Discover how the Enneagram can support empathy and understanding in team – The wisdom of authenticity and not stereotypes – The power of creating something of value for others together with others
This blog post is based on my recent episode of “The Enneagram Insights Podcast,” where I explored the transformative potential of the Enneagram in team building.
My goal was to share the essential insights and practical benefits that the Enneagram can bring to teamwork, helping individuals work together with empathy, openness, and understanding. By learning to appreciate the diverse motivations, fears, and dynamics each team member brings, teams can work in harmony, achieve shared goals, and resolve conflicts in a way that fosters trust and respect.
I have been working with the growth and development of leadership- and team skill for decades, and for me, the Enneagram is the most nuanced and precise language, map, tools, and process in developing skills and culture.
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In the episode, I focused on three key areas where the Enneagram stands out as a team tool. First, it provides a nuanced language for empathy, creating a culture of authentic communication. Second, it helps identify “blind spots” and biases that can undermine teamwork and prevent growth. Finally, it offers a framework for conflict resolution that empowers each member to own their responses and respect others’ differences.
Team development using nuanced language for empathy and understanding
One of the most powerful ways the Enneagram enhances teamwork is by providing a sophisticated vocabulary and language of empathy, compassion, and trust. When teams have this language, they’re able to build profound trust and mutual respect, which are foundational to working effectively together.
With the Enneagram, I find that team members can move beyond labeling or caricaturing each other’s differences. Instead, they are encouraged to look deeper, understanding the motivations and fears driving each person’s behavior. This approach gives individuals permission to be themselves and removes the pressure to conform to a specific role or mechanical behavior within the team.
Each Enneagram type contributes its unique strengths and challenges to the team. Some people may gravitate towards perfectionism or caution, while others are more spontaneous or assertive. By recognizing these tendencies, team members can see when a person’s strengths are tipping into excess—what I call “overdoing.” For example Enneagram Type 1 might become overly focused on details, or a Enneagram Type 8 might push too aggressively for action.
Through the Enneagram, we can develop a shared, non-judgmental language that helps us bring these tendencies to light in a gentle way. This allows team members to provide constructive feedback, asking questions like, “What’s driving your attention to detail here?” or “Can you help us understand why you’re pushing forward so quickly?” These open, honest conversations foster understanding rather than judgment.
In my experience, using this language for empathy, compassion and trust doesn’t just improve how team members interact; it transforms the whole team dynamic. When people feel safe to share their motivations and hear constructive feedback, they’re able to work together in ways that honor everyone’s unique contributions. This, to me, is one of the most powerful impacts of the Enneagram on teamwork.
The Enneagram helps you uncover blind spots and team biases
Another key benefit of using the Enneagram in teams is its ability to uncover blind spots and biases that can hinder teamwork. Each Enneagram type has its blind spots, aspects of themselves they aren’t fully aware of or comfortable with. For instance, Enneagram Type 8 may overlook the impact of their intensity on others, while Enneagram Type 2 often fails to see how they sacrifice their own needs to serve the group. When these individual blind spots combine in a team, they can form collective blind spots or biases that prevent the team from seeing things clearly.
Teams tend to develop habitual ways of functioning, some of which may be outdated or no longer effective. A team might rely on a particular member to make decisions simply because “it’s always been that way,” even if the arrangement no longer serves the group. Or, there may be an unspoken agreement to avoid conflict, which can hinder honest discussions about what the team really needs. The Enneagram provides a framework for addressing these patterns by encouraging team members to be open about their perspectives, fostering self-awareness and understanding.
By using the Enneagram, teams can break free from these entrenched biases and operate in ways that are more responsive and flexible. Teams learn to identify areas they typically overlook, like avoiding conflict or dismissing certain perspectives.
Recognizing these blind spots opens up new possibilities, allowing the team to tap into underused strengths and talents. This awareness creates an environment where each team member’s contributions are recognized and valued, fostering innovation and adaptability, which are critical in today’s fast-changing work environments.
The Enneagram also plays a vital role in helping teams handle conflict and manage personal triggers constructively. In any group, conflicts are bound to arise, but the Enneagram gives us tools to address these disagreements in ways that ultimately strengthen, rather than weaken, relationships.
When team members understand their own emotional triggers, they’re less likely to project their frustrations onto others and can approach conflicts from a place of personal responsibility.
In the Enneagram, we talk about “triads” that explain how different types respond to conflict. For instance, some types are action-oriented and prefer to dive in and resolve issues immediately. Others focus on following agreements and including everyone’s input, while a third group prefers a more introspective approach.
Understanding these differences allows team members to recognize that each approach to conflict has its merits. By working with these triads, team members can approach conflicts in a way that respects everyone’s natural tendencies, creating a balanced and respectful resolution process.
The Enneagram encourages individuals to “own” their emotional responses, which means taking responsibility for their reactions and triggers instead of blaming others. If someone feels triggered, they can reflect on their response as their own rather than attributing it to a colleague’s behavior.
This sense of personal accountability turns conflicts into learning experiences, allowing teams to work through disagreements in ways that ultimately build trust and strengthen relationships. By using the Enneagram to guide conflict resolution, team members gain insights into their own behaviors and develop empathy for the different perspectives within the team.
Conclusion
Reflecting on this episode of “The Enneagram Insights Podcast,” I feel more convinced than ever about the unique power of the Enneagram to enhance teamwork. Its capacity to foster empathy, uncover blind spots, and provide a constructive framework for handling conflicts makes it invaluable for teams that want to function at their best. The Enneagram is not just a tool for identifying personality types; it’s a means for creating genuine connections within teams and encouraging respectful, meaningful interactions.
Understanding our Enneagram types—and those of our colleagues—allows us to see beyond our own perspectives. This shift from a self-oriented view to a team-focused approach opens up a space for empathy, compassion, and collaboration.
Recognizing that every team member has unique motivations, fears, and strengths lets us work together more respectfully and harmoniously. The empathy fostered by the Enneagram builds a foundation for a more inclusive and productive team dynamic where everyone feels understood and valued.
The Enneagram’s ability to reveal blind spots within a team encourages us to examine outdated dynamics and adapt where needed. Teams often fall into patterns that may have served them well in the past but now limit their potential. By shedding light on these biases, the Enneagram promotes growth and innovation, helping teams break free from unhelpful habits. This adaptability is crucial in today’s work environments, where responsiveness and openness to change are essential for success.
Lastly, the Enneagram provides a framework for navigating conflict in ways that build rather than break down relationships. When team members understand their own triggers and respect the triggers of others, they can approach conflicts with empathy and patience. This approach transforms challenges into opportunities for growth, allowing the team to emerge from disagreements with a stronger bond and deeper mutual respect.
In closing, I believe the Enneagram has the power to transform how teams function, helping us appreciate and celebrate our differences, creating a foundation of empathy, and fostering a sense of shared purpose. It offers a roadmap for building genuine connections and lasting bonds, both within teams and beyond.
If you’re seeking a way to cultivate a more resilient and connected team, I highly recommend integrating the Enneagram into your approach. Its potential to unlock each team member’s strengths and empower the team as a whole is a true gift for any team striving for harmony, productivity, and growth.
