Welcome Connector
. . . This is your story
PAST–PRESENT–FUTURE
You seek the most centered and balanced way forward.
Your unique point of view is formed by your blend of the three foundational priorities of mind: Past (Certainty), Present (Probability), and Future (Possibility). The result of this blending of priorities is your thinking style and it defines the value you bring to every aspect of your life. It is what motivates you and it shapes your personality. It is also at the root of most of our differences in the way we each think.
You’re therefore capable of turning your attention to use either of the 3 priorities of thought. This has a positive and a challenging side to it. You build consensus between people, developing bridges of understanding and communication. You hear all points of view fairly and without bias. You often play a balancing role in conversation in order to help others investigate their point of view. However, it is more challenging for you to take on a true leadership role. This requires you to stretch yourself and come to terms with your own sometimes-conflicting points of view.
You will always blend Certainty, Probability and Possibility. You are a bridge builder between people’s different points of view. A person people turn to when they feel unheard or in need of advice. Use this ability as your foundation and align your efforts with what you do so well.
As a Connector, you have a
- desire to support others in achieving their goals
- need to be valued for your flexibility and multi-talented efforts
- temperate nature that welcomes diverse experiences and points of view
- global view of issues and situations
- realistic set of expectations about people and what they can or will do
- talent for playing the counterpoise to other people’s ideas and thinking
Your Archetype badge
Maximize Your Strengths
Combine Past, Present, and Future perspectives to balance life.
- Do keep the balance between the three thinking perspectives in order to help you succeed.
- Do allow yourself to see things globally so you can choose the right tool for the job; avoid focusing on one aspect too closely, thereby losing sight of the whole.
Growth Opportunities
You are a jack of three dimensions. The challenge is leading with one.
- Don’t forget that there may be times when it’s helpful to let one of the thinking perspectives dominate, as you may need to rely more heavily on the skills it provides.
- Don’t let yourself fall into the trap of relying predominantly on one or two thinking perspectives. This could happen through habit or laziness, but you know in your heart that the easier path isn’t always the better one.
IN FLOW
How you are in the world
You are an eddy into which many a poor soul has heaved-to in order to find shelter and a kind and generous ear. That is your flow, being there for others; hearing their tale and counselling them with kind and wise words.
Life isn’t so hard, from your point of view, just rather too full or commitments, and usually to help others achieve their goals. But, that’s alright! That’s really how you like it, to feel needed and valued, to be fêted for your unerring ‘will-do, can-do’ response, even when you’re feeling totally overburdened. Flow is not easy, nor without effort, flow is doing what makes you feel your highest self, and that can often take a fair amount of oomph and resilience. Although too much and you’ll burn out for sure.
There’s an ebb and flow about your life, a meandering between and around things, rarely will you settle on one course, one thing, one sole pursuit. There are times when diving deep into something seems exactly what is called for. At other times skimming across the top of possibilities surveying the landscape seems more fitting, and there are always the times when simply following your plans, even when they change frequently, seems like the best course of action. This is what it means to integrate the three patterns of thought. You weave them in and out of your life. Possibilities, Probabilities and Certainties, all spun into yarn of gold as you spin the fabric of community and cooperation amongst the people around you that you care about.
WISDOM
What you bring to the world
A wise person once said. ‘In life, be neither the blade nor the hilt of a sword, be the balance that weights between them.’ This is you, a wise wielder of a sword that wishes neither to cut nor to withdraw. This requires an usual depth of wisdom which wells up from the constant balancing act you do in your own life as you play the patterns of thought like instruments in a song navigating your own experiences.
This is no easily won wisdom. In fact, many a time you have probably wondered “What is my role?” “What is mine to do?” And, often as not, the result of your inner inquiry is a mute request to help yet another needy person out to get their stuff done. Yes, the wisdom to see your role as support, gatherer of people, builder of bridges, mender of others’ fences, knitter of holes and stitcher of wounds. It takes wisdom to surrender into this beautiful role of service. It also takes great courage, for on this path you must fight your ego’s desire to be the alpha voice in your head.
Speaking of talking heads. Your inner chatter can probably get quite confusing at times, pulled as you are by three complementary but entirely divergent pattern of thought. Which way to go? What to follow? Who to listen to? Listen to your heart. It only has one voice and it is distinct and clear. You can know this. If it sounds like chatter, it’s mind. If it feels like calm, it is heart.
PERCEPTION
How you see the world
There is no right path. No one way. Everybody has a point of view and it is, at least to them, as real as it gets. Your perceptions merge and tally with everyone else’s. That’s the conundrum. You can see all points of view and you can value all contributions equally. Who is right? Which point of view is right? none of them. For you it is not about one is better than the other. It is about how all differing points of view come together to form whole, healthy thought and communication. Your perception is that there is far too much ‘my way is the way’ and not enough, ‘I appreciate your point of view and approach’.
This is what rubs you the most in life when it comes to noticing others. They all seem rather too satisfied that they’ve got the answer when in reality experience has taught you that there is no answer, just an attitude of gratitude and openness to others contributions. Leaders, followers, and spectators, all are needed, and all play different roles at differing times.
That is both the joy and the pain of your point of view, your particular perceptual standpoint. It’s never black and white. It’s never one over the other. It is always about achieving harmony and balance between things, no matter if it is between people, play and work, joy and suffering, or anything else. Balance, that is the great mystery on your path, finding the true meaning of balance.
IN RELATIONSHIP
The Connector is the mediator
We all have relationships, they’re a natural and important part of most people’s lives. Why is it that even in our most intimate and important relationships we struggle, at times, to make things work, to understand each other, to see eye-to-eye? The simple fact is that we do not think the same way. We each bring our own point of view and use that to further what is important to us in the moment, whether it be in our private life, our work or with friends.
Knowing how we think—specifically our archetype—helps us to hear with more compassion. To listen and hear beyond a person’s words. To understand where they are coming from, what they need, and where they are trying to get to in conversation with us.
Find Out How Connector Relate With Each Archetype
Choose your friend or partner’s archetype below to gain insights into your relationship.
Pros
You understand their need to play it safe. Show them how to use that information to make plans for a shared future, and things will look bright.
Cons
They really need to play it safe. Don’t lose sight of your need to plan and take advantage of future opportunities.
Pros
You connect with your shared need to plan for the all the new adventures you’ll have together. Make sure you do some research of the past to make sure it’s the right path.
Cons
They don’t usually research before they act. Make sure you don’t lose sight of how important that is for you.
Pros
If you can keep up with their energy and help them temper their need for new opportunities, you can share a wonderful life together.
Cons
If they don’t learn to accept the need for using present organization and past information, you may be thrown out of balance or find that you’re growing apart.
Pros
You connect with your shared need to use past information to make smart plans. They don’t usually look for future opportunities, which you can help bring to the relationship.
Cons
Don’t forget your need for the spice of variety. Don’t let them coax you into a routine you’re not comfortable with.
Pros
You connect with your shared need for using the past to help you seek out new opportunities. Bring your planning skills into the relationship to help round it.
Cons
They’re not natural planners. Make sure you don’t lose sight of how important that is for you.
Pros
You connect with your shared need to use past information to make smart plans. They don’t usually look for future opportunities, which you can help bring to the relationship.
Cons
Don’t forget your need for the spice of variety. Don’t let them coax you into a routine you’re not comfortable with.
Pros
You connect with your shared need to see what new opportunities fit with the plans you’ve made together. Make sure you do some research of the past to make sure they’re the best opportunities.
Cons
They don’t usually research before they act. Make sure you don’t lose sight of how important that is for you.
Pros
You connect with your shared need for using the past to help you seek out new opportunities. Bring your planning skills into the relationship to help round it.
Cons
They’re not natural planners. Make sure you don’t lose sight of how important that is for you.
Pros
You connect with your shared need to plan for the all the new adventures you’ll have together. Make sure you do some research of the past to make sure it’s the right path.
Cons
They don’t usually research before they act. Make sure you don’t lose sight of how important that is for you.
Pros
Explore your shared Integrated thinking style and enjoy knowing someone understands how you manage life.
Cons
Make sure you’re dedicated to something and not just passing through life. There is danger in being too comfortable, and a little friction can enflame a relationship.
IN COLLABORATION
Connectors Build Bridges Between People
- With your unusual ability to engage all Time Styles, you have a clear understanding of group process.
- You sense when members are focusing on only one priority of thought and a minority perspective is being pushed to the margins.
- You serve as a mediator, help resolve conflicts, and keep everyone focused on constructive interaction.
The secret to happiness and success is knowing where to look for the value in ourselves and others. When you’re aware of the value your colleagues bring—especially when it’s different from your own—you can partner with them to drive your mutual success.
The 10 Archetypes Collaboration Styles
Truth-seekers help the group develop a deeper understanding of its mission.
Truth-seekers teach people how to reduce the risk of failure and measure progress realistically.
Truth-seekers’ skepticism and independence militate against “group-think” and blind conformity.
Organizers keep their teammates focused on outcomes.
Organizers ensure that goals are realistic and the group doesn’t take on more work than it can handle.
Organizers hold people accountable and make sure they honor their deadlines and commitments.
Visionaries champion innovation, focus on solutions, and help others begin to think outside-the-box.
Visionaries inspire others and remind them of the bigger picture.
Visionaries help the group adapt to new circumstances.
Information and organization are both important to Curators.
Curators are likely to manage the group’s data, adding to it with their own thorough research.
Curators caution and practicality provide a solid foundation for decision making. They help the group avoid unnecessary risks.
Researchers ensure that the group makes decisions with full knowledge of the risks and consequences.
Others come to rely on their experience and wisdom.
Researchers are good at detecting when rules and structures become too confining for the group.
Engineers create efficient systems: organizing information, people, and the flow of work.
A team player, Engineers help the group stay focused on its collective goals.
Engineers promote accountability, reliability, and trustworthiness, helping bring projects to completion.
A Navigator’s attention to trends and changing markets is a valuable contribution to the group.
Navigators encourage others to act in a timely manner.
Navigators combine vision, action, and a knack for organizing. People say that they are natural leaders.
Explorers help the group set goals with a “grain of salt,” insisting that their vision be backed up with solid facts.
Explorers counsel against snap decisions.
Explorers find it easy to motivate others because they’re confident that their goals are viable.
Leaders make sure the group grabs new opportunities before it’s too late.
Leaders are more open to change than most Present thinkers, and understand the benefits of deviating from a plan.
Leaders are inspiring but pragmatic.
With your unusual ability to engage all thinking styles, Connectors have a clear understanding of group process.
Connectors sense when members are focusing on only one thinking styles and a minority perspective is being pushed to the margins.
Connectors serve as a mediator, help resolve conflicts, and keep everyone focused on constructive interaction.
Want to read more about this Archetype?
The Connector’s Perspective
MindTime’s Archetype e-Handbooks offer over 50 pages of science-backed insights about each Archetype.
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