Have you ever asked an Enneagram Type 5 a question and watched them pause, stare off into the distance, or seemingly disappear into their own mind?

They’re probably not ignoring you. They’re processing.

In this episode of The Working Enneagram, Kelsey sits down with two Enneagram Fives, Kimberly and Nate, to talk about the communication style of the Type 5. Together, they unpack what is often misunderstood about Fives, including why they may need time to think before responding, why direct communication is helpful, and how they decide what information is worth sharing.

One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation is that Fives can be selectively thorough.

They may not give every detail about their day, but when the topic matters, when clarity is needed, or when there’s a problem to solve, they can go deep.

In this conversation, we cover:

✨ Why Fives often need time to think before they respond
✨ Why direct communication is usually helpful for Type 5s
✨ How Fives decide what information is worth sharing
✨ What Fives wish others understood about their communication style
✨ How Type 5s can grow in acknowledging the emotional side of communication

Whether you are an Enneagram Type 5, work with a Type 5, lead a Type 5, or simply want to better understand the Fives in your life, this episode will help you grow in empathy, self-awareness, and communication at work.

In this episode, Kelsey sits down with George and Melinda, two Enneagram Type Fours, to explore the communication style of the Four. Together, they share the beauty, depth, and tension that often shape the inner world of this type. From communicating through symbols, poetry, and song to longing to be both unique and deeply connected, George and Melinda offer an honest look at what it feels like to move through the world as a Four. This conversation touches on beauty, grief, identity, and the fear of abandonment, while revealing how deeply Fours feel, perceive, and relate. If you’ve ever wanted to understand the heart of a Four more clearly, this episode offers a thoughtful and moving glimpse inside.

What does communication look like for Enneagram Threes in real life? In this episode, Kelsey sits down with Tyler and Jill for an honest, nuanced conversation about how Threes show up in relationships, work, and everyday conversations. Together, they explore the strengths often associated with Threes: confidence, encouragement, efficiency, collaboration, and vision-casting, alongside the challenges of image management, over-preparing, impatience, workaholism, and learning how to be fully authentic. Tyler and Jill also highlight how subtype, gender, and life experience can shape the way Threes communicate. They reflect on feedback, friendship, marriage dynamics, directness, hope, and the surprising gift of being loved not just for what you do, but for who you are. This is a rich and deeply human conversation for Threes—and for anyone who loves one.

If you’ve ever overthought a text message… added one too many exclamation points… or asked “are you okay?” more times than you’d like to admit—this episode is for you 😂

Today, I’m joined by two of my favorite Enneagram 2s—my husband Ben (yes, I still have a crush on him 😍) and my sweet friend Sarah (also… slight crush, she’s incredible 💁‍♀️).

We’re diving into the communication style of Enneagram Type 2s—what makes them so supportive and relational, and what can sometimes get them into trouble. This conversation is honest, insightful, and full of those “oh wow, that’s me” moments.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✨ Why Type 2s are naturally encouraging and relationship-focused
✨ The real reason Type 2s can overextend themselves
✨ What’s happening internally when they don’t feel affirmed
✨ How communication can shift depending on the relationship (work vs. personal)
✨ The growth edge of learning to ask for help (without guilt) How to better support and communicate with a

Type 2 Key Takeaways:
✨ Type 2s often communicate with warmth, positivity, and a desire to help—but that can sometimes turn into over-helping or overthinking.
✨ Affirmation isn’t just nice for Type 2s—it’s fuel.
✨ One of the biggest growth areas for Type 2s is recognizing their own needs and learning to clearly ask for help.
✨ Not everyone communicates with the same level of emotional awareness—and that’s okay.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and share it with someone who needs it!

Follow Kelsey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theworkingenneagram/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tQKQgmIRowI

Final Thought: The best things about us are often the hardest things to navigate. Awareness is where growth begins—and this episode is a great place to start 🤍

Why do Enneagram Type 1s sometimes come across as critical—even when they’re genuinely trying to help?

In this episode, we explore the Enneagram Type 1 communication style at work with real-life insights from two Enneagram Type 1s. If you’ve ever wondered why Type 1s value accuracy, structure, and doing things the “right” way, this conversation will give you a deeper understanding of how they think, communicate, and lead.

We break down what’s really happening beneath the surface—from the inner critic that drives perfectionism at work to the desire to improve systems, processes, and people. You’ll also learn how these strengths can sometimes be misunderstood in workplace communication.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
💡 How Enneagram Type 1s communicate at work
💡 Why Type 1s can come across as critical or intense
💡 The strengths behind their clarity, precision, and direct communication
💡 Common blind spots that impact team communication and relationships
💡 Why understanding “the why” is essential for Type 1s
💡 Practical ways to improve communication using the Enneagram in the workplace

Whether you’re a Type 1 or you work with one, this episode will help you build more self-awareness in the workplace, strengthen relationships, and communicate more effectively with different personality types at work.

👉 Want to improve communication on your team? Our Communication & Enneagram Workshop helps teams understand their unique speaking styles, uncover blind spots, and walk away with practical tools they can use immediately.

Welcome to the Working Enneagram Podcast! While we usually talk about the Enneagram in the context of work, in this episode, we changed things up to interview the fantastic Jeff Cook on his new Enneagram book, 'Around the Circle'.

Who is the book for? Anyone who appreciates the complexity of the Enneagram and desires to do the deeper work that the Enneagram has to offer.

In this episode Kelsey and Jeff discuss the transformative impact of the Enneagram on personal growth, the structure of the book around nine essential questions.

What are those 9 questions? Glad you asked!

1. Who am I?
2. What do I want most?
3. How do I get what I want?
4. Where do I struggle most?
5. What are the biggest obstacles that I have?
6. How do I connect with people?
7. How do I solve problems?
8. How do I see the world?
9. What are my gifts?

The discussion also includes the unique gifts each Enneagram type brings to the world, and analogies that demonstrate how each Type sees the world differently and how to use that information to better understand yourself and others. Don't miss out on this delightfully insightful episode!

Links mentioned in this episode:
➡️ Get the Around the Circle Book! 
➡️Dig in Deeper with Jeff Cook & TJ's Patreon Site

Summary

In this episode, host Kelsey Taylor interviews Beth McCord, co-founder of Your Enneagram Coach, about her career journey as an Enneagram nine and how the Enneagram has influenced her work and parenting. Beth shares insights into the challenges and joys of being a type nine mom, including the struggle to know and communicate her own needs, the importance of understanding and accepting her children's different motivations, and the need to balance guiding her children with allowing them to be their authentic selves.

Beth and Kelsey discuss how the Enneagram can be used to understand and improve parenting, and they explore how each Enneagram type approaches parenting and the hopes and dreams they have for their children. They also discuss the concept of emotional sobriety and how parents can achieve it. Beth emphasizes the importance of being curious and open to their individual personalities. She shares personal anecdotes and practical tips for using the Enneagram to enhance parent-child relationships.

Takeaways

Understanding and accepting your own Enneagram type can help you navigate the challenges and joys of being a parent.

As a parent, it's important to recognize and respect your children's different motivations and personalities.

Avoid trying to make your children mini-versions of yourself; instead, guide them to be the best version of themselves.

Parenting can be a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, as you learn to navigate your own fears, desires, and expectations.

Parents should be curious about their children's personalities and avoid typing them at a young age.

Using the Enneagram can enhance parent-child relationships and promote understanding and compassion.

AWARE: Awareness, Welcoming, Asking, Receiving, and Engaging are key steps to achieving emotional sobriety.

Links mentioned in this episode

Michael Hyatt

The Road Back To You

Your Enneagram Coach Website

Becoming an Enneagram Coach Course

Work with an Enneagram Coach

Your Enneagram Coach Free Enneagram Assessment

The Working Enneagram Free Enneagram Assessment

The Enneagram for Moms

Enneagramformoms.com

Does constructive criticism feel like a personal attack? Do you ever leave feedback sessions feeling defensive and discouraged?

You're not alone!

In this episode, we'll use the wisdom of the Enneagram to help you transform criticism into your superpower. We’ll explain why feedback can feel like a personal attack so you can make the ultimate shift from shutting down to showing up even bigger and better.

Don’t know your Enneagram Type? We’ve Got You!
Check out our video on 3 Ways to Learn Your Enneagram Type

Hi the play button if you're curious to know:

Ready to unlock the full potential of the Enneagram at work? Consider hosting an Enneagram Workshop! These interactive sessions will delve deeper into your Enneagram type and help you leverage its insights to improve communication and get back to having fun at work. What are you waiting for? Check out our Enneagram Workshops now! 

In this episode, we're flipping the script on anger. Instead of treating it like a villain, we're seeing it for what it truly is: a little messenger with something important to say. Join us as we explore how each Enneagram Type experiences and manages anger in their own unique way.

Picture anger as a brick. Sounds odd, right? But bear with us! We'll show you how this metaphor holds true. Whether you're building something positive or contemplating smashing a windshield (we don't recommend it!), it's all about how you choose to use that brick—just like with anger.

Now, let's uncover the 4-step process to managing anger like a pro:

But wait, there's more! Dive into healthy responses to anger, from deep breaths to mindfulness practices. And if you haven't already, discover your Enneagram Type for personalized insights into your anger style.

Take our free assessment to learn your type. 

So, the next time frustration strikes, listen closely. It's not about the brick; it's about how you choose to use it. Join us on this playful journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Don't miss out—hit play now!

If you’re a leader looking to grow, this episode if for you!

Enneagram teacher Kelsey Taylor, delves into the challenges faced by leaders like John, a high-performing manager, who grapples with the pervasive grip of all-or-nothing thinking. But fear not, as Kelsey unveils the transformative power of embracing the "gray areas" in our perception and interactions.

Kelsey teaches the down side of black-and-white thinking, a cognitive distortion that shackles us to extremes, hindering decision-making, problem-solving, and relationship-building. You'll witness firsthand the detrimental effects it can have on professional dynamics and personal relationships. But there's hope!

Learn how shedding this binary mindset can lead to better decisions, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and stronger connections. Are you unsure if you too are ensnared by black-and-white thinking? Kelsey provides insightful signs to help you discern, along with practical tips to challenge and overcome this limiting perspective.

Plus, don't miss out on the opportunity to deepen your understanding through our Core Motivations Enneagram Team Workshop, designed to foster effective communication and collaboration within your team.