What is the Multiple Natures Framework?

in 2008, Steven Rudolph introduced a new framework for understanding the personality. He called it the MN Framework. 

It consists of two sets of personality traits: Multiple Intelligences and Multiple Natures, combined to provide a 3-dimensional perspective of the personality.

The first set of traits is from Howard Gardner's work. In 1983, Gardner put forward his theory of Multiple Intelligences that identified 7 ways "to be smart". This was extended to an eight, and adapted by Rudolph to 10. These traits include:

• Gross Bodily Intelligence
• Fine Bodily Intelligence
• Interpersonal Intelligence
• Logical Intelligence
• Linguistic Intelligence
• Graphic Visual Intelligence
• Spatial Visual Intelligence
• Musical Intelligence
• Intrapersonal Intelligence
• Naturalistic Intelligence

Multiple Intelligences are abilities.

The second set of traits was put forward by Steven Rudolph. They are the 9 Multiple Natures. These include:

• Protective Nature
• Educative Nature
• Administrative Nature
• Creative Nature
• Healing Nature
• Entertaining Nature
• Providing Nature
• Entrepreneurial Nature
• Adventurous Nature

Multiple Natures are tendencies--how people tend to act.

When MIs and MN combine, they make a powerful framework that provides a 3-dimensional perspective of the personality. It can be easily understood by seeing how both sets of traits relate to different jobs and tasks, for example:

• Protective Nature + Gross Bodily Intelligence --> body guard, police officer
• Protective Nature + Linguistic Intelligence --> lawyer, editor
• Healing Nature + Gross Bodily Intelligence --> chiropractor, physiotherapist
• Healing Nature + Linguistic Intelligence --> therapist, counselor, psychologist
• Creative Nature + Graphic Visual Intelligence --> graphic designer
• Logical Intelligence + Interpersonal Intelligence + Administrative Nature + Entrepreneurial Nature --> Sales Manager

In this way, endless combinations of MIs and MNs define people and activities. They key is to help people align their unique profiles with their work so they can fulfill their potential.

The MN Framework has been applied to several fields, including:

• career counseling and coaching
• life coaching
• workplace coaching
• human resource management

It's been used for dozens of purposes, including:

• personal growth and development
• career discovery (students and adults)
• career planning
• life balance
• relationship counseling
• recruitment
• talent management
• workplace re-entry
• addressing burnout
• team building
• conflict resolution
• retirement coaching and planning

The MNTEST is a personality assessment built on the MN Framework. The web-based version can be found at www.multiplenatures.com. It is offered by over 200 Certified MN Practitioners in in 11 countries in 6 languages. It takes 20 minutes online and is accompanied by a 60-minute live assessment.

The test provides a detailed explanation of your unique set of MIs and MNs as well as a set of matching careers, tasks, and leisure activities.

An AI-based version is currently under development and will be available to developers through this site in the fall of 2024.

Join our Early Access Program to take the AI version of the MNTEST.

Steven Rudolph developed the MN Framework and MNTEST in 2008 during his 21-year stay in India. He founded a school outside New Delhi where he aimed to help students not merely pass tests but understand who they were. He had been using Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory with his students but found it incomplete for career guidance. Through his studies of traditional Indian philosophy and Ayurveda, Rudolph derived the Multiple Natures theory. He then combined the two theories into a single framework.

Rudolph created the MNTEST to bring it to schools throughout India. In 2015, he brought the tools to an international audience.