The Coordinator

We humans have free will, which means we can make decisions. To do this, we need alternatives. Our unconscious gains its energy, which we consciously sense as feelings, from various opposites. Do we want to fit in or be sensed as something special? Do we want to move forward quickly or would we prefer to take one step at a time? Do we take a cool and rational approach or do we prefer to be warm-hearted and emotional?

Every personality sets its own priorities, usually from birth. In our dreams and mental images, we can sensing these opposing forces as persons or personality traits. C.G. Jung described them as archetypes, which have been sensed in this way by people across cultures at all times. For example, the type responsible for communication in Greek mythology is Hermes, the messenger of the gods, in Norse myths it is Loki and the Romans knew Mercury, the bearer of news. This deity is responsible for the communicative side. Our need for belonging is vital because we would not survive alone. Another example is Thor, Mars or the Greek god of war, Ares, who represent the sometimes quick-tempered, assertive side. We also need this orientation, because without taking sufficient care of ourselves, we would soon perish.

Translated into an easy-to-understand scenario, we can imagine the most important gods as an inner team and speak of the basic needs that gather there when we have to make important decisions. In order to be able to live, we have to fulfill different and even contradictory conditions. In deep motivation, we speak of the basic needs.

We have the choice between these extremes:

• Either we seek belonging in a circle of fellow human beings: We cannot and do not want to live alone.

• or we keep our distance so that we are sensed as an individual and find recognition.

• Either we have a secure foothold for our safety: We need to sense danger in time and react.

• or we strive forward in haste, for enforcement: We want to take care of ourselves, go on adventures and develop our skills.

• Either we are cool and curious about rationality: We want to recognize reality.

• or we use empathy to warmly empathize with our neighbors.

For a coordinator, recognition and belonging have the highest priority. We can outline the inner team like this:

Let’s assume these gods were to meet in an old knight’s hall and sit down at a table, then they would probably take these positions at the coordinator. At the head sit the representatives of the basic needs of recognition and belonging. These two are in the chair. They are confronted by the orientation needs of empathy and cognition. The opposing poles of safety and force sit opposite each other and watch out for each other in order to avoid possible damage to safety - or, from the point of view of enforcement, unnecessary blockages.

The coordinator’s task is to lead this inner team and moderate it if necessary.

This only works if there are common goals and values that are supported by everyone involved, because that is where everyone comes into their own. If the coordinator succeeds in convincing all personality traits of their intentions, there is a peaceful atmosphere in the inner team and all forces can unfold. It is in the sense of all basic needs if they are integrated and contribute to the common work, because they bring different experiences and skills that can benefit everyone.

• Recognition (blue) strives for the best, compares and evaluates alternatives. It makes suggestions for action.

• Belonging (yellow) ensures common ground through coordination. It takes care of communication.

• Safety (green) is an attentive observer. It recognizes risks and ensures order and reliability.

• Enforcement (red) fights to achieve goals. It has visions and takes spontaneous action when we can win something.

• Rationality (black) analyzes situations and ongoing change processes. It wants sensible solutions.

• Empathy (white) wants to empathize with the target scenario and help shape it. It wants to act responsibly.

A future scenario is sought with which all six opposing basic needs are satisfied and which fits the coordinator’s personality and self-image. This situation is consciously perceived as inner peace or deep relaxation.   …