Category: Enneagram at Work

We are at the end of another series! We hope you have enjoyed it so far!

We first looked at how the heart-centered Types – the Type 2s, Type 3s and Type 4s function at the workplace and how can leaders and managers support them.

Then, we looked at the Body-centered Types –  the Type 8s, the Type 9s and the Type 1s

Last but not least, we looked at the Head-centered Types, starting with the Type 5s and the Type 6s. Today, we end this series by looking at the Type 7s.

Type 7s in the office

At their core, the Type 7s are ones who bring positive energy to the workplace and make it fun with their wit, their joyful personas and bright smiles. When things go wrong, they are the ones who remind us to keep our chins up, remain optimistic and ride the storm out.

7 Wing 6s in the office tend to be good at setting work structures with their analytical minds working at a very fast speeds. They are usually committed in seeing a work task to its completion and are dependable workers.

7 Wing 8s in the office tend to possess great inner strength and can endure long days better than most in the office. They also possess great confidence in their abilities and this allows them to be more of a risk taker and opportunity seeker that helps contribute to a steady flow of projects coming into any organisation they work for.

How to support the 7s in the office

• Allow them to lead in the ideation process when starting any projects. There usually are a few gems uncovered when they brainstorm ideas with others.
• Give them a challenge to keep them motivated through a mundane work day. Allow them to make their work fun as long as it is within reason.
• Be there for them when they come to you asking if they could speak to you about a problem. Drop everything then and allow them the safe space for them to talk. All you need to do is listen and be there for them.

To the Type 7s, we would like to say:

Your optimism is what makes you the gem that you are but know that we also would love you the same if you trust us enough to open up to us with the pains in your heart too. You do not need to always be the one to bring laughter into our lives. Let us hold space for you when you need a shoulder to cry on as well.

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Do personality profiling tools excite you? Then, come and learn about Enneagram Framework with us! Contact us (link to: https://theenneagramacademy.com/#contact) to find out when our next course runs are and how to use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset the course fees!

In this first part of this series, we have looked at how the heart-centered Types – the Type 2s, Type 3s and Type 4s function at the workplace and how can leaders and managers support them.

In the second part, we looked at the Body-centered Types –  the Type 8s, the Type 9s and the Type 1s.

Last week, we began our look at the Head-centered Types, starting with our look at the Type 5s. This week, we turn our attention to the Type 6s.

Type 6s in the office

At their core, the Type 6s are the dependable planners of the office. With their strong analytical powers, they are able to look at any of the work processes, see the gaps and come up with workable solutions to help plug the gaps and stabilise the processes. This enables the office to maintain optimal work productivity at all times.

6 Wing 5s in the office tend to very comfortable in their inner world and usually have high levels of focus whilst working out the kinks to a work system. They can be highly independent workers, as well as highly efficient troubleshooters.

6 Wing 7s in the office tend to be extroverted and active in the office space. They may get highly energised when they are engaged in untying highly complicated kinks in the work processes. In fact, you may them savouring every bit of these experiences and often may ask for more of such work tasks to keep them on their toes.

How to support the 6s in the office

• Give details and be congruent when delivering them to the 6s. They would appreciate you greatly for it.
• Do not brush their clarifying questions aside when they do ask you. 6s often ask these questions to help us clarify our own thoughts and processes, which in turn helps us to make less mistakes in our own work processes.
• Be consistent in what you say and do with your Type 6 colleagues. Consistency is what makes them feel assured that you are trustworthy and committed in supporting them at your work place.

To the Type 6s, here is a word of encouragement for all of you:

Your focus on the worst-case scenarios are what makes you good contingency planner and allows you to support us in preparing for issues that may arise. So don’t see it as something negative part of your worldview, instead embrace it and take courage in making your next move because you have done whatever you can, so let your faith do the rest!

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Are you trying to find ways to balance your strengths and weaknesses to achieve stability within yourself? The Enneagram Framework can help you do that! Contact us to find out when our next course runs are and how to use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset the course fees!

In this first part of this series, we have looked at how the heart-centered Types – the Type 2s, Type 3s and Type 4s function at the workplace and how can leaders and managers support them.

In the second part, we looked at the Body-centered Types –  the Type 8s, the Type 9s and the Type 1s

This week, we begin our look at the Head-centered Types, starting with our look at the Type 5s.

Type 5s in the office

At their core, the Type 5s are often the logical problem solvers in the office. Though they may be people of few words, they are keenly observing everything around them to help them gather information that may, in times of crisis, come in handy in coming up with solutions to solve seemingly complicated work problems.

5 Wing 4s in the office tend to keep to themselves and let their imagination take flight to come up withoriginal ideas to help solve the problems at the workplace. They love the challenge of synthesising the information before them and coming up with never-before-seen and yet very logical work structures.

5 Wing 6s in the office tend to be more logic-driven and organised in their problem solving strategies. They thrive in positions that allows them to deep-dive into the subject matter, analyse them and then come up with the logical solutions to the problems that surface.

How to support the 5s in the office

• Respect their personal space as they analyse and gather information whilst completing a work task. Do not sit down and engage them in idle chat when they are working.
• Give them information before a project begins. This gives them time to process the information and to prepare what they can contribute to the project when it begins.
• Do not ask them to do work after their working hours. Respect their personal time as they use that time to recharge by doing what they like after a long work day.

To the Type 5s, we would like to say:

Remember that your loved ones, friends and colleagues all would like to connect with you emotionally as well, and that you have a safe space to express your feelings, ideas and thoughts to them as they are interested in you as a person, not just in your intellect.

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Would you like to know more about how the Enneagram Framework can help find the real you? Contact us to find out when our next course runs are and how to use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset the course fees!

In this first part of this series, we have looked at how the heart-centered Types – the Type 2s, Type 3s and Type 4s function at the workplace and how can leaders and managers support them.

Then we continues by looking at the Body-centered Types with the Type 8s and the Type 9s last week.

This week, let us see how the Type 1s function at the workplace and how their leaders and managers can support them.

Type 1s in the office

At their core, the Type 1s are the ones who set things in place to maintain high standards in the work processes. They are very meticulous and are always seeking improvement with their continual need to strive to perfect the systems, processes and routines in the workplace.

1 Wing 9s in the office tend to be introverted and they aim to keep the workplace as peaceful and as orderly by expressing their more morally and ethically inclined opinions.

1 Wing 2s in the office tend to be extroverted and are more people-oriented. They may tend to sacrifice their own needs to help the others in their team in a project as they may see it as the right way to contribute in supporting their teammates.

How to support the 1s in the office

• Assure them that mistakes are part and parcel of the work process and that the team are also there to support them as that’s the right thing to do.
• Bring them out for a more extravagant meal after work to help them enjoy the finer things in life more.
• Bring them for a massage to help them relax and to let go of the tension in their bodies .

To the Type 1s, here are some words of wisdom for you:

Do not be so hard on yourself. Remember that mistakes itself can be beautiful. So be patient with yourself even when you have made one. Do not repress your anger and learn to process it and know that anger itself is not a bad thing.

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Would you like to know who you are at your core and how you can improve using the Enneagram framework? Contact us to find out when our next course runs are and how to use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset the course fees!

In this series, we have so far looked at how the heart-centered Types – the Type 2s, Type 3s and Type 4s function in the workplace and how we can better support them as leaders and managers.

From the most expressive heart-centered Type to the most expressive of the Body-centered Types, this week we look at the Type 8s.

Type 8s in the office

At their core, the Type 8s are natural leaders who personify authority in the office. Their direct, no-nonsense nature make things move at a fast pace as they take the lead towards completing a project. They also have no qualms fighting for justice on behalf of their team mates if they are bullied by others.

8 Wing 7s in the office tend to be very assertive and vocal in the office. With them at the helm, you can be sure that they will get things done in the fastest way possible as they can be highly competitive.

8 Wing 9s in the office tend to have a more composed form of authority and may be more inclusive in terms of their working style. Their delivery of their words are well-thought out and more cushioned, which makes people gravitate towards their quiet and yet firm managerial style, when they do get into a leadership position.

How to support the 8s in the office

• Be direct in your communication with them. Do not go into the context and details, just say it as it is.
• Stand your ground when they are confronting you with an issue. Do not shrink back and state your thoughts clearly and firmly. They will respect you for that.
• Be honest especially when you made the mistake that led to the problem arising. Then, take control by providing them solutions to solve the problem before they demand for it.

To the Type 8s, here is some encouragement:

You do not need to be in control all the time. Sometimes, letting people take the lead helps lighten the load on your shoulders and allows you to focus more on the bigger picture. When mistakes happen, learn to show mercy and ask questions to find out what happened. This will create a more positive work experience not only for you, but for others around you as well.

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Want to take control of your life by learning what makes you tick at your core? Contact us to find out when our next course runs are and use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset the course fees!

So far in this series, we have looked at how the Type 2s and Type 3s function in the workplace and how we can better support them as leaders and managers.

This week, we look at the last of our Heart-centred Types (and the most expressive) – the Type 4s

Type 4s in the office

At their core, the Type 4s value authenticity in the expression of themselves and others in their team members at the workplace. They are largely motivated by the meaning they find in their work and use their work as a deeper expression of their inner insights, emotional creativity and depth, as well as their individual style.

4 Wing 3s in the office tend to be more goal-oriented and are more extroverted. They express themselves through the work image they have carefully created for themselves to allow them to missile in achieving their dreams and creative goals in the workplace.

4 Wing 5s in the office tend to be more introverted and are more likely to express their creativity in their work quietly and in the background. They work better alone as they withdraw into the rich, inner world they tap on to make their creativity stand out in the work they deliver.

How to support the 4s in the office

• Appreciate the meaning behind what they do in the office by actively validating them through praise and appreciation .
• When assigning work to them, ensure that clear parameters are set and yet allow them some space to express their creativity.
• Respect their personal sharing by listening to them actively without trying to give them quick solutions.

To the Type 4s, here is a short word of encouragment:

Please remember that you are competent enough to make your own dreams come true. See the beauty of your own unique gifts and own that personal style by being confident in your own skin.

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Want to see the uniqueness of yourself through the Enneagram? Contact us to find out when our next course runs are and use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset the course fees!

In this series, we are looking at how each Enneagram Type functions in the workplace and how we can better support them as leaders and managers.

Last week, we started this series by looking at the Type 2s. This week, we turn our attention to the Type 3s.

Type 3s in the office

At their core, the 3s worldview looks at the world as one big competition. Thus, this make 3s efficient producers at work, who are not only able to find workable shortcuts to work more efficiently; but also allows them to excel at resource management to help build teams that propel them faster towards achieving their work goals and objectives.

3 Wing 2s in the office tend to work towards goals that helps others or the greater good of the organisation. Combining the efficiency of the core 3 and the nurturing aspect of the wing 2 makes these high achievers good mentors to others.

3 Wing 4s in the office tend to work towards goals that help them express their authentic voice in their work. They lean on the creativity afforded to them via their wing 4 to help them express themselves in their work, thus making achieving their work goals extremely meaningful for them.

How to support the 3s in the office

• Bring them out to celebrate the small successes as well. Doing this allows them to see how far they have come, instead of how far more they have to go.
• Remind them that rest is important so that they will be able to achieve more after a good rest and with a clearer mind.
• Recognise them for the good work they have done in the office by praising them over an email blast or in a meeting.

Here is my parting shot to my fellow Type 3s:

We deserve to be loved for who we are and just for what we do. Recognise that we can be loved for who we are and the value is also seeing that we are valuable for being our authentic selves to others.

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Always looking for ways to work on your strengths? Why not use the Enneagram Framework to help you achieve that? Contact us to find out when our next course runs are and use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset the course fees!

In this series, we are looking at how each Enneagram Type functions in the workplace and how we can better support them as leaders and managers.

As usual, we start with the heart-centered Types and this week, we focus on the Type 2s.

Type 2s in the office

At their core, the 2s worldview gives the perspective of support and empowerment. Thus, at their healthiest, 2s would work in the background and often would quietly complete their tasks and if need be, tasks that may need to be completed beyond their job scope. 2s, in this state, do the work that helps the greater good of the company and not to be appreciated and for external validation.

2 Wing 1s in the office may be typically quiet and reserve but if you look closely at their work, you will find not only good quality work because of their meticulous nature but also may produce high quality work because they see the need to maintain high quality standards to help the company move forward.

2 Wing 3s in the office would be your more extroverted worker. They believe that communicating boldly and with confidence helps to create a more vibrant and productive work atmosphere. Their charming nature helps bring teams together and they make good mentors as they will focus on grooming your new talent to become very productive workers, but also will nurture them to believe in their ability to contribute with their natural gifts.

How to support the 2s in the office

• Appreciate the 2s in private when you see they have gone beyond what you need them to do.
• Check in with them to see if they have work-related needs that you, as a leader, can support as well.
• Listen actively when they tell you their personal needs (i.e. if they need to rest) and find ways to meet them. Often 2s would not tell you what they would need from others, but if they do, it’s because they trust you as a leader.
• Remind them that they are appreciated for who they are and not what they do for you in your office by telling that self-care is the best way for them to be at their constant best for the company.

Let me end this piece by saying this to the Type 2s:

You do not have to be everything to everyone. Sometimes, the best kind of help to offer others is allowing them to struggle to find out how they can do the job without your support in the beginning. Serve others better by taking care of yourself first.

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Would you be interested in finding out how you can use the Enneagram framework to support and empower others in your workplace? Contact us to find out when our next course runs are and use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset the course fees!

The day has come. We are at the end of our series where we look at how each Enneagram Type are like as managers.

We kicked this series off with the heart-centered Enneagram Types – Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4.

Then, we looked at the body-centered Enneagram Types – Type 8, Type 9 and Type 1.

In the last leg, we focused on the Type 5 and Type 6 managers. Today, we end the series looking at the joyfully optimistic Type 7 managers.

Type 7 Traits In A Managerial Nutshell

Type 7s have a positive energy and joyfulness that is hard to miss. It is this aura of fun that draws people towards them and helps the Type 7 managers infect their team members with their enthusiasm and energy.

Type 7 managers work at a highly energetic and quick pace. They are natural project starters and because people love to work with them, 7s form teams that are enthusiastic about the new project from the very beginning. The Type 7s’ innovation comes from their ability to string their knowledge of various topics into one cohesive big picture.

The Type 7 manager believes in the ‘work with a smile on your face and joy in your heart’ mantra. It is this mantra that helps their team to find the silver lining, even in the darkest moments of their work life. This helps them in building a positive culture in not only their team culture but the overall company culture.

Becoming The Best Manager As A Type 7

In order for a Type 7 to upgrade their managerial skills, they would have to learn to:

Become a ‘specialist’ and not a ‘generalist’ in their work.

When Type 7s learn, they do not tend to go deep into one topic, they have their fingers in a variety of topics. This is partly due to the fact that they are very easily distracted because they love to maximise their options, even in their learning of new things. This then makes them a ‘jack of all trades and a master of none’.

So, for a Type 7 manager to grow into their work role and to show authority in it, they have to learn to pick one area of their work to specialise in and master it. This way, they can re-invent themselves to be the ‘go-to’ person for the area of work they have mastered and become a ‘jack of all trades and a master of one’.

Process their pain points to acquire emotional depth.

The Type 7’s main core motivation is the need to avoid pain. This causes the 7 to avoid processing often times very painful moments in their lives by distracting themselves with the company of people, buying the latest gadgets, gaming to name a few.

However, as managers, the more authentically you show up for your team, the more authentically you share your life – the good and the bad, that is where the team sees you, the manager, not just as a position but as a person.

It is in that spirit that we encourage our Type 7 managers to take a deep breath and process their pain bit by bit by confronting it and not avoiding it. A Type 7 manager who is able to achieve this integrated emotional depth and to share it with their team, would be very inspirational to them; because the team can see that even though the 7 has gone through many dark moments in their lives and yet still have the strength to see the good in their lives and to always bring a smile to others in a way only they can.

An Encouragement to our Type 7 Managers

We love that you instinctually want to make the lives of the people around you more joyful and positive with your presence, which you do very well.

However, learn that you are also worthy for people to bring solace and peace by journeying with you in your pain. Let us help you find true joy in your life by listening to your pain and by being there to hold your hand as you begin to heal from the pains in your life. You do not have to do this alone.

Here is one final reminder while dealing with a Type 7 manager – do not always ask them to be the one to make you laugh and happy. They are not the ones who have the sole responsibility to bring positivity to the team as you work. Help them spread positivity and laughter with them; that way, the work environment will be a wonderful place to be in.

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Want to learn how to create a highly joyful and enthusiastic team culture through the Enneagram? Contact us (link to: https://theenneagramacademy.com/#contact) to find out when our next course runs are and don’t forget to ask you can also use your SkillsFuture Credits to offset your course fees!

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!