We came up with 4 fictitious archetypes that encompass toxic habits in the office. Within these four profiles we find real bad practices.
A personality archetype is a model or prototype of behavior that helps us understand and classify our individual characteristics, behaviors and attitudes. It is a term that comes from psychologist Carl Jung, who introduced the idea that there are certain universal patterns in the human personality. These patterns, which he called "archetypes," are emotionally charged images and thoughts found in our collective unconscious.
Archetypes help us define who we are, how we behave and how we interact with others. They can be helpful in understanding our own behaviors and those of others, and can provide us with a useful tool for personal growth and self-understanding.
For example, some famous personality archetypes include the hero, the outlaw, the sage, the innocent, the explorer, and many more. Each of these archetypes has its own distinctive characteristics that define them. The hero, for example, is courageous and always willing to fight for a just cause, while the sage is known for his wisdom and valuable advice.
In short, personality archetypes are a way to better understand our personalities and behaviors. They provide us with a framework that helps us understand ourselves and others in a deeper way.
Personality archetype can greatly influence how a person behaves at work and how he or she interacts with others in the work environment. For example, a person who falls into the "warrior" archetype may be very competitive and goal-oriented in their work. They may be driven by the desire to succeed at all costs, which may lead them to take on leadership positions or undertake challenging projects. On the other hand, someone who fits more closely to the "sage" archetype may have a more reflective and analytical attitude toward their work. They might be more comfortable in positions that require deep, strategic problem solving.
It is important to remember that archetypes are not rigid or static. Instead, they are flexible and can manifest in different ways depending on context and circumstances. Therefore, while archetypes can provide useful insight into our work personality, they should not be used to label or limit us. Ultimately, each of us is capable of learning and growing beyond our dominant archetype.
In the work environment, understanding personality archetypes can be very useful for improving interaction between team members and for self-awareness. Each archetype has strengths and weaknesses, and knowing them can help us work more effectively and successfully.
The animal world is not so different from the corporate world.
It is said to be an environment where only the strongest and fittest survive, where the big fish eat the small ones and opportunities depend on our agility and survival instinct.
And it is in this "corporate habitat" where we find an enormous diversity of creatures, all with great virtues to enter the race for effectiveness and innovation. But also with some toxic habits and behaviors.
In this article we will talk about some profiles that "inhabit" workspaces and that can lead to poor failure management and generate adverse environments for innovation.
To do so, we came up with 4 fictitious archetypes that encompass toxic habits in the office. Although they are a satire, within these four profiles we find real bad practices that to some extent we ourselves apply at some professional moment. And without even knowing it.
It is important to clarify that these profiles do not represent real psychological archetypes and that a good organizational culture does not seek to mold or manipulate, but rather to manage with healthy dynamics that facilitate an appropriate way of working.
That said, we are ready.
This profile prowls the boardroom looking for their next prey and feeds on others' failures. A "Blame Investigator" finds those responsible for every mistake and has the ability to take responsibility for their own when they occur.
Throughout our lives, we have been taught that failure and error have a negative connotation and that they come with a high price to pay. That is why this profile is linked to toxic habits such as:
When there is a "blame investigator" archetype in us or in the team, excessive consequences are generated in the face of failure. This means that we punish ourselves disproportionately, causing an atmosphere of fear and constant tension, which leads to hiding mistakes and avoiding asking for help.
Although our more primitive side reacts to external threats with fear and caution, our rational brain resorts to other defense resources such as optimism.
And while it is a useful tool in some cases, the "Excessive Optimist" takes it to another level. This profile inhabits every office space and uses their natural optimism skills to repress feelings and nuance unpleasant situations that should be viewed objectively.
The profile of "Excessive Optimist" in work spaces can lead to:
Optimism cannot be absent in our daily lives, but it requires responsibility to be balanced with objectivity and to look for the best realistic and available solution to any adversity.
In the work ecosystem it is common to find groupings that work as a team (or herd) for a common good, however, it is also common to find "Individualist" profiles.
Ignoring the need for mutual cooperation, these "lone wolves" decide to work on their own, interact as much (or less) as necessary with the team and always keep their interests above all others.
From this, it is not strange to find phenomena such as:
Naturally, these practices generate an environment of distrust where new ideas are demerited and destroyed and the exchange of knowledge diminishes.
Our last profile is that of the "Avoidant." Which although related to the "Excessive Optimist," this avoidant tends to be more passive and inclined to low involvement.
It lives in spaces far from the office and in situations of danger or failure, it flees to its work cubicle or buries its head in the sand to go unnoticed.
Sometimes this profile generates a certain apathy for the work environment and its avoidance leads to habits such as:
This constant avoidance in a workspace may be a symptom of psychological danger at work and fear of the consequences of making a mistake or voicing a controversial or absurd opinion.
Beyond the profiles that exist in the "work ecosystem," the important thing is to have a strong and transparent organizational culture that is capable of managing them and to have well-established processes to know how to react and act in the face of failures and crises.
From Fuckup Nights, we recognize the growing importance that the working world gives to its culture, and that is why with our online coursesprivate events, organizational diagnostics y face-to-face or online workshops we seek to change the way in which the members of a company see and relate to concepts such as failure, innovation and teamwork. Fill out this form to receive more information.
In the workplace, there are several personality archetypes that can define the way a person interacts and behaves at work. These archetypes are patterns of behavior that are frequently repeated and can have a significant impact on the performance of a team or company.
One of the most common archetypes is the leader. This is the type of personality who takes responsibility for leading and motivating his or her team. A leader is visionary, anticipates problems and is capable of making decisions in difficult situations. They are the driving force that orients the company towards its objectives.
Another common archetype is the team player. This personality type is noted for their ability to work well with others, cooperate and collaborate to achieve collective goals. Team workers are essential in any company, as they foster harmony and a sense of unity within the team.
The perfectionist is another archetype that we often find in the work environment. They are meticulous, detail-oriented and always strive for excellence in their work. Although they can sometimes be seen as overly critical, their high standard of quality can drive the company to achieve superior results.
Finally, it is important to mention the innovator archetype. This personality type is characterized by creativity, originality and the ability to think outside the box. Innovators are essential in any company, as they bring fresh ideas and unusual solutions that can take the company to new heights.
These are just a few of the most common personality archetypes at work. However, there are many others, and each brings its own strengths and challenges to the table. It is important to understand and appreciate these differences to create a balanced and productive work environment.
Edited by
Raquel Rojas
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Let's transform our perception of failure and use it as a catalyst for growth.
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