Controller versus Warrior in Business
- Victoria Hogg
- Jul 24, 2025
- 3 min read
Well hello there! |
Warriors and controllers - two leader architypes. There is a subtle difference between the two though.They often have the same goals, but it’s how they go about it that’s different. The controller seeks to receive and the warrior seeks to give. And mostly we see the differences in their tonality. You don’t have to be a gladiator to choose your tone. You just have to listen to how you're speaking. Are you leading with structure or with service? Are you hoarding power or handing it out like free coffee? You get to choose to be a warrior or a controller. And that choice, in business, in teams, in life… it can make all the difference. |
Controller versus Warriorin Business
The subtle art of leading without gripping the sword too tightly.
TRY IT OUT: "The Tonality Test: Tea Edition."Describe how you make a cup of tea. Do it out loud, if you can. Or in your head if you're in public (or British and embarrassed by feelings). But do it in your Controller tone:
Now do it again in the Warrior tone. See not only how different it might sound, but also how by using tonality you change your vocabulary too. Check out the bottom of this newsletter for an example of how you could play this out.
“What we do in life echoes in eternity.” Maximus Decimus Meridius, Gladiator (2000)
Something watched. Too many times, probably…
Gladiator, with Russell Crowe. What a film!
How easy was it to root for Maximus, the grounded, grief-stricken Warrior with a moral compass and a decent jawline (so I’m told).
Versus… what’s-his-name? The twitchy, sweaty guy? Commodus? Blimey, even his name sounds like a disappointing Roman flat-pack from IKEA.
Now Maximus, he doesn’t want power, but people give it to him.
And Commodus? He grabs power, and loses the people in doing so.
One inspires from the front. The other micro-manages from the throne.
Sound familiar?
Something kids just do
Role play. Not the corporate kind with breakout rooms and uncomfortable icebreakers. I mean kids, aged 4 to 8, building entire worlds with a blanket, a stick, and a weird accent.
They love playing Teacher and Student, Mum and Baby, Vet and injured Giraffe.
There’s usually one calling the shots, and one lying on the floor pretending to be unconscious.
And what's fascinating? They often swap roles, but not the structure. Someone leads. Someone obeys. No one teaches them that dynamic. They just kind of know.
Are we already rehearsing life’s hierarchies before we even know how to tie our shoe laces? Is this how we learn that power means control, and being led means submission?
And if so, when do we unlearn it?
“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.” Robert Greenleaf, Founder of Servant Leadership
Something heard…
Tone is everything and it’s a tool every leader needs to harness and use. Ask a leader how to improve team collaboration, and their answer might reveal their inner archetype. Here's what I mean:
👑 Controller says:
"We need everyone to follow the same process to avoid confusion. Roles and responsibilities must be clearly defined and adhered to. Consistent reporting will ensure accountability across the team."
🛡️ Warrior says:
"Let’s find a shared way of working that keeps us aligned. Everyone should know each others strengths and how they contribute to the group. Let’s have regular check-ins to help us stay connected and support each other."
Same goal. Same topic. Totally different energy.
The controller seeks to receive order.
The Warrior seeks to give clarity.
It’s that simple really.
All the best,
Vic (and Paul)
