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Writer's pictureKelli Thompson

What is the Enneagram and Why Care?

This week, the women in my Clarity & Confidence Women's Leadership program are diving deep into their Enneagram types and it's always so exciting to see the a-ha moments they have about themselves and others. 

 

In all my years of creating and leading leadership development programs, I've never met a personality test I didn't like (DiSC, MBTI, StrengthsFinder, etc), however, I believe the Enneagram is truly the most transformational because it doesn't just tell you how you think, feel and take action, it tells you WHY you do those things.

 

So what is the Enneagram and why should you care? Here's the basic information you need to know and some free resources to help you find your type.


  • It’s a transformational personality assessment and powerful leadership development tool

  • It gives you a jumpstart into uncovering what motivates you and what (often unconscious) fears hold you back.

  • It gives you insight into how others may experience you.

  • It shows us how we can all be leaders when we show up as our best selves and manage our blind spots.

  • It helps us bust stereotypes and judgments we have about our colleagues, build empathy and work with others more effectively because we better understand ourselves.


For me personally, learning that I was an Enneagram 5 was key to helping me get out of my head and into action. I spend TONS of time in my head… so much so that I confuse thinking about something with taking action on the thing. 

 

I learned that as a 5, I am motivated by the need to be capable and competent, and to avoid looking foolish. I recognized how much this motivation and resulting fear held me back from speaking up (what if I sound silly?), launching new programs (what if people think this is stupid?) and even writing my book (what if people think the book is terrible?).

 

In short, understanding the Enneagram has helped me to boost my confidence to take action even if I don't feel quite ready and to show up more empowered in the world and use my voice. Knowing this about myself was key to having the courage to write and publish a book.

 

🔥 Ultimately, the Enneagram is a transformational tool to boost your effectiveness and emotional intelligence. It helps us remember that in the nine styles of leadership, some of the personality traits we want to hide are actually our best gifts. 



9 Styles of Leadership - Enneagram

PUT THIS IDEA INTO ACTION


As a leader, self-knowledge is critical to helping you lead at the next level with more confidence. Remember that as leaders, we can’t develop others to a higher level than we’ve developed ourselves. 

 

Let's have some fun finding your type (or if you know it, learning more about it): 

 

1. Try a free Enneagram test: Most free online Enneagram types are 50% accurate, so please don't take your results at face value. You can try this free test: https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test


  • Next step to find your number: take your top three results and read more about each of them at this website (be sure to read about the subtypes!): https://cpenneagram.com/the-nine-enneagram-types

  • Continue to verify your results with my favorite free resources below!

 

2. Or, you can use the paid test I give my clients here (it's 95% accurate with a 23 or 52 page report): Integrative9.com

 

 

MY FAVORITE RESOURCES:

 

Podcasts:

Typology Podcast with Ian Cron (I'm on this one!)


We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle

 

 

Books:

The Honest Enneagram by Sara Jane Case

The Nine Types of Leadership by Beatrice Chestnut

 

🔥 Want to put the Enneagram into practice and level up as a leader? Work with me 1-1! 

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