Personality models give us language to describe and predict our patterns of automatic action - our 'inner chimp'. The best tell us not just how people act, but WHY they REACT. 

​

The Centaur model does this by focusing on how emotions flow or are blocked within the body. It helps people gain insight into the unconscious emotional triggers behind their instinctive behaviours. ​The diagram shows just the gifts and deficits of each character style, and the evocative names which capture both in a positive way.

These are archetypal (metaphoric) figures that our (right) brain can instinctively understand at a deep level. The value of each style is clear, as well as the potential drawbacks when any style grips too strongly. This 'right brain' orientation makes the Centaur model a practical tool that is simple to grasp and easy to use. The 5 character styles allow us to work consciously with what we already 'know' unconsciously. 

​

Note: Centaur was developed in the 1980s, when Sandy Cotter adapted her training in psychology and the body-mind therapy of bioenergetics to work with business leaders. In 2022, Sandy's book 'Centaur: the metaphysics of leadership' was finally published.

"The body and mind reflect each other" Sandy Cotter