How to Personalize Your Productivity with Enneagrams
Personalized productivity is about understanding your unique motivations to define your own success. By aligning your workflow with your unique motivations and preferences, you can develop a more fulfilling work experience that is grounded in what matters most to you.
And that’s exactly how enneagrams can help take your productivity to a whole new level. In this article, you’ll learn about how to tailor your approach to getting things done to your enneagram type and triad (we’ll explain eeeeverything). Use the tips below to learn about yourself, inspire your teamwork, and transform the way you approach productivity!
What is Enneagram?
Enneagrams are a system of personality archetypes that have been developed by multiple psychologists, psychiatrists, and thinkers over the years. The enneagrams personify traits, virtues, challenges, and psychological tendencies in nine distinct archetypes.
While you may immediately identify with a specific archetype below, the most accurate way to find out which type you are is to take an enneagram test. We’ve partnered with Truity to offer the best test you’ll find out there! The test is multiple choice and take around 15 minutes. You can take it for free here:
Why Personalize Your Productivity with Enneagrams
The Enneagram test offers a roadmap to understanding your values, habits, and preferences, and highlights the fact that what works for others may not suit you. It provides valuable insight into motivations that influence not only individual performance but also how you contribute to and lead teams. Recognizing your leadership style can transform your approach to challenges and collaboration, ensuring you harness the full potential of group dynamics.
Effective collaboration within teams often hinges on understanding the diverse personalities and motivations of its members. By applying principles from the Enneagram, you can foster a more cohesive and supportive work environment. This understanding leads to more effective team synergy, where the collective effort is harmonized and each member feels valued and understood. Here are several benefits of applying the Enneagram at work:
Benefits of Using the Enneagram At Work
Boost Self-Awareness: Understanding your Enneagram type can lead to profound personal insights, helping you recognize your strengths and areas for growth.
Cultivate Empathy & Compassion: By understanding the diverse ways people perceive and interact with the world, coworkers can approach one another with more empathy and patience.
Improve Your Leadership Skills: If you’re in a leadership role, knowing the enneagram types of people you work with can help you to adapt your management style to suit the motivational needs of different personality types on your team. Read our book recommendations on leadership for more human-centric tips to lead with clarity and confidence.
Resolve Conflict with Teams: A deeper understanding of each type’s triggers and reactions can help in de-escalating conflicts before they disrupt the workplace. The Enneagram can serve as a common language for understanding diversity within teams, aiding in conflict resolution and enhancing cooperation.
Improve Your Decision-Making Process: Understanding your motivations can help you gain clarity on how and why you make decisions. With the added understanding of your enneagram triad, you can improve your decision-making process and outcomes.
Decision-Making & Enneagram Triads: “Doing”, “Thinking”, or “Feeling”
Enneagram triads are another layer within the enneagram system that offer unique insight into decision-making. There are three triads of three archetypes within the Enneagram personality system, each associated with a specific center of intelligence: the Instinctive Center, the Feeling Center, and the Thinking Center, sometimes referred to simply as “Doing”, “Thinking”, or “Feeling” centers.
Each triad consists of three of Enneagram types. Types within a triad share a common way of interacting with the world, either through instinctual reactions, emotional responses, or rational thinking. According to Enneagram theory, these centers influence how you perceive and respond to your environment, affecting their motivations, reactions, and decision-making processes.
The "Doing" triad (Types 8, 9, and 1) is the instinctive center. These types are action-oriented and often make decisions based on gut reactions. They are quick to respond to challenges and can be decisive leaders. However, to improve their decision-making, these types might benefit from incorporating more reflection and emotional consideration, ensuring that their actions are balanced and considerate of broader implications.
The "Thinking" triad (Types 5, 6, and 7) is the analytical center. Thinkers approach decision-making by gathering information, assessing alternatives, and contemplating potential outcomes. This cognitive approach helps them to avoid risks and plan effectively. However, while their decisions are well-thought-out, they can sometimes be slow to act. To enhance their decision-making, head types can benefit from trusting their instincts and connecting with their emotional intelligence to make more timely and holistic choices.
The "Feeling" Triad (Types 2, 3, and 4) is the emotional center. “Feelers” base decisions heavily on emotional responses and the impact that their decisions have on relationships. These types are adept at reading social cues and considering others' feelings, which can be particularly advantageous in team settings. However, their challenge often lies in over-emphasizing the emotional component of decisions. For a more balanced approach, heart types should integrate more logical reasoning and objectivity into their decision-making process, helping them to maintain focus on practical outcomes while still honoring their intrinsic empathetic nature.
9 Productivity Strategies Tailored to Your Enneagram
Productivity isn’t one size-fits all. There are as many ways to get things done as there are people in this world. Based on Jungian psychological theory, the enneagram test groups people into nine archetypes that describe their characteristics and motivation - what we call "personality". Personalizing your productivity with your enneagram type can unlock a world of self-discovery that will guide your toward a more compassionate approach to getting things done. Below, find the productivity strategies, work environments, triggers and resources tailored to each of the enneagram personality archetypes!
1. Enneagram Type 1: The Idealist | Doing
If you're an idealistic type, or anyone who struggles with perfectionism, your main challenge might be overcoming the need for everything to be perfect. This can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety. As an idealistic type, you naturally set high standards for yourself and those around you. It's a great quality, but it can sometimes push you into the trap of perfectionism. Remember, perfection is elusive and striving for continuous improvement is often much more productive. Embracing this can really help reduce stress and keep your productivity on track.
Productivity Strategy: Aim for progress, not perfection
Ideal Work Environment: A calm, structured environment where order prevails.
Triggers: Unplanned changes, errors, and inefficiencies.
Resources: "Perfectionism, Anxiety & Task Completion: Is 'Good' Enough?"
2. Enneagram Type 2: “The Helper” | Feeling
Helper types are always ready to lend a hand. If you find yourself constantly saying yes to help others, even at your own expense, this section is for you. Known for their strong interpersonal skills, helper types excel in environments where teamwork and collaboration are key. However, their natural inclination towards helping can often lead them to avoid conflicts, preferring to maintain harmony even if it means putting their own needs last. It's important for helper types to balance their desire to assist with healthy boundaries, ensuring they don't overcommit.
Productivity Strategy: Get comfortable saying “no” when asked for help
Ideal Work Environment: A supportive, community-focused environment that values teamwork and interpersonal skills.
Triggers: Overcommitment, feeling under-appreciated.
Inspiration: "22 Quotes on the Power of Saying “No" – a collection of empowering statements that inspire assertiveness.
3. Enneagram Type 3: “The Achiever” | Feeling
Achiever types are focused and goal-oriented, often losing touch with their inner needs in pursuit of external achievements. Driven by a relentless pursuit of their personal goals, Achievers sometimes find themselves aggressively chasing success at the expense of their own well-being. It's not uncommon for them to push themselves and their teams to the limit, prioritizing efficiency and visible progress. This intensity can lead to a disconnection from their deeper, personal motivations and needs. Acknowledging this tendency is the first step in creating a more balanced approach to personal and professional life, ensuring that their drive doesn't lead to burnout.
Productivity Strategy: Reflect on your personal goals and measures of success
Ideal Work Environment: Dynamic, result-oriented settings where achievements are recognized and celebrated.
Triggers: Lack of visible progress, inefficiency.
Resources: "Goodbye, Productivity Guilt: A Guide to Emotional Freedom" offers strategies to balance ambition with emotional well-being.
4. Enneagram Type 4: “The Individualist” | Feeling
Individualists often prefer solitary pursuits but may underestimate the power of collaborative support and artistic skills. As introspective, expressive, and individualistic people, Individualists typically flourish in environments that allow for personal expression and creativity. Embracing teamwork not only helps type 4s bridge gaps in individual expertise, but keeps them accountable to their own goals.
Productivity Strategy: Schedule time for teamwork or join an accountability group-
Ideal Work Environment: Creative spaces that encourage individual expression within a collaborative framework.
Triggers: Feeling misunderstood or undervalued.
Resources: "What Is An Accountability Group?" This guide explores how accountability groups can enhance productivity for solitary types.
5. Enneagram Type 5: “The Investigator” | Thinking
Investigators view emotions as potential obstacles to logical analysis and problem-solving. If you're someone who views your emotions as “getting in the way” of the ultimate goal, it’s crucial to recognize that harnessing your analytical skills for a deeper understanding of these feelings can actually enhance your effectiveness. Emotions aren't just roadblocks; they can provide critical insights into your motivations and decision-making processes. Regularly checking in with your emotions and learning to self-regulate allows you to balance your natural inclination towards rationality with emotional intelligence, leading to more comprehensive problem-solving strategies.
Productivity Strategy: Regularly check in with your emotions and learn to self-regulate
Ideal Work Environment: Quiet, private areas conducive to deep thought and concentration.
Triggers: Emotional overwhelm, interruptions.
Resources: "3 Emotional Awareness Exercises For Enlightened Wellbeing" provides techniques to integrate emotional awareness into daily routines.
6. Enneagram Type 6: “The Loyalist” | Thinking
Loyalists are reliable but may carry the emotional weight of their responsibilities heavily. If you find yourself emotionally exhausted after a work day and unable to connect with friends and family, it's crucial to address the balance of emotional labor in your life. As committed, security-oriented types who thrive in teams, acknowledging and managing this emotional load can prevent burnout and improve your overall well-being. An audit of your emotional labor can help you identify areas where you're overextending yourself and areas where you can seek more support, particularly in stable environments with clear structures and supportive leadership.
Productivity Strategy: Take an audit of your emotional labor
Ideal Work Environment: Stable environments with clear structures and supportive leadership.
Triggers: Uncertainty, lack of support.
Inspiration: "How to Settle the Debt of Emotional Labor in Your Relationships" explores ways to balance personal and professional emotional demands.
7. Enneagram Type 7: “The Enthusiast” | Thinking
Enthusiasts juggle multiple interests and may find traditional to-do lists restrictive. If you're someone who has so much going on in a day that making to-do lists just feels like a waste of time, consider adopting time-blocking as a more effective alternative. As busy, fun-loving types, enthusiasts thrive in environments that are as dynamic and varied as their interests. Time-blocking allows you to dedicate specific chunks of time to different activities, respecting the natural time limit each task or pleasure deserves. This method suits the energetic nature of enthusiasts and supports spontaneous collaboration and creativity. Plus, it appeals to your charming personality, enabling you to engage fully in each moment without feeling constrained by a rigid schedule.
Productivity Strategy: Use time-blocking instead of to-dos
Ideal Work Environment: Energetic, flexible spaces that allow for spontaneous collaboration and creativity.
Triggers: Boredom, routine.
Inspiration: “23 Daily Intentions To Help You Focus & Thrive” explores the power of setting daily intentions to focus energy (with examples)
8. Enneagram Type 8: “The Challenger” | Doing
Challengers thrive on overcoming difficulties and testing the status quo. If you thrive by taking on the impossible, understanding the need for balance is crucial. As a dominating type, Challengers are naturally drawn to environments where their strong leadership and initiative can shine. However, this intense drive can sometimes lead to burnout if not managed carefully. Recognizing the signs that you are pushing too hard is key to maintaining your stamina and effectiveness. Taking strategic breaks before reaching your limit helps sustain your energy and preserves your role as a leader in competitive and engaging work settings.
Productivity Strategy: Scheduled breaks
Ideal Work Environment: Engaging, competitive environments where leadership and initiative are valued.
Triggers: Perceived weakness, lack of control.
Resource: "The Art of Taking Breaks at Work (And Why You Need To)" explains the importance of rest for maintaining productivity and drive.
9. Enneagram Type 9: “The Peacemaker” | Doing
Peacemakers strive for harmony but may avoid necessary confrontations for progress. If you're someone who tends to stress when getting desired results requires embracing unknown variables, adopting a mindset that values uncertainty can be transformative. Peacemakers excel in environments where people work together towards a common goal in a supportive team setting. Their style of leadership often focuses on creating a cohesive team atmosphere where conflict is resolved through consensus rather than confrontation. This approach not only reduces stress but also fosters a cooperative, non-confrontational work environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Productivity Strategy: Create space in your agenda for uncertainty
Ideal Work Environment: Cooperative, non-confrontational settings where consensus is valued.
Triggers: Conflict, aggression, and cut-throat competition.
Resources: "How to Embrace What's Happening with Radical Acceptance" offers methods for dealing with stress and uncertainty constructively.
By understanding your Enneagram type, you can tailor your productivity strategies to fit your personality, leading to a more efficient, enjoyable, and effective work life. Use this guide to inspire changes in your routines and workplace, and watch how small adjustments can lead to significant rewards.