Roles

Explore how social and professional roles shape behavior and decision-making.

The Roles Layer

Roles are the various social, professional, and personal identities that people embody in different contexts. Understanding roles helps you communicate more effectively and present solutions that fit with how people see themselves in specific situations.

Types of Roles

Professional Roles

Executive, Manager, Employee
Entrepreneur, Consultant, Specialist
Decision-maker, Influencer, Implementer
Budget holder, User, Evaluator

Personal Roles

Parent, Spouse, Child
Friend, Mentor, Student
Community member, Volunteer
Hobbyist, Enthusiast

Situational Roles

Buyer, Seller, Negotiator
Leader, Follower, Collaborator
Expert, Novice, Advisor
Host, Guest, Observer

Role Dynamics

Role Expectations

What behavior is expected in each role
How decisions should be made
What priorities matter most
Who needs to be consulted

Role Conflicts

When different roles have competing demands
Professional vs. personal priorities
Short-term vs. long-term role needs
Individual vs. team role requirements

Working with Roles

Role Identification

Ask about their position and responsibilities
Understand their stakeholders
Discover their decision-making authority
Learn about their success metrics

Role-Appropriate Communication

Match language to role expectations
Present benefits relevant to their role
Address role-specific concerns
Respect role boundaries and protocols

Role Evolution

Help people see new role possibilities
Support role transitions
Address role-based resistance
Create role-congruent solutions

Integration with Other Layers

Roles interact with:

Identity: Roles express core identity
Values: Roles embody important values
Beliefs: Roles carry belief systems
Actions: Roles determine appropriate behaviors

Advanced role-based influence strategies coming soon…