I'm happy to be writing to you today from Paris, the City of Love! For the past two days, I've had the opportunity to travel with some of the people I love most: my family. We've had a great time winding through the streets of Paris, sampling delicious food and seeing the sights.
Inevitably, during travel, things don't go as planned: you miss the bus, you get separated in a crowd, you turn à gauche when you should have turned à droite. It's times like these that I see the power of the jester archetype and am grateful it lives so strongly in my family's culture.
The Jester archetype is one of twelve storylines that Dr. Carol Pearson identified as having a strong presence in organizational life. I use these archetypes in my branding and coaching work and tend to notice them in the interactions I have with other people. When I'm working with individuals and groups who show up as the Jester, they are typically fun-loving, easy-going and quick-witted. But when they learn that they are "Jesters," they can be embarrassed, thinking that the Jester is simply a fool.
In reality, the Jester is wise, helping us experience the lightness of life. The Jester knows that life is to be enjoyed and that we are more joyful when we don't take ourselves or each other too seriously. The Jester builds relationships through play and heals us through laughter. Yes, the Jester is a powerful way to neutralize a dispute and turn the conversation around.
As I look back on the past two days of travel with my family, I am grateful for how much laughter arose from the missteps, the wrong turns and the mispronunciations. There is a lightness to life that they remind me of every time we are together.
How present is the Jester in your life? Are you able to laugh at your mistakes and see the absurdity in life? Are you able to let go and be at peace with how things are? Are you able to diffuse tense situations with it? If you feel like you could use more Jester in your life, I invite you to take some time to play this week. Tell a silly joke to your family, dance with joyful abandon and laugh from your belly.
As I walk into the streets of Paris today, I'll summon my inner Jester. I hope you'll do the same as you walk through your day.
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Want to learn more about the archetypes? Wondering which of the twelve types you and your organization are? Want to learn how these storylines can help you become a more passionate leader and a more desired brand? Sign up now for the 2nd Love Your Brand Workshop! This all-day interactive session will help you create more powerful brand messaging that will align your team and inspire your customers.
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