The Enneagram system can indeed be a profound valuable tool for promoting inclusion, equity, and diversity (IED) initiatives in several ways.
The Enneagram showcases the unique hidden natural talents/gifts of each personality type, emphasizing the significance of diversity in personality within a thriving workplace.
Each Enneagram type can be likened to possessing distinct superpowers, and if any of these abilities are absent, the team’s effectiveness may be compromised. Below, you can explore the workplace natural super-talent/gifts associated with each Enneagram type.
Type 1- Perfectionist
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talent are in enhancing productivity, upholding high standards within the workplace, and devising practical solutions to work-related challenges.
They are detail-oriented individuals who excel in creating systems and frameworks to guarantee quality, efficiency, and fairness across the organization.
Without the influence of Type 1 individuals, a workplace may experience stagnation, inefficiency, or a decline in the quality of work. Type 1s are indispensable for ensuring continual improvement within the organization.
Type 2- Considerate Giver
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talent are in elevating team morale, offering comprehensive support, enhancing office communication, and fostering a positive work atmosphere.
Type 2 individuals bring a crucial human connection to the organization, making the corporate environment more approachable and empathetic.
Without Type 2s in the workplace, communication breakdowns may occur, employee stress levels could rise, and the overall experience of work might become more daunting. Type 2s are essential for maintaining our connection to humanity within the workplace.
Type 3- Competitive Achiever
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talents are in achieving and winning. Type 3 individuals are akin to goal-seeking sprinters within the Enneagram, fiercely striving to succeed in their endeavours and outperform the competition. Their focus on image maintenance ensures the corporate reputation remains intact.
Without Type 3s in the workplace, there’s a risk of becoming complacent, missing goals, or failing to maintain momentum. Type 3s are indispensable for driving us to achieve our initiatives and maintain a competitive edge.
Type 4- Intense Creative/ Individualist
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talents are in innovation, original expression, and the ability to discern unspoken undercurrents in professional situations.
Type 4 individuals bring a unique perspective to the workplace, unafraid to think outside the box and possessing a keen intuition for what is important but not explicitly expressed.
Without Type 4s, we risk missing out on valuable original thinking and subtle layers of communication. This could result in overlooked customer needs, stalling innovation, and increased employee dissatisfaction. Type 4s are essential for sharing their vision and helping us recognize the quiet undercurrents in the workplace.
Type 5- Quiet Specialist/Investigator
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talents are in clear, rational thought and deep focus.
Type 5 individuals possess the ability to remain steadfastly dedicated to intricate and challenging problems. This intense focus enables them to attain mastery of a subject, making Type 5s often the go-to experts in a corporate setting.
Without Type 5s in the workplace, our understanding of crucial complex issues within our business would be less comprehensive. We rely on Type 5s to relentlessly pursue knowledge surrounding our business challenges.
Type 6- Skeptical Loyalist
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talents are in critical thinking and identifying potential threats in the workplace.
Type 6 individuals bring a security-oriented, problem-solving perspective to the office, focusing on potential risks, dangers, and threats to the business.
Without Type 6s in a business environment, we might overlook potential hazards and leave the company vulnerable to unnecessary risks. Type 6s are essential for keeping the organization safe and secure.
Type 7- Enthusiastic Visionary
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talents are in curiosity, lateral thinking, expansive vision, and a positive approach to work.
Type 7 individuals bring a boundary-free mindset to processing information, enabling them to make original connections and generate new ideas. Their focus on the positive and the potential makes them invaluable for brainstorming, strategizing, and envisioning the future.
Without Type 7s in the workplace, we would overlook numerous opportunities for growth and innovation. Type 7s are essential for fostering expansiveness and continual development within the organization.
Type 8- Active Controller/ Challenger
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talents are in decisive thinking, bold action, and an unwavering determination to see tasks through to completion.
Type 8 individuals bring a direct, no-nonsense approach to the corporate environment, prioritizing actionable goals and initiatives. Their straightforward communication style and proactive attitude make them instrumental in closing challenging deals and spearheading complex projects.
Without Type 8s in the workplace, critical deals might falter, and navigating through tough issues could become more challenging. We rely on Type 8s to lead us through difficult situations and ensure tasks are accomplished effectively.
Type 9- Peacemaker
Their natural hidden gifts/super-talents are in collaboration, mediation, and fostering harmony among diverse perspectives.
Type 9 individuals bring a calming, inclusive demeanour to the workplace and often serve as the cohesive force within a team or office. They are adept at building rapport with others and diffusing workplace conflicts with their amiable and easy-going nature.
Without Type 9s in the workplace, we would likely spend more time addressing petty conflicts, detracting from productivity and morale. Type 9s are essential for maintaining harmony and cooperation within the office environment.
How do we activate our super-talent/gifts ?
The distinction between a latent and an active super-talent/gift often boils down to SELF-AWARENESS.
Once individuals are aware of their Enneagram type, they can begin leveraging their innate super-talents/gifts to enhance their contributions in the workplace.
Offering Enneagram personality system workshop within an organization allows employees to explore and understand their natural abilities and superpowers.
A workplace where each Enneagram type operates at their fullest potential is likely to thrive, as each individual brings unique natural talent/gifts/strengths and perspectives to the table, contributing to the overall success of the organization.
It would be of great benefit to the organizations and their employees to implement Inclusion, Diversity and Equity initiative using the Enneagram personality workshop.
Feel free to connect with me if you want a guided self-discovery of Enneagram typing session (followed by Inclusion, Equity and Diversity workshop) for your team or at an individual one-on-one level.