Be More Without Becoming Less

Peter Assad
Jun 5
4 min read

Big Idea: Be Whoever You Want, But Don’t Lose Yourself

(quick note: this is part 2 of 2—read part 1 here. This blogpost is longer than usual, loaded with so much practical content. Be sure to stick until the end for your free growth worksheet!)

If you took the Creative Compass, and thought:

“Huh. I’m a Mender... I wanted to be a Forger.” “I really admire the Producer’s hustle.” “Wow, I wish I had the Craftsman’s calm.”

I want you to know: even if it's not your core, you can still grow in those traits.

Yes, you can change. No, you don’t have to feel stuck. But be mindful: there’s a big difference between growing and role-playing.

If you chase another archetype without integrating it into your core identity, you’ll burn out. It won’t feel like freedom—it’ll feel like acting. So let’s explore how to expand your range without erasing your essence.

You Can Grow

Below are two specific techniques per archetype to help you begin picking up the skills and strengths of others:

Want to grow like a Cartographer? (Thorough • Analytical • Mapping-Oriented) Try this:

Document Before You Do
Before jumping into a task, outline the path. Write out 3 steps, 2 possible obstacles, and 1 success metric. Cartographers bring structure before motion.
Audit the System, Not Just the Result
Reflect on your creative process: What worked? What didn’t? Why? Use journaling or debriefing sessions to see patterns over time.

Want to grow like a Conductor?

(Directive • Coordinated • Strategic)

Try this:

Run a Planning Sprint
Choose a team project and lead a short-term sprint: create a roadmap, assign roles, and push for execution. Feel the difference of driving momentum instead of waiting for consensus.
Practice Clear Delegation
Don’t just ask for help—assign roles with clarity. Start by delegating one key responsibility this week and follow up with focused check-ins.

Want to grow like a Craftsman?

(Steady • Detail-Focused • Masterful)

Try this:

Set a 30-Day Skill Deep-Dive
Choose one craft or tool you want to master. Set a schedule to practice it daily in deliberate, focused sessions. Don’t multitask. Track small improvements.
Design Rituals of Repetition
Set up recurring time blocks for quiet, process-driven work. Embrace the satisfaction of small, incremental wins.

Want to grow like an Engineer?

(Systematic • Self-Reliant • Relentless)

Try this:

Solve a Bottleneck With a Build
Pick one clunky process or inefficient tool and redesign it—whether with automation, templates, or a new system.
Track Your Solo Flow Time
Block off solo work time and track what hours you feel most productive. Engineers thrive in uninterrupted, momentum-driven solitude.

Want to grow like a Forger?

(Pioneering • Daring • Trailblazing)

Try this:

Start with “What If?”
Every week, write down 3 “What if…” questions that challenge the norm in your field, team, or project. For example: “What if we launched before it’s ready?” or “What if we ignored the competition?”
Take Fast, Uncomfortable Action
Choose one bold experiment every month. Don’t over-research it. Just try it. Forgers build momentum by leaping before they’re fully ready.

Want to grow like a Mender?

(Supportive • Patient • Harmonizing)

Try this:

Offer Help Proactively
Choose one person or team to quietly support behind the scenes this week—solving a small problem or easing a burden before they ask.
Facilitate a Circle Check-In
In your next team or group context, initiate a “how are we really doing?” space. Menders bring emotional awareness into collective momentum.

Want to grow like a Producer?

(Efficient • Driven • Outcome-Oriented)

Try this:

Use the “One Goal, One Week” Method
Set a short-term, measurable output goal—something tangible to finish by Friday. Producers thrive with clear benchmarks and deadlines.
Link People to Productivity
Identify one person whose energy accelerates yours. Collaborate to get something done faster than you could solo.

Want to grow like a Weaver?

(Relational • Intuitive • Integrative)

Try this:

Host a Connect-the-Dots Session
Invite a few collaborators to talk ideas, patterns, and shared threads across projects. Weavers shine in environments where people and ideas intersect.
Create Visual Maps of Complexity
Try mind-mapping or collaborative whiteboarding to synthesize multiple perspectives into one elegant visual. It helps build a broader web of meaning.

But Don’t Miss This:

Grow from—NOT away from—your core. Growth doesn’t mean abandoning your archetype—it means expanding your range.

Let’s say you're a Weaver. If you admire the focused autonomy of Engineers, go for it! But don’t abandon your relational instincts—they’re your creative fuel. Or maybe you’re a Producer, but you admire the relationally-patient steadiness of Menders. Stretch in that direction—but don’t lose your get-it-done drive! It’s your magic.

You are not stuck.

You are not limited.

But the goal isn’t to replace your essence with someone else’s.

The goal is integration. Expansion. Depth.

Grow your edges, and keep your center.

Ready to Try It Out?

Here's a free worksheet to help you apply this:

In all this, remember: you are more than the role you’ve been playing, so keep becoming the fullest version of all you've been made to be.