Welcome Truth-seeker
. . . This is your story
PAST
You seek what’s known and what you can be certain of.
Everyone has a unique point of view which is formed by their blend of the three foundational priorities of mind: Past (Certainty), Present (Probability), and Future (Possibility).
The result of this blending of priorities is a person’s thinking style. It defines the value each of us brings to every aspect of our lives. It is what motivates us and shapes our personalities. It is also at the root of most of our differences in the way we each think.
Your thinking is oriented towards understanding the meaning of things by investigating for the rational truth. You are fair. You judge things carefully, always weighing the evidence before committing yourself to one answer. Therefore, you gather evidence before supporting new ideas. You are always learning and thinking about things—mostly your deep interests, because of this you can bring insight and a reasoned point of view to conversations about what interests you.
You will always be driven by Certainty; you can be trusted with your word. This makes you very valuable to those who need confidence and trust in a person. Use this ability as your foundation and align your efforts with what you do so well.
As a Truth-seeker, you have
Your Archetype badge
Maximize Your Strengths
When you skillfully mine the past for information and use it to be better informed, you’ll make more informed decisions that reduce risk.
- Do work at becoming an expert at everything you tackle by learning all the details you can. It’s this kind of dedication that amazes the rest of us when you’re able to show your mastery in your chosen field.
- Do use the past as a reference point. The information is valuable and it is wise of you to make something practical of this.
Growth Opportunities
Focus on organizing the present moment efficiently and seizing future opportunities before they pass.
- Don’t forget that there’s more to life than what has come in the past. Maybe things were better in the good old days, but not everything is bad now. There are new advances and new technologies in the world—both now and on the horizon—that immeasurably help life.
- Don’t let your focus on the past blind you to what’s going on now. Keep learning those facts and collecting that information, but make sure you don’t lose touch with what’s happening around you.
IN FLOW
How you are in the world
Your flow relies on having all the information. The confidence and strength of what you believe comes from being certain of what you’re talking about. This dependence on the truth of information acts as the stepping-stones of your flow. You leap from one to another, needing that next stone to be there. Without that stone, your flow is interrupted because you’re not going to take that leap until you know exactly where your foot is going to land.
Sounds like your flow is contingent, and to some degree it is. It’s also a flow of checks and balances. While your own life flows, you compare it with the flow of lives lived before: using the past as a source of guidance to augment your own flow.
You know that enhancing your flow means surrounding yourself with the resources you need to make smart decisions. When you’ve got a wealth of information and the resources to accumulate more, you flow well. When you feel secure in your knowledge, you flow well. When you’re the smartest kid on the block – a walking encyclopedia who has earned the respect of the people you think are important, you flow well.
But your flow can be interrupted by change. Creating or welcoming change isn’t high on your list of priorities. It’s not something you seek or really welcome. Are you afraid that change will bring with it circumstances you don’t know how to deal with? Take a look at the past and you’ll see that while change might have brought hard work or compromise, you managed to live through it and even grow. It’s okay to not encourage change for change’s sake, but don’t be afraid of it. It doesn’t matter that you’re not the master of adaptability. You are a resourceful one. You’ve always found a way around things and you can again.
You’ll find your groove when given a task and the freedom to research and explore it until you feel confident you’ve achieved full understanding. But when you’re given a deadline to organize all your findings, your so-called confidence goes out the window. You’ve got all that information in your head, it’s time to learn how putting it down in a logical progression can become part of your flow.
WISDOM
What you bring to the world
For you, wisdom comes with knowledge. The gold-edged pages of a leather-bound book, with line-after-line of black print, the words a spring of shared information from some wise mind of the past. You value these experiences others have had, the wisdom they have accumulated and passed on.
This vicarious wisdom is a tool you use to avoid the wrong paths you perceive others have taken. In this sense, you avoid the experience that would have taught you the lesson you learned from a book. Your wisdom centers on pre-empting the mistakes you might have made, using the past to guide you.
You have a judicious wisdom: the elements of a fair judge who can consider all sides in an argument and see the evidence for what it is. Your experience has refined your instinct for seeing the truth. And while much of your wisdom is based on your sharp intellect, you can also feel the truth with your heart and find the evidence to back those feelings when it’s needed.
Some may argue that your wisdom has little to do with what’s really going on. They might point out that the “wisdom” of someone who experienced something a hundred years ago has no relevance to today’s situation. While you might argue the wisdom of upholding traditional laws, others see the wisdom in reform.
You tend to forfeit the needs of today in favor of the lessons of yesterday. By all means use the wisdom of the past to take control of situations in the present, but make sure you are taking control of those present situations rather than using the past to avoid dealing with them.
PERCEPTION
How you see the world
The truth lies in the indisputable facts. The solid rock. Pure and simple. But since raw facts can sometimes change (not because they’re wrong, but because new information comes to light), truth can be somewhat elusive. Yes, it’s a piece of rock, but a sculptor turned into a beautiful figure. So, is it a piece of rock or a beautiful figure? Like any great philosopher, you search for the truth by asking insightful questions and seeking accurate answers.
Sure, new evidence may support a different view of the facts one day, but you can’t wait for that probability. Your success hinges on accepting the facts as they are, testing their strength to the best of your ability, and using them as tools to find the truth. Like the Holy Grail, the truth is a prize you seek because it’s unblemished, undeniable, and perfect.
Once you’ve found a truth, you revere it. You coddle it. You find a place for it in your heart and protect it. People may come to you seeking counsel because they learn to trust your judicious use of the truth, your inherent sense of fairness, and your proud impartiality. Rather than judge what the truth might be based on moral probability, you seek absolute truths and apply them equally to friend and foe.
Truth is the foundation of your wisdom and intellect. Rather than being flexible, it’s chiseled in stone. It’s a large, heavy, highly detailed book that’s always with you, something you can rely on and reference when you need it.
IN RELATIONSHIP
The Truth-seeker pays attention to the details
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 Truth-seekers Relate With Each Archetype
Choose your friend or partner’s archetype below to gain insights into your relationship.
Pros
You both understand the need to look at the details, uphold traditions, and be sure of what you’re doing.
Cons
The past is one big place. When you both keep referring to it, there’s the danger that neither of you will really live.
Pros
You share a need for being settled. You do it by enjoying the way things have been, and they enjoy a plan in motion.
Cons
You tend to focus on things in the past, and they like to take control over what’s happening now, which doesn’t always mean things will be happy.
Pros
They bring exciting energy and the pursuit of new experiences. Match that with your dedication to making the right choices and you’ll make an interesting couple.
Cons
They’re not homebodies. They want to go out and change the world rather than sit home and read about it. Make sure they’re as dedicated to the life you share as you are before devoting yourself.
Pros
You both look for a safe path and with their present skills, they can help plan that path for both of you.
Cons
You prefer sticking with the tried and true while they’re looking to structure, organize, and control—can you deal with them wanting to take control?
Pros
The past is important to both of you, and you’ll find a great understanding between the two of you if you can deal with their need for excitement, new input, and new adventures.
Cons
Can you handle their need for new adventures if it means leaving you behind? You like playing safe, but they also like chasing new opportunities, whether you want to join them or not.
Pros
They’ll understand why the past is important to you and you’ll connect on this level. You share a need to commit and keep to it.
Cons
They like to control things more than you do. Be careful of power struggles where you’re giving up more freedom than you’re comfortable with.
Pros
When you work together, you may create wonderful energy. They love planning and new experiences. You bring the safety of smart choices. Work together and complete each other.
Cons
In some sense, you’re also opposites. You thrive on using the past. They want control and new experiences—the past is unimportant to them.
Pros
You both long for those times of quiet certainty and reflection. You both know how to dedicate yourselves to something you cherish.
Cons
You’re looking for safety in love, something you can count on. They are also looking for new experiences, and this may strain everyday life when you can’t agree on whether to go out and try something new or stay in.
Pros
When you work together, you may create wonderful energy. They love new experiences and planning. You bring the safety of smart choices. You work together and complete each other.
Cons
In some sense, you’re also opposites. If you both want things your own way, you may run into problems fast.
Pros
This could be harmonious. Integrated people understand where you’re coming from, even if they don’t agree with it.
Cons
You may find them too wishy-washy and diplomatic. Do they always have to be so understanding? You’re always ready to take a stand for what you believe in and you’d hope for the same from your partner.
IN COLLABORATION
Truth-seekers help ground the team in facts
- You help the group develop a deeper understanding of its mission.
- You teach people how to reduce the risk of failure and measure progress realistically.
- Your skepticism and independence militate against “group- think” and blind conformity.
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 Truth-seeker’s Perspective
MindTime’s Archetype e-Handbooks offer over 50 pages of science-backed insights about each Archetype.
Archetype handbooks can be purchased individually by anyone who doesn’t own MindTime Cards.