Process communication
Origins of Process Com
In the 1970s, American psychologist Taïbi Kahler extended Transactional Analysis and created the Process Communication Model (Process Com). For this work, he received the Eric Berne Prize in 1977.
As the name suggests, Process Com is a methodology on communication. Kahler summed it up like this:
“Our future is not only based on our understanding of ourselves. We must also know how to communicate and show others who we are.”
From this model comes the concept of the mini-scenario, which identifies six personality types. Process Com is protected under copyright (TKA and KCI).
Psychological Needs and Motivation
According to Kahler, the satisfaction of psychological needs is a central source of motivation. These needs shape specific behaviors, which are grouped into six personality types.
Each person contains all six types in varying proportions. Nevertheless, one type dominates: this is called the Base. The Phasing corresponds to the second most used type.
Each type provides three key insights:
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Its main source of motivation.
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Its preferred communication style.
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Its reaction to stress.
In other words, if someone cannot satisfy their needs positively, they will try to do so negatively. This often results in ineffective behaviors and inappropriate communication.
From childhood, we learn that negative attention is still better than no attention at all. Therefore, when recognition is absent, stress appears and maladaptive behaviors take over.
Kahler identified three levels of stress that affect communication:
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First level: activation of drivers (parental injunctions from childhood). There are five: Be Strong, Be Perfect, Please, Try Hard, and Hurry Up.
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Second level: if stress continues, the person activates failure mechanisms.
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Third level: rarer but more serious, this level corresponds to deep crises such as depression or burnout.
Under stress, clear thinking disappears. People are often unaware of their own negative behaviors.
A summary table of the correspondences between the drivers and the mechanisms is available in our article “to choose between Process Com and Enneagram”.
The Six Personality Types
Every individual has all six types within them. Depending on circumstances, one may temporarily activate another type besides their Base (this is called the Phase).
The 6 types are :
- Harmonizer
- Thinker
- Rebel
- Promoter
- Persister
- Imaginer.
Each of us being a mix of these 6 personalities, this represents 720 ways to be. If we consider a rate of energy per type, the number of possibilities is infinite.
Each of us can feel all the psychological needs but with varying intensities.
The six Process Com types are:
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Harmonizer
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Values relationships, sensations, and human connection.
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Seeks to be loved and appreciated.
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Strength: creating harmony and caring for others.
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Weakness: difficulty saying “no,” lack of assertiveness.
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Under stress: self-devaluation, guilt.
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Existential question: Am I kind?
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Driver: Please
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Western population: ~30% (75% women).
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Thinker
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Guided by logic, organization, and responsibility.
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Time management and planning are central.
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Wants recognition for work and competence.
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Existential question: Am I competent?
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Driver: Be Perfect
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Western population: ~25% (40% women).
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Imaginer
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Needs solitude and time for reflection.
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Comfortable in an inner world of introspection.
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Security comes from clarity and autonomy.
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Existential question: Am I willing?
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Driver: Be Strong
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Western population: ~10% (75% women).
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Persister
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Observant, committed, goal-oriented.
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Needs recognition for opinions and contribution.
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Under stress: focuses only on errors, rigid thinking.
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Existential question: Am I trustworthy?
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Driver: Be Perfect (Parent)
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Western population: ~10% (25% women).
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Promoter
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Adventurous, action-oriented, loves challenges.
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Struggles with long-term routine.
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Motivated by excitement and immediate results.
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Existential question: Am I alive?
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Driver: Be Strong (Parent)
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Western population: ~5% (40% women).
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Rebel
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Seeks fun, creativity, and originality.
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Resists constraints and direct orders.
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Motivated by playfulness and spontaneity.
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Existential question: Am I acceptable?
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Driver: Try Hard
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Western population: ~20% (60% women).
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Communication in Action
When not under stress, people adapt and select a personality type to communicate with others. This depends on their flexibility and ability to adjust to different interlocutors.
However, when stress rises and needs are unmet, individuals fall back on their Base or Phasing type. Miscommunication often comes not from bad intentions, but from unmet needs or lack of recognition.
Therefore, relationships require reciprocity. Both parties must be willing to adapt, respect differences, and share responsibility.
Distribution of the 6 personality types in the Western population by gender
Key Takeaways
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Everyone embodies all six types, but one (the Base) dominates.
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Psychological needs drive motivation and influence communication.
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Stress activates predictable patterns: first drivers, then failure mechanisms, and sometimes deep crisis.
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Communication quality depends on adaptation, mutual recognition, and balance.
👉 The Process Communication Model offers a structured, practical framework to understand ourselves, improve our relationships, and avoid destructive stress patterns.
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