I have always been interested in how people tick. For as long as I can remember, I've had a huge desire to understand human behavior and motivation. It’s the thing I notice - whether sitting in a yoga class, waiting to catch a flight or watching a CEO speak, I am fascinated by people.
That interest (and the cute football player I followed to a sociology class as an undergrad - but that’s a story for another post!) guided me to a career in Human Resources and continues to fuel my love for psychometrics. I'm certified in Myers Briggs and DiSC; I’ve done a lot of work with StrengthsFinder and many other systems and tools. However, it has been the Enneagram that has most impacted my thinking around human development.
What Is The Enneagram System?
The Enneagram is a system that describes 9 main “types” of personalities.
We all have each of the nine types within us, but there is generally one that takes the lead. Each type has its own strengths and challenges and has specific connections points to other types within the system which illuminate opportunities for development.
I first discovered the Enneagram through an online quiz and was stunned by its accuracy. At the time I knew there were areas of my life that needed development (see my last post, Vulnerability Used to be My Kryptonite – Now it’s My Superpower) and found so many useful insights in studying my type (type 8; the challenger or protector). Since then I have continued to study this tool and find it hugely helpful in coaching and guiding employees.
According to the Enneagram Institute, the Enneagram has ancient roots, at least as far back as the Greek Philosopher Pythagoras, and broad diversity, pulling from many spiritual teachings. In the 1960’s, the Enneagram was introduced into “modern-day” psychology and wound its way into the business world toward the end of the 20th century.
What I find most compelling about the Enneagram is that it doesn't suggest ways to change who you are. Rather it focuses on what is already present.
Imagine you are lost in a dark cave, and suddenly you discover a flashlight in your backpack. Now there is a bit of illumination, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re still in the damn cave. However, with the light you can gain specific, valuable information that impacts how you choose to proceed.
The Enneagram is that light in the darkness. It points out the dark and scary bits of ourselves, as well as potential paths to freedom from the unconscious, habitual patterns of behavior. All of which have been there the whole time.
The Power of Enneagram in the Workplace
Enneagram has helped me tremendously to understand the "why" of my behavior. I found the tool to be so powerful that I regularly share it with clients and have found the following results:
- Better Working Relationships: When people deeply understand themselves, they can have more fruitful relationships with each other.
- Improved Communication: the Enneagram provides a shared vocabulary when discussing successes, setbacks, team performance, and motivational strategies.
- Shared Sense of Responsibility: Because this tool so powerfully reveals our deeply ingrained habits, employees can recognize when they do not have the impact they intended and take actions to course-correct along the way.
- Improved Understanding of Each Other: Employees can develop a new appreciation for the many ways human beings operate. Instead of expecting their colleagues to change, people are more flexible and creative in how they accommodate others.
- Increased Trust and Empathy: Using the Enneagram can build deeper levels of empathy among colleagues, and increase trust., ultimately improving company performance.
There’s no denying that high employee engagement leads to more robust business performance. The question for many businesses is, “How do we get there? Watch any episode of the popular HBO series, Silicon Valley, and you might think engagement is about installing ping pong tables in the break room and putting beer on tap in the kitchen. Yes, these are fun benefits, but I haven’t seen any research that proves they lead to any notable changes in performance. However, increased trust, intimacy, reliability, and credibility among colleagues do.
And you can get there with the assistance of a psychometric tool like the Enneagram.
