Archetypes

In Short

Explore identity and leadership through narrative/symbolic patterns
Best for: Archetypal patterns framework
Archetypes is a structured tool for coaching and facilitation. Explore identity and leadership through narrative/symbolic patterns. It provides a repeatable framework that can be adapted to individual, team, and leadership development contexts.
Type of tool: Archetypal patterns framework
Expected outcomes:
- Improved ability to explore identity and leadership through narrative/symbolic patterns
- Improved capacity to which archetypes are underdeveloped and what that costs
- A concrete action or development plan to take forward from the Archetypes process

In Detail

Archetypes is a structured framework designed to help coaches, leaders, and facilitators explore identity and leadership through narrative/symbolic patterns. It sits within the category of Archetypal patterns framework, making it particularly useful for practitioners working on capability development, team performance, and individual growth in organisational settings.

In practice, Archetypes is delivered as a 5-step process. The process begins by introduce the 12 archetypes (Innocent, Orphan, Hero, Caregiver, Explorer, Rebel, Lover, Creator, Jester, Sage, Magician,. The session closes by build development intentions around archetype balance. The structured approach ensures that participants move through a consistent experience while leaving room for the facilitator to adapt pacing and depth to the group's needs.

Archetypes provides a shared vocabulary that persists beyond the session itself. When team members reference the same model in day-to-day work, coaching outcomes become embedded in practice rather than remaining as isolated insights from a single workshop.

How to Use

1. Introduce the 12 archetypes (Innocent, Orphan, Hero, Caregiver, Explorer, Rebel, Lover, Creator, Jester, Sage, Magician, Ruler). 2. Participants complete an archetype self-assessment or reflective exercise. 3. Discuss how their archetype pattern shows up in leadership behaviours. 4. Explore which archetypes are underdeveloped and what that costs. 5. Build development intentions around archetype balance.

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Provides a shared vocabulary that persists after the session and supports ongoing conversations Structured approach ensures consistent application across different cohorts and contexts Directly addresses the challenge of explore identity and leadership through narrative/symbolic patterns through a proven conceptual structure	Risk of over-applying the model — not all situations fit neatly into any single framework Conceptual frameworks require skilled facilitation to connect theory to participants' actual work Some models have limited research evidence; practitioners should be transparent about this

Created by Carl Jung (developed by Carol Pearson for leadership)

When to Use

This tool is suited to the following coaching and facilitation contexts:

Context	Relevant
Individual Coaching	✓
Team Coaching
Leadership Development	✓
Facilitation / Workshop	✓
Online / Virtual

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