Puppy
Enthusiast
"Happy, smiley, positive, eager"
About the Puppy
The Puppy is the enthusiast — happy about every idea, supportive of every idea. They want everything to be great and their job is to support you no matter how crazy your idea is. The Puppy analyses interactions for opportunities to improve the project. They are driven by relatedness (we're all together) with a secondary drive toward competence (I want to contribute meaningfully to the project's success).
Psychological Profile
Primary Need (SDT)
Secondary Need (SDT)
Need for Competence
SDT Description
Driven by connection and contributing meaningfully. Wants the project to be meaningful and that all the members of the group are engaged and happy. Identifies ways to improve the project and highlights positive aspects to encourage contribution.
Key Behaviors
- Enthusiastic about every idea
- Supports all ideas and team members positively
- Wants everything to be great
- Supports you no matter how unconventional the idea
- Identifies opportunities to improve the project
- Highlights positive aspects to encourage contribution
How to Fulfil the Puppy Role
- Respond to new ideas with genuine curiosity and encouragement
- Find something positive in every suggestion before critiquing
- Celebrate small wins and progress milestones
- Actively counterbalance negativity when the Cat raises concerns
- Encourage quieter members by enthusiastically building on their ideas
- Keep morale high during difficult phases of the project
When There Is No Puppy
Without a Puppy, morale drops. Creative ideas get dismissed too quickly by critical voices. A negativity spiral develops where people stop contributing because they expect rejection. The group loses energy and enthusiasm.
Multi-classing
In smaller groups, one person may need to cover two roles. Compatibility depends on whether the underlying motivational drives conflict.
Easy Combinations
Puppy + Wolf
Group management and enthusiasm both stem from Relatedness needs. The Wolf keeps everyone together while the Puppy keeps everyone positive. They share Relatedness as their primary need.
Puppy + Owl
Process and positivity can coexist. The Owl keeps things on track (Agency/Relatedness) while the Puppy maintains morale (Relatedness/Competence). They share Relatedness as a need.
Puppy + Bear
Leadership and enthusiasm share a Competence drive. The Bear's vision gains energy from the Puppy's enthusiastic support, bridging mastery and connection.
Hard Combinations
Puppy + Cat
It is difficult to be both enthusiastic and critical at the same time. The Cat's independent analysis and the Puppy's supportiveness pull in opposite directions, making it hard to do justice to both roles.