Enneagram at Work

In this episode of Enneagram at Work, I’m joined by Dina Smith, licensed therapist, clinical director, certified Enneagram practitioner, and one of our Enneagram MBA visiting faculty members, to explore an important (and sometimes confusing) question:

What’s the difference between Enneagram coaching and Enneagram-informed therapy?

Dina and I dig into:

• How they differ – Why therapy often looks at symptoms, diagnoses, and the past, while coaching focuses more on present-day growth and future goals.
• Practical examples – How Dina uses the Enneagram both in her therapy practice and as a leader of her team.
• Ethics and responsibility – The boundaries coaches and therapists need to keep in mind, and when it’s time to refer out.
• The real benefits – How the Enneagram helps us create shared language, build faster connections, and uncover blind spots.
• Misconceptions – Including why the Enneagram isn’t “just like astrology” and how to use it responsibly in professional settings.

You’ll also hear Dina share what it’s like leading as a Type 3, including some of her blind spots, strengths, and how feedback from her team has helped her grow as a leader.

Resources & Links

• Connect with Dina on LinkedIn
  
  
• Find Dina on Psychology Today
  
  
• Interested in a typing session with Dina or having your team members clarify their types? Start here and tell us more: https://www.enneagrammba.com/contact
  
  

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

Before we dive in: Most of our work at Enneagram MBA is rooted in the Awareness to Action model developed by Mario Sikora and team. But from time to time, we like to explore other Enneagram approaches and insights that come up in the workplace and coaching conversations. This is one of those episodes, so you may hear some differences from the ATA model we typically use.

In this episode, I’m joined again by my co-host, Demetrius (“D") Parker, as we continue our Coworker Chemistry series. Last time, we looked at the high-energy types (3, 7, and 8). This week, we shift gears to talk about another powerful trio: Types 1, 2, and 6, commonly known as the dutiful types.

These three strategies bring such a strong sense of responsibility and group cohesion to their work and teams, though they each express it in different ways. In our conversation, we covered:

• Type 1 (Striving to Feel Perfect): integrity, high standards, and the pressure of an inner critic.
• Type 2 (Striving to Feel Connected): empathy, connection, and the challenge of people-pleasing.
• Type 6 (Striving to Feel Secure): loyalty, risk-awareness, and the courage it takes to ask hard questions.

We also dig into how these types can complement one another, where they might clash, and what growth looks like for each...from turning “the way” into “a way,” to setting clear boundaries, to transforming fear into collaboration.

Whether you identify with a 1, 2, or 6 (or work with someone who does), I think you’ll find this episode full of both practical insights and real-life examples you can take back to your team.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• The strengths and blind spots of Types 1, 2, and 6.
• Why these types are often the backbone of teams.
• Stories and analogies (including the “Mafia boss” and the six’s “BS meter”) that bring these strategies to life.
• Practical tips for collaboration, leadership, and personal growth.

And stay tuned! Our next episode will cover the remaining group: Types 4, 5, and 9.

D and I both facilitate workshops on behalf of Enneagram MBA. Learn more about the options and booking your team's end-of-year experience with us over at enneagrammba.com. 

To learn more about working with D or hiring him as a speaker visit: trustleadershipcollective.com

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

Still wondering if you’re a Type 3, 7, or 8 on the Enneagram?

 In this bonus conversation, co-host Demetrius “D” Parker (Type 3) and I (Type 7) break down the similarities and key differences between these high-energy types. From what “gut punch” clues reveal your true type to how instincts and personality expressions can look very different, this episode offers insights for anyone navigating their typing journey. 

Whether you identify with Type 3’s drive to be outstanding, Type 7’s need for excitement, or Type 8’s push for power and control, you’ll find practical reflections to help you clarify your type and better understand your strengths. 

To learn more about working with D or hiring him as a speaker visit: trustleadershipcollective.com

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

Before we dive in: Most of our work at Enneagram MBA is rooted in the Awareness to Action model developed by Mario Sikora and team. But from time to time, we like to explore other Enneagram approaches and insights that come up in the workplace and coaching conversations. This is one of those episodes, so you may hear some differences from the ATA model we typically use.

What happens when three of the most high-energy Enneagram types (Threes, Sevens, and Eights) work together? 

In this conversation with guest co-host Demetrius “D” Parker, we dig into the unique strengths and challenges of these assertive types, how they interact with each other, and the dynamics they create with other styles on a team. 

We also explore practical growth paths for each type, helping them channel their drive, enthusiasm, and power into stronger professional relationships and sustainable leadership

If you happen to still be on your typing journey and stuck between two or all three of these types, be sure to check out the bonus episode where D and I talk about the similarities and key differences between these three to give you additional insight and reflection points as you narrow down your top type. 

To learn more about working with D or hiring him as a speaker visit: trustleadershipcollective.com

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

What happens when you pair the bold intensity of a Type 8 with the thoughtful reserve of a Type 5? That's what we're talking about today! 

In this episode of Enneagram at Work, we explore how Type 5s (The Strategist) and Type 8s (The Commander) work together in the workplace. While they may look like opposites on the surface, their differences can be exactly what makes them powerful collaborators...if they learn how to navigate the friction points.

Here’s what you can expect in this episode:

• Why Type 5s and 8s respect each other’s independence and competence
• How they balance sustainable strategy with decisive action
• The biggest friction points that show up around pace, energy, and control
• How instinctual biases (Preserving, Navigating, Transmitting) add an extra layer of chemistry - and why people sometimes confuse these two types when typing themselves

If you’ve ever felt pulled between being the quiet observer or the bold decision-maker, or you’re managing these styles on your team, this episode will give you a practical look at turning tension into teamwork.

👉 Did you know coworker chemistry is one of the biggest factors in team performance? At Enneagram MBA, we help leaders and teams use the Enneagram to improve communication, reduce friction, and deepen connection. Learn more about our workshops at enneagrammba.com 

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

The Enneagram is everywhere - from yoga retreats to C-suite boardrooms, therapy sessions to prison programs. But who’s guiding the guides? What trends, challenges, and conversations are shaping the future of this powerful tool?

In this episode, I'm joined by Demetrius Parker, a leadership development expert and Enneagram MBA facilitator, for a behind-the-scenes look at the 2025 International Enneagram Association Conference in Minneapolis. It wasn’t just a conference, it was an experience. From poetry and DJ sets to neuroscience and relationship sessions, we talk about what’s changing in the Enneagram world and what still needs protecting.

We talk about:

• What made the IEA Conference feel like a full-body experience, not just a professional event
• Conversations with Enneagram thought leaders like Russ Hudson, Suzanne Stabile, and Mario Sikora
• How the Enneagram is expanding beyond its spiritual roots and into boardrooms, government offices, even the military
• The importance of doing your homework before teaching the Enneagram
• How to use the Enneagram as a path, not an identity

Whether you're an experienced facilitator, an Enneagram enthusiast, or a leader looking to apply personality insight in your team, you’ll walk away with inspiration and insight from the people shaping what’s next in this space.

🛠 Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Demetrius Parker and Trust Leadership Collective 
• Explore Enneagram workshop options for your team 
• Learn more about the Awareness to Action Enneagram framework 
• See what therapy with the Enneagram options are available with Talya Dash
• Check out the Fathoms Podcast
• Read up on the Canadian Armed Forces investing $100,000 into Enneagram programs
• Recommended reading:
  • The Journey Toward Wholeness by Suzanne Stabile
  • Awareness to Action by Mario Sikora
  • Making Team Dynamics Visible by Tang Siok Hion

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

In this extra-special episode of Enneagram at Work, I’m joined by not one, but three guests from the leadership team at 3D Dentists:

• T-Bone (Type 8) – Owner of 3D Dentists and practicing dentist at Raleigh Dental Arts
• Meredith (Type 2/3) – Business Director at 3D Dentists
• Megan (Type 1/8) – Dental Hygienist and Operations Director at Raleigh Dental Arts

I first met this crew at their high-energy 3D Dentists Summit in Nashville, and I knew they'd bring the fun and real-world insights. This conversation is part workplace case study, part leadership roundtable, and part “real talk” about working closely with very different personalities.

We dig into:

• How their Enneagram types shape their leadership styles, communication, and decision-making
• The pet peeves that can cause tension, and how they work through them
• Why trust, directness, and humor keep their team strong (even when they clash)
• Lessons they’ve learned about delegating, giving feedback, and balancing two intertwined businesses
• How understanding type dynamics has changed the way they work with each other and their broader teams

Whether you’re leading a practice, managing a department, or trying to navigate strong personalities on your team, you’ll walk away with practical takeaways for building trust, reducing friction, and creating your own version of a “dream team.”

Learn more about 3D Dentists:

• 3D Dentists – CE training, business coaching & live patient implant training
• Raleigh Dental Arts – Dental practice serving the Raleigh, NC area

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

What does it take to create a winning environment...on the field and in the workplace?

In this episode of Enneagram at Work, former Philadelphia Eagles Player, PhD, and leadership consultant Dr. Dereck Faulkner joins us for a deep dive into the evolution of leadership inside the NFL, and the powerful lessons it holds for business leaders today.

From building trust and mentoring under pressure to using emotional intelligence in high-performance environments, Dr. Faulkner shares insights from his 170+ page dissertation, interviews with NFL executives, and firsthand experience as a wide receiver turned executive.

Whether you're leading a sales team, a corporate department, or a sports team, you'll walk away with a clearer picture of how great leaders lead, and how to shape a culture people want to be a part of.

In this episode:

• What the NFL can teach us about modern leadership
• The shift from command-and-control to servant leadership
• Why your leadership style should evolve over time
• Mentorship vs. advice (and why peer support matters)
• Building trust and harmony in diverse teams
• Why “everyone doing their 1/11th” is the secret to success
• Dr. Faulkner's take on being the CEO of yourself
• Using your "Swiss Army Knife of Leadership" 

>>> Connect with Dr. Faulkner at LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dereck-faulkner-ph-d-mba-0548b926/

>>> Learn more about giving to and getting involved with Athletes for Vets: https://www.athletesforvets.org/

Find your next suit: https://www.lewisdeanbespoke.com/

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Learn more about developing the team behind the team at your sports organization: https://www.enneagrammba.com/sports-organizations

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

In this episode of Enneagram at Work, Susan Lepart, Director of Operations at McCormack Dental Group and a Type 9 leader, shares her real-world experience using the Enneagram to transform her team dynamics inside a busy multi-location dental practice.

You’ll hear:

• What it was like for Susan to realize she’s a strong Type 9
• How she navigates the common mistyping struggle between Type 2 and Type 9
• What it’s like working for a fast-moving, idea-generating Type 7 owner
• Her leadership growth from avoiding conflict to embracing honest, transparent communication
• Why she brought the Enneagram back to her team and how it’s shaping their culture and collaboration
• A behind-the-scenes peek at how they’re using type awareness to prepare for a staff retreat

Whether you lead a team, work with one, or are simply curious about applying the Enneagram in real-world workplaces, this episode is packed with thoughtful takeaways, relatable insights, and practical inspiration.

🦷 Susan's dental practice: McCormack Dental Group
📧 Reach her: [email protected]
📱 Follow her on Instagram: @susanj3476

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

What happens when a rule-follower and a rule-bender have to work together?

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most contrasting yet surprisingly complementary Enneagram pairings: Type 1 (The Administrator) and Type 7 (The Enthusiast). 

You’ll learn:

•  How each type approaches work, decisions, and collaboration
•  What happens when 1s and 7s work together  and when they drive each other crazy
•  How instinctual subtypes (Preserving, Navigating, Transmitting) flavor each type’s behavior
•  Why Preserving 7s can be mistaken for Type 1s and how to spot the difference
•  Practical tips for navigating friction and playing to each other's strengths

Whether you’re a structured perfectionist or an idea machine (or work with one!), this conversation will help you better understand, appreciate, and collaborate with your workplace opposite.

Mentioned: Awareness to Action Enneagram framework by Mario Sikora

Ready to learn how order and optimism can (actually) work together? Press play.

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