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One of the places that people can struggle with other people is in the workplace. Thankfully, using the enneagram at work can help co-workers all understand and support each other better.
Between your personality and the personalities of all of your co-workers, there is a lot going on and a lot of potential for trouble spots.
Whether you are the boss or an employee, the enneagram is a wonderful tool to help you understand yourself better so that you can work with your co-workers better and have a healthier work environment.
What Enneagram Type Am I?
Not sure what type you are yet? That’s ok! I recommend heading over to my post on how to find your enneagram type and starting there.
What Enneagram Type Are My Co-Workers?
Unfortunately, you can’t actually type other people. You could make guesses but that’s all they’d be because all you can see is their traits and actions….but what determines type is core motivation which you can’t see.
So unless you ask your co-workers what type they are, you can’t actually know their type.
You could keep a few types in mind and work off of that but you can’t be certain based on a guess and of course do not tell someone what type you think they are. You don’t want to rob them of that self-discovery.
We’ll be covering A LOT of information in this enneagram at work post – you’ve been warned.
We’ll be covering:
- Strengths of each type
- Challenges of each type
- Stress Triggers
- Action items for each type
- Action items if you work with each type
What Enneagram Type Is The Best Boss?
There is no “best” enneagram type for bosses. Each enneagram type has their own unique traits and areas for growth that they bring to the table. No matter what type of boss you are (or you have) that type is needed and should be appreciated.
The Enneagram At Work
Enneagram Type 1 At Work
Type 1 Work Strengths
An enneagram 1 is likely to be responsible, organized, self-disciplined, ethical, consistent, hard working, and detail oriented all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 1
Some areas that a type 1 may need to work on is their lack of patience with others, perfectionism, procrastination (due to wanting things to be perfect), criticism, and not delegating because they feel like they can do it better.
Stress Triggers For Type 1s At Work
These would trigger any type 1 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 1 include: disorganization, lack of follow through, dishonesty, unclear expectations, and a lack of common courtesy.
Action Items If You Are A Type 1
If you are a type 1, here are some areas in which you can grow in: make lists to avoid procrastination, trust your teammates – they might not do it just like you would but trust that they will still get the job done. Don’t forget to praise when it’s due – 1s often only talk about what needs fixing but forget that appreciation can help balance things out. Be ok with “good enough”.
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 1
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 1: Own your own mistakes and fix them (key work here is “fix”. Type 1s want to see actions backing up apologies!) Finish your tasks and finish them on time. Be clear in what you need, or what you don’t understand. If you do need to deliver criticism do so gently as type 1s already give themselves a hard time.
Enneagram 2 At Work
Type 2 Work Strengths
An enneagram 2 is likely to be supportive, thoughtful, attentive, a community builder, hospitable, empathetic, and a team player all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 2
Some areas that a type 2 may need to work on is their boundaries (not overstepping others’ boundaries and keeping boundaries for themselves), feeling unappreciated – obviously this may need to be addressed if they truly are unappreciated but 2s would do well to check with themselves to see if they actually are unappreciated or if they just feel like it. They may need to work on receiving criticism and manipulating. And of course, they should not forget their own needs.
Stress Triggers For Type 2s At Work
These would trigger any type 2 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 2 include: lack of reciprocation, self-centered co-workers, when others don’t want their help, overextending themselves, and having their shortcomings pointed out.
Action Items If You Are A Type 2
If you are a type 2, here are some areas in which you can grow in: practice having healthy boundaries – you will still be wanted and loved, ask for help when you need it (not everyone is as intuitive as you so they might not pick up on the fact that you could use some help) Speak the truth, this is not to imply that you lie but that perhaps you sugar coat things or avoid giving criticism. Be mindful of over-empathizing; make sure that your co-worker’s feelings don’t morph into your feelings.
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 2
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 2: Show your appreciation (with words, a card, some sort of office recognition…). Support the team – 2s are team players and they want that to be true for the whole team. Sandwich criticism with compliments if you do need to bring up something to a 2. And be generous just like your type 2 co-worker.
Enneagram 3 At Work
Type 3 Work Strengths
An enneagram 3 is likely to be energetic, efficient, motivated, organized, productive, hard working, and inspiring all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 3
Some areas that a type 3 may need to work on is their tendency to workaholism, impatience, competitiveness, people pleasing, and cutting corners.
Stress Triggers For Type 3s At Work
These would trigger any type 3 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 3 include: not being acknowledged, being passed over, having failures pointed out (especially in public), slow co-workers and meetings that drag on, and inefficiency.
Action Items If You Are A Type 3
If you are a type 3, here are some areas in which you can grow in: listen to others – this is not to say that you do not but you probably tend to move forward with a plan faster than other types are wanting to. Create healthy limits on working so you don’t burnout, slow down so that you get the whole picture and focus on truth over presentation.
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 3
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 3: Work competently and efficiently. Don’t bother them if they are working (at least if you can help it. Once they are in the zone, they want to finish what they are working on). Don’t waste time and recognize them and their successes – successes are easier to recognize and that is what a 3 will likely be working for but don’t forget to let them know that you value them for who they are, not just what they do.
Enneagram 4 At Work
Type 4 Work Strengths
An enneagram 4 is likely to be authentic, inspiring, relationship builders, creative, emotionally intuitive, expressive, and good listeners all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 4
Some areas that a type 4 may need to work on is their time management (do things when you are supposed to; not just if you feel like it), Balancing emotions with logic, holding on to emotional burdens, overcommitting, and avoiding mundane tasks.
Stress Triggers For Type 4s At Work
These would trigger any type 4 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 4 include: inauthenticity, being rejected, lack of connection or depth, mundane tasks, and misunderstandings.
Action Items If You Are A Type 4
If you are a type 4, here are some areas in which you can grow in: balance your emotions with logic – feelings are important but remember to ask if it’s the reality, work on moving forward after issues are solved (don’t loop through those issues and emotions). Notice what is present instead of what is missing and create structure in your life – routine helps get the boring stuff done so that you have more freedom for creativity.
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 4
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 4: Be authentic and not shallow (or surface level – if you aren’t “fine” say what you actually are). Allow them to feel all their feelings – don’t tell them they are being too sensitive. Take time to understand them and give them creative freedom if and when possible.
Enneagram 5 At Work
Type 5 Work Strengths
An enneagram 5 is likely to be analytical, self-sufficient, a knowledge seeker, objective, observant, visionary, and have good boundaries all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 5
Some areas that a type 5 may need to work on is managing their energy, sharing/showing emotions, their tendency to over preparing which delays taking action, not valuing other forms of intelligence (emotional or instinct), and connecting with the team.
Stress Triggers For Type 5s At Work
These would trigger any type 5 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 5 include: emotionally charged conversations, too much noise, interruptions, not being respected, and lack of definition or direction.
Action Items If You Are A Type 5
If you are a type 5, here are some areas in which you can grow in: after detaching, make sure to bring emotions back in (others like to know how you are feeling about things), communicate your needs or even your tendencies this will let your co-workers know what’s up. Value instinct and emotions – thinking is not the only thing that is important or needed and you can lean on your teammates to help balance that out. Take action instead of continuously preparing – you probably know enough.
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 5
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 5: Remember that they have limited energy so try not to spring things on them that they haven’t budgeted energy for. Work towards self-sufficiency and being an expert in your own area. Explain things to them logically and limit interruptions.
Enneagram 6 At Work
Type 6 Work Strengths
An enneagram 6 is likely to be prepared, analytical, troubleshooters, intuitive of risks and threats, loyal, supportive of teammates, and reliable all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 6
Some areas that a type 6 may need to work on is their anxiety levels, doubting their own abilities, procrastination, analysis paralysis, and overly focusing on what could happen – this is a good thing for risk analysis but you shouldn’t forget that it could go well also.
Stress Triggers For Type 6s At Work
These would trigger any type 6 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 6 include: misuse of authority, lack of safety, becoming too busy, sudden changes, and having to make quick decisions.
Action Items If You Are A Type 6
If you are a type 6, here are some areas in which you can grow in: trust your own decisions, balance your fears with what is reality, trust your co-workers – even if they aren’t in your circle of trust yet, clarify your intensions when you are poking holes in your teammate’s ideas.
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 6
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 6: Give them time to problem-solve. Respect their fears – don’t belittle them for it. Be trustworthy and reliable. Remember that their questions (and playing devil’s advocate) are about the project and not your decision.
Enneagram 7 At Work
Type 7 Work Strengths
An enneagram 7 is likely to be open-minded, innovative, enthusiastic, imaginative, optimistic, a quick thinker, and creator of a positive environment all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 7
Some areas that a type 7 may need to work on is their tendency to reframe problems, avoiding uncomfortable situations, and focusing on the future instead of staying in the present. 7s can also work on paying attention to details and focusing on and finishing longer projects.
Stress Triggers For Type 7s At Work
These would trigger any type 7 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 7 include: not being taken seriously, boring routines, negativity, upset co-workers, and limitations.
Action Items If You Are A Type 7
If you are a type 7, here are some areas in which you can grow in: notice when you are reframing, finish your projects all the way to the end, become more self-disciplined, and adjust your speed when needed (not all your co-workers can keep up with you).
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 7
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 7: Be flexible. Give them freedom when you can. Limit negativity and criticism. And show enthusiasm even if you suspect that they will change their minds in 2 hours.
Enneagram 8 At Work
Type 8 Work Strengths
An enneagram 8 is likely to be decisive, self-confident, a strong leader, direct, courageous, protective of their team, and a fighter for what’s right all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 8
Some areas that a type 8 may need to work on is not over-controlling situations, softening their words or tone (not everyone appreciates cold hard truth like you do), dealing with smaller details, taking time to think before instantly jumping into action, and having more patience for co-workers.
Stress Triggers For Type 8s At Work
These would trigger any type 8 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 8 include: dishonesty, having to be vulnerable, slowness, lack of autonomy, and unintentionally hurting their co-workers.
Action Items If You Are A Type 8
If you are a type 8, here are some areas in which you can grow in: listen to others before moving forward, decrease your volume, adjust your speed when needed, notice when you are fighting more than is needed for justice or control.
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 8
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 8: Be competent, keep them informed of what is going on, be direct; don’t sugarcoat things, and don’t back down if you disagree.
Enneagram 9 At Work
Type 9 Work Strengths
An enneagram 9 is likely to be collaborative, supportive of the team, receptive, non-judgmental, inclusive, diplomatic, and level-headed all of which can be great assets to the workplace.
Workplace Challenges For A Type 9
Some areas that a type 9 may need to work on is clearly speaking their opinions (if you don’t people will stop even asking for your input – plus people want to know what you think), prioritizing, making decisions, taking care of their own needs or desires and confrontation when it is needed.
Stress Triggers For Type 9s At Work
These would trigger any type 9 but they may particularly cause issues in the workplace since work is often a stress inducing place! Stress triggers for type 9 include: conflict, unclear expectations, pressure to make a decision, being overlooked or not consulted, falling behind on tasks.
Action Items If You Are A Type 9
If you are a type 9, here are some areas in which you can grow in: share your input and opinions, say “no” when you want to say no. Learn how to prioritize – it’s not always best to do what is in front of you first. Watch out for believing that everything “will be fine” – action is needed for things to get fixed.
Action Items If You WORK With A Type 9
We all want and value different things and the enneagram can help bridge the gaps. Here are some things you can do, if you find you work with a type 9: Appreciate their efforts, value the opinions of others (just like they value everyone’s opinions). Try not to pressure them and ask for their input instead of waiting for it.
More great posts to help you understand others:
How to Get Along With Each Type
Communication Styles of Each Type
Enneagram Conflict Styles
