The Enneagram Edge with Host Tracy O’Malley

Teamwork makes the dream work. Every Enneagram type has its own unique superpowers and shortcomings. And if you’re trying to do it all alone, leaning into gifts that aren’t necessarily yours, you’ll burn out quickly. So, how do you build and lead a strong, sustainable team to support you—using the framework of the Enneagram? On this episode of The Leadership Formula, I explain why It's crucial for...

Barbara Schreihans loves being a driven, goal-oriented Enneagram 3. But she doesn’t advertise her accomplishments overtly like a typical Achiever. So, why is Barbara’s 3-ness expressed differently? How does her dominant subtype impact the way her need for significance presents itself in the world? Barbara is the Tax Strategist behind Your Tax Coach, a boutique tax accountancy for US-based entrepre...

When you’re dealing with people of different Enneagram types who don’t think the way you do, it’s easy to go full-on Judge Judy and decide you’ll never understand how they operate. But what if learning about the gifts of each Enneagram type could help you appreciate their strengths and be THANKFUL for what we all bring to the table? What if knowing your type could help you cultivate gratitude for...

Getting together with immediate and extended family for the holidays often comes with a certain amount of drama. And even for those of us with healthy boundaries, the season can be triggering. But you can leverage the framework of the Enneagram to show up with integrity. To be a strong and elegant leader in your family—even in the midst of chaos. On this episode of The Leadership Formula, I descri...

Social subtype Enneagram 2s like Kristen Crowley are often mistyped as 3s. Yes, she is ambitious and influential. But Kristen’s worth is not at all tied to what she does. Her heart and motive is all about people. So, what does it look like when a social 2 makes big moves in the world? How does their deep care for others show up as they take on leadership roles? Kristen is the Cofounder of reFRAME...

Enneagram 9s are driven by a need to be settled and in harmony with the world. And this makes them afraid of conflict. But in avoiding even healthy conflict, 9s often fail to make their own opinions known. They give up long-term growth for a kind of temporary peace. So, how can a 9 use the anatomy of their Enneagram to make their Yoda wisdom known? What does it look like when an Adaptive Peacemake...

One-to-one Enneagram 7s see the world through rose-colored glasses. Surrounded by the right people, these Enthusiastic Visionaries are adventurous and spontaneous. They help the rest of us feel alive and bring their revolutionary ideas to life. But surrounded by the wrong people, one-on-one 7s are criticized for their big ideas and end up dimming their light to fit in. Lucky for us, Bridgitte Carr...

Enneagram 8s are assertive, decisive, protective, independent and influential. And when we use these gifts for good, 8s are incredibly impactful leaders. But when an 8 is coming from a place of fear, protecting ourselves from vulnerability at all costs, these gifts become a wrecking ball, and we end up pushing people away. So, how can an Enneagram 8 learn to tap into compassion and use our power i...

Enneagram 7s approach life as an adventure. And their greatest fear is to be left without options. That’s why this Enthusiastic Visionary believes that there are no bad ideas and anything is possible. But when a 7 is less healthy, FOMO takes over. They are experienced as impulsive and uncommitted, distracted by an insatiable search for fulfillment. So, how can a 7 leverage the full anatomy of thei...

Enneagram 6s ask a lot of questions. And while it might seem like they don’t trust you or they’re trying to control the situation, the truth is that they just want to be prepared. This is what makes the Loyal Skeptic the best collaborator on the Enneagram. But it can also lead to excessive worry, as the 6 gets stuck in what ifs and worst-case scenarios. So, how can the 6 use their need for certain...

Self-preservation Enneagram 2s are slightly shy and completely charming. They want to be taken care of but resist being dependent on others. They feel responsible for other’s happiness and tend to withdraw when they fear rejection. Dorothy Illson is the Founder of Needle’s Eye Media, full-service digital advertising agency that helps businesses leverage paid traffic to achieve sustainable growth....

Operating from a place of integrity, Enneagram 1s are out to make the world a better place. But their feedback can be too blunt at times, making people feel intimidated and resistant to receiving it. Whitney Lee is the Founder of Sociallee, a PR firm that serves travel and experience brands. She also happens to be a good example of a healthy Enneagram 1 who, over time, has learned to stay true to...

Knowing your partner’s Enneagram type and understanding their core motivation and greatest fear is very powerful in creating a more intimate, connected relationship. But what does that look like in practice? Kacia Fitzgerald is a free-spirited serial entrepreneur and an Enneagram 7. Her significant other, Seena Ghetmiri, is an Enneagram 3 by nature and a dentist by training. And while their differ...

Enneagram 7s like Dr. Valerie Gettings have a gift for coming up with outside-the-box ideas. But if they feel disrespected or dismissed, these Enthusiastic Visionaries will stop sharing their innovative spirit. They may even cut ties and move on. So, what is the best way to support a 7 in sharing their vision? And how can 7s leverage an understanding of the Enneagram to take action on their best i...

The Enneagram 5, also known as the Investigator or Quiet Specialist, is the most introverted of the Enneagram types. But that doesn’t mean that 5s can’t learn to collaborate or develop healthy interpersonal relationships. In fact, 5s who understand the anatomy of their Enneagram type can play well with others, leveraging their knowledge and expertise to bring their visionary ideas to life. On this...

When I asked Des Dickerson what wasn’t working in her life, she described it as chaotic. And because her life is messy and disorganized, she can’t operate at her best. So, how can Des leverage an understanding of her Enneagram type to move out of the chaos and into a space of clarity? For the last four years, Des served as the Cofounder and Expert Publicist behind Creative Label, an advertising ag...

The 4 is the most intuitive of all the Enneagram types. Also known as the Individualist, the Romantic or the Intense Creative, Enneagram 4s are deeply connected to feelings, both their own and the emotional undercurrents in their environment. At their best, we experience 4s as sensitive yet content. But 4s can also come across as melancholy, overly dramatic or temperamental. So, how can Enneagram...

In our hustle culture, Enneagram 3s are put on a pedestal. And they have the kind of external life most of us envy. But while the Competitive Achiever looks good from the outside, they can be miserable on the inside. Christina Lecuyer is the Confidence and Mindset Coach behind DecideIt’sYourTurn, a platform committed to empowering people to live fully in their purpose. 12 years ago, Christina had...

We all want to be like the Enneagram 3, otherwise known as the Competitive Achiever. 3s raise the bar on setting and hitting goals. But all of that winning sometimes means sacrificing their health and relationships. The truth is, 3s put a LOT of pressure on themselves. And although the rest of us would never know it, Enneagram 3s often live in torture and feel very much alone. On this episode of T...

Do you operate from your heart center? Are you motivated by the need to be liked and appreciated? Do you have a gift for anticipating the needs of others? Then you might be an Enneagram 2, otherwise known as the Considerate Helper. At their best, 2s are unconditionally supportive, offering the gift of humility to themselves and the world. But when Enneagram 2s are over-giving from a place of fear,...

Enneagram 3s look like they’ve got it all together. They achieve like crazy and make it look effortless. But we don’t see what’s going on inside. Katie Gibbons was a prisoner to her 3-ness. Driven by appearances and afraid to try new things, she was hesitant to pursue her big dreams. And despite being a former VP in the banking industry, Katie wasn’t making bold moves as an entrepreneur. So, how d...

Do you value principles and integrity? Are you motivated by the need to be good and right? Then you might be an Enneagram 1, also known as the Reformer or what I like to call the Sherriff. 1s have the potential to make us all better, setting an example of high standards, self-control and dignity. But the Enneagram 1 can’t step into their full potential without understanding how their wings, their...

Your core Enneagram type never changes. But the way it gets expressed does. And while working to become the healthiest version of your core type is a good place to start, you can’t fulfill your divine calling until you understand the full anatomy of the Enneagram and integrate ALL its composite parts into your life. On this episode of The Leadership Formula, I walk you through the anatomy of an En...

As Jim Rohn says, ‘You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.’ And few of us would argue with the benefit of having a bulletproof inner circle we can count on to have our back. But those of us who are high achievers often get fixated on reaching the next goal and lose those strong, intimate connections along the way. On this episode of The Leadership Formula, I explain wh...

As parents, we can leverage an understanding of the Enneagram to improve the way we love and lead our children. But Enneagram coaching can also help our kids develop self-awareness and grow into the best version of themselves. Kristina is a client of mine who was gifted Enneagram coaching as a graduation present. And she is using the training to support her transition to college at Duke University...