What is your present Business Scenario and the Leadership styles?
The business landscape has evolved, marked by the presence of millennials in the workforce, rendering the conventional leadership style outdated. Methods that once proved effective no longer resonate in this era of disruption. To remain a relevant leader, how can one stay abreast of the current dynamics? Which leadership styles should be embraced to navigate these changing times? As a leader, how can you ensure that you have implemented the appropriate leadership style to effectively lead your team?
Introducing Enneagram
The Enneagram is an archetypal framework that offers in-depth insight to individuals and groups. The Enneagram refers to the nine different types or styles, with each representing a worldview and archetype that resonates with the way people think, feel and act in relation to the world, others and themselves.
It is much more than a personality profile that offers insight into core personality traits, as it delves deeper into the core motivations, defense mechanisms and fears that often lie in the unconscious layers of our personality structure.
Leadership and the Enneagram
When tasked with articulating their leadership style, many leaders, even those highly astute, often find themselves puzzled. Responses are frequently brief and may rely on feedback received. However, our leadership style inherently evolves from our Enneagram style and proves to be remarkably evident. This clarity can foster profound acceptance of our strengths and open the door to transformative growth.
The practical use of the Enneagram in leadership allows participants to grasp the nine distinct leadership paradigms, along with their associated strengths and potential challenges. It sheds light on the expected behaviors exhibited by leaders of each Enneagram type and recommends tailored development activities to augment leadership capabilities based on one’s Enneagram type.
Furthermore, the Enneagram proves effective in honing specific leadership competencies, ranging from achieving results and strategic planning to leading high-performing teams and beyond.
How the 9 Enneagram Types Perceive LEADERSHIP?
Source Credit – Ginger Lapid-Bogda, https://theenneagraminbusiness.com/
Benefits of Using the Enneagram Over the last few decades, the Enneagram has demonstrated itself as an incredibly potent tool within the realms of development and coaching. Its application not only accelerates the acquisition of insight, growth, and integration but also imparts resilience and significance to the developmental journey over an extended period.
Exploring the 9 Enneagram Types
It is crucial to remember that various Enneagram styles might exhibit comparable behaviours. The Enneagram styles are not solely derived from observable behaviours, and relying on outward conduct alone can be misleading when delving into the Enneagram. To differentiate between styles, it is essential to delve into motivation – understanding why an individual opts for specific actions and why engaging in those actions holds value for them.
(1) Enneagram Type 1 – Perfectionist
Individuals of the Enneagram One personality type place high value on principles and integrity, motivated by the desire to be perceived as good and right. Their name is reflective of their pursuit of perfection and self-discipline. They also prioritize integrity and excellence.
Ones generally appreciate standards, principles, and a structured environment. In their optimal state, Ones exhibit tolerance, self-acceptance, and tranquillity, bringing dignity and discernment to both themselves and the world. However, less-healthy Ones may tend to be judgmental, uncompromising, and overly meticulous, influenced by a critical perspective and heightened awareness of their own imperfections and feelings of inadequacy.
(2) Enneagram Type 2 – Considerate Giver
Individuals of the Enneagram Two personality type are driven by a need for affection and appreciation. They highly value relationships, placing importance on kindness, generosity, and self-sacrifice.
Twos actively strive to contribute to a more loving world, primarily through providing support and attention to those they hold dear. In their optimal state,
Twos display unconditional support, practice self-care, and share the gift of humility with themselves and those around them. However, less-healthy Twos may exhibit flattering and manipulative behaviour, engaging in a ‘give to get’ dynamic, influenced by a profound belief that they are undeserving of love for who they truly are.
(3) Enneagram Type 3 – Competitive Achiever
Enneagram Threes typically place a high value on achievement and aspire to be the best in their endeavours. Consequently, efficiency, results, recognition, and image hold significant importance for them. Threes actively pursue success in their chosen field, demonstrating a high level of adaptability to accomplish their goals.
In their optimal state, others perceive Threes as industrious, principled, and open, contributing the gifts of hope and integrity to the world. However, in an unhealthy state, Threes may exhibit an exaggerated need for achievement, appearing self-important and inconsistent. This originates from a sense of self-worth rooted in what the Three accomplishes rather than who they inherently are.
(4) Enneagram Type 4 – Intense Creative/ Individualist
Individuals of the Enneagram Four personality type are driven by a motivational need to express their uniqueness and maintain authenticity.
Fours highly value individualism, with emotions, self-expression, and purpose holding significant importance for them. They possess a romantic inclination, appreciating beauty and actively creating meaning for themselves and those around them.
In their optimal state, Fours are perceived as sensitive yet content, offering the gifts of equanimity and authenticity to both themselves and the world. However, in a less healthy state, a Four may feel misunderstood, and others may view them as melancholic and temperamental. This tendency arises from the Four’s acute awareness of their own wounds and flaws.
(5) Enneagram Type 5 – Quiet Specialist / Observer
Individuals of the Enneagram Five personality type are driven by a motivational need to know and understand. Fives highly value making sense of the world around them, making objectivity and knowledge crucial to them.
They actively seek independence, value privacy, and tend to conserve their resources to secure future autonomy. In their optimal state, others perceive Fives as visionary and mindful, offering the gift of non-attachment to both themselves and the world. However, in less favorable circumstances, others may perceive a Five as stingy, intellectually arrogant, and emotionally disconnected, as they retreat into their minds to avoid feeling engulfed or intruded upon.
(6) Enneagram Type 6 – Skeptical Loyalist
Individuals of the Enneagram Six personality type place a high value on security and belonging, as their style is rooted in the motivational need for safety and preparedness. Consequently, loyalty and trust hold significant importance for Sixes, who endeavour to be responsible and prepared in various situations.
In their optimal state, Sixes exhibit courage and a connection to inner wisdom, presenting the gifts of devotion and trust to both themselves and the world. Less-healthy Sixes tend to worry excessively, fear lowering their defenses, and may be perceived as anxious, suspicious, or doubtful.
(7) Enneagram Type 7 – Enthusiastic Visionary
Individuals of the Enneagram Seven personality type are driven by the motivational need to embrace life to the fullest and avoid pain. Sevens highly value a sense of freedom, centering on optimism, inspiration, and seizing opportunities as they arise. They approach life with an adventurous mindset, appreciating playfulness and spontaneity.
In their optimal state, others perceive Sevens as content and serene when they can embrace sobriety and be present with themselves and the world. At a less healthy level, others may experience Sevens as impulsive, uncommitted, and unfocused due to their preoccupation with an insatiable search for fulfillment and a fear of missing out.
(8) Enneagram Type 8 – Active Controller
Individuals of the Enneagram Eight personality type are motivated by a need to exhibit strength and avoid displaying vulnerability. They highly value having a sense of control, being direct, and making a significant impact. Eights embrace challenges and manifest a desire for justice, positioning them as protectors of others.
In their healthy state, others perceive Eights as strong, deeply caring, and approachable. They offer the gift of innocence to both themselves and the world when they align with the natural flow of reality.
However, in their less favorable state, others may experience Eights as domineering, aggressive, and lustful—an image arising from the Eight’s strategy to present themselves as larger than life in a threatening world.
(9) Enneagram Type 9 – Adaptive Peacemaker
Individuals of the Enneagram Nine personality type are driven by a need to experience a settled and harmonious connection with the world. Consequently, being accommodating and accepting becomes essential to them. Nines aspire to a peaceful coexistence and value stability, often avoiding conflict.
In their optimal state, Nines are perceived as self-aware and vibrant, offering the gift of right and sustainable action to themselves and the world. Less-healthy Nines may be perceived as procrastinating, stubborn, and self-denying. This pattern arises from their inclination to go along to get along with others, and the resulting discomfort when this strategy proves unsatisfying.
Conclusion
What leadership styles do you embody? Leadership is a dynamic practice, and it is possible to embrace multiple leadership styles. Your approach evolves as you continually strive to enhance your support for both your team and the overall growth of the company.
Like the Chinese proverb suggests, wisdom lies in adapting to circumstances, much like water shaping itself to fit its container. To improve as leaders in the future, understanding the appropriate leadership styles for different situations and considering the motivational factors of those you lead is crucial.
Participating in a leadership workshop that utilizes the Enneagram profiling system can assist in cultivating an agile leadership style, which is increasingly recognized as essential for effectively leading today’s talent.
The application of the Enneagram in leadership facilitates participants in comprehending the nine distinct leadership paradigms, including their associated strengths and potential challenges. It explores the predictable behaviours exhibited by leaders of each Enneagram type and suggests tailored development activities to enhance leadership capabilities based on individual Enneagram types.
Furthermore, the Enneagram proves valuable in honing precise leadership competencies such as driving for results, strategic planning, leading high-performing teams, and more.