As we begin to explore the six fundamental value pairs, we start with one that is well established in literature–the dichotomy of individualism and collectivism. In terms of archetypes, I have labeled these groups Hermits and Healers.
The Hermit
The Hermit is an individual who above all wants to live life on his or her own terms. The Hermit is moved by unyielding integrity and moral codes. Independence, self-reliance and individual accountability are the cornerstones of the Hermit’s world. For these reasons, the Hermit is primarily concerned with individuality.
The Hermit’s nemesis is the Healer whose primary focus is to build and protect community at the expense of individualism. A Hermit’s code of ethics or principles makes navigation of what’s right and wrong possible.
If you ever have the opportunity to shop at IKEA, you are no doubt familiar with its unusual layout. Unlike other types of department stores, IKEA stores are configured so that you must traffic throughout the whole store. As one who is familiar with marketing concepts, I understand increased traffic increases sales. Despite this knowledge, I find such a store layout to be annoying and borderline offensive. As one who hates coercion, I hate the idea of being forced to pass by all the areas of the store, particularly on those visits when I am seeking to purchase only one thing then quickly depart the store. Astute observers will notice that there are several shortcuts which allow you to take short cuts. People like me complain about wasted time by being forced to walk where I don’t wish to walk.
Influence Lesson #21: Coercion damages your reputation and reduces your influence.
Malcolm Reynolds from the short-lived science fiction show Firefly and Michael Weston from Burn Notice are great examples of the Hermit.
Hermit Profile
Burn Notice is the story of Michael Weston, a spy in the United States covert operations who is mysteriously blacklisted from his agency. Michael uses his covert operations training to help people in a jam, beat bad guys, and work to solve the mystery of his blacklisting. In a sense, Burn Notice was a return to the fun, explosive filled action dramas of the 1980s — a show with numerous explosions and unambiguous criminals who are far too easily ensnared by Michael Weston’s ploys. Yet despite the explosions and frequently illegal tactics, Michael operates by a personal code. Michael narrates parts of each episode to discuss many of his personal rules for operating. “I don’t like stealing cars, but sometimes it’s necessary. I have rules, though: I’ll keep it clean, and if I take your car on a workday, I’ll have it back by five.”
Michael operates by a strict personal code. He makes every effort to keep people safe. He doesn’t endanger civilians and he won’t hurt the bad guy unless he has no other choice. His code circumscribes his integrity; and, it is that strict adherence to that code which insulates him from a world of crime and deceit that could easily corrupt him, if he allowed it.
The Healer
The Healer is driven by caring, benevolence and bridge building. Filled with empathy and love, the Healer cares for the ailing, the suffering, and the disadvantaged. The Healer is primarily concerned with building community–of Collectivism.
Deanna Troi from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Tammy Taylor from Friday Fight Lights are good examples of the Healer. Tammy Taylor frequently puts others ahead of herself. As a guidance counselor, she invests enormous emotional energy in the students in her charge. She sometimes makes decisions that negatively impact her career if it helps her family or is the right thing for the school. She constantly gives of herself, which makes the payoff sweet when she finally makes a decision for her at the end of the series.
How They Differ and Why They Need to Be
The Hermits know that not everything can be done in a committee. Individual effort does make a huge impact particularly when it comes to caring for small populations, such as a family, or in risk-taking. Hermits go against trends and find potential opportunities which would not be considered by more collectivist groups who may be susceptible to group think. Independent voices keep the majority honest.
Influence Lesson #22: Independent voices are valuable in that they keep the majority honest.
The healers worked tirelessly to bring together diverse and sometimes hostile populations. They bring about diversity of ideas. They care for everyone. They make peace. Healers bring with them a sense of compassion that links even the most distant parts of the community. They are the glue that makes more advanced stages of civilization possible.
Influence Lesson #23: Compassion is the glue to hold that holds groups together.
The Healer is typified by wonderful concepts of benevolence, tolerance, and the willingness to serve the community as a whole. Incidentally, Hermits also believe in these concepts. The difference is that the Hermit wishes to help on his or her own terms. Above all, the Hermit recoils against coercion.
Original Sin
One question that may help to highlight the difference between these two paradigms is, “Are people good or are they only good because they do good works?” If you are the Hermit and believe the former, then someone is good as part of their character. Goodness is an innate concept. The Healer, by contrast, has more of a conditional way of measuring goodness. Because good people are good only because they do good, these people define themselves by their actions and it follows that people are indebted to their community when they are born. The Christian concept of Original Sin is very much rooted in the value paradigm of the Healer. We all start life with a negative balance sheet and we must use our lives to bring us back to even.
Individualism and Collectivism
The dichotomy of individualism and collectivism may be the most distinguishing difference between political ideology in the United States. In fact, in my research, this dimension, of the twelve, was the only difference that was apparent across any demographic group. Self-reported Republicans were significantly more individualistic than self-reported Democrats. No significant difference was observed across sex, race, or any other socio-economic categories. I found those results compelling because it suggests that, in general, we are much more alike than we often suspect. This gives me hope. There is common ground out there if we only give ourselves time and patience to discover it.
