[THE MEMO] it's like the Enneagram threw up in here

Hey ,

I've always been so fascinated by the Enneagram but hadn't really started learning how to apply all that comes with it into my business until recently. I've been doing a lot of research on how this tool can help us as CEOs and team leaders to do better in all things business - from sales to hiring to content creation to managing a team.

We even did an episode on the Made For More Podcast this week all about using the Enneagram in business (def make sure to check that out below).

So this week, the memo is dedicated to the 9 types - I hope you enjoy all this goodness as much as I do!!

P.S. If you don't know your Enneagram type, you can take the test HERE.

⌚️ get on it

A Productivity Tip For Each Number

Productivity is important when it comes to running a business - but have you ever stopped to think about what your personality has to do with productivity? These tips are tailored to each Enneagram type - from creating a morning routine to learning when something is "good enough," there is definitely something in here for your unique way of doing things.

💬 talk the talk

How The 9 Enneagram Types Perceive Communication

One of the most helpful things about the Enneagram as a CEO is that you can learn to communicate better based on your type and the types of your different team members. If you have a team (or even just work with clients), this is a resource to bookmark! It shares the communication strengths, challenges, and actionable development tips for each type.

📣 go team!

Managing Team Members By Enneagram Type

This is such an insightful post when it comes to considering the personalities of your team members in your team management! It's so easy to forget that the individuals on your team don't necessarily function the same way you do (and that's a good thing!) so considering everyone's unique needs, strengths, and challenges can be a game changer.

🎯 Team AK Individual Team Member Breakdowns + what specific traits about that Enneagram resonate with each person in their role

Amanda - CEO ➡️ Enneagram 3

Ambitious & driven
Very goal oriented - always striving to make improvements in all areas of the business
Brings high energy that the team can get behind

Abbie - Admin VA + Program Mgmt ➡️ Enneagram 9

Very much go with the flow
Optimistic, steady and flexible
Focused on maintaining harmony for myself and with others
AK is always bringing new ideas to the table and I am there to help support, encourage and execute on those plans and ideas
AK brings the energy, ambition and goals which then energizes me
I provide AK with the feeling of steadiness and reliability as we work together
Weaknesses: can be really hard on myself and a people pleaser

Beatriz - Tech/Design VA ➡️ Enneagram 7

I do a lot of different things on team AK and love all of it which is very classic Enneagram 7. I do emails, automations, clickup, web design, graphic design etc and AK always has TONS of projects going on which keeps things interesting
Typical to be involved with creative projects
Wide range of interests hence my diverse role
Curious & open minded which works well as many ideas are being processes in a small entrepreneurial business
Upbeat & optimistic

Emily - Content + Podcast Mgr and Course Creation ➡️ Enneagram 2

I love pouring my energy into helping (helping reach goals, helping solve problems, helping make things easier, etc)
I get that buzzy feeling of excitement when something I do to help is acknowledged & appreciated
I just really like being a part of a team in general and heavily involved with all the projects/things happening
The biggest thing that sticks out to me is just how as a 2, I feel super drawn to supporting AK and her big ambitious goals because her 3 energy really is energizing!

Jess - LLB Co-Coach ➡️ Enneagram 7

As a co-coach, being a 7 is a super power! It allows me to be that visionary and dreamer with the students and help them see future ideas, goals, and cool things to pursue.
7's often like to start a million and one projects which I think also helps diversify my brain because each and every student inside of LLB allows me to feel like I’m working on a new project with someone.
7's are sometimes known to bring a lot of energy, enthusiasm, and pump people up (because they are the dreamers and ideas people) so I think that is so helpful when people are scared right at the beginning of LLB, doubting if it’s possible for them, or when they are going through those lulls in their journey
3's and 7's are similar being both outgoing and idea oriented but also very different in approach which for co-coaching together is great to bring the energy but also provide uniquely different approaches for the students

🎯 How my Enneagram influences the way we run the business & team (from their perspective)

AK's traits as an Enneagram 3 that show up in the business are....

🏆 Driven/Ambitious

One of the most ambitious, driven and successful people I know. In the two years we have been working together, I have seen her grow into so many roles and opportunities and she just keeps going! So inspiring!
She is super driven and always have such innovative and ambitious goals that she so easily gets everyone on board with

🎤 Leader

A natural leader, sooo many people look up to her and value what she have to say
Being a CEO and a coach in particular the following traits are evident and really important: self-assertive, have high energy, and are outgoing and capable of being around people with relative ease. As well as bringing optimism, being future oriented and always thinking about possibility and is an excellent communicator

📈

Continued Improvement/Goal Oriented

Always focused on developing herself and her business to be the best that you/it can be
AK is very goal oriented and systematic and that shows in how we plan for projects and run the backend of the business. its CRAZY organized.

⚡️High Energy/Inspiring

It's energizing to be working on a team that is so growth-driven with her as the leader.

🪩 Other

It's also evident how she has boundaries with herself and her work time that she really does stick to (like not working on weekends often) which I imagine comes from a place of knowing that taking time to not be working isn't her natural tendency, but it's something she has implemented strategically to give herself that space!

🎯 My reflections of my team's Enneagrams and our overall dynamic as a whole unit

Abbie (Admin/Programs) (9) & Emily (Content/Courses) (2) have a lot of traits of those MUST HAVE people on a team to support the vision and ideas person and are very reliable. They both are really good at what they do and care a lot which to me is extremely important to have things well done but also to feel like I can trust my people since as an Enneagram 3 I'm very focused on achievement and goals and have perfectionist tendencies.

Beatriz (Tech/Design) (7) is my go-to for everything creative and she truly does a little of everything. This makes sense to me for her since she loves variety and for me and the team it works really well because of how involved she is in the business. She knows what's going on and how our entire backend is set up. She is strategic as well as always open to learning new things and as an Enneagram 3 with tons of ideas all the time, we have a great partnership with her going to learn new things and them implement for my vision.

Jess (co-coach) (7) is actually my perfect partner for coaching. I've always known it about her but didn't realize on paper how much sense it made until I did this exercise. We both have many similarities where we both have lots of ideas, energy, and love being around people which is important for coaching but I'm much more analytical, straight forward and "intense" compared to Jess who is more calm and optimistic. Having two different energies and approaches is pure gold in a coaching container in my opinion.

As a whole, Abbie (Admin/programs) (9), Emily (Content/Courses)(2) and Beatriz (Tech/Design) (7) run my entire business - and they absolutely crush it! Beyond my own dynamic as a 3 (described above) I think the dynamic of these three as a 9, 2 and 7 is such a unique and powerful balance of positivity, willingness, good communication, stability as well as variety. They are all very focused and care about what they do while also being very flexible and adaptable people which is good since in my business we are always doing new things/switching things up. We all have great communication and trust which I think makes all the difference. We all chime in to help and share ideas.

I've had past 2's on my team as well and I think they are a great complimentary Enneagram to 3's in business. I've had other 3's on my team and surprisingly to me, they were never the best fit which is likely more those people vs their Enneagram but I think too many 3's on a team can cause friction sometimes as 3's are very big, bold personalities.

🎯 Exercise/Questions to ask YOUR team to assess your dynamics

1️⃣ Have each team member take the test to find our their Enneagram
2️⃣ Have each team member share their Enneagram + what traits of that Enneagram description resonate with 1) who they are as a person and 2) what they do in their role on your team
3️⃣ Then have each team member comment on how YOUR Enneagram shows up in how you lead, how the business is set up, and how you run/manage things
4️⃣ Then have each team member read the above and comment on any combinations of Enneagrams or dynamics that they see work well together (or might have concern areas).

Assess your own reflections like I did above and think about...

Do you need to switch up people for a better dynamic?
Do you need to switch up responsibilities for certain individuals based on this knowledge?
Do you have a potential gap of skills/traits/energy that a new certain Enneagram/new hire could fill?
Is there any obvious conflict/friction between roles or the team as a whole that you need to address?
How can you lean into the insights that your team pointed out to better utilize your team members as you grow?

EXAMPLE #2 - Course/Program Curriculum

In Kickstarter, we have a signature process students go through to uncover & match what online skills are best for them to pursue with their new online business. Part of this process and assessment they go through involved traits about their Enneagram as an ingredient to consider and match up certain business paths/skills.

You can't just throw Enneagram stuff into any program or service but even in DFY services there are some fun ways to intentionally use this type of insight about clients or curriculum.

P.S. Check out Kickstarter if you are new and ready to start landing your first clients and set up your business basics!