Like most business owners, you always look for ways to improve your company. So, we wanted to share a tool we’ve been using lately to help improve our business: the Enneagram personality test.
This test can help you better understand yourself and your employees, which can help make your business more efficient and productive.
If you want to learn more about the Enneagram personality test or how to use it for your business, keep reading! We’ll explain everything in detail below.
What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a nine-pointed figure that represents different personality types. It’s often used in business settings to help managers better understand their employees and their interactions with others.
Nine personality types are represented on the Enneagram, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. By taking the time to understand each type, you can learn how to manage better and motivate your employees.
9 Most Common Personality Types
Let’s take a moment to review the nine personality types. They are:
1. The Reformer
A strong sense of duty, fairness, and justice drives the Reformer personality type. They are principled, purposeful, and self-controlled and place great importance on order and stability. Reformers are reliable and take their commitments very seriously. They are typically cautious, reserved, and private people who dislike taking risks or making impulsive decisions.
However, they can also be highly critical of themselves and others and become inflexible and dogmatic. Overall, Reformers are moral, disciplined, and hardworking individuals who strive for perfection in everything they do.
2. The Helper
The Helper personality type describes altruistic, empathetic, and compassionate people. They often put the needs of others above their own and derive satisfaction from helping others.
Helpers are typically very socially engaged and enjoy being part of a community. They may have a strong sense of morality and concern for others’ well-being. They’re usually good listeners and often provide emotional support to others.
While Helpers are typically very giving, they can also become codependent or enabling if they are not careful. Helpers must nurture their needs to maintain a healthy balance in their lives.
3. The Achiever
Those with the Achiever personality type are driven, ambitious, and competitive. They are often successful in their careers and take pride in their accomplishments. Achievers are high achievers who set high standards for themselves and others. They may be perfectionists and can quickly judge those who do not meet their standards.
Achievers are often competitive and may have difficulty cooperating with others. However, they are usually highly effective leaders.
4. The Individualist
The individualist personality type describes someone who tends to be very independent and self-sufficient. They are often very creative and unique in their thinking and like doing things their way. Individualists are sometimes considered rebellious or non-conformist, but this is not always true.
Some individualists prefer to live on their own terms and make decisions without being influenced by others. While individualists can be difficult to deal with at times, they can also be charming and inspiring.
5. The Investigator
Those with the Investigator personality type are introspective, analytical, and cerebral. They are often interested in mysteries and the hidden meaning of things. Investigators are deep thinkers who like to solve problems. They are also independent and value their privacy.
Investigators typically do not like change and can be perfectionists. Some famous people with this personality type include Isaac Newton, Bill Gates, and Albert Einstein.
6. The Loyalist
Loyalists are the personality type most likely to be loyal to their friends, family, and other relationships. They are typically trusting and compassionate people looking for stability in their lives. Loyalists tend to be very reliable and dependable, and they often put the needs of others above their own.
However, they can also be rigid and may have difficulty adapting to change. While Loyalists may not be the most exciting personality type, they are usually the ones you can count on when you need them the most.
7. The Enthusiast
A playful, optimistic outlook marks the Enthusiast personality type. They are often the life of the party, and their energy and enthusiasm are highly contagious. However, they can also be impulsive and easily distractible.
Enthusiasts are happiest when surrounded by others and constantly busy with new activities. They are natural-born leaders, but their need for stimulation can sometimes lead them into risky behaviors.
8. The Challenger
People with this personality type are confident, tenacious, and competitive. They are often natural leaders, and they thrive on challenges. Challengers are also quick thinkers and good at problem-solving.
However, they can also be insensitive and sometimes resistant to change. They’re also likely to be very honest and direct. While this can be a positive trait, it can also make Challengers seem insensitive or even aggressive.
9. The Peacemaker
The Peacemaker personality type is known for being warm, compassionate, and easygoing. They are often good at mediating conflict and bringing people together. Peacemakers are typically very patient and tolerant, and they hate conflict. They are loyal and supportive friends, and they love to help others.
Peacemakers sometimes have trouble asserting themselves, and they can be overly forgiving. However, their gentle nature and ability to see the best in others make them beloved by many. If you know someone who always seems to be the voice of reason, there’s a good chance they’re a peacemaker personality type.
How to Use the Enneagram in Business
Each Enneagram type has its own way of thinking and approaching problems, so it’s important to consider that when managing them. For example, a Reformer is likely to be independent and analytical, while a Helper is more likely to be compassionate and people-oriented. By understanding these differences, you can learn how to communicate better and work with each type.
There are a few different ways you can use the Enneagram in business:
As A Hiring Tool
One way is to use it as a tool for hiring new employees. By understanding the different personality types, you can better assess which applicants will fit your company well.
For Understanding Your Team
You can also use the Enneagram to help you understand your current employees and how they interact with others. This can help manage team dynamics and conflict resolution.
As A Way to Understand Yourself
Additionally, using the Enneagram can help you understand yourself and your own management style. This self-awareness can be beneficial in ensuring you’re leading your team in the best way possible.
If you’re interested in using the Enneagram in your business, there are a few resources you can use to get started. The Enneagram Institute is a great place to start if you want to learn more about personality types. Additionally, you can take many online quizzes and tests to determine your personality type.
Once you know your type, you can understand how to manage better and motivate yourself and your employees.
Use Enneagram Personality Test for Your Business
We hope this article has helped explain the Enneagram and how it can be used in business. If you have any questions or want to share your experiences with the Enneagram, please comment below!
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