For everyone
The Altruist
Emotional centre · Types 2, 3 and 4 operate first from the heart: relationships, image, identity.
“Leave it, I'll take care of it, it's a pleasure.”
The type
His core motivation
To be loved and indispensable. Type 2 has an exceptional radar for other people's needs: he helps, anticipates, does favours, often before he is even asked.
His great fear
Not to be loved, to be unwanted or useless. His dread: discovering that nobody really needs him.
His desire
To be appreciated, recognised for his generosity and to hold a special place in other people's hearts.
His compulsion: what he avoids at all costs
Avoiding having needs. He gives a lot, but acknowledging that he himself needs help is very difficult for him.
His passion (his dominant emotion)
Pride: beneath a displayed humility, pride in being the one others cannot do without.
His virtue (his quality when he is at his best)
Humility: helping without expecting anything in return, and accepting to be helped.
His belief that runs on a loop
Flattery: creating connection and making himself likeable to secure his place.
His strengths
- Outstanding empathy and listening
- Creates connection and an excellent atmosphere
- Devotion, availability, a sense of service
- Knows how to encourage others and help them grow
His watch points
- Help that is sometimes self-interested, with unspoken expectations
- Difficulty saying no: overload then exhaustion
- Can become intrusive or touchy if his generosity is not recognised
- Avoids his own needs until breaking point
His comfort zone
In warm relationships where he feels useful and appreciated. The 2 blossoms when people say thank you to him, and when they also ask how he is doing.
In a real-life situation
A new colleague lost in the files? The 2 has already invited her to lunch, prepared a summary for her and noted the whole team's birthdays. Three months later, she is the one everyone calls for everything, and she is starting to tire without daring to say so.
His movements: integration and disintegration
When secure, he integrates2 → 4
The Romantic
When secure, the 2 opens up to Type 4: he takes time for himself, acknowledges his own emotions and needs, and becomes creative without depending on other people's gaze.
Under stress, he disintegrates2 → 8
The Leader
Under stress, the 2 slides towards Type 8: gone is the gentleness, he becomes direct, controlling, even explosive, and may list everything he has done for others.
Wing 1 · The Perfectionist
The 1 wing makes the 2 more structured and demanding: he helps “properly”, with a strong moral sense, sometimes a little preachy.
Wing 3 · The Achiever
The 3 wing makes the 2 more charming and ambitious: he knows how to showcase himself and use his network effectively.
How to communicate with him
Do
- Thank him and explicitly acknowledge what he does for you and for the team
- Ask him sincerely how he is, and listen to the answer
- Entrust him with relational responsibilities: welcoming, onboarding, cohesion
Avoid
- Taking his help for granted: that is what hurts him most
- Ignoring his disguised bids for attention, then being surprised by his explosion
- Telling him bluntly that he is not needed
His verbiage: his typical phrases
At work
The cement of the team. Excellent in client relations, reception, HR, care, wherever connection matters. He benefits from setting his limits and asking for help before he is exhausted.