The Enneagram Edge with Host Tracy O’Malley

"What would your life look like if you lived your authentic truth?" The word authentic is a buzzword right now. And we can all scroll social any day and see and hear what authenticity means to someone with a big Instagram following. But what does it really mean? And more importantly, what does authenticity mean to YOU? A lot of times, when we are not living lives true to who we are, we sidestep de...

"No matter how much pure intention you put into the world, it doesn't mean it's always going to be received that way or responded to as though it was." Often, we're going along just fine, and then something happens, and a member of our supporting cast—our friends or business besties—decides, without warning, that their part in our life story is over. This can come in different packaging, from betr...

"Blindsides always come down to a breakdown in communication." A broken romantic relationship is always painful. But we're most vulnerable when the relationship breakdown comes as a surprise. One minute, everything is fine; and the next, you've been blindsided. So how can you get over being blindsided by a breakup? Today, on The Leadership Formula, I'm sharing the personal story of what I went thr...

"Every new relationship and experience in our life is here to grow us and teach us. " This week social media is filled with pictures of perfect turkeys, board game nights, and smiling, happy families gathering for Thanksgiving pictures. Yet, the holidays are often bittersweet for many of us. And watching other people's highlight reels can make us question our worth, leaving us wondering why we are...

"Taking care of our health is so super important. You have to honor the vessel. But even in honoring the vessel, it doesn't guarantee that nothing is going to happen." Have you ever faced a health blindside? Either your own or that of someone you love? When faced with your own mortality or that of someone you love, it can rock your world, taking you to your knees in the pit of the unknown. We have...

"You're gonna have to find a pain point that is uncomfortable enough for you to do what is required to be in that element of greatness that I know you have in you." With record inflation, this year has been financially rocky for most of the world. And it's not the first time. Couple that with the other high-stress situations you might be experiencing in your life, and things can begin to feel desp...

"Becoming bulletproof is contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition." Nobody is immune to being blindsided. You can experience financial blindsides when without warning, your client base or revenue dries up, and your business goes belly up. Or a doctor can deliver an unexpected and challenging diagnosis for you or someone you love that changes your way of life. We were all blindsided...

Anxiety can hit us at any age for any reason, especially when taking the next BIG step in our lives. You might be anxious about going to college or picking the wrong major. Or maybe you are anxious about becoming a parent or "getting it right" for your child's future. Or maybe you're working a j.o.b. to put food on the table, but every day when you wake up, your heart is screaming that you are mea...

Recently I was doing an offsite with a team at Google, and I was talking to the Enneagram 1 leader of the group. As she gave me the background on each person who would be there, she mentioned one she struggles to interact harmoniously with. I soon discovered they are the same Enneagram Type and same subtype, yet they each approach life much differently. Why was that? Because their Tritype and wher...

The Enneagram 9 is the Adaptive Peacemaker. Got conflict? They don't want it and will go out of their way to avoid in, in their quest to maintain peace and harmony at any cost. Which sometimes causes them to go along with others' wishes in relationships or career situations even when it doesn't meet their needs. But this go-along-to-get-along attitude can lead them to feel resentment towards other...

Enneagram 9 is the Adaptive Peacemaker. They are easy to get along with and make others feel accepted, heard, and understood in their presence. When they're at their best, the Enneagram 9 is like the Yoda of the Enneagram, they genuinely see and accept potential in other people—they’re a great hype squad. Those are their superpowers, but sometimes their agreeable, understanding, patient, and suppo...

Enneagram 8s are legendary for having a powerful energy that sometimes enters the room before they do. They do everything with gusto, including their propensity to measure everything as strong vs. weak—even themselves. So, they avoid being vulnerable at all costs, often choosing to share their stories of frailty only after the fact. But other Enneagram types can see this take no prisoners, no slow...

Enneagram 8s are motivated by a need to be strong and in control. They are take charge, decisive, aggressive, power-oriented, and magnetic. Self-sufficient autonomy is essential to an 8, and they have their own way of influencing others, including within large and powerful organizations. Those are their superpowers, but when they are in an unhealthy space or acting in their ego, those same superpo...

Enneagram 7s are the master innovators of 'anything's possible'—in this lifetime, this world, and our bodies. They are also known for their gift of being able to change lanes at the drop of a hat—which sometimes causes the other Enneagram types to feel they lack focus. But knowing when to pivot is all part of their visionary spirit and zone of genius. So how can you empower the enthusiasm and forw...

"Enneagram Sevens can develop an addictive cycle of fun-filling, but not fulfilling experiences." Enneagram 7s are the most optimistic of the Enneagram Types. The Enthusiastic Visionary often acts as the joy meter in their circle of family and friends. They love spontaneity and approach life as an adventure, blazing a trail to an exciting future. But, when they aren't at their best, their insatiab...

"I've often said everyone needs an Enneagram Six in their life because they keep our butts out of trouble." As The Loyalist, Enneagram 6s can troubleshoot and are prepared for the worst-case scenario in any situation. But all that planning, and preparation can lead to anxiety, insecurity, and a lack of enjoyment in life. So, how can Enneagram Type 6s learn to stop worrying so much and trust their...

Everyone needs an Enneagram 6 in their lives. 6s are trustworthy and team-team oriented, and their need for certainty means they recognize risk and ask important questions. But the Loyal Skeptic’s worst-case scenario planning can also be a curse, tipping their healthy doubt into paralyzing fear territory. On this episode of The Leadership Formula, I offer an overview of the Enneagram 6, explaining...

As the most introverted type, Enneagram Type 5s are called the Quiet Specialist and are motivated by a need to know and understand all things to make sense of the world around them. But their rigidity can be a bit off-putting for some of the other Enneagram types. So how can you learn to better communicate with the 5s in your life for more understanding and a deeper connection? Today on the show,...

At their best, Wise Enneagram 5s are visionaries who approach life in a logical way, sidestepping emotion when needed. Innovative and pioneering, objectivity and knowledge are crucial to 5s. Their intellectual interests enable them to build expertise in various fields, topics, and theories. Especially their areas of interest. But, when they're not in a great place, 5s may seem intellectually arrog...

Enneagram 4s are very mysterious. They are the creatives and the intuitives. Their core motive is being authentic to who they were designed to be. The most emotional on the Enneagram, they feel every emotion, sometimes in the span of two minutes. But their biggest fear is not having significance. So how can 4s step into the healthiest parts of themselves to share the unique gifts that only they ca...

Feelings and self-expression are important to Enneagram 4s. Romantics at heart, they appreciate creating meaning for themselves and others. Unafraid of deep emotions, they courageously ask the deep questions and then hold space without judgment for those willing to answer. Enneagram 4s are motivated by a need to be unique and authentic, often leading them to become purpose-driven creatives sharing...

When I entered recovery 10 years ago, I didn't know that the real work would begin once I left the rehab center. But you can't manifest your best life and be the best version of yourself with all the clutter. And you can't clear the clutter without investing in your emotional sobriety—it's the biggest hurdle of recovery. On this episode of The Leadership Formula, I share my very personal story of...

"I say it probably three to four times a week, 'dammit, I wish I was an Enneagram 3,' because they have this beautiful ability to see a goal, set a goal, and then crush the freaking goal, making it look effortless. And once they're done, they don't waste a lot of time before they move on to the next goal and then rinse and repeat." As The Competitive Achiever, Enneagram 3s make it all look effortl...

Enneagram 3s are resourceful and driven. They make success look so damn easy. That’s why so many of us have a love-hate relationship with the 3s in our lives: They’re inspiring, energetic and capable. Yet they can also come off as overly assertive and intimidating. But what you may not realize is there’s a catch to being a Competitive Achiever. Even though you may not see it, their fears run deep....

Type 2s are the master connectors of the Enneagram. As The Helper, they are the first ones you want to ask to help you with anything from your marketing newsletter to moving because they will most likely say YES. Often those many yeses are driven by a deep-seated need to feel loved and appreciated. Problems arise when they end up overextended with calendars full of projects that don't have true me...