Enneagram at Work

If you’ve ever taken a quick Enneagram quiz and walked away thinking, “Hmm, maybe…?” - you’re not alone.  In this short episode, we’re unpacking the most reliable way to discover your true Enneagram type, especially when you're trying to figure it out through the lens of your professional life. We’ll cover: Why work behavior can sometimes mask your real type How to narrow down your top conten...

This weekend, we’re diving into one of the most common (and possibly the most fascinating) team-leadership dynamics we see in team training sessions: the relationship between Type 6 (Striving to Feel Secure) and Type 8 (Striving to Feel Powerful). It shows up again and again: Type 8s in leadership roles who are focused on getting things done, moving fast, and protecting their teams... and Type 6s...

After each Enneagram MBA workshop, we ask:  Which part of the workshop was most helpful or engaging, and why? When you listen to this episode, you'll hear the #1 answer and five ideas for giving your own team more opportunities to connect and learn about one another whether you've been through an Enneagram workshop or not.  Episodes referenced during the episode: 126. Enneagram Discussio...

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront. For Type 9s, growth often begins with the realization that peace doesn’t mean disappearing. True harmony includes your voice, your priorities, and your presence. Nines are the calm in the storm — steady, supportive, and easy to be around. But that same go-with-the-f...

For Type 8s, growth often begins with recognizing that strength doesn’t always mean control . It takes a different kind of strength to soften, to be vulnerable, and to trust others without having to test them first. Eights are natural leaders — bold, decisive, and unafraid to take charge. But when that powerful energy is driven by a need to protect or dominate, it can unintentionally shut others d...

ChatGPT can’t read the root, but your team can.  Inside this episode, we're talking about blind spots at work, how they can impact the team, and why self-awareness can't be automated (at least for now...).  Get your Blind Spots at Work by Type Reference Chart:  https://www.enneagrammba.com/blindspots Find the HBR AI Usage Chart: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJmgCYMu8xz/?utm_source=ig_web_...

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront. For Type 7s, growth often starts with the willingness to stay — to stay with the hard thing, the boring thing, or the uncomfortable emotion, rather than jumping to the next exciting idea or distraction. Sevens are known for their energy, optimism, and visionary thin...

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront. For Type 4s, growth often starts with the realization that your depth, creativity, and emotional insight — the very qualities that make you so uniquely powerful — can also become obstacles when left unchecked. It’s not always about changing who you are, but rather n...

In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our time at the Association for Talent Development (ATD) conference. Sarah Wallace sits down with fellow facilitator Brenda Brown to reflect on the highlights, hot topics, and meaningful moments from the event. We unpack how the Enneagram continues to stand out as a powerful, memorable tool for personal growth and team development — especially...

Due to tech issues and waiting until the last minute, this is going to be a skip week on the content.  I didn't want to completely ghost you this week, so sharing a fun update about being at the Association for Talent Development Conference in Washington, DC. If you'll be attending, stop by to see us at #2630! Coach Brenda Brown will be around too, helping with leadership profile and cow...

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront. For Type 5s, growth isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about learning to step out of your head and into the moment, even when it feels uncertain or emotionally demanding. Your ability to observe, analyze, and think deeply is a major strength. But when those g...

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront. For Type 6s, growth often means learning to trust — not just other people, but also yourself. Your thoughtfulness, loyalty, and ability to anticipate problems make you an incredible asset on any team. But when those strengths get tangled up in fear or worst-case-sce...

The Enneagram isn't a crystal ball, but no personality assessment is. We recently came across an article titled “ Why You Shouldn’t Always Trust Personality Tests ,” and it hit a nerve—in the best way. In this quick episode, we unpack why the Enneagram isn’t a tool for making predictions (especially not in hiring or promotion decisions), and how it’s much more useful as a problem-solving and...

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront. It’s easy to admire the drive, efficiency, and results-oriented mindset of a Type 3. But growth for Threes often isn’t about achieving more — it’s about slowing down long enough to notice why they’re pushing so hard in the first place. Real growth doesn’t always com...

It’s often easier to talk about the strengths and generosity of a Type 2 — their rapport-building, willingness to help out when needed, and desire to support and develop others. But personal and professional growth for a Two doesn’t always mean doing more of that. Sometimes it means recognizing when those same strengths might be working against you. Our growth path is often less about adding and m...

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront. It's easier to share the strengths and skills of each Type, but most of the time our path for growth isn't about getting better at something. It's more about removing what's in the way of where we are now so we can get to where we want to go. Tak...

When you’re leading an internal leadership or manager development program, understanding who’s in the room is just as important as what you’re teaching. And that’s where the Enneagram can be a game-changer. In this episode of Enneagram at Work , we’re looking at how training & development managers can use Enneagram team mapping to: Understand the general energy of a leadership program cohort I...

What makes a great leader—confidence and speed, or preparation and caution?  If you’ve ever worked under a Type 3 (The Pacesetter) or a Type 6 (The Guardian), you know these two approach leadership differently.  Type 3 might say: "G o big, go fast, and don’t look back! " Type 6 could be heard saying: " Slow down, assess the risks, and ensure we’re prepared!" So… who actually ma...

Some team members fire off ideas like a creativity machine while others sit back, take it all in, and analyze before making a move.  If you’ve ever worked with a Type 7 (The Enthusiast) or a Type 5 (The Strategist), you know there are some key differences to the way they approach work, including when it comes to generating new ideas and brainstorming.  Type 7 might say: "Let’s put all the ide...

Type 3 & Type 4 at Work: When Efficiency Meets Emotion Ever been in a meeting where one person wants just the bullet points while the other wants to share the full backstory first ? If so, you might be witnessing a classic Type 3 & Type 4 workplace dynamic! (But definitely not limited to these two types.) In this Coworker Compatibility episode, you'll get a breakdown of: The core moti...

What happens when a team is heavily made up of Type 8s (striving to feel powerful) and Type 1s (striving to feel perfect)? You get a powerhouse mix of decisiveness, integrity, and high standards—but also a workplace that might feel intense, perfectionistic, and high-pressure. In this episode of Enneagram at Work , we’re analyzing a real-life team map where Type 8 and Type 1 were the dominant types...

We’ve all been there—a group project where one person (possibly a Type 3) takes over like they’re leading a Fortune 500 company while another (let's say a Type 9) quietly disappears into the background. So, why does this happen? And more importantly, how do we fix it? In this episode of Enneagram at Work , we’re breaking down: Why Type 3s naturally take charge (and sometimes overdo it) Why Ty...

In this fun, competitive, and lighthearted showdown, we put Type 8 (The Commander) and Type 2 (The Coach) leadership styles head-to-head, awarding imaginary points in key leadership categories: Decision-Making Under Pressure  Team Morale & Engagement  Conflict Management  Long-Term Team Development  By the end, you'll get the real secret to great leadership—because maybe it’s not about ch...

In this fun bonus episode, you'll hear a behind-the-scenes conversation on the Enneagram MBA rebrand with the agency that led the process, Ink & Craft out of Cincinnati, OH. You'll also get a fly-on-the-wall perspective of our working dynamic throughout this project as a Type 1 (Ariana Broerman), Type 5 (Matt Broerman), and Type 7 (yours truly).  Did you recognize yourself in any of...

Stay in touch while we take a break over until the Fall over on YouTube or the Understanding People Newsletter: Subscribe to Enneagram MBA on YouTube Become an Ennsider of the Understanding People Newsletter Start planning your end-of-year team retreat or new-year kick-off event Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!  🗓️ Book a Guided Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at wor...