Entrepreneurial Archetypes
It's been really fun to think more earnestly about human-centered design and ways to apply its respective processes in building new companies. Even more interesting is how these processes reveal emerging archetypes that reflect a holism in what we see as desired outcomes.
The basic premise behind the construct is this: a CEO is the centrally designated "dreamweaver", while other team members act as cohorts and lead in their own ways, with roles that are called upon at certain times and certain circumstances which amplify their strengths. The dreamweaver (or some other chief executive) coordinates these actions whereby everyone learns and further adapts.
In truth, everyone is a dreamweaver in their own ways, yet our current pyramidal systems don't usually allow that meta-archetype to manifest itself in the functional roles of the "manager", "director" or "executive".
More important is the idea that modular functions within either hemisphere of the brain (or the "mind-heart") can actually build atrophied muscles and dormant skill-sets through the power of experimentation and collaboration. This flies in the face of dualistic or strictly "left brain" or "right brain" thinking. In my opinion, this will define the winning cultures of the future, because it will empower individuals and groups to live out their dreams and carve out a higher purpose as contributors to society at large.
Now let's cover off of on the "operators" or functional characteristics happening within the quadrants of the graphic, and how they intersect given a certain situation or context; in a clockwork fashion:
* Creators tend to have grand conceptual visions for a business, and look at ideas as a blend of great storytelling and exceptional experience (or experiential) design;
* Interpolators tend to see these grand ideas as opportunities to integrate salient attributes or values within the culture of the business, as manifested through strong storytelling/communications and great leadership;
* Developers tend to be more pedantic or mechanical in their roles as coders or builders, and exhibit leanings towards technology and product features. Good developers provide visionary methodologies whereby functionality of tech/product flow into elegant experience design;
* Facilitators tend to apply these same functions into grand visions for business and product applications. This is more extrinsic (outward facing) and takes the internal DNA of the company, its values and its functions and applies them to business partnerships and society at large.
Operating from "the center", the Dreamweaver finds himself or herself constantly managing tensions reflected in pedanticism, empathy, collectivism and language. These are very human dynamics not "owned" by a particular individual or group, but perhaps catalyzed by them.
It is very important to note (or better yet, to observe) that as "meta values", they are also not "good" or "bad" but in need of constant attention and care. All members of an organization exhibit these values; the challenge is to understand what they are, when they are happening, and to do something about it.
Adaptive systems, in general, are designed to bring out the very best faculties in individuals and groups. They also bridge the gaps between business and society. This is really, really important, especially for startups.
Storytelling and archetype are of course nothing new as elements in business, communications and product development. What's changed significantly is their modularity and transferable value. Louis Cheskin talked a lot about this as a marketer and communications innovator (sensation transference), and Adler took Jungian and Freudian archetypes to a whole other level by recognizing that they were representations of holonic behaviors (in fact, this is precisely where Adler departed from Freud's more reductionist thinking).
I'll have more on this subject coming soon, and will discuss the applied uses of this approach through the lens of a couple of new ventures I'm helping to build.
In the meantime, tap into your archetypal roles and keep experimenting. Business environments are fertile ground for testing and cultivating the human condition in positive ways!
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