Maomao Is a Solutionary/Stabilizer—And How I Respond as an Influencer/Driver
In the anime The Apothecary Diaries, we follow the life of a teenage apothecary named Maomao. Her primary motivators are Solutionary and Stabilizer. My own primary motivators are Influencer and Driver.
This difference makes it difficult for me to connect with her at times, but at other times, I find her quite fascinating. I admire her way of thoroughly analyzing a situation before coming to a conclusion, her avoidance of using conjecture as evidence or fact, and the accuracy of her work.
On the other hand, her inability to understand or even notice other people’s motivations and feelings, and her plain lack of urgency, can completely stump me.
How Do I Know Her Primary Motivators?
The very first episode makes it clear.
Through the gossip of the palace servants, we learn that the princess, prince, and the prince’s mother—a high-ranking concubine—are all very ill. Maomao’s friend describes the symptoms, and as we see Maomao thinking it over, we see the Solutionary in her processing the information.
Then her friend claims it’s caused by a curse, and that the curse will doom them all.
Maomao quickly debunks this with, “The only thing that’ll doom us is gullibility.”
This response is fueled by both of her primary motivators:
- The Solutionary is deconstructing the faulty logic.
- The Stabilizer is pointing out how it can’t possibly be true.
How Do I Know Which Motivators She’s Lacking?
While the episode clearly displays her strengths, it doesn’t as blatantly reveal the two motivators she lacks. They aren’t entirely hidden though.
In the first 10 minutes, we learn she’s been kidnapped and sold off as a servant in the rear palace. Her response?
- “Dad is going to be pretty worried when I don’t come back.”
- “Standing out around here can be its own brand of dangerous. Better to keep my head down. If I work hard, I’ll be home free in two years.”
These two quotes show no sense of urgency about her situation—something that anyone with a high Driver motivator would definitely feel.
It’s a bit harder to find her lack of Influencer, as we have to read between the lines. She avoids building connections and relationships if she thinks it’ll help her to keep her head down.
- “I’m the only one of the serving girls here who can actually read. That message was a trap designed to single me out! I really gotta go!”
- “Good luck getting me to confess. Feigning ignorance keeps things uncomplicated, just the way I like it.”
She even goes as far as pushing the palace manager’s hand off her shoulder and brushing off the touch. When she meets the mother of the princess and is thanked for saving her, Maomao suggests they have the wrong person.
It’s not until they give her undeniable evidence that points towards her being the savior does she give in and admit it, reluctantly taking the first step toward relationship.
How Do I, as an Influencer/Driver, Connect to Her as the Main Character?
I’m able to connect to her by the way she approaches solving problems. She honors other people’s humanity. Given her apothecary background she could easily become cynical, but she doesn’t.
Maomao solves the mystery of the illness in a way that protects others. She understands that, because of her position, she can’t speak directly to the palace doctor or the concubines. So instead, she anonymously leaves them notes telling them what the cause is.
This allows the concubines and doctor to keep the respect they’ve worked to earn. If a servant had publicly offered the solution, it would have reflected poorly on them, no matter Maomao’s apothecary background.
I also connect with her through the vicarious experience she provides. I can’t fathom myself solving the kinds of mysteries she does, but I take great joy in joining her as she solves them with ease.
What Can Writers Learn from This?
Writers are often told they need to create well-rounded characters to be relatable. But Maomao proves this isn’t always necessary.
If she were balanced, she’d be shallow and boring in the context of her story. Her lack of empathy and drive are understandable flaws. If she were more even across all four motivators, she wouldn’t struggle the way she does because of what she lacks.
Readers like me get to live vicariously through an opposite, while readers who are like Maomao can see a mirror of themselves in her.
That level of resonance doesn’t require balance. It requires clarity.
Are Your Characters Rooted in Real Motivations?
Maomao is a perfect example of a character who doesn’t need to be “balanced” to be compelling, consistent, and beloved. Whether she reflects your own mindset or challenges it, she holds her ground firmly—and that’s what makes her unforgettable.
✍️ As you develop your characters, consider:
- Which of the four motivators do they operate from?
- Are their weaknesses rooted in the absence of other motivators?
- Do you understand why they think the way they do—even if you wouldn’t respond that way yourself?
If you’re unsure, take the free Human NEXUS profile test to better understand your own motivators, and use that to guide your character development.
🎯 Take the test here → Human NEXUS
(use code ROlson10off for a discount on the paid version for ALL the information)
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💬 Let’s Discuss!
Do you connect with characters who don’t share your motivators? Or do you find yourself gravitating to personalities that mirror your own? Share your thoughts in the comments or reply to my newsletter—I’d love to hear what you think!
📖 And if you haven’t read The Apothecary Diaries or watched the anime, it’s worth exploring just to experience how beautifully a character can function while standing firmly in her own strengths.
Kella Olson is a God Talks certified coach with a gift for understanding the Human NEXUS Motivators. Learn more about her at her website.