Are you using the enneagram like this?

We believe it’s our job to set up an individual or team for success as best we can when introducing them to the framework. So in that spirit, below we’ve listed out our series of simple “don’ts.”

Don’t use the Enneagram:

• To type others

“Typing others can make them feel pigeonholed. Not to mention the Enneagram, by being about motivators and fears, is a fairly intimate personality assessment, and the other person might not want to share that level of personal information with you. One of the reasons this tool is so powerful is that it gets beneath external behaviors and into motivations, meaning it’s much harder to type people than you think. Respect people’s boundaries and don’t type them.”

•  As a badge

“Don’t use this tool to make excuses for your knee-jerk or potentially unhelpful behaviors. Understanding and compassion is the goal of doing work with the Enneagram. Teams that understand each other and are able to make space for each others’ differences end up being more collaborative and more productive in the end. However, this only occurs when others believe that person is earnestly pursuing health. Also, real development often means not looking like your type.”

• As a weapon

“No wonder you can’t sit still...classic 7!” “Stop being such a 9 and just make a decision.”

“We actually hear things like this on occasion. Not only are these phrases boxing individuals into their Enneagram type, they’re also disparaging and weaponizing the tool (however lightly) in the process.

• In relationships that aren’t safe:

We never force people to share more than they want about their Enneagram type, and we suggest not sharing unless you feel safe enough to be vulnerable. Stay away from using this tool in casual cocktail or meeting talk, unless there is trust already built.

Ready to create a space of safety?