UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Read, Margaret
Dept./Program:
College of Education and Social Services
Year:
2010
Degree:
M. Ed.
Abstract:
Leaders must know themselves in order to lead effectively and with integrity. Leading without an honest and friendly curiosity about various conscious and unconscious components of self can mean derailment for leaders. The Mercurius aspects of the self will be our guide ... and just as Mercury helped Demeter delve into her unconscious and make a deal with Hades for the return of Persephone, the psychopomp aspects of the personality will provide the torch light. The test is to return with Mercury as friend, not fiend and to avoid making any inappropriate deals with Hades. This thesis is an exploration of one woman's inquiry into her leadership journey and the universal implications for leadership development. In various illustrative stories and examples the conscious and unconscious aspects of her personality will be examined through the lens of Dr. Jolm Beebe's Eight-Function-Archetype Model. The Myers-Briggs personality theory holds that there are 16 different personality types, or personality patterns. Each personality pattern, according to theory. uses information gathering and decision making processes to make sense of and interact in the world. Furthermore, each personality has a unique hierarchy to accessing and expressing these various functions in the conscious world.
Dr. John Beebe, Jungian Analyst and Myers-Briggs Type Theory practitioner extends the theory to include four more processes in a hierarchical pattern that function in the unconscious for each personality type. Furthermore, he has attached archetypal qualities to each level of the hierarchical positions, giving us a multi-layered and complex picture of the nuances of each personality type. It is my assertion that three of these archetypes are pivotal in the making or breaking of a leader: the third, sixth, and seventh. As a result of this Scholarly Personal Narrative exploration, a tool has been developed to assist leaders in using their Mercurius energy on a journey toward Alchemical Leadership Development. The tool has two primary pieces. The first is a worksheet to help leaders understand their own hierarchy; and the second is a wheel that demonstrates natural alliances, challenges, and opportunities for further growth and development. Although this tool is unique and innovative, it is well grounded in the theories and practices of healthy and appropriate application of personality type theory.
Dr. John Beebe, Jungian Analyst and Myers-Briggs Type Theory practitioner extends the theory to include four more processes in a hierarchical pattern that function in the unconscious for each personality type. Furthermore, he has attached archetypal qualities to each level of the hierarchical positions, giving us a multi-layered and complex picture of the nuances of each personality type. It is my assertion that three of these archetypes are pivotal in the making or breaking of a leader: the third, sixth, and seventh. As a result of this Scholarly Personal Narrative exploration, a tool has been developed to assist leaders in using their Mercurius energy on a journey toward Alchemical Leadership Development. The tool has two primary pieces. The first is a worksheet to help leaders understand their own hierarchy; and the second is a wheel that demonstrates natural alliances, challenges, and opportunities for further growth and development. Although this tool is unique and innovative, it is well grounded in the theories and practices of healthy and appropriate application of personality type theory.