Enneagram and Leadership: Using Personality Types to Build Stronger Teams

 

Introduction

The Enneagram personality typing system has been gaining popularity in leadership and team-building contexts as a tool for understanding individual differences and improving communication and collaboration within teams. By identifying an individual's core motivations, fears, strengths, and weaknesses, leaders can better adapt their style and approach to different team members, leading to a more cohesive and effective team.

Overview of the Enneagram System

The Enneagram system categorizes individuals into nine basic types based on their core motivations and fears. Each type also has unique strengths and weaknesses that shape their perspectives and behaviors. The nine types include:

The Perfectionist: motivated by a desire to do things right and fear of making mistakes, strengths include being detail-oriented and organized, weaknesses include being critical and inflexible.

The Helper: motivated by a desire to please others and fear of rejection, strengths include being empathetic and supportive, weaknesses include neglecting their own needs and becoming overly dependent on others.

The Achiever: motivated by a desire to succeed and fear of failure, strengths include being driven and productive, weaknesses include being overly competitive and losing sight of personal values.

The Individualist: motivated by a desire for uniqueness and fear of being ordinary, strengths include being creative and introspective, weaknesses include being moody and self-absorbed.

The Investigator: motivated by a desire for knowledge and fear of incompetence, strengths include being analytical and independent, weaknesses include being detached and socially awkward.

The Loyalist: motivated by a desire for security and fear of uncertainty, strengths include being loyal and responsible, weaknesses include being indecisive and anxious.

The Enthusiast: motivated by a desire for excitement and fear of boredom, strengths include being optimistic and adventurous, weaknesses include being impulsive and distractible.

The Challenger: motivated by a desire for control and fear of vulnerability, strengths include being assertive and confident, weaknesses include being domineering and aggressive.

The Peacemaker: motivated by a desire for harmony and fear of conflict, strengths include being diplomatic and compassionate, weaknesses include being passive and avoidant.

Applying the Enneagram to Leadership

eaders can use their knowledge of Enneagram types to adapt their leadership style to different team members, resulting in more effective communication, collaboration, and performance. For example:

 

When working with a Perfectionist, leaders should provide clear expectations and guidelines, but also offer encouragement and positive feedback. They should avoid criticizing or micromanaging.

When working with a Helper, leaders should acknowledge and appreciate their contributions, but also encourage them to speak up and assert themselves when necessary. They should avoid taking advantage of their willingness to please.

When working with an Achiever, leaders should set challenging goals and recognize their achievements, but also help them prioritize and avoid burnout. They should avoid making unrealistic demands.

When working with an Individualist, leaders should provide opportunities for creative expression and encourage their unique perspective, but also help them stay focused on the task at hand. They should avoid dismissing or trivializing their emotions.

When working with an Investigator, leaders should respect their need for autonomy and intellectual stimulation, but also encourage them to participate in group activities and share their knowledge. They should avoid pressuring them to socialize or engage in small talk.

When working with a Loyalist, leaders should provide a sense of security and stability, but also respect their need for information and clarification. They should avoid dismissing their concerns or downplaying risks.

When working with an Enthusiast, leaders should provide opportunities for creativity and fun, but also encourage them to follow through on commitments and take responsibility for their actions. They should avoid enabling their impulsivity.

When working with a Challenger, leaders should provide clear boundaries and expectations, but also acknowledge their strengths and respect their need for autonomy. They should avoid engaging in power struggles or being overly critical.

When working with a Peacemaker, leaders should encourage open communication and conflict resolution, but also help them stay engaged and assertive. They should avoid ignoring or dismissing their needs.

In conclusion, understanding Enneagram types can be a valuable tool for leaders seeking to build effective teams and improve communication and collaboration. By recognizing individual differences and adapting their leadership style to each team member's unique perspective and strengths, leaders can foster a more productive and cohesive team.

Using the Enneagram with Team Members

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding oneself and others. It is an ancient system that identifies nine distinct personality types, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. When used in team settings, the Enneagram can help team members better understand themselves and their colleagues, leading to more effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. In this essay, we will explore how team members can use the Enneagram, suggest activities or exercises that teams can do together, discuss potential challenges, and provide next steps for readers who want to learn more.

The Enneagram is based on the idea that people have dominant personality traits that shape their worldview, behavior, and relationships. By identifying one's own type and those of their colleagues, team members can gain insights into their strengths and challenges, as well as the unique perspectives and needs of others. For example, a Type 1 (The Perfectionist) might be detail-oriented and driven to achieve high standards, while a Type 9 (The Peacemaker) might be conflict-averse and focused on creating harmony. By recognizing these differences, team members can adapt their communication and work styles to better support each other.

Activities and Exercises

There are many ways that teams can explore their Enneagram types and learn how to work more effectively together. Here are a few suggestions:

 

Take a test: There are many online assessments that can help team members identify their Enneagram type. The tests typically ask a series of questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and provide a score or ranking of your likely type. While no test is perfect, they can be a helpful starting point for self-reflection and discussion.

 

Share stories: Another way to explore your Enneagram type is to share personal stories that illustrate your typical behaviors or thought patterns. For example, a Type 3 (The Achiever) might describe a time when they felt pressure to succeed and pushed themselves too hard, while a Type 4 (The Individualist) might describe a time when they felt misunderstood or overlooked. By listening to each other's stories, team members can gain empathy and understanding for each other.

 

Role-play: A fun way to practice working with different Enneagram types is to role-play common workplace scenarios. For example, you could have a Type 2 (The Helper) act out a customer service interaction, or a Type 5 (The Investigator) lead a research project. By stepping into each other's shoes, team members can gain appreciation for the unique skills and perspectives of their colleagues.

Challenges and Considerations

While the Enneagram can be a powerful tool for team-building, there are some potential challenges and considerations to keep in mind. Here are a few:

 

Avoid stereotypes: The Enneagram types are not meant to be prescriptive or limiting. While they provide insights into common traits and behaviors, every individual is unique and may not neatly fit into one type. It's important to approach the Enneagram with an open mind and avoid stereotyping or pigeon-holing others based on their type.

 

Respect privacy: Sharing personal information about one's Enneagram type can be vulnerable and sensitive. Team members should respect each other's privacy and boundaries, and avoid using the Enneagram as a way to judge or criticize others.

 

Use with caution: While the Enneagram can be a helpful tool for self-reflection and growth, it should not be used as a substitute for professional counseling or therapy. If team members are struggling with more serious mental health concerns, they should seek appropriate support from trained professionals.

Conclusion and Next Steps

In conclusion, the Enneagram is a valuable framework for understanding oneself and others in team settings. By identifying their own Enneagram types and those of their colleagues, team members can gain insights into their strengths and challenges, as well as the unique perspectives and needs of others. To get started, teams can take online tests, share personal stories, and role-play common scenarios. However, it's important to approach the Enneagram with caution and respect for individual differences. As readers continue to learn about the Enneagram, they may find new ways to apply this powerful tool in their own leadership and team-building efforts.

Recommendations

1. The Enneagram in Love and Work by Helen Palmer - This book explores how the Enneagram can be applied to relationships and professional settings. It provides insights into how different types interact with each other and offers guidance on how to improve communication and build stronger relationships.

 

2. The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile - This popular book uses real-life stories and humor to introduce readers to the Enneagram. The authors provide an engaging and accessible overview of the nine types and offer guidance on how to use the Enneagram for personal growth.

The hottest questions and answers about Enneagram

1. Can the Enneagram be used in therapy?

Yes, the Enneagram can be used in therapy as a means of increasing self-awareness and understanding patterns of thought and behavior.

2. Are there any potential drawbacks to using the Enneagram?

Some potential drawbacks to using the Enneagram include relying too heavily on one's Enneagram type as a way of defining oneself, using the system to label or stereotype others, and failing to consider individual differences and nuances.