Do you know who you work with? I mean do you really know them?
I’m talking about more than just their names, job description, or perhaps the names and ages of their children.
Do you know THEM as a person? Their strengths, weaknesses, passions, and personality quirks?
“Um, no Sarah…aren’t these relationships supposed to be professional?”
Sure, of course they are. It’s business after all.
But I’d argue that a decent dose of “personal” will only make your “professional” relationships and team dynamics stronger.
Now, I’m not saying that you need to sit down with each of your team members and hash out childhood traumas or your current relationship drama. It’s okay (and healthy) to keep some things private.
That being said, taking time to understand the people you work with and to give your teammates a window into understanding YOU will make you an even more effective group.
When it comes to strengthening team dynamics and growing in mutual understanding, the Enneagram Assessment is hands down my favorite tool. (This probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise.)
Just in case you aren’t aware…
The Enneagram is a personality framework that outlines 9 major personality types, each with a unique but equally valid way of perceiving and interacting with the world. There are nuances to each of these personality types. Differences in core fears, motivations, ways of dealing with conflict, etc.
While I am a HUGE supporter of using the Enneagram for personal growth, I also believe it can have a significant impact when used within the workplace setting.
Here are 4 reasons to use Enneagram with your team:
- It helps to optimize individual and group strengths.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “play to your strengths.” This phrase acknowledges the truth that we are all at our best when we are putting our strengths to good use. This concept is true for both individuals and teams as a whole.
The Enneagram provides a window into personality tendencies and traits, including an individual’s strengths and challenges (stretch and release points). When a person is more self-aware they become equipped to respond rather than react. Likewise, when your learn becomes more self-aware you can draw on the unique aspects of one another that may have otherwise been overlooked.
- Creates a shared language for team communication.
I’m fairly certain that the majority of workplace drama can be boiled down to one thing: communication difficulties. Because we all have unique personalities and lived experiences, we react to situations differently.
While completely normal, these differences can breed conflict when one individual doesn’t understand the “language” another is speaking.
The Enneagram framework helps to create a shared language. It gives each individual a united platform for sharing about themselves and learning about others.
- It can help develop a more positive workplace culture.The more we understand the people we work with, the greater empathy and compassion we can have for them.Harsh feelings and judgments often come from a place of misunderstanding. On the flip side, working to truly understand the way in which your teammates think and act can have a tremendous impact on your ability to appreciate them and the unique ways they contribute to the team, rather than feeling frustrated by their differences.Using a tool like the Enneagram to build deeper self-awareness and understanding of others will go a long way in building a positive work environment. One built on appreciation and mutual respect.
- It encourages greater awareness and compassion for yourself.It’s not just about understanding others, it’s also about understanding yourself. Why is this important?A greater level of self-awareness allows you to be more intentional with your words and actions. Understanding the intricacies of your unique personality gives insight into how you are likely to react to certain situations AND how others are likely to react to you.Increased knowledge lends itself to greater intentionality.Additionally, a heightened self-awareness enables us to have more compassion for ourselves in moments of struggle or difficulty. We are able to anticipate the situations that may be difficult for us to handle and can meet these moments with both compassion and forward-planning.
Just one caveat…
Like all great tools and resources, it IS possible to use the Enneagram in such a way that leads to more harm than good. Occasionally, I’ll see teams or individuals use the Enneagram results in one of two destructive ways:
- As a shield or an excuse for poor behavior. (Ex: “Sorry, that’s just how my “type” is.”)
- To punish others for being who they are.
As I’m sure you can imagine, these patterns are anything but helpful. Stick to using the Enneagram results simply as a helpful source of information and tool for greater understanding and you should be just fine.
Let me ask you, friend…
Has your team taken the Enneagram Assessment? If so, I’d love to hear how it has impacted your team. Drop a comment below…I always enjoy hearing these stories and experiences.
If not, let this be a gentle nudge to give it a try! I highly encourage you to take the Enneagram assessment yourself and to encourage your team members and coworkers to do the same.
Trust me, the growth will be undeniable.
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
