Creative Archetypes & You: Finding Your True Identity in Innovation

How Archetypes Influence Creative Expression

When renowned depth psychologist Carl Jung first introduced his theory of the Collective Unconscious— the shared unconscious mind common to all humans, regardless of culture or individual experiences—he used the concept of archetypes as a central way for understanding this idea.

In the field of psychology, this was a paradigm shift. It offered a groundbreaking framework for understanding the human psyche, or inner self, and the process of self-realisation from a shared, universal perspective rather than as a purely isolated experience.

In this article, I discuss the concept of archetypes, the importance of understanding your archetypal forces, and how this knowledge can help develop a better sense of self, leading to growth that benefits both your creative professional and personal practices.

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What are Archetypes?

Archetypes are universal symbols, characters, metaphors, or ideas that recur across cultures, literature, and myths, often transcending time and space. These symbols appear in:

Mythology: Heroes, sages, and tricksters

Modern Culture: Movies, books, and brand identities

Psychology: Jung’s Collective Unconscious

These resonate with us because they mirror our own struggles, aspirations, and triumphs, often without our awareness. Think about the last time you watched a movie or read a book and found yourself deeply empathising with a character—feeling as if they were living your story. This instinctual connection reflects the power of archetypal forces.

I like the analogy of archetypes as being “universal, inherited templates.”

They appear across various fields and domains, influencing different areas of life. For instance, in creativity and innovation, we see archetypal traits emerge in individuals who shape these fields—visionaries, disruptors, or creators.

Creative Archetypal Awareness Leads to Self-awareness

According to Jungian psychology, understanding the psyche and behavioral patterns helps us figure out who we are and why we do certain things.

In my experience, knowing the differences between ‘types’ of people not only allowed me to understand them better, but also enabled me to collaborate more effectively. Importantly, it fostered a deeper, more honest understanding of myself, too.

Gaining awareness of the roles we play in our domains—our motivations, fears, and challenges—can create better relationships, build empathy, and deepen our shared human experience.

Archetypes have even influenced personality typologies like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), rooted in Jungian concepts such as introversion, extroversion, and cognitive functions. These tools have inspired diverse applications, from coaching and career choices to team building. 

If we understand each other better, we work together better, and we create better things. More importantly, exploring our archetypal forces helps us understand ourselves on a deeper level:

• What motivates us, and why?
• What drains us, and what comes naturally?
• What do we ignore within ourselves?
• How does this impact our quality of life, work, and achievements?

This all goes back to the ancient maxim, “Know Thyself.” The age old lesson that before we can be our best selves, we need to be in alignment with our true selves—embracing the good, the bad, and the parts we often push aside.

Common Creative Professional Archetypes

Throughout my journey as a creator, designer, and now the leader of an innovative-thinking empowerment practice, I’ve observed recurring characteristics and traits in professionals within creative fields. These patterns inspired me to develop distinct profiles, enabling me to identify and distinguish specific ways of thinking and behaviors that consistently align with these profiles.

When I started developing my own Innovator Archetypes profiles, I wanted them to reflect universal human traits within creative fields. These dimensions include:

1. Vision: How strong is their sense of purpose and north-star?
2. Strengths: Do their creative and innovative strengths come naturally?
3. Weaknesses: How vulnerable are they?
4. Influence: How much impact do they have in their domain?
5. Temperament: Are they grounded or volatile when it comes to articulating and communicating?
6. Action Style: Are they bold or reserved? How do they tackle tasks in their plans?
7. Connection: Do they rely on others or act independently?
8. Creativity: How much does innovation drive them?

These traits helped me classify individuals into four main Innovator Archetypes:

Creative archetypes are recurring personality patterns in creativity, shaped by Jungian psychology. These include The Rebel, The Captain, The Ambassador, and The Sage.

1. The Captain: Steady, responsible leaders who anchor progress but may stifle bold creativity with their focus on control.
2. The Rebel: Bold, imaginative, and fearless risk-takers. Their perfectionism and communication style can create challenges in traditional structures.
3. The Ambassador: Compassionate connectors skilled at fostering relationships but sometimes overextend themselves to please others.
4. The Sage: Wise, strategic thinkers who value insights but may rely too heavily on familiar methods, slowing innovation.

Snapshot of Creative Archetypes & Their Traits

Archetype	Strengths	Challenges
Rebel	Bold, risk-taking	Perfectionism, struggles with structure
Captain	Grounded, responsible	Can suppress creativity with control
Ambassador	Relationship-focused, empathetic	Overextends to please others
Sage	Strategic, wise	Over-reliance on past methods

Is There a Perfect Creative Archetype?

As you can see, each archetype has strengths and weaknesses. No single archetype defines ‘perfection’ in creative thinking or problem-solving. Our self-mastery lies in understanding who we are, amplifying our strengths, and addressing our limitations. Sometimes, it involves borrowing characteristics from other archetypes or letting go of traits that no longer serve us.

In the field of innovation, authentic creation begins with intimate self-knowledge. Understanding your unique value, strengths, and vulnerabilities allows you to create authentically, connect meaningfully, and make aligned decisions in your creative or entrepreneurial journey.

Integrating Your Creative Archetypal Forces

Once you identify your creative and innovator archetype, what’s next? Here are six ways to integrate this knowledge into your life:

1. Follow your curiosity: Explore skills or interests you’ve abandoned.
2. Find inner peace: Use meditation or journaling to deepen self-understanding.
3. Celebrate your qualities: Amplify your unique traits in work and actions.
4. Acknowledge your needs: Don’t suppress what you need as a creative professional.
5. Evolve consciously: Borrow traits from other archetypes to grow in new ways.
6. Embrace self-discovery: Use this awareness to explore who you truly are.

Discovering and integrating your archetype is a key step in exploring your creative self and unlocking your full potential. By understanding who you are and embracing your unique traits, you can achieve alignment, authenticity, and lasting success in your personal and professional life.