It takes many Types to make the world and the same can be said in any workplace.
However, in this series, we are exploring scenarios where an office environment has only 2 Enneagram Core Types.
This week, we look at what if your office only has Type 3s and Type 8s.
What Works For Them
The synergy between their leadership styles lie in the fact that the less image-conscious Type 8 can play the ‘bad cop’ to the Type 3s ‘good cop’ and this helps the goal-oriented and direct Types to push the team under their charge to go beyond their limits in the shortest amount of time. Both Types are able to enjoy the ‘thrill of the hunt’ as they smash through the obstacles in their charge towards whatever objectives they set out to achieve.
The Type 3s may rely on the Type 8s’ natural authority to help them push their teams to achieve their work objectives. Type 8s appreciate the Type 3s’ execution and resource management skills. Together, they can be an unstoppable team.
What Doesn’t Work For Them
Type 3s may seem too ‘slow’ for the Type 8s as Type 3s may be more patient in achieving their objectives (big or small), which directly clashes with the 8s preference to take on the huge challenges to make big changes in the office fast. 3s and 8s may also struggle over who takes control over the various resources in the office, which may turn the workplace into a battlefield.
When no one wants to relinquish control in the office, then nothing gets done. In this battle for control often will result in more casualties (a.k.a high turnover rates) and bring everything to a standstill.
Type 3s and 8s may also have vastly different views on what can be addressed in public versus in private (1 to 1). 8s, in order to move things quickly, may be more prone to take confrontations head-on and very publicly, whereas the image-conscious 3 would care more about how they would look in public and may be less prone in creating a scene in the office.
So in this imagined scenario, these are the advantages and disadvantages of having ONLY Type 3s and Type 8s in your office. Of course, for teams to be effective and well-rounded, it takes all Types to make it work.
Question is – Can you imagine yourself working in an office that only has 3s and 8s?
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Want to know more about the other Types? Join us in our upcoming Enneagram courses. Furthermore, you can use your SkillsFuture credits to offset the course fees. So delay no longer, contact us today!
