The Enneagram and Decision-Making — From the Vault
Feb 17, 2025
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Ian Morgan Cron, a best-selling author and Enneagram teacher, dives deep into the motivations behind decision-making based on personality types. He explains how understanding the Enneagram can transform leadership styles, emphasizing the unique decision-making traits of each type. From the perfectionist Ones to the supportive Twos, Ian explores how intuition and analysis play roles in choices. He also highlights the importance of self-awareness, particularly for those who struggle with conflict, showcasing its critical impact on effective leadership.
Understanding the Enneagram types enhances leaders' self-awareness, enabling better decision-making and improved team dynamics through tailored communication.
Each Enneagram type possesses a unique decision-making style, highlighting the importance of balancing emotional insights with critical thinking for effective leadership.
Deep dives
Understanding the Enneagram and Its Role in Leadership
The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system with nine distinct personality types, each influencing decision-making styles. Each type is formed during childhood as a coping mechanism in relationships, with unique motivations that affect how individuals act in various situations. Recognizing and understanding these types is crucial for leaders in making informed decisions and managing their teams effectively. For instance, type ones, known as 'improvers,' prioritize integrity and moral values in their choices, although they may struggle with perfectionism.
Decision-Making Approaches of Different Enneagram Types
Each Enneagram type has a distinctive approach to decision-making shaped by their inherent traits. 'Helpers' (type twos) prioritize the emotional impact of decisions on relationships, often avoiding choices that might negatively affect others. In contrast, 'Performers' (type threes) focus on efficiency and results, making quick decisions based on pros and cons without deeply considering interpersonal consequences. Understanding these approaches can enhance collaboration and improve decision outcomes within teams.
The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership
Self-awareness is recognized as a key predictor of success among leaders, influencing their ability to monitor and regulate their behavior. The Enneagram serves as a valuable tool for enhancing self-awareness, as individuals can identify their type and understand their natural tendencies in decision-making. For example, type sixes, known as 'loyalists,' tend to consider potential risks in decisions, which can be beneficial when combined with the assertiveness of type eights. This greater understanding fosters more effective communication and teamwork among diverse personality types.
Practical Tips for Effective Decision-Making
Successful decision-making involves balancing intuition and critical thinking, tailored to each Enneagram type's strengths and weaknesses. Fours, for example, should avoid relying solely on feelings and strive to incorporate critical analysis into their decisions. Similarly, while sevens generate numerous creative options, they must ensure to gather sufficient information before acting impulsively. An emphasis on clarity and direct communication, especially for sensitive types like twos, can lead to more transparent and effective decision-making processes.
Knowing your underlying motivations and how you’re wired will help you make better leadership decisions. In this episode, Ian Morgan Cron and I talk about each Enneagram type and how they approach decisions.
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