The Enneagram in the Workplace || Navigating Workplace “Failure” and How to Get Unstuck

Show Notes:

So if you think of your personality like a toolbox inside of it, there are some tools that you're really good at using and some that you may not use as often. In the Enneagram, these tools represent different parts of who you are, of how you think, feel, and do. Some people might naturally use one type of tool more than the others, whereas others tend to fall at the bottom of the toolbox. They kind of get lost in the shuffle. They just aren't reached for as often. So this is where the repression centers come in.

[2:05] Are you thrilled about your career growth and reaching all the personal goals that you've done? Do you feel very enthusiastic about this last quarter? Or are you looking back and thinking about all the hurdles and challenges and disappointments that you've experienced? Perhaps you're even in another camp, and you've experienced a mix of both: achievements, but also setbacks. Both have really defined your year and your journey.

[4:41] This is Enneagram 401. It will help you understand your unique relationship with failure and disappointment, but more importantly, I'm going to offer actionable steps to experience healing and wholeheartedness as you face those and navigate those challenging situations. I'm not going to redefine an experience of failure, but I am going to encourage you and invite you to view it from a new angle.

[5:20] Tune in here for Episode 307, Episode 308, and Episode 309 for some more insight into your communication pattern and Enneagram Stance. Amy walks us through the offices of Hustle & Grind for some insights into how the Enneagram and transform the workplace.

[12:52] Here's a recap of the summary of the communication patterns and the orientation to time:

• Withdrawn Stance: Types 4, 5, and 9 | Past
  • They move away from people to examine their thoughts and feelings to create a sense of calm. Their orientation to time is past focus, and so you tend to focus on memories, history, and even the impact of past events in your present situation.

• Dutiful Stance: Types 1, 2, and 6 | Present

  • They move alongside people to get their needs met, and their healthy intention is to cooperate with others. But they tend to react to stress by serving others out of duty or a sense of obligation. They are also present focused and prioritize the here and now, focusing on the task and the responsibilities at hand.
• Assertive Stance: Types 3, 7, and 8 | Future

  • They move toward people to try to get their needs met, and their healthy intention is to assert their opinion and idea in a healthy way, but often react to stress by boosting or expanding their sense of self rather than backing down and withdrawing. Their orientation to time is future focused. They will likely focus on planning, setting targets and goals, and envisioning outcomes that will happen in the days or even years to come.

[15:46] What does the term "repression" mean? The Enneagram Repression Centers refers to certain aspects of your thoughts, emotions, or actions that are not as naturally emphasized or expressed within your personality type. These aspects might be underdeveloped or just less accessible to you, which leads to certain patterns or tendencies in your behavior. It helps you understand why you have certain habits or consistent ways of reacting. It's like knowing why you're good at some things and why other things might be more challenging.

[18:15] Withdrawn Stance: Types 4, 5, and 9 | Past

When they experience disappointment, they may find it challenging to let it go and move forward, and they dwell on what went wrong or the rumination. So the tool that is less often used is their "doing" center. 

• Type 4 - When you deal with disappointment, engage in simple tasks that ground you and historically spark a sense of creativity that help you move forward and channel your emotions constructively. 
• Type 5 - The challenge for you is to take small, concrete steps to follow your plan, to follow a plan of action. Any action. This might even involve seeking advice from others, asking for help, or taking direct actions to improve the current circumstances. 
• Type 9 - When possible, you need to pick a physical activity of your choice to start the day so you not only exercise your physical body, but you exercise voicing your opinion. Key, choose the activity, but do it.

The most powerful step to help you reach for the right tool in your toolbox is to find a physical activity to start your day every day. When it comes to doing on purpose, I encourage you to seize the power of inertia. Use that momentum that you find from taking that first physical step that will motivate you throughout the day.

[22:08] Dutiful Stance: Types 1, 2, and 6 | Present

Those with Present orientation may navigate disappointment by focusing on what might make the most immediate impact. So they might excel at finding solutions within the moment, but may need some help to remember that they need to look at the bigger picture and long term growth. The tool that they tend to use less often is their "thinking" center.

•  Type 1 - Instead of going into a frenzy trying to fix it and meet the demands of the inner critic, allow yourself to see the bigger picture. Step back from the critical thoughts. Remind yourself to consider various perspectives and possibilities before taking all the responsibility.
• Type 2 - When you are facing disappointment, reflect on what you need and what your specific boundaries are for this situation and then you can decide how you're going to help others.
• Type 6 - When facing disappointment, take time for reflection and journal about your instincts and the knowledge that you have already gathered, rather than just seeking constant reassurance from others.

The most powerful step for each of the Dutiful types to help you reach for the right tool in your toolbox is to meditate on scripture and speak out what is true to start your day every day. When it comes to thinking on purpose, you need to get the overthinking out on paper or voiced to others so you can focus your mind on what is good, lovely, and praiseworthy.

[27:00] Assertive Stance: Types 3, 7, and 8 | Future

These are individuals with a future orientation and they anticipate disappointment and failure, as well as they view it as a natural part of life experience and growth. Future oriented types may approach disappointment as a temporary setback, and they'll focus on what can be achieved in the long run. So based on what I just shared, it probably won't surprise you that the less often tool used is their "feeling" center.

• Type 3 - Some of the best work you can do to grow in these times of trial and disappointment and actual failure is to just allow yourself to acknowledge and express your genuine feelings when things don't go as planned rather than immediately putting on a positive facade.
• Type 7 - When you deal with disappointment, allow yourself to feel sadness or frustration. Sit with and process difficult emotions instead of avoiding them. I know that sounds like torture, but I do promise I can testify that it does get easier over time.
• Type 8 - Allow yourself to open up to just a few trusted individuals and express how you really feel, express a greater range of emotions, which over time can foster deeper connections and more freedom for you. 

The most powerful step for each of the Assertive types to help you reach for the right tool in your toolbox is to pause and intentionally explore and name the feelings that you are experiencing during these setbacks. This might be through creative expression like cooking or an actual art project or sharing your honest emotions with a trusted few. When it comes to feeling on purpose, you might be surprised that when you try to express what you're experiencing, relief does follow.

[31:47] Amy recaps about each communication pattern.

Romans 5:3-5, in the Holy Scripture says, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment, for we know how dearly God loves us. Because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."

The best is yet to come,

Links Mentioned:

• Your Relationship with Time and Conversations with God with Sarah Cronin
• Your Communication Pattern at Work
• Taking the Enneagram to Work