Unbox It with The Archetyper
Every facilitator discovers their unique pathway to orchestrate collaboration, weaving together a tapestry of professional and personal experiences. In my journey, spanning 30 years assuming a multitude of personas — architect, designer, professor, entrepreneur, curator, and even guitar player, chess newbie, and wanna-be cuisine chef — I’ve crafted my distinct approach to facilitating collaborative processes. Is it the pinnacle? Certainly not! As the saying goes, there are many roads to Rome. I’ve been part of sessions facilitated in ways I might have deemed impossible. The incredible variety of styles and the myriad ways to ignite collective intelligence are awe-inspiring. Reflecting on my facilitation odyssey and keenly observing fellow facilitators, I’ve pinpointed two pivotal elements shaping this diverse landscape: approach (emotional or rational) and focus (people or results). This contemplation eventually crystallized into a matrix, revealing five fundamental facilitator archetypes.
Why archetypes? Archetypes provide a framework to organize and comprehend the intricacies of individual styles. Much like characters in a story, they bring clarity to the complexities of human expression. For me, these archetypes are a guiding light in understanding how to collaborate with the development of new facilitators. It’s like having a blueprint, a starting point. To make it more accessible, I’ve crafted a public assessment using no-code tools—The Archetyper. Answer thirteen questions, unveil your facilitator archetype, and gain insights to balance and enhance your skills. The results include:
- A detailed description of your archetype’s characteristics
- Essential skills, methods, and references associated with your archetype
- Recommendations for skill development
- Curated links for further learning (delivered via email)
THE ARCHETYPES
The Empathizer
An enchanter of emotions who unravels the participants’ hearts, providing a safe haven for all conversations.
approach: emotional
focus: people
The Provocator
A creative provocateur who pokes at dormant ideas and instigates a tsunami of innovation, constantly challenging the status quo.
approach: emotional
focus: results
The Icebreaker
A master of relaxation who spreads trust and creates bonds with a magical touch of playfulness and energy.
approach: rational
focus: people
The Frameworker
A logical architect who weaves webs of efficiency and organization with a sharp gaze, mastering time and action.
approach: rational
focus: results
The Holistical
A chameleon who embraces multiple approaches and weaves a mosaic of skills in a harmonious dance. Whether a beginner is still defining their path or an expert is mastering it all.
approach: multiple or undefined
focus: broad or diffuse
Since its launch in both Portuguese and English versions, we’ve attracted over 500 responses from across the globe. The enthusiastic response reflects the global interest in understanding and exploring different facilitation styles. Here are my main learnings from all of this so far:
- Archetypes hold profound meaning within the facilitator community
- The approach X focus schema resonates effectively
- No-code tools are a superpower
- The Empathizer is the most prevalent archetype (~30%)
- Against all my odds, most facilitators (64%) work in company, while the remaining 36% are freelancers
The Archetyper wasn’t created to make final statements but to provoke sparks and kick-start conversations. Answer the assessment, unbox your facilitation style, and get a compass to continue your journey through the tides of collaboration and agility!
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