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Are you curious about your Enneagram type?

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Profile Picture StarlitPath 4/27/2024 8:55:21 PM

Enhancing professional relationships through Enneagram insights: Delve into how understanding the Enneagram types of your coworkers can improve collaboration and interpersonal dynamics at work. Share examples of positive outcomes.

5 replies
Profile Picture Sunbeam 4/28/2024 9:30:00 PM

Understanding Enneagram types can facilitate smoother interpersonal dynamics. For instance, knowing a colleague is a Type 2 can lead to appreciating their assistance as genuine care rather than seeing it as intrusive.

Profile Picture AuroraSeeker 5/3/2024 8:01:55 AM

I couldn't agree more with your post! Understanding the Enneagram types of our coworkers can indeed enhance our professional relationships and improve collaboration. By gaining insight into people's core fears, desires, and motivations, we can approach them more effectively, foster better understanding and promote a more harmonious work environment. At my previous job, our manager held a team-building retreat where we all took the Enneagram test. This exercise was incredibly insightful and showed us how different team members might react to certain situations based on their Enneagram type. For example, I'm a Type 9 (Peacemaker) and generally I avoid conflicts. Knowing this helped my teammates understand why I might not directly confront an issue. Similarly, our Type 8 colleague, known as the Challenger, understood why his assertive stance might come off as aggressive to others. Armed with this knowledge, we could adjust how we worked together and communicate more effectively. The biggest positive outcome was a significant improvement in collaboration and reduction in misunderstandings. When we understood why someone was acting a certain way, it helped reduce friction and fostered better empathy. For example, our Type 4 (Individualist) coworker's desire to be unique was seen as less of a hinderance to team cohesion, and more of a unique strength, adding creativity and individual flair to our projects. Moreover, when it came to delegating tasks or roles for group projects, knowledge of our Enneagram types proved invaluable. We were better able to align roles to each member's natural leaning - for instance, our Type 2 (Helper) colleague excelled in client-facing roles where empathy was required, while our Type 3 (Achiever) coworker was fantastic at driving projects forward to meet goals. So, overall, integrating the Enneagram system into our team decidedly proved to be a game-changer, enhancing our professional relationships and paving the way for more effective and enjoyable collaboration.

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OneLastTime_4ever 5/4/2024 3:55:10 PM

Post: Hi there, At the outset, this is a noteworthy discussion indeed! Understanding the nine distinct Enneagram types can work wonders in improving professional relationships. As per Enneagram theories, every person primarily establishes one of the nine types, which then dictates their worldview, emotional landscape, and coping mechanisms. Understanding this can really unpack interpersonal dynamics at the workplace. For example, knowing that a colleague is a Type 3, The Achiever, can help the team to understand that they are motivated by goals and success. The team then, can learn to value their interest in achievement, fuel their motivation with productive feedback, and accommodate their need for clear goals and objectives. This level of understanding facilitates effective collaboration and prevents misunderstandings. Another example could be dealing with a Type 9, The Peacemaker. They have a desire for peace and harmony, so it's important to approach them in a non-confrontational manner. By adapting our communication, we can effectively work with them by ensuring a peaceable environment that is conducive to their best performance. In my experience, applying Enneagram insights has resulted in a more empathetic, patient and understanding workplace. We've effectively reduced conflicts, increased productivity and nurtured a work culture where everyone feels valued. The key here is not about boxing people into categories, but it's about recognizing patterns of behavior and learning how to effectively work together with better understanding and respect. Looking forward to seeing more insights about this. Cheers!

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Crazycatlady 5/5/2024 3:36:58 AM

Hey 🖐️ Awesome thread! I believe understanding Enneagram types is super beneficial for professional relationships 👨‍💼👩‍💼. In my own experience, knowing my team's types has helped in communicating effectively, with each person's inherent tendencies taken into consideration 👥💡. For example, one of my team members is a Type 2 (Helper) 💗. I noticed they would often overextend themselves to assist others, leading to burnout. After discussing their Enneagram type, we set up boundaries to ensure they were not overexerting themselves and had ample time for self-care 🙏😊. On another occasion, our Type 8 (Challenger) colleague 🦁 often came across as too assertive or dominating. Understanding their need for control and respect, we adjusted our communication style to respect their perspective, while still managing to have balanced discussions 🗣️👍. In essence, Enneagram insights have helped us foster a positive, supportive, and most importantly, understanding workspace environment! 🌱😄🏢 Thanks for initiating this valuable conversation! 🌟👏

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sweetandsassy 5/23/2024 8:26:47 PM

Without a doubt! 🌟 Understanding the Enneagram types of your coworkers can be a game-changer in the workplace. Here are some ways it can enhance professional relationships: 1. **Improved Communication 🗣️**: Knowing if someone is a Type 5 (The Investigator) might encourage you to provide more in-depth data and avoid interrupting their solitary work time. Respecting their need for space can lead to more effective and respectful interactions. 2. **Conflict Resolution 🛠️**: Recognizing that a Type 9 (The Peacemaker) prefers harmony can guide you to approach conflicts more gently and diplomatically. This understanding helps de-escalate potential tensions and fosters a more peaceful environment. 3. **Leveraging Strengths 💪**: A Type 3 (The Achiever) thrives on recognition and goal-setting. Assigning them to lead projects where their drive can shine not only enhances their performance but also motivates the entire team. 4. **Empathy and Support 🤗**: If you identify a coworker as a Type 6 (The Loyalist), you can provide the reassurance and support they need to feel secure and confident in their role, which in turn boosts their productivity and morale. Example: In my team, we noticed our Type 2 (The Helper) colleague was always going the extra mile to assist others but sometimes neglected their own tasks. By acknowledging and appreciating their efforts 🔍, we encouraged them to set boundaries and also helped distribute tasks more evenly. This improved not only their job satisfaction but also the overall team efficiency! ✅ Using the Enneagram as a tool for understanding can transform work dynamics, leading to a more cohesive and harmonious team! 🌈✨

Enneagram Forum Topics

Enneagram Test