Hunter, Farmer, Herder, Warrior: How Do You See Yourself?

How do you see yourself?

Before you answer…

This isn’t a gotcha, there are no rights or wrongs, and there certainly are no better than the rest answers.

My bet is that many of my readers were uncomfortable not seeing themselves as HUNTERS because they know those often spouted corporate refrains (way too often, I might add)—“We need more hunters,” said with longing, or “They’re farmers” said with disdain.?

Ergo…everyone wants to be a hunter. The designation feels more edgy, wild, and ambitious. Farmer? Seems tame…lazy…not as productive.?

SO WRONG!!!!

Look at the world around us. History. The development of society. Culture. Frankly and clearly, we need them both—and more! Read on.

I have always advocated for an organization where I had the right mixture of both working together. The hunters helped bring in the business and the farmers made sure the business grew and flourished. Both were critical. Both were heroes, if you will. The best organizations are built that way…the losers skew too far one way or another.?

Yet as I thought about it, I realized that dividing everyone in a simple binary hunter/farmer designation was limiting and not accurate, not to mention often contentious. It created castes not unlike “Lord of The Flies”, and we know where that led—if you don’t, please read it…it’s worth it and one of my favorites.

So, I decided to share my view of it all and how I believe we should look at ourselves in our organizations, understanding that all have immense value to the creation of value…and maybe most importantly, these are fluid designations…meaning that you/we can be many things, if and when the need arises.

• HUNTERS: You seek things out. Pursue to achieve the goal. Look unrelentingly. You scout. Investigate. Competition is a rush. And let’s not forget killer instinct. Hunters don’t take risks…they plan. Hunters tend to be loners, but the best know how to coordinate with others. We need hunters. They provide the protein in business (metaphorically of course).?
• FARMERS: You grow things. You have patience because you need to deal with so many issues and often surprises. You are highly motivated, capable, and must be multi-talented. Hard working. You are enterprising and investigative. Curious. You problem solve. Have to be organized. You plant seeds…many….and you nurture them. You take care of business. You take risks. We need farmers. They make things grow.
• HERDERS: You look after people. Responsible for the care and management. You move us along. Show us the way. Keep us all moving in the right direction. Bring in the strays. Protect us from the wolves. Always vigilant. Empathetic. You care. In the Bible, shepherds become the greatest leaders…think Moses and David. We need herders. They keep us going.
• WARRIORS: You protect us. Have the courage to stand up to adversity. You are selfless in facing “danger.” Focused. Disciplined. Never selfish. You won’t quit. Will do what it takes to complete the mission. The best have honor. You serve. you are loyal. We need warriors. They don’t just shield us…they inspire us.

Bottom line? A great organization—the best organizations—have a talent mix that encompasses a combination of all of the above…and as we know, there are farmers who are hunters, and warriors who return to herding, and every combination of my management archetypes that you can imagine…or suit you.?

Back to us, dear reader…

What are you??

Let me share the words of Epictetus, who emphasized personal virtue and wisdom. Listen:

“Imagine for yourself a character, a model personality, whose example you determine to follow, in private as well as in public.”

Says it all…no?

Be who you are. Work on it. Don’t be pigeonholed. Be proud of it. Don’t have one personality at home and another at work, and be the best you can be of whichever path you choose.?

You see…we need you all…

What’s your view??

Stay tuned for the book…