The Enneagram

We see from where we stand.

Haitian proverb

The Enneagram is a powerful system for developing Emotional Intelligence. To understand this system better, it's helpful to know that people see the world very differently than we do.

Emotional Intelligence is crucial in various aspects:

• It is the greatest predictor of success in all occupations and industries.
• People with high emotional intelligence experience greater life satisfaction through self-acceptance and better connections with others.
• Employees with high emotional intelligence contribute to successful organizations by working well with colleagues, handling stress effectively, and taking responsibility for their work.
• Leaders with high emotional intelligence effectively manage stress, make better decisions, and foster productive relationships within their organizations.

Emotional Intelligence Competencies include self-awareness, social-awareness, self-management, and relationship management. These competencies encompass elements like emotional awareness, self-assessment, empathy, self-control, resilience, adaptability, and many more traits essential for personal and professional growth.

The Enneagram system is based on 9 different types, each with patterns of thinking, emotion and sensing/behaving.

Given that Emotional Intelligence is made up of self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and relational management, the Enneagram provides an outstanding framework for the very different priorities of each of the 9 types.

Our clients have found it extermely helpful to break down these 9 types into the 3 Centers within the Enneagram system:
Head (Mental Center), Heart (Doing Center), and Body (Feeling/Sensing Center) each with fundamentally different orientations and needs in the workplace.

We need all 3 centers to be a fully functioning human being. Yet, given our type, we lead with one center.

• Body Center Types (Truth and Fairness): Types 8, 9, and 1 focus on truth and fairness, often forming strong initial impressions of others.
  
  
  
  
• Heart Center Types (Connection): Types 2, 3, and 4 prioritize human connection and respect in relationships.
  
  
• Head Center Types (Trust): Types 5, 6, and 7 grapple with fear and trust, essential for building meaningful relationships.

In this section, we will look at the 3 Centers and then give you a brief overview of all 9 types.