Enneagram at Work

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—alongside a strong presence of Type 7s and 9s.

We’ll cover:

• The Strengths of an 8 & 1 Dominant Team – Why this mix creates a culture of accountability, ethical decision-making, and getting things done fast.
• The Challenges & Blind Spots – How this combination can feel intimidating, overly critical, or resistant to emotional awareness.
• How Type 7s & 9s Balance the Team – Why these types are essential for optimism, adaptability, and keeping things from becoming too rigid.
• Practical Strategies to Make This Team More Effective – How to celebrate wins, encourage collaboration, and ensure all voices are heard.

Whether you’re leading a team with strong Type 8 & 1 energy or working in one, this episode will give you the insights you need to navigate this dynamic with confidence.

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

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 Type 9s drift into the role of silent supporter (or fully check out)
• How this dynamic can lead to burnout for Type 3 & disengagement for Type 9
• Simple fixes to create balance, clear roles, and actual teamwork
• How to make sure Type 3 doesn’t ‘redo’ everyone’s work & Type 9 doesn’t fade into oblivion

If you’re a Type 3, this episode will help you lead without steamrolling. If you’re a Type 9, this will help you stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. If you're neither but manage people, this will help you better understand and address challenging group project dynamics. 

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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 choosing one over the other… 

Listen now and decide for yourself!

What do you think?  Are you #Team8 or #Team2?

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

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 these situations? Or maybe a co-worker?

Learn more about bringing the Enneagram to your team or organization to learn more about your unique lens of the world and about those you work next to each day.

↳ enneagrammba.com

↳ Learn more about working with Ink & Craft:
Website - https://inkandcraft.com/
Instagram: @inkncraft

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

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!

The Enneagram can help you understand your personality type and those of your colleagues. It can help you anticipate challenges, provide specific growth guidance, and navigate the complexities of the workplace with greater empathy and awareness. 

It cannot however predict the future. It can't tell you who will be amazing at their job, or tell you which types are best for certain roles. 

Listen in to hear two recent, real-workplace examples of why we want to be careful with putting types into job boxes or believing we need a specific type for a role. 

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

Using the Awareness to Action model, you’ll learn what being a “Transmitter” looks like in the real world with Trust Leadership Collective Founder Demetrius Parker. 

These individuals who tend to “Transmit” prioritize attracting and bonding.

The 3 categories that describe someone who Transmits include:

Broadcasting/Narrowcasting | Asserting | Impressing

When you listen in to this week's episode you'll also hear about:

• D's initial typing experience as a Type 9 
• what led him to realize Type 3 was more accurate 
• the similarities and differences between Type 1 and Type 3
• why there was no question what his dominant Instinctual Bias was
• how he's used the Transmitting energy to succeed at work
• the overlap of the Type 3 with the Transmitter 
• key insights about the Transmitting leader 

Did you see yourself in any of these conversations? Or maybe someone you work with?

Connect with Demetrius and let him know what you're taking away from this one!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/demetriusparker/

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

Enneagram Twos are striving to feel connected.
Type Nines are striving to feel at peace.
 
What's the coworker compatibility of these types on a team?

Find out how those core strategies show up in a real-world working relationship between Digital Signage Manager and Type 9, Ryan Lenocker and Digital Marketing Technology Specialist and Type 2, Michelle Zapata.

When you listen in you'll hear about how they see their strengths complimenting their work relationship and how they've gotten a deeper understanding of their differences and potential friction points.

If you happen to identify with one of these types yourself, hearing Michelle and Ryan share about their experiences you'll be able to relate. And if neither of these is your core strategy, listen in because you'll gain a better understanding of these types at work and may end up learning more about your own co-worker.

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Connect with Michelle on Linkedin and let her know what you're taking away from this episode:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-zapata-m-s-1424906b/

Connect with Ryan on Linkedin and let him know what you enjoyed most about this interview:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rlenocker/

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

In Part 1 of this interview special guest and my Enneagram mentor, Mario Sikora shared the details of the history, myths, and misconceptions of where the Enneagram came from and even set the record straight on the origin of Wings. 

When you listen in to Part 2 this week, you'll hear how Mario has seen the Enneagram evolve (and how he's played a huge role in its evolution), what he says to the skeptics, and where he sees the Enneagram going - both with a cautious and an optimistic outlook. 

Get in touch with Mario:
[email protected]

Awareness to Action Enneagram Certification:
https://ata.enneagramondemand.com/

Listen to Mario's Enneagram podcast:
https://the-awareness-to-action.captivate.fm/

Instinctual Leadership Book:
https://amzn.to/4eJdVoN

*****

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

After listening to this 2-Part series with  Mario Sikora, my Enneagram mentor, former International Enneagram Association President, and current Founder and CEO of Awareness to Action Enneagram, you'll have earned your credits in Enneagram History 101.
 
In Part 1 you'll hear the answers to and topics on:

• Where - and who - exactly did the Enneagram came from? 
• How old is the Enneagram (spoiler alert - it's not 2,000 years)? 
• Myths and misconceptions around the origin of the Enneagram 
• Why is it important to understand the approach you're learning from?
• The skipped Enneagram class that birthed the idea of Wings
• Why Mario doesn't teach Wings and what he recommends instead

Tune in next week for Part 2, diving into the evolution and the future of the Enneagram!

Get in touch with Mario:
[email protected]

The origin of the Enneagram YouTube video mentioned by Mario:
https://youtu.be/wlO3KJWnNd8?si=qDIZnyeHSJ5GXNoB

Awareness to Action Enneagram Certification:
https://ata.enneagramondemand.com/

Listen to Mario's Enneagram podcast:
https://the-awareness-to-action.captivate.fm/

Instinctual Leadership Book:
https://amzn.to/4eJdVoN

*****

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!