archetype

Archetypes are universal patterns or symbols inherent in the collective unconscious, shaping human behaviour, emotions, and experiences. They manifest in myths, dreams, and cultural narratives and include figures such as the Hero, the Shadow, and the Great Mother.

So, one of the most interesting psychological dynamics to be found in the human psyche is the idea of the archetypes. Archetypes underline the structure of personality. An archetype is an innate psychological structure or feature of the unconscious mind which manifests through individual human behaviour and expression. They are part of the human condition and set the foundations for what it means to be human. Therefore, archetypes are universal by their nature and act as a template for the human experience. They manifest in patterns of psychological behaviour which can be found in all cultures around the world. Hence the psychoanalytic term, ‘collective unconscious’. Archetypes form the contents of the collective unconscious bringing commonality and even unity among all human beings regardless of boxed-in beliefs that separate human beings from one another. Archetypal behaviour manifests in beliefs, visioning, motivations, ambitions, drive, values, customs, storytelling, rituals etc. We’ve inherited the archetypes throughout human history and their links to instincts ensures their ever-lasting influence at an individual and group level.

Archetypes are recognisable in outer behaviours, especially those that cluster around the basic and universal experiences of life such as birth, marriage, motherhood, death and separation. In other words: an archetype is a typical, ideal, common or original model of a person, object, or concept, or a recurring universal theme, symbol or pattern in storytelling. In the workplace, you might perceive an archetype in an individual through their entrepreneurial spirit, visionary leadership or transformational leadership.

I’ve experienced archetypal energy or ‘spirit’ through consistent patterns of exploration throughout my life, always fascinated by geographically extreme or vastly different environments to my own. I’ve travelled in India where I was inspired to become a psychoanalyst, the Arctic Circle, and lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. These trips led to significant change and transformation in my life. The ‘explorer’ archetype resonated with me from an early age and it continues to influence my life.

The unconscious is an untapped potential source of personal transformation, it can help you to improve your resilience, better understand yourself and others, develop more effective personal and work based relationships, find creative solutions to long standing problems, and a source of inspiration, knowledge and wisdom. Conscious engagement with an archetype as a personal experience can be transformative whether you are seeking help for a difficult emotional issue or looking for personal development. Working with one’s unconscious, discovering the archetypes latent in your own being, brings forth a spirit or energy that transcends problems and promotes personal growth. An enlargement of the personality takes place: the ultimate aim of coaching, therapy and analysis.

Transformational leadership [an enlarged or archetypal personality] in organisations requires archetypal energies or spirit to successfully bring transformational change. If you haven’t personally experienced archetypal transformation, it is highly unlikely that you’ll successfully execute transformation in an organisation. There is an uncanny link between individual performance and organisational transformation. You can take your organisation’s transformation as far as you’ve undertaken transformation yourself.
Archetypal patterns wait to be realised in the personality, are capable of infinite variation, and are dependent upon individual expression. Coaching, therapy and analysis involves a growing awareness of the archetypal dimensions of one’s life.