The Five Core Elements of Nonprofit Organizational Wellness: Part 3

Learn how the Enneagram works and its positive effect on emotional intelligence.

by Jennifer Franko and Rebecca Wiggins

Many of our customers’ brightest minds are striving to solve their industries’ greatest challenges with bold and innovative solutions. Often, what gets in the way of achieving their goals has nothing to do with expertise or skill. Instead, the challenge lies in emotional intelligence, and more specifically, self-awareness.

Tasha Eurich, an organizational psychologist and researcher, has revealed that nearly 95% of us believe we are self-aware and only about 10% of us actually are. This gap creates inefficiencies and misunderstandings which not only lead to increased stress and burnout, but also turnover. Recent research on the Great Resignation out of MIT discovered toxic culture was the number one reason.

Although it may seem counter-cultural in a world that focuses on profit and production as the main measures of success, great leaders understand investing in people leads to greater results. They foster an environment of courage, vulnerability, and trust. The most impactful leaders develop potential in others, know how to make hard decisions, and when to take strategic risks. They are curious, self-reflective, and take responsibility.

The good news is this level of authentic leadership is not reserved for just a few “gifted” people. All of us can cultivate these qualities through deliberate and mindful practice.

While there are many tools out there that give us feedback about our personalities, capabilities, and preferences, there is one tool that goes much deeper to help us uncover and understand our intrinsic motivations and behavior: the Enneagram. This highly insightful tool helps us understand why we think, feel, say, and do what we think, feel, say, and do.

The Enneagram is an ancient tool that has received a lot more attention over the last couple of decades. The nine numbers that surround the Enneagram circle represent personality types and symbolize our connection to one another. While we can all access different attributes of every Enneagram type, we each have one type that is dominant.

Identifying your Enneagram type can seem like a daunting task for some. Taking an Enneagram assessment is not the most accurate way to identify your type. The individual must do the work to determine his or her type. It can be helpful to take an Enneagram assessment after you have determined which type you are, but it’s not required.. If you choose to take an Enneagram assessment, we recommend The Enneagram Institute RHETI test.

Enneagram types are determined by a person’s core motivation, and each type has its own unique core motivation. Algorithms and calculations can never replace a human being’s ability to self-identify what his or her core motivation is. To determine your Enneagram type, the recommendation is to explore all of the types, read about them, access information from a variety of Enneagram master teachers, institutes, and authors, and decide for yourself which one most resonates.

Enneagram Types Overview

Type 1: The Reformer: The core motivation of a One is a desire to live the right way, improve the world, and avoid fault and blame. In the work setting, Ones have a strong sense of right and wrong, are focused on improvement for themselves and the world around them. They are organized, conscientious, and ethical, but can struggle with delegating and coming across as critical.
Type 2: The Helper: The core motivation of a Two is to be needed and loved and to avoid acknowledging their own needs. In the work setting, Twos find their sense of belonging by helping others, which can often lead to neglecting their own needs or being decisive when it’s required. They are warm, generous, and often perceptive of the emotional dynamics of individuals and within a group.
Type 3: The Achiever: The core motivation of a Three is a need to be (or appear to be) successful and to avoid failure. In the work setting, Threes strive for validation through accomplishments and focus on doing over being. They tend to excel in their fields but can struggle with overwork and burnout.
Type 4: The Individualist: The core motivation of a Four is a need to be understood, experience their authentic feelings, and avoid being ordinary. In the work setting, Fours are expressive and sensitive and can withdraw when they feel misunderstood. They are often very creative and introspective and want to see themselves as unique with a specific purpose in the world.
Type 5: The Investigator: The core motivation of a Five is a need to gain knowledge, conserve energy, and avoid relying on others. In the work setting, Fives are extremely observant and always seeking information and knowledge to feel confident. They can be very perceptive and innovative but also tend to detach and work independently to figure things out on their own.
Type 6: The Loyalist: The core motivation of a Six is fear and the need for security. In the work setting, Sixes are great team members because they are committed and practical. They think through all of the possible scenarios and have a detailed plan for each. They can become cautious, indecisive, and anxious, but can also be great leaders and dedicated employees.
Type 7: The Enthusiast: The core motivation of a Seven is to be happy, to plan stimulating experiences, and to avoid pain. In the work setting, Sevens seek adventure and are always full of new ideas. They can get caught in the excitement and can get distracted. But they bring a positive, fun energy to your team and are true visionaries.
Type 8: The Challenger: The core motivation of an Eight is a need to be strong and avoid feeling weak and vulnerable. In the work setting, Eights are honest and direct. They tend to take control to get things done and have a hard time slowing down. They are protectors and charismatic leaders.
Type 9: The Peacemaker: The core motivation of a Nine is a need to keep the peace, merge with others, and avoid conflict. In the work setting, Nines seek peace and harmony. This can lead to indecisiveness, inaction, and people-pleasing. They can also see many sides to a situation and create an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute.

It’s important to note the Enneagram is not just about your unique Enneagram type. Unlike other tools, the Enneagram is highly fluid and accounts for a variety of ways we show up in the world. For example, when a person is stressed vs feeling secure, in a healthy or unhealthy mindset, and our orientation to time and how we achieve a goal. The Enneagram gives people the ability to engage in meaningful self-discovery and self-awareness.

Using the insights from the Enneagram, teams can deepen respect, understanding, and creativity. For example, when working on a project a One may quickly define the problem and the “right way” to solve it, and could neglect to collaborate on other options. A Two is likely focused on ensuring all team members get a chance to contribute to possible solutions. The Three on the project team will further dig into the One’s suggested solution to ensure the success of the project—if the team is successful, the Three is successful. A Five team member may appear to be withdrawn during the discussion, but is observing and needs time to process the information before they are comfortable sharing ideas.

At Five to Flow, the Enneagram has helped us grow individually and together.

“Learning I’m likely a Five has helped me understand what my strengths are and how I can use those to help the team, as well as what weaknesses I should keep an eye out for and what steps I can take to manage them if and when they arise.” – Jason Haller Managing Director of Health & Wellness

“Discovering that I am a One has helped me pivot from a judging mind to a non-judging mind. By understanding my Enneagram type and how I react under stress, I have given myself the space to address developmental areas that ultimately benefit how I collaborate with members of the team.” – AJ Bellarosa Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

“Who knew I was a seven, the Enthusiast? Literally everyone! When we first learned about the Enneagram and introduced ourselves with our number, I moved my camera to proudly show off the multi-tiered shelf that displays mementos from my global travels. To me, they tell the story of my experiences, some planned, but many, spontaneous, and often alone and unprepared for what I was about to experience. As I have thrown many of my Five to Flow teammates into the ‘discomfort zone’ that I love, I expected they would also find joy in the unknown and approach the new territory with curiosity, absorbing the new content like a sponge. Now I know we are not all motivated in the same ways, nor have the same fears and desires. I have worked to change my approach to others and adjust my expectations on how my giant list of creative ideas can sometimes be overwhelming, not inspiring.”

– Kate Visconti, Founder & CEO

Once we learn more about our core motivations and fears, we are not only able to identify our triggers and respond with control and choice, we are also able to understand the way others around us see the situation. Ultimately, the Enneagram can be a transformative tool to improve self-awareness, deepen our compassion and understanding for others, and become more authentic and impactful leaders and organizations.

Thanks to the Enneagram Institute and The Road Back To You (Cron & Stabile) for their definitions of Enneagram types.