The Generalist

The brain is complex and there are thousands of areas that are responsible for different functions. To make certain connections clear, we use simple metaphors, such as the image of the inner team. If we observe the decision-making behavior of different people, we can assume that they want to achieve or avoid something with their choice. Depending on their personality and the current and expected situation, everyone sets certain priorities. There are six different directions in which we are drawn. As each of these is essential to life, we speak of basic needs. There are three pairs of opposites, so that we find ourselves in three conflict situations in our unconscious at the same time.

Orientation conflict We strive for rationality: we need a rational orientation in the world for our decisions. If we do not perceive reality, we are helplessly lost. And as a counterpoint to empathy: Before we act, we want to empathize with the possible consequences. We need to assess the effects so as not to harm ourselves or our fellow human beings.

Conflict of action We need safety: everything we do changes our situation and is associated with risks. If we want to survive, we need to sensing dangers in good time and reacting appropriately. And in contrast, we want enforcement: we want to develop our abilities and make progress. If you want to live, you have to provide for your needs and fight if necessary.

Relationship conflict On the one hand, we want belonging: as a lonely person, we would not survive the first few years. We also need other people later on, adapt to them and integrate ourselves. On the other hand, we strive for recognition: we want to be important to ourselves, but also to our friends, and to be recognized as an independent being. Even as a small child, we would die if we were overlooked.

Each of these basic needs is an energy potential that pulls us in its direction through strong feelings. In our dreams and fantasies, these forces appear as persons or, as the old mythologies tell us, as deities. We can imagine six representatives meeting in an ancient knight’s hall and taking their places according to our personality. This could look like this for the generalist:

The opposing needs sit opposite each other and ensure that our lives remain balanced and that no one is taken advantage of. Conflict is good and is part of our nature, because we can only develop our personality if we always take both sides into account. To do this, the inner team needs a common direction. To achieve this, we clarify questions of identity (who am I?) with the associated values and long-term goals, but also tasks that we give ourselves and fit into this framework.

In order to do justice to this inner team in daily life, generalists need a conscious overview that gives all opposing parts the opportunity to think and feel their way into current and expected events.

If we imagine six equal team members coming together to talk about our actions and reactions in a complex internal and external world with the aim that everyone is satisfied, then it is helpful that empathy and rationality, belonging and recognition, safety and enforcement sit opposite each other. This is the easiest way to perceive each other and to include the ideas of the other side in your own considerations.

These meetings of the inner team with the usual discussions and the struggle for the best possible decision happen unconsciously. If we are satisfied with ourselves and our lives, we can assume that these unconscious processes have led peacefully to good solutions. Our ‘self’, represented here as the ‘generalist’, moderates these processes and uses common goals and values that are accepted by everyone in the inner team. If we are dissatisfied, whether with our achievements or with external circumstances for which we are not responsible, it indicates that one of our gods is missing something.

We can realize that each member of the inner team has had their specific experiences from childhood to take care of themselves. Each side asks themselves: What do I need to do to

act rationally and sensibly (rationality), integrate myself (belonging), be valued (recognition), be successful (enforcement), avoid danger (safety) and live harmoniously and peacefully (empathy)?

As we grow up, we train suitable behaviors for each need and develop skills that also benefit the other members of the inner team:

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

• Empathy (white) wants to act responsibly and observes possible effects.

• Together they develop mediation skills that enable rational solutions to emotional conflicts.

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

• Enforcement (red) fights to achieve goals. It has visions and takes spontaneous a…