Meeting Topic
Introduction
We’ve all heard of various methodologies for sorting out people’s personalities and tendencies, right? Well, here is another interesting one – the 5 Elements. The article below was contributed by Emily Hall and in it she shares how we can understand not only how each Elemental personality ‘looks’ in real life, but how the Elements interact with each other in different ways.
Using the Five elements to bring out the best in ourselves and others By Emily Hall
The ancient Chinese theory of the Five Elements can be applied to a wide variety of situations. It is the application to personalities that are particularly interesting. Most adults have 2 or 3 dominant elements. The elements are a repeating cycle of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element ‘feeds’ the next element and ‘subdues’ the third element in the sequence. People feel encouraged by the feeding element and irritated by the subduing element when they are in balance.
Wood archetypes are the boss, leader, or manager. Wood is goal oriented and driven. It feeds Fire and subdues Earth.
Fire archetypes are the performer, the clown, the star. Fire is charismatic and fun. It feeds Earth and subdues Metal.
Earth archetypes are the mother, the pre-school teacher and the peacemaker. Earth builds consensus and works out of the limelight. It feeds Metal and subdues Water.
Metal archetypes are the scientist, clergymen, yogi. Metal is disciplined and fact driven. It feeds Water and subdues Wood.
Water archetypes are the artist, philosopher and the baby. Water is creative and has strong will power. It feeds Wood and subdues Fire.
The following strategies help bring out the personal best in each element:
Wood
- Involve these people in setting goals for themselves or the group. 2. Give them responsibilities. 3. Let them be the boss. 4. Ask their opinion. 5. Tell them what’s “in it” for them. 6. Teach consideration of feelings.
Fire
- Have clear boundaries. 2. Play and socialize. 3. Fun, groups, role playing, acting out situations for learning. 4. Give Fire personalities the limelight. 5. Remove an audience to encourage reflection. 6. Teach them relating to others isn’t easy for everyone.
Earth
- Social tasks are ideal. 2. Focus on playfulness or helpfulness. 3. Do projects to benefit the group. 4. Let them build consensus in a group. 5. Remind Earth personalities that accomplishing goals are important. 6. Help them meet their own needs.
Metal
- Metal personalities thrive in nurturing and inclusive environments. 2. Let them set their own rules. 3. Redirect with gentle humor. 4. Be literal with language. 5. Independent work is ideal. 6. Share the “why” and “how” – they needs a “big picture” context.
Water
- Water personalities create solutions. 2. Give a timeline and small tasks to complete. 3. Alone time nourishes them. 4. Give them an organization system for things and time. 5. Balance the emotional landscape. 6. Redirect with collaboration and kindness.
Example:
In business we are engaged in Wood activities, even if we are not Wood personalities. To nurture Wood characteristics (goal orientation, staying focused and controlling emotions) we need Water (creative, unstructured downtime). If Wood becomes too ambitious, Metal (self-discipline, spiritual practice, introspection) will re-balance it.
Five Elements is a useful tool to bring the best out in people.
If you’d like to know more about how Emily Hall helps children lead their best lives, visit www.goodsorbeginningswellness.com and www.myfeedingcoach.com
Next Meeting Topic
Introduction
If you’re one of the many working mums in our community, have you ever thought of yourself as the CEO of your home? Why not? In this article, contributed by parenting coach Justine Lamont, you’ll learn how empowering becoming the CEO at home can be and how you can support your ‘team’ at home to perform to their best and create a thriving environment. Who wouldn’t want that?
Empowering Parents: Nurturing a CEO Mindset at Home By Justine Lamont
Transitioning into a CEO at home involves adopting a leadership mindset, making decisions, and managing daily life effectively. This parallels the role of a CEO in the workplace, but parenting comes with its unique challenges. In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, managing a household and a career, often with children, adds complexity, particularly for the 85% of women over 40.
Investing time in fostering cooperation within the household is crucial for progress and harmony. Without cooperation, daily tasks become overwhelming, leading to inefficiency and stress. A cohesive family working together creates a supportive environment where responsibilities are shared, fostering effective communication, problem-solving, and a sense of shared purpose. This collaborative mindset not only streamlines daily routines but also imparts valuable interpersonal skills, preparing individuals for success in various aspects of life.
The daily tasks of ensuring everyone’s needs are met become the fixed points around which everything else revolves. While the temptation to maintain efficiency persists, fostering independence in children and transferring responsibilities to them is not always straightforward. Parents often feel distracted and busy, making it challenging to avoid an all-or-nothing approach.
One powerful skill to encourage cooperation and build teamwork is the DIY (Describe, Information, You) process:
- Describe the Problem: Depersonalize the issue by stating the facts from an adult perspective, setting the tone for connection. For example: “Hmmm…there are two kids and one scooter.” Removing emotion from the equation allows everyone to objectively look at the issue.
- Give Information: Set expectations and introduce family rules, preparing children for what is expected without assigning blame. For instance, “It’s fair when everyone gets a turn.” Clearly state your baseline expectations without pointing fingers or assigning blame. This step prepares children for what you would like them to do, fostering a sense of responsibility.
- Ask What You Can Do: Empower children by asking, “What could you do?”. Providing them with an opportunity to be problem-solvers helps build a sense of control and capability. This step is crucial for their learning experience, allowing them to develop skills that contribute to teamwork and a self-perception as capable problem-solvers.
Teaching life skills, such as organizing belongings, is another aspect of empowering children. Instilling a routine for organizing school bags, for instance, equips them with valuable organizational skills beyond academics. Describe the importance of a well-organized bag, provide information on expectations, and ask them what they can do to keep it organized. This instills responsibility and ownership in managing their belongings, laying the foundation for a more organized and responsible approach to future challenges.
In the journey of parenting, we play a role similar to a CEO, aiming to make our home environment thrive and render ourselves redundant. Success at home, like in the office, relies on the people around us.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Justine helps her clients become CEOs at home, feel free to reach out via email at Justine@gtgparenting.co.nz.
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