What are the 9 Archetypes of a Leader?

Previously I spoke about the importance of archetypal thinking in leadership. In this article I will briefly describe each of the 9 Archetypes of a Leader.

A New Language for Leaders

What I am proposing is a new language that leaders can use that accesses something that appeals to but transcends logic and emotion — that is the language of symbols and archetypes.

When leaders become fluent in this ancient but newly-envisioned way of speaking and seeing the world, they will have access to greater self-knowledge and knowledge of others. With this knowledge comes a considerable amount of authentic power.

The Wisdom of the Enneagram

When my wife came home from an Enneagram training being offered at our church she said, “I finally understand you…” Granted, at this time we had been married for many years, before which we were high school sweethearts and had two children together. She went on to say, “You don’t do these things to annoy me, you do them because you are a One on the Enneagram.”

We laugh about this moment to this day but it truly marks a pivotal time of knowledge and transformation within ourselves and in our marriage. Since then I have received multiple certifications and instructed hundreds of students in the Enneagram of personality.

Whether or not you are familiar with the Enneagram I hope you will find this new envisioning of these ancient archetypes helpful.

New Archetypes for the Modern Leader

While I have a love for the wisdom revealed constantly to me through the Enneagram, I have had difficulty getting leaders to identify with the 9 different types. I believe that much of the difficulty comes from the names assigned to each of the 9 types. For example, a professional may see the label that Dr. Jerry Wagner assigns to the Eight which is “The Powerful Person.” They are in a position of power and understand how power works within the structure of their organization. This description appeals to them offhand. Then they see the description of the Two as “The Loving Person.” Sure they are loving and care deeply about their employees and clients but this descriptor turns them off before they have given it a chance.

What I have done with this system is to give each Archetype a label that appeals to the sensibilities of leaders and high performers by capturing its essence while highlighting the inherent power with each type.

Illuminated and Eclipsed Archetypes

I have broken these up into two groups consisting of 9 Illuminated Archetypes and 9 Eclipsed Archetypes.

Often in Enneagram teaching we are described within our type as either high or low functioning; resourceful/less resourceful; healthy/unhealthy. I prefer to look at these two manifestations of our Archetype as Illuminated and Eclipsed.

Our Illuminated Archetype is the aspect of us that thrives in the light. When we are in integrity with ourselves we light up. Just as the Moon lights our night sky by being illuminated by the Sun, when we step into the light we also become the light.to others.

Our Eclipsed Archetype is the part of us that lives in the darkness of our blindspot. It is the Bizarro version of our Illuminated self. While I was careful to name the 9 Illuminated Archetypes to have a universal appeal, I have named the Eclipsed Archetypes so that they are universally odious, but particularly odious if they happen to live within our own blindspot. So pay attention to your gut reaction to each description.

One note about our Eclipsed Archetypes: These are the parts of us that live in the shadow. They are not inherently bad though they can cause us to do great harm. But they only have power over us when they live in the shadow. When we shine the light of awareness and compassion on them they become Illuminated and give us a greater awareness of ourselves and greater control over our actions. I am careful to say that this part of our self should be Illuminated not eliminated. We will never fully illuminate our blindspot, though we should make it part of our life’s work to shrink it, ever expanding our peripheral vision.

THE ILLUMINATED ARCHETYPES

Here is the full list of the 9 Illuminated Archetypes. Read each description and notice how the unique power of each hits you at the gut level.

THE ECLIPSED ARCHETYPES

Now, introducing the 9 Eclipsed Archetypes. These are tough and may make you recoil but stick with it. There is tough love in these descriptions and each of them has much they can teach us.

Below I go into some basic detail on each of the Illuminated and Eclipsed Archetypes. Stay tuned for lengthier descriptions of each and what they may teach us.

ILLUMINATED ONE: THE CONSULTANT

Walks into any organization, can tell you exactly what is wrong and the specific steps you should take to reach the ideal future state they see with stark clarity.

ECLIPSED ONE: THE PIDDLER

Frantically re-arranges the deck chairs as the iceberg draws ever near.

ILLUMINATED TWO: THE BENEFACTOR

Anticipates the needs of every client and associate and sees to it while you are still having your morning coffee.

ECLIPSED TWO: THE PARASITE

There is nothing symbiotic about this relationship; the neediness may sap your very will to live.

ILLUMINATED THREE: THE RAINMAKER

What just happened? It started raining in the desert? Who is responsible for this miracle? Oh I see, thank you, Rainmaker!

ECLIPSED THREE: THE EMPTY SUIT

All sizzle, no steak — and an abundance of hot air.

ILLUMINATED FOUR: THE INNOVATOR

Did you just feel a paradigm shift over a brief water cooler chat? And now you see new horizons where before there were grimy cubicles.

ECLIPSED FOUR: THE NARCISSIST

Narcissus of legend fell in love with his own image without recognizing it was his reflection. Such is the fate of the Narcissist.

ILLUMINATED FIVE: THE ANALYST

Absorbs, digests and then explains ALL of the data to those of us who only read email subjects and newspaper headlines.

ECLIPSED FIVE: THE SHUT-IN

Has been locked in their office for the past week and their walls now look like John Nash’s backyard office in A Beautiful Mind.

ILLUMINATED FIVE: THE FUTURIST

Our species would not have survived if it weren’t for their vision, advising we pitch camp clear of flood plains and near a clean water supply.

ECLIPSED SIX: THE DYSTOPIAN

Some see the glass half empty, the Dystopian also suspect it is tainted with mercury and would rather risk dehydration.

ILLUMINATED SEVEN: THE ENTREPRENEUR

Tell them it can’t be done and then step out of the way while they do it quickly and joyfully.

ECLIPSED SEVEN: THE DILETTANTE

dil·et·tante /noun — a person who cultivates an area of interest without real commitment or knowledge.

How many unfinished projects can they pack in before lunch? And never mind the trail of destruction they leave behind!

ILLUMINATED EIGHT: THE EXECUTIVE

There is no question as to who is in charge and taking the rest of us under their protective wing.

ECLIPSED EIGHT: THE DELINQUENT

de·lin·quent/adjective — (typically a young or immature person) showing or characterized by a tendency to commit crime, particularly minor crime.

All of their just evaporated when they launched into that toddler-level tantrum.

ILLUMINATED NINE: THE DIPLOMAT

Has a read on every single person in the room and can bring them together with both ease and grace.

ECLIPSED NINE: THE SLEEPWALKER

Did they just fall asleep during their own presentation? Who could say, we forgot they were here and started checking our phones.

Next: The 3 Rogue Archetypes that will undermine your leadership