Building Your Own Enneagram Business: Insights from a Podcast Episode

Enneagram Business Building - Part 1 - Your Core Purpose

Why should anyone start an Enneagram business?

This blog post is based on the transcription of a recent episode from the Enneagram Insights podcast, which explores the essential factors to consider when building an Enneagram-based business. The episode highlights key concepts such as aligning with the core purpose of the Enneagram, understanding personal pitfalls in business, and recognizing the significance of self-awareness for business success.

 

 

As the personal development field continues to expand, many Enneagram enthusiasts are eager to transform their passion into a sustainable business. However, this episode emphasizes that building an Enneagram business requires more than enthusiasm – it demands a deep understanding of the system and its impact, both on yourself and your clients.

 

This reflection aims to explore three critical topics from the episode: understanding the core purpose of the Enneagram, the pitfalls of starting on the wrong foot, and the importance of self-awareness in maintaining healthy client relationships. These topics not only provide valuable insights for anyone considering this path but also highlight how to avoid common mistakes and establish a truly impactful Enneagram business.

 

Understanding the core purpose of the Enneagram

One of the central themes in the podcast episode is the importance of aligning with the original purpose of the Enneagram. The Enneagram is not merely a tool for categorizing personalities or achieving personal or professional goals. Instead, it serves as a powerful system for recognizing how individuals use their personality as a defense mechanism, distracting themselves from what truly matters in life. According to the episode, many individuals approach the Enneagram with the intent to leverage it for personal gain, be it in business, relationships, or self-improvement. This approach, however, is a fundamental misunderstanding of the system’s original intent.

 

The intention of the Enneagram is not making “better”, but becoming “real”.

 

The true purpose of the Enneagram is to reveal how each of the nine personality types limits itself by identifying too strongly with its core tendencies. By understanding how one’s type perception and decision-making, individuals can begin to loosen their attachment to the personality structure, enabling personal growth and a deeper connection to life’s essential aspects. This recognition is critical when building an Enneagram business because the system’s goal is not to affirm personality traits but to transcend them. Business owners who align with this purpose are more likely to create meaningful change for their clients, as they help them move beyond the confines of personality rather than reinforcing them.

 

Failing to understand this core purpose can lead to misuse of the Enneagram, where it becomes a tool for stereotyping or limiting personal growth. For a business to truly thrive, it must be rooted in the deep, transformative potential of the Enneagram, helping clients understand how they hold themselves back rather than simply affirming their existing behaviors and traits.

 

The pitfalls of starting on the wrong foot

 

Another critical topic discussed in the episode is the danger of starting an Enneagram business on the wrong foot. Many individuals who begin their journey as Enneagram professionals do so driven by the unconscious motivations of their own type. This can lead to decisions based on fear, desire, or ego rather than a genuine calling or deeper purpose. For example, a type driven by the need for validation or success may rush into creating an Enneagram business without fully exploring the emotional, mental, and spiritual depths required to guide others effectively.
The episode underscores that a business built from the defense mechanisms of one’s personality type is unlikely to succeed in the long term. Instead, it may perpetuate the very issues that the Enneagram is designed to help people overcome. If business owners are not fully aware of how their type influences their decisions, they risk projecting their unresolved issues onto clients, offering advice or solutions that may not be in the client’s best interest. For example, a Type 3 business owner might prioritize efficiency and achievement in a way that doesn’t resonate with clients who need a slower, more process-oriented approach.

 

Additionally, starting without a clear, authentic purpose often leads to burnout. When business decisions are driven by ego or fear, the work becomes unsustainable because it is not grounded in true passion or alignment with the Enneagram’s deeper teachings. This is why it’s essential for those embarking on this path to first engage in self-reflection and inner work, ensuring that their motivations are aligned with the core principles of the Enneagram and that they are genuinely prepared to support others in their journey.

 

The importance of self-awareness in building client relationships

The final essential topic highlighted in the episode is the importance of self-awareness in cultivating healthy and effective client relationships. In the context of an Enneagram business, self-awareness is not just a personal benefit but a professional necessity. Without it, practitioners run the risk of projecting their biases, unresolved issues, or type-specific tendencies onto their clients, which can distort the work they do together.

 

The episode discusses how a lack of self-awareness can create barriers to truly understanding the needs of clients. For example, a practitioner who hasn’t done their own inner work may unintentionally try to “fix” their clients, rather than meeting them where they are and guiding them through their unique process of growth. This can happen when a practitioner overidentifies with their own type and assumes that others share the same struggles or paths to development. Without recognizing these dynamics, the practitioner may offer advice or solutions that aren’t appropriate for the client’s specific Enneagram type or level of development.

 

Building strong, trust-based client relationships requires a practitioner to be in tune with their own personality structure and the ways it influences their approach to their work. When a practitioner has a high level of self-awareness, they are more likely to be attuned to the subtle dynamics between themselves and their clients, allowing them to offer more personalized and effective guidance. Moreover, clients are more likely to trust and engage deeply with a practitioner who is authentically self-aware, as this creates an environment of openness, vulnerability, and genuine connection.

 

Self-awareness also enables the practitioner to tailor their approach to suit the learning style and developmental needs of each client. Some clients may need a fast-paced, goal-oriented approach, while others may benefit from a slower, more introspective process. Understanding how to navigate these differences is crucial for creating a meaningful and effective Enneagram-based business, and this can only be achieved through ongoing self-reflection and personal growth.

 

Conclusion

Building an Enneagram business is a rewarding yet complex journey that requires more than just knowledge of the Enneagram system. As highlighted in the podcast episode, the core principles of the Enneagram—understanding how personality structures serve as defense mechanisms, starting a business from a place of deep alignment with one’s purpose, and maintaining self-awareness—are all crucial elements for success.

 

Aligning with the core purpose of the Enneagram allows practitioners to guide clients through transformative growth rather than limiting them to their personality type. Understanding the pitfalls of starting on the wrong foot helps business owners avoid building their business from a place of ego, fear, or unresolved issues, ensuring a more sustainable and fulfilling path. Finally, cultivating self-awareness is essential for fostering strong client relationships and offering tailored, effective guidance that meets clients where they are in their unique journeys.

 

For those considering starting an Enneagram business, this episode serves as a reminder that success in this field is not just about mastering the Enneagram. It’s about doing the inner work necessary to truly embody its teachings, aligning your business with your core purpose, and cultivating the self-awareness needed to support others on their path. By taking these steps, Enneagram practitioners can create a business that is not only financially successful but also deeply meaningful and impactful for their clients.

 

Links

Listen to episodes on the podcast Enneagram Insights Podcast

 

Learn more about the power of your blind type

 

 

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Enneagram Business Building - Part 1 - Your Core Purpose

Building Your Own Enneagram Business: Insights from a Podcast Episode

Contents hide 1 Why should anyone start an Enneagram business? 2 Understanding the core purpose of the Enneagram 3 The pitfalls of starting on the wrong foot 4 The importance of self-awareness in building client relationships 5 Conclusion 6 Links Why should anyone start an Enneagram business? This blog post is based on the transcription