Social Map: Enthusiast to Truth Teller
The resilience of the Enthusiast and the loyalty of the Truth Teller make them a good, natural fit.
The resilience of the Enthusiast and the loyalty of the Truth Teller make them a good, natural fit.
Enthusiasts are all about flexibility. Truth Tellers, on the other hand, have a distinct view of the world around them. How can these two come to a deeper understanding of one another?
In this Enthusiast to Truth Teller social map, we’ll highlight the strengths and hurdles Enthusiasts may face in connecting with Truth Tellers, as well as best practices for conversations and interactions.
Summary
Enthusiasts and Truth Tellers can have high-quality friendships and relationships, if their interests align. The natural resilience of the Enthusiast and their ability to accept people as they are make them a natural fit as a friend to the Truth Teller. If Truth Tellers can also accept Enthusiasts as they are, this relationship is sure to thrive.
Enthusiasts and Truth Tellers prioritize their needs. If they need to cancel plans for any reason, they’ll do it. Neither one is likely to take offense at this or assign any deeper psychological reason for it. But, in prioritizing their own needs, both Enthusiasts and Truth Tellers may forget to reach out and fail to make plans. Keep some plans on the books to help your connection flourish.
These two may get into rough waters if their values don’t align. Enthusiasts have the ability to compartmentalize and accept people’s faults. The Truth Teller, however, wants a whole-person relationship. If the Truth Teller doesn’t like something the Enthusiast is doing or something about their life, they’ll let them know.
Enthusiasts can be avoidant, but the Truth Teller is no stranger to conflict. Truth Tellers are loyal friends, and Enthusiasts can feel secure knowing this relationship can survive a healthy confrontation. The resilience of this pair means they can face anything.
Strengths and Hurdles
Strengths
— Enthusiasts are elastic. They’re unlikely to get offended by the Truth Teller’s blunt messaging or last-minute cancellations.
— Enthusiasts and Truth Tellers are both led by their interests. If these two Connection Styles have aligned interests, their relationship will flourish.
Hurdles
— Enthusiasts can be avoidant unlike Truth Tellers, who do not mind conflict. Enthusiasts may avoid expressing their feelings (especially negative ones), leading to later issues.
— Enthusiasts can tolerate behavior that doesn’t align with their values and Truth Tellers cannot. This potential mismatch could create conflict.
What to Do
Don't avoid your feelings.
Why it works: Enthusiasts should remember Truth Tellers are loyal and can handle conflict. Don’t let problems fester. Talk them out. The Truth Teller can handle it and will appreciate your honesty as a sign of authenticity in the relationship.
What to Say
“I can see where you’re coming from and why that is important to you.
Why it works: Truth Tellers are unlikely to agree to disagree. But you can acknowledge their perspective. Truth Tellers share their love and care through expressing their opinion. They want you to make choices which, in their view, are correct. By acknowledging their perspective, you communicate to Truth Tellers that you hear them and appreciate them.
“This has been bothering me.”
Why it works: Truth Tellers are loyal and don’t mind having a conversation that may feel, to an Enthusiast, like conflict. Acknowledging if something is bothering you, before you let it get to the point of no return, is important. Enthusiasts can let things build up and cut people off after a certain point. But part of deepening a relationship is finding trust. Enthusiasts can trust Truth Tellers, clear communicators and loyal friends, to have—and get past—a healthy confrontation. Let the Truth Teller know you trust them to have these types of conversations.
Recommendations
“How to Keep in Touch Regularly”: Reaching out and keeping in touch is key to maintaining and deepening relationships.
“How to Have a Healthy Confrontation”: Conflict can be productive and doesn’t have to be painful.
“How to Be Vulnerable”: Laying out your emotional truth can be difficult, but it is one of the foundational ways to build trust and create healthy relationships.