When it comes to group projects, you’ve probably noticed that people have different working styles. Some are constantly coming up with new ideas, while others prefer sticking to the plan. Some excel at bringing the group together, while others shine in tackling their individual tasks.

Though it may seem like just another group project, these behaviors reflect the patterns in our careers, relationships, and nearly everything we do. At their core, our actions are driven by deeper psychological needs known as the four primal human desires: variety, certainty, belonging, and significance.

Motivation is the fuel necessary
to keep the human engine running.

Zig Ziglar

In Personality Ninja, these primal desires are expressed through four distinct Classes. Explorers strive for variety, while Builders long for certainty. Leaders yearn for belonging, while Evolvers crave for significance. Although we might experience all these desires at different stages of our lives, only one will stand out as our main desire.

At the heart of it, Torchbearers are part of the Leader Class, motivated by the desire to improve the lives of those around them. When we refer to Leaders, we’re not talking about titles or authority; we mean individuals who prioritize the needs of others. More specifically, Torchbearers are Leaders who seek Effectiveness, dedicated to discovering what truly works for people.

Torchbearers as Leaders

Real leaders don’t simply give orders; they actively engage their teams. Their goal is to unlock potential in others, encouraging them to push beyond their limits. As such, Leaders often reach out, helping people expand their perspectives. Though they may not see themselves as extraordinary, their influence is unmistakable; they act as agents of positive change within their communities.

Leadership is not a rank or a position, it is a choice—a choice to look after the person to the left of us & the person to the right of us.

Simon Sinek

Leaders are drawn to being part of something larger than themselves, finding purpose when their team works toward shared goals. They’re willing to make personal sacrifices to ensure the group's success, placing the mission above their own interests. Through their selfless efforts, they motivate others to do the same, driving the team to dedicate themselves toward greater achievements.

Leaders often dislike individuals who act solely out of self-interest. It can be frustrating to work with those who prioritize their own perspective despite multiple attempts to reason with them. These individuals fail to understand that the group’s consensus is far more valuable than personal preference. As a result, Leaders often find this resistance counterproductive, as it can hold the whole team back from reaching its desired goals.

Focused on the growth of others, Leaders consistently support their team members, always ready to lend a hand when needed. While some might view this commitment as thankless, Leaders see its worth. Their fulfillment comes from witnessing the success of those they help. As the saying goes, "No one has ever gone poor from giving," and Leaders embody this principle in their daily actions.

While Torchbearers are of the Leader Class, they are also supported by the Explorer Subclass. When we say Explorers, we don't mean those who trek through dense jungles, but simply anyone who prioritizes the discovery of the new. More specifically, Torchbearers are Explorers who seek Possibilities. They desire an endless flow of ideas to unlock all the wonders the world has in store.

Effectiveness By Exploring For Possibilities

For Explorers, real living begins where comfort ends. Born to challenge the unknown, they constantly search for ideas that others haven’t yet tapped into, driven by a relentless curiosity that pushes them forward. This insatiable need to discover is at the heart of their journey, fueling a belief that life is meant to be tackled boldly, with each quest hiding secret gems just waiting to be uncovered.

Where others seek to control life’s natural chaos, Explorers find excitement in it. Novelty is the driving force behind their actions, inspiring them to learn something different every day. They don’t merely remain open to new opportunities; they actively chase them, ready to explore every possibility the world presents. By seeking fresh perspectives, they keep uncovering endless surprises.

"Exploration is about taking risks, pushing boundaries, and finding
out what you're capable of.

For this reason, rigid plans and routines feel stifling to Explorers. They thrive on change, seeing it as a release from predictable patterns that might confine them. While they may avoid detailed planning, they’re fully in their element when life calls for spontaneity. With so much out there to discover, they see no reason to limit themselves to the beaten path. After all, for them, the ordinary holds no appeal when the extraordinary lies just around the corner.

To Explorers, running in circles is simply a path to nowhere. They avoid this by staying engaged with the unknown, diving into every fresh idea that crosses their path. Recognizing life as a one-time chance, they’re driven to learn as much as possible while they can. Ultimately, Explorers live for a singular purpose—the freedom to explore, always on the move, embracing every possibility that life has to offer.

All in all, Torchbearers are Leaders who explore a wide spectrum of possibilities to push their communities forward. Based on their core motivation, each specific archetype possesses a distinct set of traits, giving birth to their own unique strengths and weaknesses.

Nevertheless, the themes covered thus far are merely the tip of the iceberg. To understand more about Torchbearers and discover their unique journey of growth, let us explore the next section where we will analyze the dominant aspects of the Torchbearer archetype.

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Dominant Aspects [Torchbearer]