The Enneagram in the Workplace || Understanding Your Workmates for Team Harmony

Show Notes:

Do you find yourself wishing you could understand your co-workers a little better? Maybe read their mind or understand why they do what they do. Just like with all relationships, none of them form or begin with a handbook. But that's why in this Enneagram at Work series, we've been learning little by little about the differences between the types and how equipping yourself with that insight can help you form a stronger team.

Regardless if you are a leader or a business owner, when you focus on understanding teammates better, you can foster a more positive work environment. I'm going to also spill the tea on each Enneagram Type's hidden side to help you better understand what might be happening beneath the surface of your coworker's actions. Because the only person that we can change is ourself, I have a few tips on what you can learn to accept when it comes to working with others inside or outside of the office.

[2:45] We're back in the metaphorical offices of Hustle & Grind with Wanda, Alex, and Dana. Amy walks us through their navigation of personality types and how their differences enriched their lives!

[7:59] I'm going to share the following insights about each Enneagram type with you so you can examine your intentions and also have the opportunity to walk in another's shoes. What's beneath the surface of each Enneagram type?

• Type 8 - Underneath their strong and assertive demeanor, Type 8's may carry a fear of vulnerability and being controlled by others.
• Type 9 - Despite their desire for harmony and peace, Type 9's may struggle with internal conflict and an unconscious tendency to avoid or repress their own desires and needs. 
• Type 1 -  Despite their outward appearance of being organized and disciplined, Type 1's may struggle with the inner critic thoughts and feelings of self doubt. 
• Type 2 - While known for their nurturing and helpful nature, Type 2's may have difficulty expressing their own needs and desires and suppress their feelings of anger or resentment to maintain a positive image and avoid conflict.
• Type 3 - Behind their confident and success driven exterior, Type 3's may experience feelings of emptiness or a lack of true self identity without their accomplishments, leading to a sense of disconnection from their authentic selves.
• Type 4 - Their desire for uniqueness and authenticity may make them feel misunderstood or different. Type 4's might struggle with envy, comparing themselves to others, and longing for what they believe is missing in their lives. 
• Type 5 - While known for their analytical and observant nature, Type 5's may fear depletion or intrusion and may withhold information or emotions to protect their boundaries and avoid feeling overwhelmed by others.
• Type 6 - Despite their cautious and responsible demeanor, Type 6's may struggle with anxiety and self doubt and seek out external validation and reassurance from others to quell their fears of uncertainty or potential dangers.
• Type 7 - While their pursuit of excitement and avoidance of pain masks their fear of facing difficult emotions or deeper issues, Type 7's might distract themselves from emotional discomfort, leading to reluctance to acknowledge their own vulnerabilities.

[11:12] My hope is that these insights will help provide some perspective and then the needed compassion to strengthen collaboration and teamwork. 

[11:37] Amy talks about the importance of speaking to a trusted advisor if you're in a work situation with an abundance of negative pushback on your boundaries, disrespect, or unstable behavior.

[12:15] Here are three specific insights for each Type of what you can accept when teaming up with others:

• Type 8 - Learn to accept that you're not always right. You can't guarantee the outcome, and while you thrive on stress, not everyone else does.
• Type 9 - You can work on accepting that ignoring problems doesn't create a positive solution. Accept that your team needs you to assert yourself, especially when you have the insight to contribute. Use communication tools instead of avoidance to create peace.
• Type 1 - Learn to accept some things, and perhaps many things, are indeed good enough. It's also essential for you to stop working so you and others can rest. Your way is not the only right way.
• Type 2 - Work on accepting that sometimes other people are meeting their needs in their own way. It may not be the way you would do it, but it is just as good. You are also worthy and have an important place on your team and learn that healthy relationships are reciprocal, even work ones.
• Type 3 - Work to accept that your work is not your identity or a proper matrix of your value and worth. You can learn equally valuable lessons from both successes and failures, and there are no quick and easy solutions to hurt feelings, or miss time with those that you love.
• Type 4 - Work to accept that some people will understand you and enjoy working with you, when they're being honest. Even when work life feels ordinary, you are making a meaningful impact. Work relationships may only be shallow and not as deep as those outside the office. But they still may be valuable relationships.
• Type 5 - Work to accept that relationships, even work ones, may require more of you than you naturally want to offer. You have value on your team outside of gathering or acquiring information, and although you value thinking over feeling, others are looking for a more balanced approach.
• Type 6 - Work to accept that sometimes things will work out, and even if they don't, you will have everything you need to figure it out. While fear will always play a role in your life, you can also begin to diminish its power through awareness and by working on productive thinking.
• Type 7 - Work to accept that sometimes work is boring, but you will survive it. Others could perceive your upbeat behavior as charming and insincere, but it doesn't discount your sincerity. Avoiding painful feelings will not serve your work relationships in the long run.

Just like the Hustle and Grind coworkers used the Enneagram to improve their understanding of themselves and enhance their relationships and teamwork, I hope that you've experienced the same insight through this episode series. I would love for you to reflect on your own workplace dynamics and consider how you might apply the Enneagram Insights to foster better collaboration and understanding among your colleagues, and perhaps share these episodes with a coworker or two.

The best is yet to come,