1000 insights through the simplicity of one question.
When you uncover your unique Primal Question, you unlock a whole new understanding of your needs, communication and workplace superpowers.
Why it works!
THE PRIMAL QUESTION has helped thousands of individuals, couples, and teams gain life-changing clarity.
Deep Psychological Insights
Identifies the core question driving your life and how you show up in relationships.
Real World Application
Used by leaders, companies, coaches and therapists to help others express themselves.
Proven Impact
Helps people break free from unhealthy patterns in life and relationships.
Simple and Repeatable
The models simple elegance creates a fast-track to growth and connection.
We believe all transformation
starts by understanding the unmet need!
Most people make the mistake of focusing on behaviors and emotions. The Primal Question seeks to understand the unmet need and the beliefs behind it.
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It distills the deep needs and drives that affect our lives. Knowing our underlying desires can shift everything---relationships, parenting and professionally.
Merri Ellen Giesbrecht
THE SEVEN PRIMAL QUESTIONS, EXPLAINED
An introduction to each Primal Question:
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The Q1s are the world’s guardians — they help people feel safe and protected, are naturally able to analyze and predict, and tend to be emotionally connected and sensitive.
At their core, they crave physical and emotional safety — and negative surprises are a “no, thanks.”
When Q1s are at their best, they’re relaxed, at peace, and can heal and protect those around them. However, when they’re in their scramble, they tend to try to control the future, live on high alert, and exist in a lot of stress and anxiety.
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The Q2s are great providers and partners — and they build stable environments, prioritize their relationships and finances, and tend to be trustworthy, grounded, and methodical.
At their core, they crave security — and not having the right amount of money or relational resources to protect themselves is a big fear.
When Q2s are at their best, they’re generous, connected, and secure. However, when they’re in their scramble, they tend to fret over money, resources, and relational capital.
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The Q3s are gifted at loving and caring for others — and they create safe, loving environments for others to feel seen, heard, and treasured.
At their core, they crave being loved — and the thought of being dismissed, unheard, or unseen is a deep fear.
When Q3s are at their best, they’re nurturing, kind, and empathetic. However, when they’re in their scramble, they tend to become people-pleasers, over-give, and engage in codependent behaviors.
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The Q4s are welcoming, accepting, and inclusive — and they’re excellent at connecting people and including them.
At their core, they crave being wanted — and the thought of being excluded, replaced, or shunned is a deep fear.
When Q4s are at their best, they’re strong in social settings, good with people, and make others feel special. However, when they’re in their scramble, they tend to lose themselves in the need to feel wanted themselves.
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The Q5s are confident, focused, and help everyone solve problems — and win.
At their core, they want to be and be seen as successful — and being seen as incompetent or underachieving is their worst possible outcome.
When Q5s are at their best, they lead themselves and others to positive outcomes — and their can-do attitudes give them the ability to produce great work. However, when they’re in their scramble, they tend to lose sight of the bigger picture, engage in workaholic behaviors, and work towards outcomes they may not really want.
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The Q6s are valuable, advocating, and full of special abilities — plus, they’re great at seeing possibilities and spotting untapped resources.
At their core, they want to be seen as good — and ever being negatively thought of or criticized is a huge deal to them.
When Q6s are at their best, they add value to others, embrace their own imperfections, and maximize the lives around them. However, when they’re in their scramble, they tend to see themselves as a victim or shut down.
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The Q7s are imaginative, forward-thinking, and impactful — and they consistently make the world around them a better place.
At their core, they want to live a life full of meaning — and living a purposeless life is the worst thing that could happen to them.
When Q7s are at their best, they embrace their boundless visions, rally people towards a difference, and help others unlock their purpose. However, when they’re in their scramble, they tend to get caught up in finding the “right” path, which can cause them to miss the good.
BRING IT TO YOUR TEAM
For Business — Unlock talent and healthy culture to build an unstoppable team!
You can apply the Primal Question model to maximize employee engagement, communication and healthy leadership through understanding the Primal Gift within everyone. Discover how to reduce friction and accelerate performance from your team.
FOR COUPLES
For Couples—Use the Primal Question to strengthen your romantic relationships.
When couples have language for their highest emotional needs, their relationships flourish. When you use the Primal Question you reduce conflict and increase intimate connection.
FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES
For Families—Explore how the primal questions apply to raising kids.
Learn how to nurture and identify your child’s Primal Question and avoid common parenting mistakes. The Primal Question model reveals how to affirm and speak directly to your child’s biggest emotional need.
Meet Mike Foster
Mike Foster is the creator of the Primal Question Framework and the author of the best-selling book, The Seven Primal Questions. He is a widely respected thought leader on personal development and his work has been featured in The NY Times, Good Morning America, and FOX News. He lives in San Diego with his wife of 30 years.
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