
People who exhibit characteristics of this type can be interested in the
psychology of others, but usually for selfish, and certainly not
unconditional, reasons. In attempting to learn about other people, there
is a great deal of projection involved, and the "cause" is deemed to be
most important object of their passions. The attributes of this type also
complement the Will type very well, and as a result, this combination is
frequently seen in business at the higher levels. In both types, there is
a singular nature to the purpose for which the individual strives. Often,
the individual strives for the accomplishment of some higher purpose. And
this opinionated, impassioned idealism is a usual method for the business
executive to show his or her feelings - an accepted method in an
environment which does not reward sentimentality.
Likewise, persons who reflect the Devotion type, especially when
accompanied by the Will type as discussed above, can be outstanding
leaders. They can give inspiring speeches, providing motivation and
confidence. Other leadership attributes of the Devotion type include
sincerity, loyalty, self-sacrifice, endurance and a lack of fear. Besides
devoted business executives, other vocations where this type may be found
might include priest and missionary.
The task of this type in organizations is to attempt to attain some
degree of flexibility and adaptability. Too often the efforts of these
types are destructive, since they are investing the whole of themselves
into a cause of their own projection. While persons of this type may work
in groups frequently, it is usually the intent of this type to move the
group toward these self-made goals or ideals. Therefore, active listening
to other people is a priority for the development of this person. Also,
this type tends to exhibit excessive opinions and judgments. An
inclination should be adopted to release these opinions and allow an
unconditional aspect to come to the daily activities of this type. This
type will also spend a great deal of energy toward combativeness and
exclusivity. Other higher ideals can be found where the expenditure of
such energy would be better utilized. An attitude of objectivity should
be achieved if at all possible. Tolerance should be shown toward
contrasting points of view, and humility should be studied as a great
virtue.
7. Organizer
The seventh type, the type of the Organizer, is characterized by action
and objectivity. A person of this type can be understood best by
observing his or her activities, rather than by analysis of his or her
inner life. An ideal of this type is the "ordered activity of the group,"
and the seventh type might show disdain and frustration for meetings in
disarray, tardiness, or the clutter of an unkept office. These types will
generally express themselves in a clear, straightforward manner and are
easy to understand.
Much of the Organizer's time is spent on the physical and mental levels.
This is due to the constant projection of accurate models of ideal
situations At the physical level, this type can be heavily involved in
groups, not necessarily as leader, but perhaps more in the facilitator
role. This type might be in the position of assuring that a group has
everything it needs to function smoothly and derive the desired function.
Outlining projects and making lists are a favorite pastime of this type.
In summary, the strong attributes of the Organizer type are a sense of
purpose, a clear mind, constructive activity and practical ability.
Though this type is similar to other types (It may be a synthesis of some
or all of the others.) its energies are channeled in somewhat different
directions. Though it may possess willfulness of the Will type, this type
will not have the sole aim of achieving the desired result as its only
goal. Where the Will type can be cold and hard in the pursuit of its
goal, this type is more moderate and is considerate of others' needs as
well as his or her own. The seventh type can be persistent and patient in
the achievement of a goal, especially if it involves a large group of
people. There are also similarities with the third type, which is very
practical and adaptable. Whereas the Active type prefers to work alone,
the Organizer type prefers to work with or through people, assigning them
tasks. And the active type can work in a disorderly environment, which is
unthinkable to the true seventh type. This type also has the clear mind
of the Scientific type. However, where the fifth type uses this clarity
for the purposes of discovery, the seventh type uses it for the purpose
of doing - of attaining tangible results by getting people to work together.
This type tends to be rigid and formalistic, and portrays an inner
discipline of strength and fortitude. Emotionally, however, persons of
this type can be barren. Since much of the Organizer's life is ruled by
tradition and habit, little time is expended on the development of the
emotional nature within. The emotional nature of the human race is simply
seen as unimportant in the accomplishment of important goals. This type
may show some interest in human psychology but only from a mechanistic,
observer perspective rather than from a true interest in how the human
animal acts in a business situation. As such, the intuitive nature of
this type is apt to be limited to groups and organizational
micro-applications.
While this type has leadership potential, a more appropriate function for
the Organizer to play is that of facilitator, as mentioned above.
Generally, this type will not be driven by power needs and, therefore,
will not be required to take control of a meeting, for example, as might
a Will type. The Organizer may be moved to get the meeting back on track
if it strays too far from the scheduled agenda, however personal
leadership qualities include propensity for order, attention to detail,
accuracy, patience, perseverance, courtesy, clear thought and
objectivity. Occupations where this type would excel might be a movie
producer or director, an athletic coach or an orchestra conductor.
The task of the seventh type in organizations is to keep the goals of the
organization in focus at all times. There is a tendency of this type to
become too identified with the formal aspect of his or her job, thus
becoming a prisoner of this aspect. This type is in good position to help
the organization take direction to serve the stated purpose of the firm.
It may help to view the organization as an organism and promote
organizational health from this perspective. A certain amount of
compassion and idealism should be introduced, which are more indicative
of the Love and Devotion types. In this way, the movements of this type
might be free from the rigidity of the formalized approach traditionally
taken by this personality.
http://two.not2.org/psychosynthesis/articles/7types.htm
|