Role description

The Architect can see when systems are not going to produce the desired outcome or where processes are falling short. The Architect can create new paradigms, frameworks or models that better align the process with the vision and the people.

The Architect enjoys prototypes or new projects, is analytical by nature and is gregarious yet fiercely independent. Ensures the leadership ‘walks the talk’ and is credible.

Architects thrive on generating new ideas and concepts and are able to picture their vision very clearly. Their strength lies in creating ideas and plans, and they are most productive once a game plan has been established. They have an excellent ability to think issues through. They are very determined and controlled and will want to have a vision to work towards. They will not be openly competitive but will certainly work longer and harder than most to achieve their vision.

Architects can be very disciplined and expect the same from others. They work efficiently and to a plan, systematising everything they can. They are highly tolerant and patient with people as long as they are efficient and want to achieve. They enjoy people who have vision.

As leaders, they like structure, discipline and organisation. They are easily able to provide their staff with an understanding of the organisation’s vision but probably will not see it necessary for routine work. They willingly contribute to making a team work together or getting a project organised. They are extremely supportive of staff, care about them as individuals and take responsibility for making their team feel positive and enthusiastic about their work when they themselves are excited by the vision. They are excellent delegators and have the skill of matching tasks with people. They can easily identify potential in people and can also be strict when required especially if they suspect incompetence or laziness.

Architects are very loyal as long as people fit in with their vision. They are mostly respectful of others. Generally, they are able to see people for what they are and will often not enjoy being around highly opinionated people.

They resolve conflict by facing people in the direction of their vision and encouraging them to find a workable solution.

They don’t like people to be unhappy so they will seek to find solutions to any conflict to ensure everyone is happy. If someone is angry with them, they will both feel the impact of the emotion and use logic to justify their position. Seldom will they become angry in response, but when they do they tremble with rage. They will often appear to look blank.

Architects cope well with change as long as it is heading somewhere. An Architect will want everyone to be happy about any changes that are being considered. If under stress, they work through the experience. They will most likely escape into their vision, check everyone is coping and then generate a way to solve the stress. Architects are both analytical and objective. Their internal conflict lies between cold hard logic and wanting people to be happy. They are more zany than spontaneous, and like the bizarre and oddball. They enjoy outrageous and illogical humour. They can easily see a person’s weaknesses and may play on them.

They can become depressed or bored if they are unable to express their vision or if this vision is not valued by friends or work colleagues. They are generally optimistic if they are being shown support.

They are mostly balanced, stable individuals, although at times they may be influenced by the company they keep. They may deceive where necessary to achieve their plans or visions.

An Architect has an excellent understanding of the negotiation process and can gauge their opponents’ thoughts and personal weaknesses and use them to their advantage. An Architect is most formidable when working long and hard to achieve their vision, organising large teams in crisis situations and creating order from chaos.