Archetype : Prophet

The Prophet archetype, as identified by Strauss and Howe in The Fourth Turning, experiences --

• Reputation as child: spirited
• Coming of age: sanctifying
• Coming of age focus: inner world
• Young adulthood: reflecting
• Transition in midlife: detached to judgmental
• Leadership style entering elderhood: righteous, austere
• Reputation as elder: wise
• Treatment as elder: respected
• How they are nurtured: relaxing
• How they nurture: tightening
• Position: First in the cycle, dominant
• Positive reputation: principled, resolute, creative
• Negative reputation: narcissistic, presumptuous, ruthless
• Endowments: vision, values, religion

Today's Prophet generation is the Boom Generation.

• Born 1943 – 1960
• 64.6 million in 2005 (U.S.)
• Ages in 2007: 47 – 64
• American Prophet generations have been Reformists, Puritans, Awakeners, Transcendentalists, Missionary and (now) Boom

Books to understand the mission of the Prophet Archetype (Boomers)

• Generations and
• The Fourth Turning for some incredible insight into the valuable role elder Boomers may well play in the coming years.