Introduction to the Enneagram
(Coaching, Facilitation in Leadership/Team and Personal Development, Counselling)
Organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the value of investing in their people. A more human or person-centred approach results in the ability to retain a motivated, valued team that achieves peak productivity. The Enneagram process is most suited to meet all these needs.
Effective Communication:
A key to success in any venture is the ability to communicate effectively with others, to inspire them to share a common vision and goals, and to provide effective direction. Yet, communication is often difficult when each person's structure of interpretation is not taken into account. Often people assume that others think exactly in the same way they do. They don't consider that there might be different yet equally valid viewpoints. In fact, there are many different values, motivations and priorities.
Nine different world views:
The Adfen E-Scale, by using The Enneagram , assists organisations to make the most of human diversity . It describes nine structures of interpretation and brings an understanding and a compassion for differences. The Enneagram is an extraordinary framework for understanding yourself, your associates and colleagues, and the “personality” of your team or organisation as a whole.
Each structure of interpretation within The Enneagram has its own set of perceptions and preoccupations, its own values and approaches to life. Each relates to others in different but understandable ways.
Speaking the language of others:
By understanding the different structures of interpretation we can “speak the language” of others who "see" the world differently from ourselves. Real communication becomes possible, and we are able to deal more effectively with conflicts, ineffective work habits, office politics, and different leadership styles. If we want to maximise our effectiveness, we need to learn how to lead different types of people and how to relate to different types of clients. Perhaps most importantly, the Enneagram gives each individual a clear picture of their own structure of interpretation and their possibilities for growth.
A SIMPLIFIED OVERVIEW OF THE NINE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS:
Ennea-view One: Conscientious, purposeful, responsible & precise
Dislikes carelessness and unreliability, sets high standards for self and others.
Ennea-view Two: Warm, affirming, compassionate & nurturing
Dislikes isolation and lack of people contact, thrives on service to others and making personal connections.
Ennea-view Three: Efficient, motivating, goal-orientated & industrious
Dislikes ineffiency and lack of ambition, thrives on success and recognition.
Ennea-view Four: Intuitive, refined, distinctive & instrospective
Dislikes uniformity and boredom, expresses through feelings and aesthetics.
Ennea-view Five: Observant, innovative, logical & objective
Dislikes intrusiveness, enjoys consistent learning in their particular field.
Ennea-view Six: Loyal, responsible, cautious & tenacious
Dislikes instability and constant change, good trouble-shooters.
Ennea-view Seven: Enthusiastic, visionary, gregarious & spontaneous
Dislikes attention to detail and routine, enjoys constructing new ideas.
Ennea-view Eight: Assertive, autonomous, decisive & fearless
Dislikes lack of focus and dishonesty, supports strength and action.
Ennea-view Nine: Patient, reassuring, easy going & diplomatic
Dislikes conflict and strife, supports harmony and stability.
Guideline:
Each structure of interpretation is value-neutral: no structure of interpretation is inherently better or worse than any other one. Each has assets and liabilities, qualities useful to an organisation and qualities that impede harmony, communication and growth.