Hiring By Human Design Type
Instead of hiring by Human Design type, I should’ve named this post honoring your team’s Human Design type or working with certain Human Design types.
I wrote this blog post with small business owners in mind. I’m talking about the person who started up a business by themselves and could use another set of arms to make things happen.
Before we get to the good stuff, I must remind you: no one is incapable of a task simply because of their Human Design type.
I was a virtual assistant for eight years. This is a role normally attributed to Generator types because, on paper, they have the sacral energy to keep them going. As a Projector, I used automation, templates, delegation, and systems to make sure I hit all my deadlines.
I was a virtual assistant 2010-2018, prior to AI and Canva’s updates.
For example, if a task calls for me to make ten Pinterest images for my client, I may ask the client for permission to go on Fiverr and outsource it since I’m not design savvy. Then I’ll load the Pinterest images into a software that will auto-repin every 6 months, cutting that time off of my hands.
As you read this post, remember that there is no best pairing based on type alone.
You could seem perfect on paper but the variables of your environment, personalities, and cultural differences can create difficulties in the working relationship.
Hiring as a Manifestor
Manifestors are fast-moving. They take ideas and run with it, 0-100. Their team must be cautious about getting in the Manifestor’s way because the Manifestor can come off mean.
Manifestors are direct.
People who are sensitive to the Manifestor’s bluntness benefit by working with the Manifestor indirectly. They can have a manager who works for the Manifestor.
Caveat: they still need to adhere to a Manifestor’s standards. Even without direct interaction, the Manifestor will be annoyed with anything that hinders their success.
Manifestors also benefit from the support of those who don’t take their direct nature personally. Manifestors have a closed, repelling aura which can make people feel intimidated (especially if the Manifestor has a 5 in their profile).
Their perfect assistant sees them where they are and doesn’t flinch when they’re tackling their next vision.
Areas where a Manifestor could use support:
Repetitive tasks that take away focus from the bigger vision.
Foundational steps that may be overlooked.
Client-facing support, such as customer support or inbox management.
Calendar management.
Research, especially for the undefined mind.
Manifestor with a Projector Assistant
Projectors tend to be hit or miss in assistance roles. On one hand, Projectors are incredible at anticipating your needs and being proactive. If a Manifestor has a vision, the Projector takes the vision and creates the plan down to the finest detail.
This duo does not have a defined sacral. If the workload is heavy, the Manifestor must be open to the Projector taking a different route while getting the same outcome. A self-managed Projector is a powerful asset for the Manifestor.
Manifestor with a Generator/Manifesting Generator Assistant
Everything said about Generators applies to Manifesting Generators. Generators have a defined sacral, making them capable of executing the Manifestor’s vision.
Generators flourish in environments where they receive direct instructions. They don’t require constant management but give them a Loom video or clear instructions to set the foundation. This lets their sacral flow.
If the Manifestor’s business has a sturdy foundation, this pairing can be solid.
If the Manifestors’ business is a mess, the Generator will likely feel frustrated.
Generator types make incredible assistants, especially with their consistent endurance. The Generator type does need to be wary of ensuring the Manifestor is clear in what they want and not constantly switching or piling the tasks onto the Generator. Generator types can bring any idea to life, but the Manifestor must remember to give the Generator solid context.
Manifestor with a Reflector Assistant
This is an interesting pairing because you have the Manifestor, who can move quickly when they’re ready, and the Reflector, who works with the lunar cycle. However, the Reflector is a human carbon monoxide detector, serving as a fine guide for the Manifestor’s vision. If this relationship is mutually trusting, the Reflector can detect what the Manifestor needs and how to support those needs over time.
A Reflector takes time to review and chew, which can balance the Manifestor’s style. Too many business owners burn out after the first several years because they cover up their messes instead of trying to fix them. Reflectors see them, acknowledge their existence, and guide the team on how to care for them.
However, Reflectors are better suited for a consulting and guidance role over one that needs to do a large amount of repetitive, tedious tasks.
Reflectors can be a “right hand” to the Manifestor and curate a terrific team to do the task execution.
Manifestor with a Manifestor Assistant
Whenever two people of the same type get together, it can be two peas from the same pod or too much likeness. If a Manifestor works with another Manifestor, they may feel relieved to find someone who understands how they operate.
However, hiring an assistant is not about finding a clone of you. It’s about finding someone who can compensate for and complement your current skill set.
A Manifestor with a Manifestor assistant could work out, especially if the assistant is also delegating to a team. The Manifestor assistant may understand and know the Manifestor so intimately that this becomes a “the boss and the boss’s mini-me” type of relationship. On the other hand, they could experience two Manifestors constantly clashing because one believes they know better than the other.
Hiring as a Generator Type
Generator types include:
Classic Generators
Manifesting Generators
You’ll often see Manifesting Generators separate from Generators though they’re both considered Generators. Since 70% of the population is made up of Generators, it’s easier to split them between classic Generator and Manifesting Generator.
Each of the pairings below will have a separate note for Manifesting Generators.
Generator types have a defined sacral that allows them to do the work needed to run a business. They’re incredible at executing the task as long as they know what needs to be done. They’d also benefit from the support of someone who can see the finer details and even manage them on an executive level.
Generator types have an enveloping aura, capable of experiencing different tasks at the same time. They’re the most likely to find ways to batch tasks and they flourish when they’ve found effective shortcuts.
Their perfect assistant can duo as a leader and a follower, with a firm eye for detail. They should also keep the Generator on track because when Generators find things to respond to, it’s easy for them to want to respond to everything.
And they’re capable of that amount of response.
Areas where a Generator Type could use support:
Creating processes and standard operating procedures to work by.
Breaking down larger tasks into smaller tasks and overall project management.
Delegating, outsourcing, and building out the team.
Giving a second look at tasks that are already done to ensure it’s done correctly.
Research-related tasks.
Being asked if something is related to the overall vision or merely a distraction.
Generator with a Projector Assistant
Generators are capable of working long hours, especially on projects that make them feel alive, though the Projector will likely need breaks. This relationship can be incredible for Generator types who like to speed through their work but have a tendency to skip steps or leave mistakes behind.
If there is trust between the Generator and the Projector relationship, the Generator can move quickly and the Projector can correct anything that needs a second look.
The Generator needs to take care to ensure the work being done is in alignment with their response and authority so they don’t get caught in a state of frustration. This can manifest in the Generator type trying to dump those problems onto the Projector.
Manifesting Generators with a Projector assistant: As long as the Manifesting Generator is clear on the direction, the Projector can offer a strong, detailed-oriented style of support. A skilled Projector can benefit from asking the Manifesting Generator to “ramble,” honoring the Mani Gen’s powerful voice.
Generator with a Manifestor Assistant
Manifestors who are in the assistance role are interesting to watch because you often see this pairing with business owners who need serious direction. In this relationship, the Generator is ultimately responsible for the business but likely has the Manifestor consult with them to help make these decisions.
The Manifestor assistant must be patient enough to wait for the Generator. The Generator must be trusting in their own response to not hand over their personal decision-making power to the Manifestor.
Manifestor assistants are powerful and capable of creating unimaginable opportunities. They are not suited for repetitive and tedious tasks - they can do it, but they rather help you take over your industry.
Manifesting Generators and Manifestor assistants: Mani Gens are the most likely to try to keep up with their Manifestor counterparts, but it’s worth remembering that Manifesting Generators are subtypes of Generators, not Manifestors. This can definitely be a powerful duo, as long as the Manifesting Generator doesn’t ignore waiting to respond in favor of the Manifestor’s informing-style strategy.
Generator with a Reflector Assistant
This pairing is perfect for Generators who are not looking to outsource the actual work but want someone to maintain the health of their business. When people talk about hiring an assistant, it’s usually around outsourcing tasks.
Generators who are perfectly happy doing the tasks themselves might outsource the following to a Reflector:
Creative and stylistic tasks such as design
Non-time-sensitive tasks such as collecting testimonials and creating processes for future hires
Managing and overseeing a larger team
Reflector assistants know their team and proactively cultivate an environment that can support everyone. If you have a strong company culture that prioritizes workplace health, Reflectors are valuable assistants to carry out that vision.
Manifesting Generator and Reflector assistants: Same as Classic Generators.
Generator with a Generator Assistant
With Generator types making up 70% of the population, this is a common pairing. Generators all have a defined sacral so as long as the Generator assistant enjoys their work, this is a predictable pairing.
However, Generators are not identical to each other. Each Generator still needs to understand what enables them to experience sacral satisfaction. If the Generator is satisfied with doing a specific task, they cannot assume the Generator assistant will feel the same way.
Hiring as a Projector
Projectors have a penetrating aura, designed for 1:1 work. You see a lot of Projectors as consultants or coaches because they work well with an individual’s needs rather than fixating on the whole.
This isn’t to say that Projectors are incapable of group work. Projectors can adapt to group work, assuming the audience is open to the intense aura.
Projectors are designed to guide. Like Manifestors and Reflectors, they do not have a defined sacral so they need to keep their energy levels in mind.
With the strategic need to be recognized, Projectors must work with assistants who believe in their vision rather than assistants who prefer to manage their clients (assistants who manage their clients are great for Generator types seeking this type of working relationship).
Projectors are not an energy type the way Manifestors and Generators are. It’s important that the assistant honor and make space for the nature of the Projector’s existence.
A note on self-projected Projectors and ego-projected Projectors: You may feel more aligned with the content related to Manifestors than the content related to Projectors. Feel free to read both.
Areas where a Projector could use support:
Getting over waiting for something to be “perfect” before it’s brought into the world.
Task management and execution.
Customer support or handling large volumes of inquiries that demand the Projector’s attention.
Communicating and scheduling events on behalf of the Projector.
Reminding the Projector when enough is enough.
Projector with a Generator Type Assistant
A Projector with a Generator Type assistant can be a perfect match. The Projector is capable of leading, directing, and managing the structure of the business while the Generator type executes the tasks.
You can see this pairing as the Projector creates the skeletal configuration while the Generator type fleshes it out.
The Projector must be mindful of creating clear goals and plans for the Generator type to work through. If the Generator type isn’t sure where their sacral flow is headed, it can create issues in the working relationship between bitterness and frustration.
Projector with a Manifestor Assistant
Projectors who want a no-nonsense assistant will find that energy in a Manifestor. This is a power duo, with the Projector understanding their personal vision and the Manifestor with full capability of directing the vision.
If the Projector creates, the Manifestor ensures the world is aware of said creation.
It’s like having a bulldog on your side.
The obstacle between this duo is the lack of sacral definition. They will likely need to outsource and delegate to outside contractors or take on employees in order to flesh out the Projector’s vision.
The Manifestor assistant will serve more as a “right hand” to the Projector.
Projector with a Reflector Assistant
Here we have a nontraditional pairing, with the nonenergy type of the Projector and the lunar type of the Reflector. This duo would greatly benefit from systems that increase the speed of their work without compromising the integrity of the creation, such as the scrum framework.
Projectors and Reflectors who live in their design are rarely in a hurry. They know that making things happen quickly comes from the realm of Generators and Manifestors.
Despite the mechanics of Human Design, the world will still demand speed and action from Projectors and Reflectors. This pair can benefit from outsourcing foundational tasks to Generator types who feel more natural in a task-related environment.
Reflector assistants make incredible right-hands for Projectors who are more concerned with the long-term legacy than getting something out quickly.
Projector with a Projector Assistant
Projector assistants tend to be a hit or miss, especially when the Projector assistant is not aware of their Human Design type. Remember that Projectors are not energy types but they will experience the conditioning of being an energy type.
When a Projector assistant feels sacral conditioning or energetically full, they may over-plan and overpromise their capabilities. When the conditioning is gone, or they are burnt out from energy mismanagement, you’ll run into trouble.
From a different perspective, you may find two peas in a pod - the Projector who is working on leading the business, with a mini-me Projector assistant delegating to a larger team.
Hiring as a Reflector
Reflectors are different from the other types because they are lunar types (the other three are solar types). As the moon reflects the sun, the Reflector reflects their environment.
Most importantly, a Reflector must carefully curate their team around the culture they’d like to amplify into the world. They do this through sampling, considering each individual, and taking their time before making hiring decisions.
In this hustle-laden world, a Reflector needs to find an assistant who won’t pressure them into being an immediate hire. Reflectors should be comfortable asking the assistant to work independently without waiting for the Reflector to constantly micromanage them.
Areas where a Reflector could use support:
Getting over waiting for something to be “perfect” before it’s brought into the world.
Task management and execution.
Customer support or handling large volumes of inquiries that demand the Reflector’s attention.
Being a “sounding board” for the Reflector instead of an advisor.
Doing repetitive or foundational tasks to keep the business running.
Reflector with a Generator Type Assistant
A Reflector with a Generator Type assistant is a great match, assuming the Generator type is okay with the Reflectors’ pace. The Generator type can work on repetitive tasks and manage projects that satisfy their sacral flow while the Reflector considers their creative vision.
Business owners don’t always have the luxury of controlling time. Generator types can support their Reflector by ensuring all the pieces of a project are completed and in place, so when the Reflector is ready to make a decision, they are well equipped to proceed.
Generator types can make preparations while Reflectors wait out their lunar cycles.
It takes a special type of Generator to be able to work with a Reflector. Reflectors are the 1% and the Generator assistant should not force the Reflector into acting like a solar type.
Reflector with a Manifestor Assistant
If the Reflector and Manifestor assistant can figure out what requires a Reflector’s waiting and what can be handled immediately by the Manifestor, we have some magic.
For example:
The Reflector is visualizing their new group program and sampling different coaching models. The Manifestor goes to work collecting a list of potential affiliates.
The Reflector is helping a private client with a project and is anxious about pivoting into a one-to-many group model. The Manifestor finds several group program models and brings them to the Reflector to sample.
The Manifestor assistant must mind their patience with the Reflector’s ability to make decisions. The Reflector must build their confidence in giving tasks to the Manifestor that can support long-term visions.
Reflector with a Projector Assistant
A nontraditional pairing, we see the nonenergy type, Projector, with the lunar type, Reflector. This duo can be notorious for moving slowly because the Reflector must take time to sample while the Projector doesn’t have the defined sacral to quickly execute projects themselves.
This duo would greatly benefit from systems that increase the speed of their work without compromising the integrity of the creation, such as the scrum framework.
A Projector assistant can be valuable to a Reflector because the Projector can guide the Reflector and serve as a sounding board. There are opportunities for out-of-the-box creations with this working relationship.
The Reflector will likely need to bring on energy types onto the team to assist the Projector, even if temporarily. The Projector assistant is well suited to project management or delegation role while serving as the Reflector’s right hand.
A note on self-projected and ego-projected Projectors: This subtype of Projectors may move faster than their counterparts because their design resembles that of a Manifestor’s (though they are NOT Manifestors).
Reflector with a Reflector Assistant
Two lunar types would be interesting in a working relationship, though there may be a struggle in task execution.
There are many opportunities to muse, contemplate, and consider, but few for getting work done. A Reflector x Reflector working relationship would benefit from bringing on additional team members for balance.
It also depends on what they’re working on. Anything long-term is amazing.
Note about Reflectors: When working through lunar cycles, the cycle doesn’t start when the process begins. It begins with the first spark of an idea.
For example, if a Reflector is in a relationship, they think about potential marriage. They could be thinking about this for months, which is several lunar cycles. When the partner proposes, the Reflector doesn’t have to say, “I’ll let you know after the lunar cycle ends.” The Reflector thought about it for a while and can say yes/no on the spot.