Enneagram at Work

Get access to the DIY Workshop Kit plus get the "Coworker Chemistry" add-on slide deck for free (a $95 value): 

Step 1: Add the DIY Kit to your cart: 

https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-workshop-kit

Step 2: Check the box under the checkout section to add your free access to the Coworker Chemistry slide deck using the coupon code FEBENNSIDER (valid the whole month of February 2026). 

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When the world feels uncertain, your personality patterns get louder, but so do your instincts.

In the Enneagram, your type explains how you react to stress.
Your instinctual bias explains where your attention goes when things feel unstable.

Some people focus on safety and stability.
 Some focus on relationships and belonging.
 Some feel driven to act, influence, or create change.

In this episode, we explore the three instinctual biases—Preserving, Navigating, and Transmitting—and how each one can build resilience at work during uncertain times.

Because each instinct doesn’t just have a stress reaction.
 It also brings a strength your team may need right now.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between type and instinctual bias
• How each instinct responds to uncertainty
• The core gift of each instinct in stressful times
• One practical action you can take this week

The Three Instinctual Biases (Quick Overview)

Preserving Instinct
Focus: Safety, resources, and day-to-day stability.

• Under stress: Worry about finances, health, or job security.
• Resilience move: Create practical stability through routines and boundaries.
• Gift to the team: Grounded realism and steadiness.
• Practical action:
   Do a short “stability check” with your team—clarify top priorities, remove one unnecessary task, or confirm needed resources.

Navigating Instinct
Focus: Relationships, alliances, and group dynamics.

• Under stress: Heightened concern about belonging, morale, or social tension.
• Resilience move: Strengthen key relationships and build trust.
• Gift to the team: Social awareness and connection.
• Practical action:
   Schedule two short check-ins this week—one with a team member and one with a peer—to ask how they’re doing and what support they need.

Transmitting Instinct
Focus: Impact, expression, vision, and influence.

• Under stress: Urgency to act, speak out, or drive change.
• Resilience move: Channel energy into meaningful, constructive action.
• Gift to the team: Inspiration and momentum.
• Practical action:
   Share a short LinkedIn post or internal message highlighting something positive your team is doing to navigate the current moment.

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

Get access to the DIY Workshop Kit plus get the "Coworker Chemistry" add-on slide deck for free (a $95 value): 

Step 1: Add the DIY Kit to your cart: 

https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-workshop-kit

Step 2: Check the box under the checkout section to add your free access to the Coworker Chemistry slide deck using the coupon code FEBENNSIDER (valid the whole month of February 2026). 

A leadership lesson in belonging, culture, and connection...

In this episode, we're going to look at the Bad Bunny halftime show through the lens of the Enneagram (specifically the Navigating Instinctual Bias!) and talk about what it might teach us about leadership and  connection in the workplace.

This isn’t an episode about typing Bad Bunny. And it’s not a performance review either. What caught my attention was the energy of the performance, how it felt less like a solo spotlight moment and more like a gathering. It felt like a celebration of culture, community, and shared identity.

From the house-style stage set, to the couple getting married during the show, to the mix of celebrities, local business owners, and everyday people on stage, the performance carried a strong sense of belonging. He centered Puerto Rican culture, highlighted real community spaces, and even used visual symbols to bring attention to ongoing struggles on the island.

And of course, it was the first all–Spanish-language halftime show in NFL history a true legacy moment.

Through an Enneagram lens, I saw strong community-focused, connection-driven energy in the performance, expressed in a bold, visible, emotionally impactful way. 

We also explore:

• How leaders create moments of belonging, not just performance
• The difference between individual spotlight and collective impact
• What it looks like to use visibility to elevate others
• How connection-centered leadership shows up in the workplace

If the show moved you, or if you’re thinking about how to lead in a more human, unifying way, this episode offers a simple Enneagram perspective on why that moment mattered,  using the lens of the instinctual biases.  

Reflection questions from this episode:

• When was the last time you created a moment of belonging for your team?
• Are you using your influence to spotlight others, or mostly yourself?
• What would one small connection-focused leadership move look like this week?

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

Get access to the DIY Workshop Kit plus get the "Coworker Chemistry" add-on slide deck for free (a $95 value): 

Step 1: Add the DIY Kit to your cart: 

https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-workshop-kit

Step 2: Check the box under the checkout section to add your free access to the Coworker Chemistry slide deck using the coupon code FEBENNSIDER (valid the whole month of February 2026). 

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Things are heavy right now.

Between political tension, economic uncertainty, and heartbreaking headlines, many people are carrying stress, fear, anger, or grief into the workplace. Even if those issues aren’t being talked about directly, they show up in how teams communicate, make decisions, and treat one another.

In this episode, we stay true to what the Enneagram does best: helping people understand their stress patterns, reconnect with their strengths, and show up with more steadiness and compassion at work.

In uncertain times, resilience isn’t about becoming someone else.
It’s about using the best of who you already are.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The stress reaction of each Enneagram type
• A simple resilience move for each type
• The unique strength each type brings to a team
• One practical leadership action for each type

Resilience by Type (Quick Overview)

Type 1: The Administrator
Stress: Everything feels wrong or out of control.
Strength: Integrity and principled action.
Resilience move: Focus on one small, meaningful improvement.

Type 2: The Coach
Stress: Over-giving and emotional exhaustion.
Strength: Care and connection.
Resilience move: Ask what you need and honor it.

Type 3: The Pacesetter
Stress: Pressure to keep performing at all costs.
Strength: Hope and forward momentum.
Resilience move: Reconnect with what actually matters.

Type 4: The Visionary
Stress: Emotional overwhelm or discouragement.
Strength: Emotional honesty and depth.
Resilience move: Take one practical step toward stability.

Type 5: The Strategist
Stress: Withdrawal and overthinking.
Strength: Perspective and clarity.
Resilience move: Re-engage with one person or a meaningful task.

Type 6: The Guardian
Stress: Catastrophizing and scanning for danger.
Strength: Preparedness and loyalty.
Resilience move: Focus on what’s actually in your control.

Type 7: The Enthusiast
Stress: Distraction or forced positivity.
Strength: Optimism and creative problem-solving.
Resilience move: Stay present with one hard truth or feeling.

Type 8: The Commander
Stress: Anger and a need to fight everything.
Strength: Courage and advocacy.
Resilience move: Protect something constructive.

Type 9: The Consensus-Builder
Stress: Numbing out or disengaging.
Strength: Calm and perspective.
Resilience move: Take one small, priority-based action.

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

Get access to the DIY Workshop Kit plus get the "Coworker Chemistry" add-on slide deck for free (a $95 value): 

Step 1: Add the DIY Kit to your cart: 

https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-workshop-kit

Step 2: Check the box under the checkout section to add your free access to the Coworker Chemistry slide deck using the coupon code FEBENNSIDER (valid the whole month of February 2026). 

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In this episode, we're talking about why Enneagram results often feel less clear early in someone’s career, the most common mistakes leaders make when trying to apply personality tools with young employees, and what it actually looks like to use the Enneagram in a way that supports growth, confidence, and self-awareness.

We'll cover:

• How young professionals are still forming identity and how that impacts workplace behavior and understanding "their type" 
• Why Enneagram typing can feel fuzzy early in a career (and why that’s completely normal)
• The difference between using the Enneagram as a label vs. a conversation
• Common patterns I see in young teams (hustle, people-pleasing, perfectionism, overthinking, blending in)
• How to focus on stress and growth patterns instead of locking in a “number”
• How to use the Enneagram to build feedback skills, communication confidence, and self-trust
• Why curiosity and experimentation matter more than accuracy at this stage

If you lead young professionals (or you are one!) this episode will help you use the Enneagram as a practical tool for understanding motivation, navigating pressure, and building healthier patterns early in your career.

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Explore the self-led Enneagram workshop at: https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-workshop-kit

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

Get access to the DIY Workshop Kit plus get the "Coworker Chemistry" add-on slide deck for free (a $95 value): 

Step 1: Add the DIY Kit to your cart: 

https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-workshop-kit

Step 2: Check the box under the checkout section to add your free access to the Coworker Chemistry slide deck using the coupon code FEBENNSIDER (valid the whole month of February 2026). 

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More and more companies are interested in adding the Enneagram into their leadership and team development programs, but many aren’t sure where to start, how to structure it, or how to make it work within their budget.

If you can relate, I got you.

You don’t need a massive program or outside facilitator to get meaningful value from the Enneagram (although we're here if you prefer a guided experience!). With a simple, practical structure, you can run a meaningful team workshop internally, without overcomplicating it.

Whether you’re an HR partner, team leader, or internal champion, this 6-part workshop framework is here to help you get started.

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

In this episode of Enneagram at Work, we are wrapping up the 9 Types Overview Series with a look at Enneagram Type 9: Striving to Feel Peaceful, one of the most quietly influential and calming energies on any team.

Type 9s are often seen as easygoing or agreeable, but what I experience in leadership teams and workshops is something much more meaningful. Type 9s bring stability, empathy, and the ability to hold space for everyone, even when things feel tense or uncertain. In this episode, we'll explore together how their drive for peace shapes communication, decision-making, and leadership at work.

What You’ll Learn:

• What it really means to strive to feel peaceful
• Why Type 9s are natural mediators and stabilizers on teams
• How their desire for harmony can sometimes lead to self-neglect
• The Consensus-Builder leadership style and how it creates psychologically safe workplaces
• How instinctual biases shape different expressions of Type 9
• Growth insights through Type 9’s arrows to Type 3 and Type 6
• How to give feedback to Type 9s in ways that build confidence and voice

Try This at Work:

• If you’re a Type 9: Speak your opinion before being asked. Your perspective matters more than you think.
• If you work with a Type 9: Invite their input and don’t mistake silence for agreement.

For Teams & Leaders:

Type 9s bring calm, empathy, and steadiness to teams, especially in times of stress or change. They are often the emotional glue that holds groups together.

Teams thrive when Type 9s are encouraged to take up space, voice their ideas, and step into their influence, not just keep the peace.

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

In this episode of Enneagram at Work, we are continuing with the 9 Types Overview Series with a closer look at Enneagram Type 8: Striving to Feel Powerful.

Type 8s are often labeled as controlling or aggressive, but what I see in real teams and leadership rooms is something very different. At their best, Type 8s are decisive, protective, and deeply committed to fairness and truth. In this episode, we'll unpack how their drive to feel powerful shows up at work in areas such as communication, leadership, and decision-making.

What You’ll Learn:

• What it really means to strive to feel powerful
• Why Type 8s value autonomy, honesty, and impact
• How their intensity can be a strength, and when it cause issues
• The Commander leadership style and how it creates clarity and momentum
• A few potential workplace friction points for Type 8s
• How instinctual biases influence different expressions of Type 8 energy
• Growth insights through Type 8’s arrows to Type 2 and Type 5
• How to give feedback to Type 8s in a way that builds respect, not resistance

Try This at Work:

• If you’re a Type 8: Practice pausing before reacting. Ask for input, even when you already have a strong opinion.
• If you work with a Type 8: Be direct and honest. Don’t read intensity as anger, ask clarifying questions and name what you’re experiencing.

For Teams & Leaders:

Type 8s bring courage, clarity, and protection to teams, especially in high-pressure situations. They are often the ones willing to say what others won’t and take responsibility when things get hard.

Teams work best with Type 8s when there’s mutual trust, direct communication, and space for vulnerability. When Type 8s feel respected and included, their leadership becomes a powerful force for good.

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

In this episode of Enneagram at Work, we are continuing the 9 Types Overview Series with a deep dive into Enneagram Type 7: Striving to Feel Excited. This is a type I know well, and one I see bringing incredible energy, creativity, and forward momentum into teams and organizations.

Type 7s are often described as optimistic, fun, and high-energy, but there’s much more going on beneath the surface. In this episode, we'll explore how the drive to stay excited and avoid feeling trapped influences how Type 7s communicate, lead, and make decisions at work, especially during change or uncertainty.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Type 7s bring creativity, optimism, and possibility into the workplace
• Where overusing these strengths can lead to overcommitment or avoidance
• How the Enthusiast leadership style inspires momentum and innovation
• Common friction points for Type 7s at work, and how to navigate them
• How instinctual biases shape different expressions of Type 7 energy
• Growth insights through Type 7’s arrows to Type 5 and Type 1

Try This at Work:

• If you’re a Type 7: Notice when you’re jumping to the next idea to avoid discomfort. Practice staying present long enough to finish what you start.
• If you work with a Type 7: Help channel their ideas into clear priorities and timelines. Their optimism isn’t avoidance; it’s often a way of protecting morale.

For Teams & Leaders:

Type 7s bring vision, adaptability, and enthusiasm to teams, especially in fast-moving or uncertain environments. They help others see what’s possible and keep energy high when things feel heavy.

Teams work best with Type 7s when there’s a balance between freedom and structure, allowing space for creativity while also supporting follow-through and accountability.

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

Listen to this fun conversation with Demetrius "D" Parker, founder at Trust Leadership Collective and Enneagram MBA Leadership Coach as we each share key insights or ways we've used what we've learned about the Enneagram in our own lives! 

Learn more about working with D: https://trustleadershipcollective.odoo.com/

Or hire him to lead your executive team through the Enneagram: https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

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

In this episode of Enneagram at Work, we are continuing the 9 Types Overview Series with a closer look at Enneagram Type 6: Striving to Feel Secure. This can be one of the most misunderstood types, and also one of the most important energies on any team.

In many descriptions, you'll seeType 6s often labeled as anxious or fearful, but what I see again and again in workshops and leadership teams is something very different: brave, caring, thoughtful, prepared, and deeply committed people who care about doing things the right way and keeping the team safe. In this episode, I unpack how that drive for security shows up at work.

What You’ll Learn When You Listen:

• Why Type 6s ask questions and why that’s a strength, not a problem
• How Type 6s build trust, loyalty, and reliability on teams
• The Guardian leadership style and how it protects organizations
• Common stress points for Type 6s at work (especially during change or uncertainty)
• How the three instinctual biases shape different expressions of Type 6
• Growth insights through Type 6’s arrows to Type 9 and Type 3
• How to give feedback to Type 6s in a way that builds confidence instead of doubt

Try This at Work:

• If you’re a Type 6: Notice when your questions are actually asking for reassurance. Pause and remind yourself of the evidence that you can handle what’s in front of you.
• If you work with a Type 6: Don’t dismiss their questions or concerns. Most of the time, they’re thinking ahead and protecting the team from issues others haven’t considered yet.

For Teams & Leaders: 

Type 6s bring steadiness, commitment, and preparation to teams, especially when things feel uncertain. They’re often the people thinking through worst-case scenarios so everyone else can move forward with confidence.

Teams work best with Type 6s when there’s clear communication, follow-through, and trust. When Type 6s feel informed and included, they become some of the most reliable and supportive teammates and leaders you can have.

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