The Helper Archetypes™: Discover Your Natural Support Style.
The Helper Archetypes™
The Sun, Tree & River
We all need support at different points in life, but not all help is created equal. Have you ever felt stuck despite someone trying to help? Or maybe you’ve offered support but weren’t received the way you expected? That’s because there are different ways people offer help, and not all of them are equally effective. This is where the Helper Archetypes™ come in.
Three Types of Helpers:
People who offer support typically fall into one of three categories:
The Sun ☀️
Radiates warmth, energy, and encouragement.
Always uplifting and motivating others.
However: Without direction, too much sunlight can scorch rather than nurture. If it only provides praise without guidance, it may lead to overconfidence and difficulty in handling real-world challenges.
The Tree 🌲
Provides stability, grounding, and unwavering support.
Shields and offers a safe space to lean on.
However: Too much shade can stunt growth. If the Tree overshadows everything, micromanagement and control can lead to dependency, anxiety, and a lack of problem-solving skills.
The River 🌊
Moves forward with purpose, carving pathways.
Guides others toward new destinations with choices.
Ideal Helper: They don’t carry you downstream but equip you to paddle. The River empowers individuals to explore their own paths while providing the right tools and skills.
Why the River Approach Works Best
While the Sun and Tree approaches may feel supportive in the moment, they can sometimes hinder long-term growth.
The River is the most effective because it:
Flows rather than carries: it doesn't paddle for you but offers a current to move you forward, helping you develop skills to navigate and read rapids, allowing you to adjust your course.
Encourages independence: providing a natural path forward, allowing you to decide when to advance, slow down, or change direction.
Offers constructive support: Rather than just saying “You got this!” like the Sun or being steadfast like the Tree, the River offers opportunities for trial and error, guiding you to navigate life's twists and turns independently.
How to Apply This in Your Life
If you’re the one offering support:
→ Reflect: Are you standing too firm (Tree) or only offering words of warmth without tools (Sun)? Shift toward being a River.
→ Ask Questions: Instead of solving a problem, ask, "How do you think you should handle this?" or "What would be a good next step?"
→ Set Boundaries: Helping shouldn’t mean doing everything for someone. Encourage problem-solving while being available for support.
If you’re receiving support:
→ Identify Needs: Do you need motivation, hands-on help, or just the right tools to move forward?
→ Communicate Clearly: If someone is hand-holding too much, let them know you need space to figure things out.
→ Seek the Right Support: Surround yourself with people who guide rather than enable or overwhelm you.
Final Thoughts
Support is most effective when it fosters growth, independence, and confidence. By recognizing these different types of helpers, we can adjust our approach to support others more effectively while ensuring we receive the right kind of help for ourselves.
Have you experienced these different types of helpers? Which one resonates with you the most? Let’s discuss this in the comments! 💬
#SupportSystem #GrowthMindset #HelpingOthers #SelfAwareness #PersonalDevelopment
