Transform your Team with the Enneagram
The Enneagram has been described as a comprehensive ‘tool’ for
self-discovery and development.
It has been around for centuries in different forms but with the human resources move towards personal development since the 1960s it has been structured into a much more accessible tool for individuals, teams and organisations to use and work with.
What is the Enneagram?
Ennea means nine in Greek; gram means drawn, or represented. The Enneagram is a framework of nine core drivers or motivations that lead to the development of behaviours, represented as points around a circle.
The Enneagram’s unique value in supporting personal growth is its connection to deeper aspects of human existence and to what some might call Spirit, Source, or universal consciousness. The nine Enneagram personality types have been refined using modern psychology, but their roots are in the exploration and expression of humanity common to many religions. It is not a religion or product from one school of thought; it is a tool for growth.
How would I benefit from it?
Many of us have heard of or done a personality test – some of the more common in Western cultures are Myers Briggs, DISC, OCEAN, and DOPE. Often these tests are used in the workplace, as they can help describe people’s behavioural preferences so you can better work with them.
For example, knowing whether you or a team-mate are more likely to consider others’ points of view before coming to an opinion, or to express your views early, can ensure all voices are given equal weighting where joint buy-in to a decision is important.
Behaviours as a starting point
The Enneagram takes your motivations and behaviours as a starting point for a journey of self-discovery and self-integration. Working with the Enneagram increases our awareness of not just how we behave, but why and how we can change things if they are no longer serving us. It shows how we can be aware of life patterns that may be hindering our growth, and the characteristics of complementary types that we can draw on to make changes.
Increased connection and appreciation
As we bring more awareness to our daily lives, so we become more at ease with ourselves and our relationships with others. We experience ourselves more directly, and so increase our connection to, and appreciation of self, others and humanity.
What’s involved in working with the Enneagram?
Working with the Enneagram is an exploration of how you can be the best possible you. This way you can provide the services to help those you see in need and get the successful outcomes you want from the things you get involved in.
It allows you to have a deeper connection with yourself and others, providing the opportunity to grow your knowledge of the possibilities for development and growth on your own terms.
It helps you plan and manage your goals so you have more control over the choices that happen in your life and the workplace so you deliver but don’t get weighed down by the responsibilities working with others brings.
When you are wanting to lead and bring others with you, working with the Enneagram gives you a global perspective of who are you are working with so you can forge forward with the harmony and collaboration that any successful change requires.
How can I access these services?
1. Individual
Coaching session include an initial typing discussion and explanation of how the Enneagram works, suggested tools and development using the Enneagram
2. Team building
This could be as short as a two-hour introduction to the Enneagram, a full day’s course, individual typing for the team, improving team communication or working overall team goals, and /or building communication. Or it could be a longer commitment, say over a year, for exploring individual and team development process.
3. Workshop
Part of a development programme or team workshop that adds something new, interesting and fun to the mix. It could be anything from a 2 hour to full day session.