When The Moomins Grow Up. Psychological Type Moomin Troll - Self-development

We continue to publish a series of articles by Leonid Krol, the creator of the Coaching Workshop project, professor of the Master's program Psychoanalytic Coaching and Consulting at Higher School of Economics and the author of the Incantico blog, which identified 15 psychological types and advises how best to communicate and work with everyone. Our today's hero is the beloved (in the book) Moomin-troll, but is it so easy and simple with him?

Despite the fabulous name from the children's book, this is the most adult of all possible characters: he takes responsibility, knows how to lead and obey. Gentle, reflective, he takes care of feelings and gratefully responds to prompts and reading what is happening to him. He is very sympathetic, and empathy for him arises instantly, just by itself. But…

• … everything is always difficult for him. Small steps are subjectively perceived as big obstacles. Therefore, the desire for avoidance, ending, "well-deserved rest" and getting out of control (whatever it may be) is increased.
• Almost always there is an easily approaching suspiciousness, an expectation of deterioration, and a local unfavorable prognosis.
• They are focused on individual programs, attention, do not trust the formation and march. They have doubts about statistics and statements like "in a healthy body - a healthy mind." These values are not so self-evident to them. A healthy mind?.. A healthy body?.. Why?..
• They love the hyperactive and impulsive, consider them a good addition to themselves. We are ready to work together, but only if their tempo and rhythm are respected, and their specialness and originality are taken into account.
• They truly believe in reduced vitality and activity. Therefore, in working with them, it is worth emphasizing the norm and productivity of personal circular rhythms, an original regime, and recharge zones. Chronic property to conserve strength. Much more energetic, efficient and competent than he himself thinks. If he suddenly receives a signal of something interesting or support, he immediately has a sharp burst of activity and gains strength.
• They are prone to romance, sarcasm (outbursts of subtle aggression) and nihilism at the same time. Working with this proportion and shifts in it are perceived positively. This type is very associative, and this property increases when he is comfortable. In his realized state, he is a misanthropic but poignant satirist. Many sharp people are very pessimistic and generally psychasthenic. Such were Swift and Zoshchenko. Laughing at others, highlighting the sharp corners of life, sharpening and walking on knives - they know how better than others. And when there is nothing to lose - suddenly there are breakthroughs to youth.

Only those who already understand can listen attentively

Martin Heidegger

How to communicate with the Moomin troll

• It is important to express the feeling of support repeatedly and in different ways, as well as to briefly and accurately indicate the small sections of the activity.
• Of particular importance is “I understand you”, so that one would not be ashamed to read internal states. The fact of recognition already serves as a division of gravity. Virtual help, speaking, jokingly translating serves as objectification of the fact that there is still strength.
• We can talk about suspiciousness by paying attention to the statistical part of the forecast, past experiences when the lower predictions did not come true. It is better to do it seriously, but without pathos.
• Don't cheer up. Do not urge "to score and not pay attention", "to act, be more active." Nods with formal agreement and continues in the same spirit. He is not lazy, he is just sure that he has no strength. And they are. But it takes a long time to find them.
• They love treatment with ridicule, images, and sharp shaking. This shows their sunny side, which even the most dull melancholic always have. Moreover, the more melancholy a person is, the more this potential is in him.
• They are receptive to cases and stories, examples in which life is felt, and much less responsive to window dressing: presentations, schemes, recipes, abstractions. This is a human, soulful type.
• A good (understandable, sharp, laconic) metaphor is perceived almost materially, as an effective means, and they are ready to be charged from several precise images. They need a spark!
• With them you can and should be vigorous and active, only do not bother them themselves. Remember, the depressant Raskolnikov had an energetic friend Razumikhin, who all the time unceremoniously broke in, bustled, helped the good and threatened the bad, and in the end fell in love with the sister of the protagonist Dunyasha.
• With them, it is important to look for a niche, a hole, a greenhouse, a supporting and unloading space and time, so that periods of activity (often increased) are combined with complete relaxation and your own time management.
• The importance and sympathy for oneself on the part of more regularly functioning people who are outwardly more active are underestimated. But they are needed in the team as deepeners and extenders. If you emphasize this role, their trust in you will increase.
• They "deflate" all the time, like an inflated balloon, they need to be inflated. But no "come on, come on," "hurry-uh-ge-gay."
• The subdepressive grafting is a homeopathic dose of pain and patience for the more external and active types. If you emphasize this role - they willingly play sober.