Unlocking Your Leadership Potential With the Enneagram

Use the Enneagram to develop your team.

July 31, 2023
Leader on a mountain

The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system that has been used for centuries to help people understand themselves and their behaviors. 

It’s a powerful tool that leaders can use to identify and develop their own strengths and those of their team. 

Let's take a closer look at how the enneagram works. 

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What is the Enneagram? 

The Enneagram is a personality-typing system that has become increasingly popular in recent years. In essence, the Enneagram describes nine distinct types of personalities, each with its own unique set of traits and characteristics. 

The enneagram is visually represented by a nine-pointed symbol made up of three parts: the circle, the triangle, and the hexagon. Each point on the symbol represents a different number or type associated with a particular set of personality traits. 

For example, type 1 is associated with perfectionism, whereas type 9 is associated with peace-seeking behavior. By understanding your own type—and those of your team—you can gain insight into how you think and act in different situations.  

Although it is often used to gain insight into individual personalities, the Enneagram can also be used by leaders to understand their team members better and create an environment of understanding and collaboration. 

How Does It Work? 

The Enneagram works by classifying people into one of nine distinct personality types. Each type is identified by a number between one and nine, each with its unique set of strengths and weaknesses. 

For example, Type One (The Reformer) is known for being principled and idealistic, while Type Five (The Investigator) is known for being analytical and detached. 

In addition to describing individual personalities, the Enneagram can also identify how different types interact. Knowing how different types relate to each other can help leaders create more effective teams by recognizing potential areas of conflict or misunderstanding. 

For example, Type Two (The Helper) may have difficulty understanding why Type Five (The Investigator) needs time alone to process information before deciding on a course of action. 

How Can Leaders Use the Enneagram? 

Leaders can use this system to understand better why people think and behave differently in certain situations. 

Through knowledge gained from using the enneagram, leaders can equip themselves with better communication tools to foster stronger relationships with their teams. When leaders have more significant insights into their own personalities and those of their team members, it allows them to build collaborative working relationships. 

Team members bring unique talents and perspectives that support each other’s strengths. This helps create an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best work while also being able to openly share ideas without fear of criticism or judgment.

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The Benefits of Using the Enneagram for Leaders 

Using the Enneagram offers leaders numerous benefits.

  • Improved team collaboration and productivity.
  • Increased emotional intelligence.
  • Improved decision-making; enhanced creativity.
  • More effective problem-solving.
  • Enhanced self-awareness; better communication skills.
  • Improved trust between team members.
  • Greater personal growth potential for all involved. 

Putting It Into Practice 

Once you’ve identified your team member’s individual personality types using the Enneagram, it’s time to put this knowledge into practice. 

As a leader, it’s crucial that you recognize how individuals with different personality types approach problems differently to create an environment where everyone feels respected and valued. 

You should also strive to create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable expressing their opinions without fear of judgment or ridicule from others. 

Finally, tailor your communication style depending on who you are speaking with; not everyone responds well to the same approach! 

Action Plan

The enneagram provides a powerful tool for unlocking leadership potential both in yourself and in your team members. 

Understanding your team’s unique personalities can help you foster a greater sense of collaboration among your team members, resulting in improved performance across the board! 

The key takeaway is that although all individuals are unique, they all still have something valuable to contribute when given the right nurturing environment. 

Teams thrive in environments that consider their distinct personalities and allow them to flourish as individuals within a larger group setting. 

By leveraging the power of the Enneagram, leaders can create an environment where everyone feels appreciated and respected for who they are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Team Leadership

What is team leadership?

Team leadership is a management approach focused on leading and guiding a group of individuals working together towards a common goal. A team leader is responsible for providing direction, support, and guidance to the team members, while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Team leadership involves setting clear goals and expectations for the team, communicating effectively, and building trust and relationships with team members. It also involves empowering team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their unique skills and perspectives to the team's success.

Some key characteristics of effective team leadership include:

  1. Communication: Team leaders communicate clearly and effectively with their team members, keeping them informed about goals, expectations, and progress.
  2. Vision and strategy: Effective team leaders have a clear vision for what they want to achieve and a strategy for how to get there, while also being flexible and adaptable when necessary.
  3. Empowerment: Good team leaders empower their team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work, while also providing support and guidance as needed.
  4. Trust-building: Team leaders build trust and strong relationships with their team members, creating a positive and productive work environment.
  5. Results-oriented: Finally, effective team leaders are results-oriented, focusing on achieving goals and driving performance while also valuing the well-being and development of their team members.

Overall, team leadership is a collaborative and empowering approach to management that values communication, trust-building, and results-driven performance.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different styles of team leadership?

There are several different styles of team leadership, including:

  1. Democratic leadership: In this style, the leader encourages open communication and participation from all team members in decision-making processes.
  2. Autocratic leadership: This style involves the leader making decisions and taking control over the team's direction, often with little input from team members.
  3. Transformational leadership: This style focuses on inspiring and motivating team members to achieve their full potential, often by setting a clear vision and communicating goals effectively.
  4. Servant leadership: A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their team members, focusing on serving and empowering them to achieve their goals.
  5. Laissez-faire leadership: In this style, the leader provides minimal guidance or direction, allowing team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions independently.
  6. Transactional leadership: This style involves setting clear goals and expectations for team members and providing rewards or discipline based on performance.
  7. Situational leadership: This approach involves adapting one's leadership style to fit the specific situation or needs of the team at any given time.

Overall, each style of team leadership has its own strengths and weaknesses, and effective leaders may use a combination of different styles depending on the situation and the needs of their team.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different skills required for team leadership?

There are several key skills required for effective team leadership, including:

  1. Clear: Team leaders must be to communicate effectively with their team members, setting clear expectations and goals, providing feedback, and keeping everyone informed about progress and changes.
  2. Active listening: Leaders need to be able to listen actively to their team members, hear their concerns, ideas, and suggestions, and work collaboratively to find solutions.
  3. Empathy: Good team leaders value empathy, recognizing and understanding the perspectives of their team members, and working to build trust and strong relationships
  4. Decision-making: Leaders must be able to make informed decisions based on available information and input from team members, while also being decisive when necessary.
  5. Problem-solving: Effective team leaders must be able to identify and solve problems that arise within the team, working collaboratively to find creative and effective solutions.
  6. Motivation and empowerment: Leaders must be able to motivate and empower their team members to take ownership of their work, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential.
  7. Delegation and management: Team leaders must be able to delegate tasks effectively, manage resources and timelines, and oversee the work of the team to ensure quality and efficiency.

Overall, effective team leadership requires a combination of interpersonal, decision-making, and management skills, as well as the ability to inspire and empower team members to work collaboratively towards shared goals.

Learn more about leadership.

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

Servant Leadership

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How can servant leadership be beneficial in the workplace?

Servant leadership can be beneficial in the workplace in a number of ways, including:

  1. Improved employee engagement and job satisfaction: When employees feel supported, valued, and empowered by their leaders, they tend to be more engaged and satisfied with their work.
  2. Increased collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize communication, collaboration, and trust-building, which can lead to stronger relationships and more effective teamwork.
  3. Higher levels of productivity and innovation: When leaders empower their team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their ideas, it can lead to higher levels of productivity and innovation.
  4. Reduced turnover and absenteeism: Employees who feel supported and valued are less likely to leave their jobs or call in sick, leading to reduced turnover and absenteeism rates.
  5. Improved organizational culture: Servant leadership can create a positive organizational culture that values growth, development, and well-being for all stakeholders, which can lead to improved morale and outcomes.

Overall, servant leadership can lead to a more positive, productive, and fulfilling workplace environment, benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How does servant leadership differ from other leadership styles?

Servant leadership differs from many other leadership styles in several key ways:

  1. Focus on serving others: Servant leaders prioritize the needs and well-being of their followers over their own interests, while many other leadership styles focus more on achieving organizational goals.
  2. Empathy and listening skills: Servant leaders value empathy and active listening skills to better understand the needs and perspectives of their followers, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on asserting authority or making decisions without input from others.
  3. Collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize collaboration and teamwork, seeking to empower and develop their followers to achieve their full potential, while other leadership styles may be more focused on competition or individual achievement.
  4. Humility and accountability: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, prioritizing the well-being of all stakeholders and taking responsibility for their decisions, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on personal ambition or avoiding blame.

Overall, servant leadership is characterized by a focus on serving others, prioritizing empathy and collaboration, and taking a humble and accountable approach to leadership. While other leadership styles may be effective in different contexts, servant leadership can be a powerful tool for creating positive change and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

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