The Enneagram

The Enneagram

Nine Styles of Communicating

copyright 2000-2015 Rosa Smith-Montanaro

The EnneagramWhat is the Enneagram: A personality indicator that illustrates nine styles of

communication.

Why the Enneagram: It effectively helps people to understand themselves. It explains why people act the way they do. In an Interview: Provides insight into the people you are talking too. Allows you to appropriately address their concerns. In Teams: Work more effectively. Increase ability to communicate with a heighten awareness. Match work assignments to strengths. Manage teams and projects more effectively. copyright 2000-2015 Rosa Smith-

Montanaro

The Enneagram


Values organization. Is focused on the project or next item on their list. Removes emotion from decisions. Focus is on the quality of their work, not popularity. All procedures must be in place before they can really move forward. They do not do well in environments that are not organized or well

planned. They give all details equal weight— important.

Driver: They are motivated by doing what is right, morals. Avoid: They fear being out of control.Denial: They are blind to their anger and the fact that others can see it.

They are good at quality control, coaching on procedures as well as best practices.

Interview Tip: It’s the right thing to do….

The Reformer


The Caretaker Interested in people, over productivity. Are rewarded in a personal way, not corporate norms. They are overcommitted and rarely say “no”. Make others needs their only priority. Don’t like to work alone, people energized them. If they don’t have people to work with, they will find people to socialize with. Feedback will be always be taken personally, no matter what they say, it will.

Driver: To love an be lovedAvoid: Seen as incapable by asking for help or being selfishDenial: Their desire for appreciation

They thrive when they are the power behind the throne and like to be needed by the boss. Teambuilding is their gift, they know how to make everyone feel valued.

Interview Tip: Genuine complements and appreciation


The Performer They are at their best in front of an audience. Success is primary driver for them. Motivate others to be successful, their teams are based on this. They put feelings on hold, work as hard and fast or as long as needed. Take on too much, and may cut corners, if they are feeling pressured. Strive for an appearance of achievement. Don't listen well because they already know what they are doing.

Driver: Recognition and being seen as successful. Avoid: Failure, public embarrassment.Denial: Their need for approval causes them to measure success by

someone else’s standards.

They flourish when given recognition. Good at teaching and coaching others on how to duplicate success in an environment that they have results.

Interview Tip: Go big picture focus on goals


The Trendsetter Try to be unique and make everything they do "special." On the alert for phoniness. They see through artificiality. Look for emotional satisfaction more than productivity. Procrastinate the ordinary or the tedious. Have difficulty staying focused if there's no emotional juice. Highly subjective sense of entitlement that enables them to do whatever

they need to do to satisfy their emotional needs. Can be so subjective they are hard to convince of alternatives.

Driver: Unique self expression and being appreciated for it.Avoid: Having to conform and being considered average, like everyone else.Denial: How they create the drama they are upset about.

They thrive when they can be creative and bring a personal flair to what they do. They can enrich the workplace with their ability to bring people together in stylish ways.

Interview Tip: Focus on difference and purpose copyright 2000-2015 Rosa Smith-

Montanaro

The Thinker Value privacy and work best alone for long periods of time. See the big picture and see it objectively. Prefer to be the power behind the scenes, in a quiet way. Not in a hurry, they act in a sequential way and will always do so. Don't work well in groups for large periods of time. Won't share information unless asked and asked clearly. Have little interest in social small talk and less for gossip.

Driver: Being seen as smart, knowledge is the ultimate power for them.Avoid: Being overwhelmed and looking foolish.Denial: Their tendency to hoard: information, affection, money.

Fives thrive in an environment where they can be intellectually stimulated. Their ideas can be profoundly insightful. They are good advisors, consultants, teachers and can research for hours on end.

Interview Tip: Knowledge, fact based conversation


The Solider Complete projects extremely well, but only if it has defined parameters. Follow orders like a soldier, loyalty is beyond question.Collect a lot of information before taking action.Procrastinate if there is any danger they will face failure or blame.Don't have the inner freedom to say no, especially to authorities.Suspicious of whatever they don't understand. Prefer not to take initiative: they function best with clear guidelines.

Driver: Security and belonging to a community or cause. Avoid: Engaging in action without certainty, they fear not being prepared.Denial: Once committed to a group or cause they may blindly follow.

They are excellent trouble shooters and will keep corporate values and goals in mind. Action is how they deal best with work put them on the safety committee.

Interview Tip: Demonstrate being over prepared and loyal.copyright 2000-2015 Rosa Smith-

Montanaro

The Adventurer Their mood is usually positive and fun. Do as many things at a time as possible. Love finding alternatives and are always changing the process. Are flexible, multiple options for everything. Have difficulty following through, they over promise, under deliver. Bored with details and frequently overlook them. Dislike routine and hard time following procedures.

Driver: They are addicted to adrenalin and thrive on activities that give them this rush.

Avoid: Boredom, they will run from it in very creative ways.Denial: They live by what is worth doing is worth overdoing.

Seven’s are innovative and discover the latest trend. They are out of the box thinkers and do well when they have variety.

Interview Tip: Unconventional conversation, emphasize outcomes not details.


The Leader Finish what they begin and expect others to as well. Are vocal about their ideas and work expectations. Intense, working hard and forcefully pursuing what is needed. Spend time countering what they don’t agree with. Independent; and have to ease into interdependence. Don’t intuitively know how to be part of a team. Take charge whether it is appropriate or not.

Driver: They are driven by power, they like to be strong. Avoid: Being seen as weak and vulnerable. Denial: How harsh they are coming across when they are being nice and

cooperative.

Eights see problems as challenges and maintain focus from start to finish. They can make difficult decisions and are not afraid to take a stand.

Interview Tip: Be direct with answers, don’t be timid.


The Harmonizer Spend their time doing the agendas of the group. Flounder if there is not structure, process or well defined expectations. Create a calm and peaceful work environment. Patient and they listen well, to all sides and to all opinions. Will let someone else make decisions. They ignore, avoid, deny or forget conflicts. Are passive aggressive by nature.

Driver: To get along with those around them and create a peaceful home and work life.

Avoid: Conflict and confrontation, avoiding it at all costs. Denial: They are not in touch with their true feelings, denying them in order

to have peace.

They are good at negotiating differences and bringing people together. They thrive in a peaceful environment and effortlessly allow others to shine.

Interview Tip: Take an interest in them. Non-judgmental perspective. copyright 2000-2015 Rosa Smith-

Montanaro

The Enneagram

Thank you!Rosa Smith-Montanaro


The Enneagram

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