How Thought Leadership Archetypes Help You Embrace Your Main Character Energy

We are all born with two voices: the one we speak with and the one that speaks to us inside. ??? Our inner voice provides navigation through life, while our outer voice is the tool we use to guide, teach, influence, and help others. When our inner voice is aligned with our outer voice, true, authentic thought leadership comes forth.

As we align more closely with our two Voices and become more congruent, we go deeper into what we can call the "Main Character Journey" ??? of our narrative. As the Main Character of our own story, who we are becomes more well-defined, more distinct. The alignment of our inner and outer Voice is evident in all aspects of our communication – our confidence shines, our gestures become more expressive, the energy we create is more compelling, and our choice of words is more reflective of our true selves. ????By embracing who we are as a Main Character, we ensure that our communication resonates with the authenticity and clarity of a protagonist who truly knows themselves.

As multi-faceted people, however, we face the challenge of encapsulating who we are. This is where the magic of universal Archetypes comes into play for you to experiment with in creating yourself as your Main Character. Archetypes are personas that are found in storytelling across world cultures and throughout millennia. They provide a profound framework ??? for exploring and embracing Main Character Energy, with each archetype offering a unique lens through which we can view and shape our lives.

For example, when I'm cultivating a new podcast with a thought leader or company, I often use Archetypes to shape the positioning of a show and help the host craft content and interview questions that are unique and compelling.

Read on with a curious mind ?? and discover which Archetypes you resonate with as part of your Main Character Energy.

While there are 12 archetypes, each falls into a quadrant of similarity. The Seekers are a quadrant defined by a need for knowledge, freedom, and safety. ??

The Innocent (or Idealist) is well known for their optimism. They can comfort others through their “glass half full” ?? mentality. Innocents can simplify complex topics easily, recognize opportunities others may not see, and bring forth an inspirational perspective that carries a team through tough times. While they may be perceived as unrealistic or 'Pollyanna,' the Innocent’s deep faith and trust in what they see as possible keeps them going.

The Explorer is the Indiana Jones of the workplace. ?? Always looking to embark on the next adventure, the Explorer centers their leadership around the potential of unexplored avenues of inquiry, divergent thinking, and asking great questions that can lead to innovation. Explorers value autonomy and freedom over all else, which may lead them to feel trapped and easily bored if they don't have new problems to solve and vistas to discover.?

The Sage is the quintessential wise guide or teacher. Sages are perceived as experts in a wide range of topics due to their love for learning and therefore make excellent mentors, educators, and coaches. ???? While they may not be the most charismatic, their ability to think critically and analyze data allows Sages to enjoy a high level of credibility amongst their colleagues and followers.

The Disruptors are those who leave a mark. They are courageous, provocative, and dynamic people who value liberation, power, and mastery.

The Hero inspires others with their stories of overcoming the odds and rising to challenges. They thrive in a competitive environment with a clear set of goals and take pride in their dedication to their cause. ???? However, this need to succeed may cause Heroes to disregard their personal well-being, as their identity can come not from themselves but from who they are in the world.

The Rebel dares to challenge the status quo. A positive advocate for change, Rebels are admired for their ability to speak out against inefficient systems and comfortably live in the uncomfortable. ???? Their high tolerance for risk allows them to throw out the old in favor of the new, even if their recklessness comes at a high price.

The Magician is a charismatic miracle worker. ?? They use their charm and creative intuition to bring the seemingly impossible to fruition, because Magicians love to make dreams come true. Their spot-on hunches and ability to influence their adversaries may cause others to doubt the credibility of Magicians. In the face of disbelief, Magicians return to themselves and spiritual guidance to carry on.

The Builders provide structure in an increasingly noisy world. They are creative, compassionate, and confident.

The Creator is powered by imagination. Their ability to see the final product in the raw material is what allows them to foster innovation and self-expression. Creators take an artful and individual approach to creative thinking and problem-solving that motivates others to stretch themselves and see the creative solution. ?? Like most artists and entrepreneurs, Creators have a flair for dramatics and are prone to perfectionism in everything they do.

The Ruler is a natural-born leader who knows how to use power. They prefer to lead from within, utilizing their social organization prowess and networking ?? skills to improve the world. They may be seen as domineering and tyrannical, but Rulers know when they should intervene with structure, rules, and decisions.

The Caregivers’ superpower is their empathy. Caregivers notice when others need help and support. They naturally foster peaceful and harmonious environments where all feel welcome and safe. While they tend to have poor boundaries, the Caregivers use their keen social intelligence to be the “glue” ?? holding everything together.

The last quadrant of archetypes is the Connector. These are people who excel at connecting meaningfully with others in a fair, passionate, and funny way.

The Everyperson is a leader that’s hard to spot. They prefer to fit in with the crowd and be relatable, yet still inspire, advocate, and foster others like any other archetype does. This unique take on leadership comes from their steadfast belief in the equality of every person. ?? They are loyal to humanity to a fault, and their realist approach to life may be mistaken as pessimism.

The Lover seeks real connection in their life. With their charismatic, engaging, and beautiful personalities, Lovers excel at creating lasting relationships that are meaningful and abundant. They know how to incorporate the romantic, the cherished, and the intimate into their branding because they've been wearing their heart on their sleeves their whole lives. ??

And finally, The Jester is proof that life is but a stage. ?? Jesters know how to effectively use humor and performance to promote change. They encourage others to laugh rather than cry and foster high morale amongst their team, effortlessly creating an environment where people want to work. Jesters put the fun back into boring presentations, meetings, or brainstorming sessions, as long as they stay away from mean-spirited or self-indulgent jokes.

By understanding and aligning with these archetypes, we take control of our narrative. Ask yourself:

• Which archetype resonates with you currently?
• How does this archetype reflect in your daily interactions and decisions?
• What aspects of this archetype can you amplify to enhance your Main Character Energy?

This exploration is not about fitting into a predefined role; it's about understanding the diverse aspects of your presence and personality and using them to author your unique story. ??

In the realm of leadership, embracing your Main Character Energy through archetypes enables you to communicate and lead with impact. It empowers you to craft a narrative that is uniquely yours, resonating with others on a deep, psychological level. And, you’ll feel more equipped to inspire and connect with your audience by leveraging the universal ?? themes and qualities that these archetypes represent.

As ever-evolving leaders, let’s now give ourselves a space to check in with our inner and outer voices and ask ?? ourselves:

• Is my voice and message consistent?
• Does my message feel forced or awkward, or fluid and easy?
• Am I enjoying and excited about my leadership and the messages I’m putting out into the world?

As a Magician and Idealist myself, I would love to conjure conversation in the comments below with your thoughts and ideas on your Main Character Energy and what Archetypes resonate with you most!

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