Ennea-what?
What exactly is the Enneagram personality assessment, and how can professionals harness its power for themselves and their teams? Here’s what you need to know:
Understanding the Enneagram
The word Enneagram comes from the Greek “Ennea” which means “nine” and Gram, which means “written” or “drawn”. At its core, the Enneagram is a dynamic personality framework that identifies nine distinct personality types, each with its own set of core motivations, fears, and behavioral patterns. The Enneagram connects the dots between our identities and motivations, establishing a concrete, visible link between our developing self-awareness and our capacity to accomplish our objectives. The Enneagram shows us our greatest strengths as well as areas where we might be getting in our own way.
Once you have identified your core type (1-9), you will delve deeply into your type’s strengths and challenges. For example, the Enneagram Two is often referred to as “the Considerate Helper”. You will find a lot of Twos in helping professions, like teaching and coaching – like me! What’s great about being a Two is that we are passionate about being in service to others. What’s not so great is when that passion is over-expressed – we might be so focused on helping others that we are not paying enough attention to our own needs.
After you spend some time learning more about your core type you can explore other aspects of the Enneagram – what are all those lines about anyway? First, take a look at the core types on either side of your type, e.g. for the Five, that would be the Four and the Six. These adjacent types are called the “wings”. The ideal is to be able to access the positive aspects of your wings and to have balance between the two. For example, the Five (the “Quiet Specialist”) can tend towards isolation and favoring thinking over feeling. Getting access to the desire for belonging that’s emblematic of the Six (the “Loyalist”) can help the Five to come out of that isolation.
Next take a look at the lines that come from your type and go across the circle – these are your “lines of integration”. Accessing the power of these types can be particularly helpful for your development. For example going back to the Two, this type can benefit from stretching to access the directive power of the Eight (known as the “Active Controller”) to state their own ideas forcefully instead of people-pleasing. When in a positive and relaxed state, the Two can find release in the creative integrity of the Four – instead of worrying about others, the Two can express their own creative ideas with confidence.
For more information about the 9 types and additional background about the Enneagram, check out this resource.
How is the Enneagram like or unlike other assessments?
All personality assessments are tools to gain insight into your strengths and how you operate in the world. You probably have heard of Meyers-Briggs, DISC and more. What distinguishes Enneagram is that while other assessments give you a deeper understanding of your behaviors, Enneagram is focused on the motivations behind those behaviors. The other really important distinction is that Enneagram has the developmental pathways to apply these insights. Enneagram will point you to what you need to do more of and what to do differently – that’s what all those lines are about in the visual depiction of the model.
Using the Enneagram as a Professional Development Tool
Now that you have some understanding of the Enneagram, let's explore its application in our professional lives.
One-on-one Coaching for Leadership Development: Leaders can gain invaluable clarity on their unique leadership style. I use the Enneagram assessment with my coaching clients and the insights that they gain allow them to see themselves more clearly and empower them to approach challenges with new perspectives and behaviors. In short, they love it!
Team Coaching: Effective teamwork is essential for the overall success of a team. By understanding the Enneagram types within their teams, leaders can cultivate an environment of understanding and synergy. Each Enneagram type brings its own unique strengths and perspectives to the table, and by embracing this diversity, teams can harness their collective talents to achieve greater innovation and effectiveness.
Both individuals and teams will also harness the power of Enneagram to develop in the following areas:
Authentic Leadership: True leadership begins with self-awareness and authenticity. Professionals can gain clarity on their unique leadership style and cultivate a more authentic approach to leading others. By embracing their strengths and addressing their areas for growth, leaders can inspire trust, foster collaboration and drive meaningful change within their firms.
Stress Management and Well-being: The Enneagram offers valuable insights into how individuals respond to stress and cope with challenges. With the Enneagram assessment, you can gain a deeper understanding of your stress triggers and develop personalized strategies for self-care and resilience. By prioritizing well-being and leveraging the Enneagram's insights, you can thrive in the face of adversity and achieve your goals.
Conflict Resolution and Improved Communication: Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but understanding the Enneagram can better inform how we approach and resolve disagreements. By recognizing the underlying motivations driving conflict — whether it's the desire for autonomy of Type Eight or the need for harmony of Type Nine — you can engage in more empathetic and effective communication. The insights from the Enneagram enable teams to navigate conflicts with grace and understanding, fostering stronger relationships and outcomes.
Incorporating the Enneagram into your professional development will ignite a journey of self-discovery, growth and empowerment. By embracing these powerful tools, leaders can unlock the full potential of their teams and cultivate a culture of excellence and fulfillment.
