End of the month and we are starting on how the head-centred Enneagram Types are like as Managers to end off this series on how each Enneagram Type is like as managers.
We started this series with the heart-centred Enneagram Types – Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4.
Then, we journeyed with the body-centred Enneagram Types – Type 8, Type 9 and Type 1.
This week, we focus on the wise and objective Type 5 managers.
Type 5 Traits In A Managerial Nutshell
Type 5s are committed to attaining subject mastery in whatever job they are in. The thrill of being able to absorb new knowledge every day whilst using their expertise to create innovative work systems really gets their adrenaline going. As managers, their objectivity and ability to detach emotionally when dealing with work conflicts, definitely helps in equalising emotionally charged moments in their team.
Team members can give their feedback directly to their Type 5 managers and they know they will be heard because 5s are information gatherers. Feedback to a Type 5 manager is good as it gives them data to use to improve the systems used by their team, which in turn will help optimise productivity overall. As natural observers, they are able to assess a situation with the information quickly and accurately without speaking a word. So, when a Type 5 managers does speak, the team knows that they will receive words of wisdom that will help them solve their work issues in the most expedient way possible.
5s motivate their team to be independent learners as they slow their team down to think about the problem and find out the necessary information in order to solve their problems independently. This way, working under a Type 5 manager enables someone to level up in their subject mastery as well and to be confident in their own skills when dealing with their jobs.
Becoming The Best Manager As A Type 5
In order for a Type 5 to upgrade their managerial skills, they would have to learn to:
- speak up and not just observe.
5s do not think it is necessary for them to tell their superiors what they have achieved and so, they keep their heads down and remain in their own private work space.
While this may work in a small company of 10 people or so, keeping to themselves in companies that have hundreds and thousands of employees would cause the 5s to become ‘invisible’ and the frustration will come when they get overlooked for a promotions, even though they know they have done their jobs well.
5s would need to learn to open up and share what they have done (even if it doesn’t seem logical to them) for the company and show that their wisdom and subject matter expertise can help take the company to the next level. The 5s need to express themselves more to get the company to notice them. In turn, they will have to learn to showcase their team as well so that the members in their team also get noticed and not fall by the wayside as well.
- share their time with their team to cultivate relationships.
Leading teams is not just about knowledge transfer, it is also about building relationships.
For the very private Type 5s, relationship building can be tiresome for them. However, because of their false sense of lack, 5s often have enough time, space and energy for others and themselves, but they just don’t know it yet.
The trick here is for the Type 5 manager to share their time slowly. Start with going out with one team member, then increase to two at a time, then three. This way, the 5 is able to break through their false sense of lack and learn that they do have enough energy to spend time and cultivating their team outside of work and have enough time and space to do their own things at the end of the day.
An Encouragement to our Type 5 Managers
You can give more and yet still have enough for yourself. Allowing your team to get to know the person behind the wisdom and work mastery is good because then, your team is able to see you and respect you for who you are; and not just for the knowledge and expertise you have.
You have a voice and it is important that you use that voice to not only guide your team but to use it to express to the higher ups what you and your team have achieved, so that they can sit up and take notice of all the good you are doing as well.
A few final tips when dealing with a Type 5 manager – give them time and space to process anything you have presented to them, they will come back to you when they are ready. Also, respect their private world by not giving them last minute requests or surprises. If you are able to do this, working with them will be such a joy.
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Want to know how the Enneagram can help you and your team? Contact us (link to: https://theenneagramacademy.com/#contact) to find out when our next course runs are and how you can also use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset your course fees!
