Support your team with an Enneagram assessment

When we're talking personality, there's no right and wrong. You can't say that there's any one type of personality that will cause the most problems on a team. What we can observe is a personality type that is difficult to understand. Type 4's can be misunderstood as a bit prickly because they can sometimes seem distant and moody to others. This is because type 4's are self-aware, sensitive and reserved. Their sensitivity can be misinterpreted by colleagues as melancholy or an unwillingness to collaborate or invest themselves in communication and shared outcomes.

Type 4's can seem disconnected to their colleagues because they often feel different from everybody else. They can feel isolated and vulnerable and it's important for team leaders to be aware of focusing on psychological safety for Type 4s. Team leads also need to realize that Type 4's can be a real asset because of their creativity. To embrace their creativity and not fall prey to the anxiety and self torment that can push Type 4's to isolation and depression, it's important for Type 4's to learn to curb the negative self-talk, not define themselves by their emotions but rather, realize emotions are fleeting responses, and not one's identity. At work, they need to be able to contribute creatively to the team.

There is no empirical study that has identified the most common Enneagram personality and this is largely impossible as there are so many variables involved. 

Based on anecdotal evidence from practitioners, common Enneagram types in North America are type 6, 7 and 9. Type 6 is The Loyalist and they are great in work settings because they are excellent at getting people to work together.

They're also good at anticipating problems before they happen, which on the negative end of the spectrum, can mean type 6s are prone to anxiety.

Type 7 is called The Enthusiast and they tend to have a lot of energy and love a good time.

In a work setting, a type 7's curiosity can be a great driver for them and their energy level can lift the team and promote a light, social atmosphere. 7's have a low pain threshold and will need a lot of motivation when facing difficulties and challenges.

Type 9 is The Peacemaker.

They're great for teams because they are excellent mediators. However, type 9's need to be coached to deal with their own feelings and needs in a healthy way as they will often repress anger, avoid conflict and put their own needs behind others.

As noted in discussing the most common Enneagram type, there is no definitive research on the rarest Enneagram type. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that types 8, 5, and 2 are some of the rarest.

Type 8 is The Challenger and they like to control their environments and protect others. They want to be self- reliant, prove their strength and be important in their world. They can be confrontational, egoic and intimidating, but at their best, they can be inspiring, even heroic. They can use their strength to improve others' lives.

Type 5 is The Investigator. They are curious, insightful and often introverted. They can develop complex ideas and skills. They have a propensity for getting lost in their own thoughts and imaginary constructs and often for this reason, are viewed as eccentric. They want to understand the world and figure things out and often isolate themselves . They can be highly strung and intense, but at their best, they can be visionaries and leaders in their field.

Type 2 is The Helper and they are characterized by their giving nature and capacity for empathy. They are generous, sincere and self sacrificing. They can also be sentimental and people pleasing. They can have a tendency to be possessive and to do things for others in order to be needed. They want to be loved and needed and embrace others.

You'll find a lot of free Enneagram quizzes on the internet, but are they fact or fiction? Why pay for an assessment when you can do a free quiz online? Free tests can get you going on the path of insight as to why you do what you do. They can spark your curiosity and ignite interest and might motivate you to take further steps. However, free tests are not going to provide you with any level of insight that is actionable or applicable within your team or organization. Free tests can confuse your issues. They are not thorough and can often leave you with results blending different enneagram types.

Free assessments may be used for entertainment, like the quizzes you'll find in a magazine, but should not be used in a professional context. Not only is the level of accuracy questionable but the main difference between doing a free online Enneagram test and undertaking a paid Enneagram assessment is not only the detail is result, but in analysis in providing a roadmap of how this knowledge can empower you and your organization.

If you want to explore how this tool is applicable in real life relationships and workplaces, than it's worth paying for an Enneagram assessment from a provider who will stand behind its reliability and validity.

The most accurate enneagram tests are the most comprehensive. As opposed to the 5 minute freebies on the internet, an accurate Enneagram test is around 170 questions and should take about 30 minutes to complete.