Erin Rocchio: Executive and Team Coach

Thrive. Lead. Impact.

What is the Enneagram?

If you’re looking at this website right now, we will hazard a guess that you understand—or are learning to understand—how important it is to continuously seek out the tools we need to improve ourselves and our careers. 

This instinct to develop and grow is one that can drive your career trajectory to higher orbits than you had ever believed possible. However, getting to know yourself and developing tools you can utilize for growth can feel as overwhelming as walking into Target without a shopping list. 

There is an endless pool of resources for schools of thought in the personal and professional development sphere. For now, we’re going to discuss the dynamic, extensive, and supportive world of the Enneagram. 

What Exactly Is the Enneagram? 

The Enneagram is a system of identifying distinct personality types. Understanding your personality type and those of others can help you learn more about yourself and what you can do to communicate better with others, leverage your strengths, uncover deeper fears, and fill the gaps that hold the keys to your success. 

Knowing more about who we are allows us to dig into the inherent beliefs, habits, and stories we carry with us wherever we go, most of which are unconscious. From there, it’s easier to identify and let go of what is holding us back and lean into our unique paths. 

This system is ancient—some scholars trace it to Alexandria in the 4th century. Its modern iteration was developed over the 20th century and was scientifically validated as a personality indicator around the year 2000. Its growth over the last two decades has made it a leading school of thought in the world of human development and has proven itself in practice to be the most robust approach to self-improvement in the professional world. 

What Are The Enneagram Types? 

There are nine personality types in the Enneagram system. While we may have personal or cultural biases that make us favor some Enneagram types over others, the system is egalitarian in nature (the numbers are simply a neutral representation of the types). 

Once we know your Enneagram type, we can break down its corresponding traits and work toward your goals. The nine types are: 

Type One: The Reformer

Type Two: The Helper

Type Three: The Achiever

Type Four: The Individualist

Type Five: The Investigator

Type Six: The Loyalist

Type Seven: The Enthusiast

Type Eight: The Challenger

Type Nine: The Peacemaker

What’s The Best Enneagram Test? 

It’s easy to see an Enneagram type that jumps out at you when you first come across the system. Still, it can be helpful to take an Enneagram test to skirt around any internal biases or ideas you have about yourself that may not reflect your reality as well as you think. There are a few Enneagram tests available online, but here are two great options: 

This one is from The Enneagram Institute, one of the leading Enneagram organizations. We like to use them as a guiding resource, and this test proves to be in-depth and relatively accurate. 

This one from Eclectic Energies is free and is a great way to dip your toes in understanding the Enneagram. 

Keep in mind that no online assessment is completely accurate at assessing who you are; self-inquiry and supportive coaching from someone well trained in the Enneagram often prove to be the most effective ways to truly confirm your Ennea-type!

If you’re skeptical about your results, retake the test or try another one. Research is the most incredible tool in our arsenal because it’s backed by such a deep well of knowledge online. The more you learn about Enneagram and the organizations that promote it, the better your chances of finding the right test—and therefore, most accurate results—for you become.

What Are The Wings And Triads?

There’s more to Enneagram than just your dominant personality type; a single label is simply not enough to encompass everything about you. That’s where wings and triads come into play. 

When you look at the Enneagram chart, you’ll notice that your primary Enneagram type is connected to two others. These adjacent personality types are called “wings.” 

While there is some contention between Enneagram traditions, most think that we have a primary personality type and one wing that complements it more strongly than the other. Some scholars, however, argue that both provide equally important information about you. Learning about your wings and how they interact with your Enneagram type is a wonderful way to delve deeper into your strengths and weaknesses so a plan of improvement can emerge. 

Enneagram “triads” establish a mechanism of understanding how we filter information as we move through the world. The three triads are made up of the heart, the head, and the gut, and they correspond to your Enneagram type: 2,3, and 4 live in the heart; 5, 6, and 7 in the head; 8,9 and 1 in the gut. 

Those whose Enneagram lies in the heart triad tend to be more emotionally inclined and lead with their need for connection and community. Personalities within the head triad see the world through their intellect and often make decisions based on their perceived sense of security. The gut center is all about instinct and the body’s reactions; these individuals are all about action and control. 

Understanding your Enneagram type, wings, and their triads allow you to explore the deepest levels of your personality, which, in turn, hold the keys to your success. All of the traits that make us who we are provide a blueprint for the actions we must take (or avoid) to reach our career and personal goals. 

We use Enneagram in leadership development because it’s practical yet deep, organized, and ultimately provides a bridge that can connect leaders with accelerated growth goals to improve themselves, their teams, and the systems that make up their workplaces. If you’re looking for a new approach to pushing yourself in your professional space, let’s connect and see what the Enneagram system can do for you. 

Wholeness At Work Launch Event: In Review

In January of 2021, we talked with some of our colleagues about Wholeness At Work and freeing yourself from burnout over the long run. As we spoke, we talked about using what we learned in 2020 to lead to a better, more whole 2021. We wanted to share some of those insights with you.

What Is Burnout?

In short, burnout is chronic or prolonged stress. It is not healthy stress (eustress). For example, that feeling before a deadline where your heart races, helps you perform, and then it passes. Instead, it is a feeling that persists. A constant stress “distress” that doesn’t let up.  

Burnout can look like emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness at work—and that’s before a pandemic. In 2020, many of us experienced this unrelenting state, and if that sounds like you, we hope these tips can help. 

We are looking at this with the integral theory in mind. That means we will tap into I (individuals), We (relational and cultural), and It (systems and structures that keep burnout in place). We are also going to talk about what wholeness looks like. 

What Does Wholeness Look Like In 2021?

When our co-host and managing partner at Evolution, Stuart McCalla, asked this question, it ignited a meaningful conversation. Carrie Sawyer, CEO of Diversity By Design, answered perfectly: 

“For me, 2021 and wholeness is really about redefining, ‘what does wholeness mean?'[…] How do I get rid of the shoulda coulda woulda’s of the outside world and really just focus in on what makes me thrive and what makes my family thrive.” 

For all of us, we get the opportunity to re-design work. It doesn’t have to work in a system that is broken. One thing the pandemic has done is allowed us to re-think how we do our work. Nathan Chappel, Senior Vice President of DonorSearch, recalled: 

“I had given up on the idea of work-life balance prior to 2020. Twenty-twenty forced me, personally, into a new path where self-compassion wasn’t equated to selfishness. For most of my career I had poured into others but didn’t really take care of myself. Twenty-twenty forced me to look much deeper inward than I had in the past and figure out where my drivers of inspiration were coming from and the value that it plays on learning. So, I created new ways of working. I really hope for myself, and a lot of people, that 2021 will be the impetus to really care for themselves more.”

What Symptoms of Burnout Are Prevalent In Our Lives

Our symptoms of burnout can each look different. In this talk, Erin Rocchio, Partner at Evolution and creator of Wholeness At Work, brought up the point that in 2020, there was no ignoring of the social and political unrest in our nation. Our eyes were consistently glued to our screens and keyboards and continuously fed stressful information. All of this, while being met with taking care of our children, home life and work during a pandemic! These things cumulatively can and did cause burnout for many of us.

So, when talking to the panel, we dove into this a little more. A common theme in our panel’s symptoms was resignation. Saying, “This is all too much.” Disengaging from work and the minutiae of our lives. From news. But how can we stay engaged and take care of our individual needs?

Solutions For Burnout

Stuart McCalla gives light into how to stay engaged. He asks, what feeds you in all dimensions? For Rachel Fellowes, Founder of Yoke Consultancy, not doing anything was the most productive thing that she could do at the end of the day. 

Before you can work on the solutions, you have to notice. Notice your natural rhythms and how you are feeling deep down at your core.

As a leader, it is essential to notice when your team is headed toward burnout. Nathan Chappell shared that, in his leadership roles, as he felt that his team was sliding, he would ask his team to take the day off. They were not allowed to work at all. He shares of his team, “In fact, if you don’t send in a picture of you doing something other than work we are going to count it toward your vacation time.” This created a dialogue that allowed his team to be aware of burnout.

Sources of Burnout in 2020

Lack of space and boundaries.

Lack of community.

Monotony.

Zoom Fatigue.

Engagement with social media and news.

There are so many sources of burnout. We are grappling with discord in our personal and professional lives. Ask yourself how you can create community, turn some meetings into emails, and give yourself some space. Whatever burnout may look like for you, we can help you work through it.

For more on this topic, please watch the full video. We know you will find tips and solutions in this video that will help you along your journey. You can also join us in our self-guided coaching program, Wholeness At Work. 

Workplace Burnout: How To Spot It For Your Enneagram Type

We all have someone that comes to mind when we think of the most goal-oriented, athletic person we know. Similarly, someone different comes to mind when we think of the timid individual who keeps to themselves but is kind to everyone. Perhaps you identify with either of these? But, to this point, our unique personalities, archetypical or otherwise, are more susceptible to different sources of burnout. Today, we want to take you through the things you can look for in your enneagram type and perhaps avoid burnout altogether.

What Is Burnout?

But before we dive in, we first need to establish the baseline. What is burnout anyway? In our studies, we have discovered that burnout is a type of stress. Though there is good stress (eustress), burnout is one that compounds over time. 

Like a snowball that starts packed in between your hands. It only takes setting it on the snowy ground and releasing it down a hill for it to catch more snow and grow. It is physically and emotionally draining and pours into your work and home life. It makes us feel like giving up, question why we do what we do in the first place and often leaves us unmotivated. 

The fact is, though, that if you catch it, you can work towards freeing yourself from burnout and even re-spark the passion you had for the very thing that is causing it. But, first, you must become self-aware.

The Enneagram One 

Ones seek perfection. Seeking to improve not only yourself but everyone and thing around you is exhausting. Catching that perfectionism when it starts and introducing acceptance into your self-care practice can be pivotal in avoiding workplace burnout. You don’t want to be judged by anyone, but what if you are? What if you accept that all of us, every human, is judged? You can make extraordinary changes in our world, but first, you must remember to care for your basic needs. 

The Enneagram Two

The Helper. You are dubbed that nickname for a reason, Twos. Trying to meet everyone’s needs around you, and, in cases, trying to be like the people you look up to leaves little room for self. Your warm-heartedness and sincerity are appreciated, but sometimes you freely give those to the cost of your health. 

A natural helper, we understand your need to give. But you cannot give what you don’t have. Start to notice where you can care for yourself more and lean into helping you. Ignoring your needs will inevitably lead to burnout.

The Enneagram Three

If you related to the first example in this post, when the words goal-oriented flashed on the screen, you might be the Enneagram Three. Many people want to be this type, but it does not come without worry. Threes feel responsible. 

There’s no doubt the mantra, “Get Sh*t Done,” came from one. This attitude makes you prone to overworking. Trying to make it look like you have it all together all of the time while work and priorities pile up around you is exhausting. Step back, assess your priorities, and give yourself grace when you realize that you genuinely cannot do it all. It will free you.

The Enneagram Four

One of the most sensitive types, Fours, need support. With their natural propensity to withdraw from people, this can be hard to get. If you are a Four, you must ask for support. 

You also want to express yourself, show your individuality, and bathe in self-expression. To do so, can you find a creative outlet to pursue? This could be key in unlocking your calm and avoiding work burnout.

The Enneagram Five

An Investigator by nature, Fives want info. Emotional detachment keeps involvement in others at bay, leaving room for deep-dives into complex ideas. They want to be experts and fear intrusion from others will thwart it. So, fives can hold critical information from those who need it to help carry the workload. 

Tending to your physical wellbeing and leaning into the friendships and relationships around you can help stave off burnout. Giving information to others is rewarding, and it helps everyone. 

The Enneagram Six

Reliable and loyal. Loyal to belief. Loyal to ideas. Loyal to systems. If you have learned about Wholeness At Work, you know that burnout can exist within a system. So, Sixes have a unique hill to climb. 

They strive to avoid failure and lack self-confidence, which can, in itself, lead to burnout. But, not being willing to question a system in place which may be causing burnout amongst the team could lead them even further down the path. Keep your loyalty, but know when to step out of the box and identify when change is beneficial.

The Enneagram Seven

For Sevens, new ideas fuel them. But, in planning to keep their options open for the next best thing, Sevens can quickly become scatter-brained. 

If you are an enneagram seven, how can you connect with the here and now? Find a way to connect to now so that tomorrow can lead to you reaching your biggest goals. 

The Enneagram Eight

Type Eights are strong and confident, but this can lead you to hide your vulnerabilities. The truth is, vulnerability is a strength. You may feel the need to reject people or possible failures before they reject you—but that can lead to a quick depletion. 

Can you find a way to become open to criticism, the leadership of others, and vulnerability? How can you get there?

The Enneagram Nine

You seek peace, harmony, and dislike ill will. Similar to Enneagram Two, you quickly place the needs of the group above your own. 

To avoid burnout, an Eight needs to prioritize self-care. Sometimes it is necessary to remind yourself that the more care you give to you will create room to care for others. How can you relax into self-care today?


If you feel like you are moving full speed ahead on the path to burnout, please join us on the Wholeness At Work journey. We dive into the symptoms, sources, and solutions to workplace burnout so that we can move forward whole in the workplace and our daily lives.

Who Is Wholeness At Work For?

Erin Rocchio, MPOD, created Wholeness At Work with a distinct goal in mind—to help leaders learn the science behind burnout symptoms, gain a comprehensive understanding of its sources, and discover personalized solutions to the chronic power stress of burnout. It is essential to understand burnout as a whole to avoid it. But, who is Wholeness At Work for? We dive into that today.

What Is Wholeness At Work?

Burnout is officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an “occupational phenomenon” since 2019. This year (2020) has brought on an enclave of burnout that couldn’t have been predicted and has taken its toll on individuals and entire organizations in a huge way. While it has not been formally evaluated, we have seen some of the repercussions of individuals and businesses being pushed to their absolute limits as we never have before.

Wholeness At Work will dive into the science behind burnout. It will extensively cover the symptoms, sources, and solutions for an in-depth understanding of this phenomenon. This coaching program is designed for individuals or teams to help identify where burnout persists and how to work through it.

The Recovering MBA: Enneagram 1

The Enneagram One is purposeful—always looking to improve themselves and the things around them. But, the constant quest for improvement can be exhausting. Continually trying to find approval from others and proving your goodness through sheer determination will only get you so far. In Wholeness At Work, you will find resources to help you identify the sources of burnout in yourself, your team, and the systems you have in place to ensure that you not only avoid burnout as an individual but can help alleviate those symptoms in your team.

The Conscious CEO: Enneagram 3

Being results-driven and successful is most often the main objective for the Enneagram Three. These are the true “people” people who want to make a social impact and connection with others, and be productive at the same time. But, this personality is susceptible to working, working, working, and never stopping. Wholeness At Work will help you evaluate when it is time to work and when it is time to step back and focus inward. You can’t sustain high performance if you are continually grinding day and night. How can you strike that beautiful place of balance where, as a whole person, you are being fulfilled and renewed on all levels?

The Millennial Manager: Enneagram 7

The Enneagram 7 seeks possibility and freedom, which are beautiful qualities. But, the enthusiasm for what’s possible, without grounded focus, can cause Type Sevens to spin out fairly quickly. So, how can you take all of these positive qualities of possibility seeking, vision, and self-realization and use them to avoid burnout? We can help guide you in Wholeness At Work.

The Type-A Working Mom: Enneagram 8

Do you have so much on your plate that you feel exhausted all the time? The Enneagram 8  is a type-A personality—they want control of their life and everything in it. But, some things we simply don’t have control of (See: 2020). That is what can send this type into a spiral, always aiming to achieve and execute flawlessly, even when the challenges thrown their way are too much for one person. We will help you step back and prioritize you in Wholeness At Work.

In reality, this self-guided coaching program is for anyone who is experiencing burnout at work or in their leadership roles wherever they come. It will help you identify systems and patterns that are feeding into – and maintaining – the cycle of burnout in your life. By identifying these and digging into all the root causes of your burnout pain, you can dismantle and reconstruct a way of leading and living that is more sustainable for you, your team, and your world. We are here for you at every step.

Three Questions That Will Help You Prevent Burnout

Maybe it’s the dreamy quality of early summer in San Diego that makes this season feel so naturally reflective. Or, we’re so pulled by all the activities, options, and potential paths that we are called to slow down and relax into what’s most meaningful for us. Either way, I’m compelled to do a little navel-gazing this time of year, so let’s dive in together…

You’ve heard me say before that sustaining your leadership performance over the long haul – and fully achieving your potential – requires equal attention to both the context in which you’re leading (external/how) and the content of your work (inner/why).

Burnout prevention and recovery must include this inner and outer alignment. The question is, how do you find it?

One of the things I love most about a personality typing system like the Enneagram is that it helps us quickly identify the inner content of our lives so we can get ourselves unstuck and truly thrive. It highlights elements that we’re often blind to, like our core drives, passions, needs, fears, and automatic patterns or habits.

I’ve learned that even while we might be working inside of a “burnout culture,” it’s often the internal mental and emotional patterns that keep us hooked into ways of working that will exhaust us, regardless of how ideal our job is set up to be.

Let’s take a look. For each of us, we are run by two primary inner patterns or habits: a thought pattern and an emotional pattern. In the language of the Enneagram, the thought habits include the continuous loop of ideas and fixations in our minds, while the emotional habits typically follow those thoughts with persistent reactions or feelings.

For me (as a Type 3), I can unconsciously fixate on thoughts about strategies for success and ways of creating an image of being successful (ugh, I know). This is often immediately followed by an emotional roller coaster of striving and anxiety, fear that others will think I’m a failure, and sadness/shame when I don’t feel I measure up.

You can see how quickly folks like me can spiral into a mode of hyper-pressure, workaholism, constant scanning for acknowledgment, and ultimately, burnout and resentment. Yikes, I’m tired just thinking about it!

The point is not to change these patterns, because often that is simply unavailable to us. Instead, we start by noticing them, trying to understand them, and doing our best to meet ourselves with a dose of compassion.

When we can stop, pause, and look inside ourselves, we’re able to see when our stress is generated from our own thoughts and feelings versus external factors. That awareness can give us new access into positive solutions – moving from being run by our automatic habits of personality to intentionally choosing the thoughts, emotions, and actions that are more sustainable for us.

So, as you lie on your beach towel this summer and sleepily gaze up at the clouds above, ask yourself:

  • What thoughts and emotions tend to loop habitually in my mind and heart?
  • How might these patterns be contributing to my state of burnout/wellbeing?
  • And, what helps me “unhook” from these mental and emotional habits and move into conscious choice?

I would love to hear from you, so please share what you’re learning with our growing community on LinkedIn or Twitter. There are so many of you incredible people committed to working, leading, and giving in sustainable ways. Let yourself be inspired by one another!

Today and all year long, may these reflections serve your leadership path and offer you some new freedom along the way.

To your thriving,

Erin

PS. This is the Type 3 habit, but all personality types have their own unique thought and emotional patterns. Curious about yours? Click here to understand your Enneagram type or reach out to me for some individual guidance on how awareness of your Enneagram can support your growth.

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The Healthiest Way Each Enneagram Type Can Respond to Stress

Stress gets a bad rap these days. However, recent studies have shown that it can actually be a helpful source of performance motivation (if we believe it is). Every business leader, entrepreneur, and all-around badass I know feels some element of stress every single day.

As you take on big goals, feelings of performance pressure and risk increase. Naturally.

The game shouldn’t be about not feeling any stress, but rather about managing the stress we do feel so that it can fuel us. Stress can also inform us about what we care about most, where our boundaries are, and the directions in which we authentically want to go.

From the Enneagram, we can see that there are nine distinct – healthy – ways of responding to stress. Here are some tidbits on each:

Enneagram One’s

There’s often a thought about doing things “right” or “perfect” that sends One’s into hyper-production mode. You may feel ultra-critical of yourself and others. Identify that pesky thought or belief that won’t let up on you. Examine it. See how you can gently let it go. Soften.

Enneagram Two’s

Everyone struggles and their pain is not yours. Reflect on the people and issues that mean the most to you, offer your generosity there, and lovingly step back from the rest. Hold your boundary with respect and grace.

Enneagram Three’s

Notice the insatiable energy to add value, be seen, do something fabulous, and/or prove your worth. Put your hand on your heart. Feel the insatiability of that drive and see if you can find a moment to pump the breaks. To feed your heart. I promise, taking a break and directing some loving kindness towards yourself won’t ruin your momentum. On the contrary.

Enneagram Four’s

Find some time alone to reflect, recharge, acknowledge your deepest feelings, and nurture your creative heart. Being around others in superficial ways can zap you quickly. Honor your needs for deep connection and solitude. Find a trusted friend you can confide in to help you feel emotionally balanced. Also, seek out structures to support you in moving forward on your highest priority tasks.

Enneagram Five’s

Put your feet on the ground. Feel your body in this moment. Observe your inner voice and the fear it generates about not knowing enough and what’s scarce. See if you can find some space between that fear-monger and locate a single focus for exploring and engaging. Practice expressing your genuine feelings.

Enneagram Sixes

Take a slow, deep breath. Anchor yourself in your chair, feet on the ground, back supported. Connect with your inner knowing and intuition. Find the place in yourself you trust. Listen for the wisdom inside you. When the wheels spin, go within.

Enneagram Seven’s

Often, there’s a quick onramp from positive visioning and hyper-spin out. Notice where you are right now. Get back into your body and into the present moment. Quiet the noise and ask the question, “What matters most in this moment right now?” Find relief in focus, even if just for a minute.

Enneagram Eight’s

Step back, even step outside. Find a way of physically getting your energy out that is productive for you and others. Honor your big feelings. Write them down. Now, where can you soften? Put your hands on your gut and heart. What do they tell you about where to move next?

Enneagram Nine’s

Take a moment alone and check in with yourself. Scan your body for tension. What are your instincts telling you about what you need? Find one action you can take that will support you in moving forward and out of “stuckness.” Grab a buddy to help you stay accountable to yourself.

If you don’t know your Enneagram type and want to learn more, let’s chat! There are ample ways I can support you in diving into this relevant, sacred, and valuable personality system.

May the gods of presence and wellbeing be with you, fellow warrior.

You’ve got this. And I’ve got you.

To your thriving,
Erin

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The Three Enneagram Types Most Prone To Burnout

Burnout is one of those things that sneaks up on most people. In fact, many people suffering from burnout don’t even realize it’s something they’re battling until it causes noticeably drastic havoc in their life.

For this reason, one of the first steps to resolving issues of burnout includes gaining self-awareness about your personality type. Even if you’re not facing the burnout cliff, this awareness is a vital lever in accelerating any leadership journey.

Using the Enneagram framework, I’ve honed in on three personality types especially vulnerable to the symptoms of burnout: emotional exhaustion, cynicism/withdrawal, and decreased effectiveness. These types include: the Achiever, the Enthusiast, and the Helper.

The Achiever (3)
Perpetually feeling responsible for getting stuff done and adding value to others, these folks are prone to overworking both at work and at home. They neglect their physical well being, maintain a continual state of stress, and have difficulty sticking to their priorities. On top of it all, they tell themselves they must look like they have it all together. Oh, the pressure!

The Enthusiast (7)
These folks revel in all of the future possibilities they want to pursue and they do so with abandon. Focus becomes a challenge, making clear thinking and deliberate action a real stretch. Their path to freedom involves connecting with the needs of the present moment, yet they avoid sitting still in the discomfort of the here and now. At the end of the day, these adventurers can be distracted, mentally tangled, and stretched thin.

The Helper (2)
Ever generous with their time and resources, these kind souls can become so focused on the needs of others that they forget their own (emotional, physical, or otherwise). They embody selflessness, and yet, their breaking points are dramatic. They look to others to fill their cup with appreciation and it often feels not enough, creating both rage and sadness that drain them deeply.

Keep in mind that EVERY personality type struggles to maintain equilibrium in different ways, so you may feel burned out and not identify with a type mentioned here. All of us can experience burnout in our own ways when the circumstances are right.

For this reason, I encourage you to simply notice where you feel stretched. What pulls at you? What voice tells you to do more, be more? How does your inner “gremlin” apply pressure on you, and how do you instinctively respond?

If you’d like to dive deeper, I’d encourage you to take my burnout self assessment. It’s only 15 questions and will provide your unique burnout score, which will help you understand what steps your should currently be taking to either avoid or come back from burnout.

However you assess your current level of burnout, my hope is that you can enjoy any moments of quiet space that find you, take a deep breath in reflection about what matters most, and dance with self-compassion in the chaos of all the rest.

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Enneagram: A Practical Path to Wisdom

“I don’t know if I can ever trust him again,” Lisa tells me during an extended coaching session recently, speaking about her tenuous relationship with her supervisor. “He yells and demands we hit our targets at any cost, even at the risk of losing relationships. I just don’t feel safe, like he won’t have my back anymore. That is really scary.”

Lisa, a regional operations leader for a public organization, began our coaching engagement with one goal: to learn what makes her guarded, defensive, and closed off at work. Most especially, she wanted to understand (and change) the negative impact this was having on the relationship with her military-trained C-level boss.

She also knew she had issues trusting her colleagues in the workplace and she saw how much it was holding her back. She missed out on close relationships, she wasn’t getting the results she wanted because others couldn’t connect or collaborate with her. She didn’t know what to do and she was stuck in her own fear.

How many of us can relate?

But, this begged the questions: Where did Lisa’s fear come from? And, why did her fear, which felt so personal and deep-seated, show up so prominently at work?

In executive coaching, we shy away from diving into an individual’s personal or childhood traumas, as this work should be explored with a clinical psychologist or therapist*. However, it is imperative that coaches skillfully address the unconscious patterns, beliefs, and contexts that shape a leader and drive his/her behavior – especially when it seems out of place or inappropriate to circumstance.

In my own growth and maturation process, I’ve spent thousands of dollars, decades, and abundant sweat and tears navigating experiential learning programs and various tools to help me understand myself. A handful of these experiences very seriously changed my life. Yet, as each layer of the onion peeled away, there I was –with the same underlying anxieties, hopes, needs, and fears. I couldn’t shake myself.

What I really needed was one, comprehensive system for making sense of all that was going on under the surface, and subsequently showing up in my behavior at work.

Enter the Enneagram… the queen of all personality systems.

The Enneagram is a robust personality typing system that traces back to ancient times, yet was scientifically validated in the early 2000s as a reliable personality indicator. The word enneagram comes from the Greek words ennea (“nine”) and gram (“something written or drawn”) and refers to the nine points on the Enneagram symbol. The nine different Enneagram types, identified as numbers One through Nine, reflect distinct habits of thinking, feeling, and behaving, with each type connected to a unique path of development. Each of us has only one place, or number, on the Enneagram. (I am a Type 3, with a 2 Wing, in case you’re curious.)

Out of all the tools, the leadership development experiences, or team development exercises I’ve ever seen, [envoke_twitter_link]the Enneagram continues to provide the most meaningful, holistic, and long-lasting wisdom for every business leader I work with.[/envoke_twitter_link]

Let’s revisit Lisa. In our coaching work together, Lisa discovered that her personality type, Enneagram Type Six, is anchored in loyalty: Sixes have a core need for security and a core fear of being unable to survive without support. This creates emotional and thought patterns devoted to seeking certainty and security, often through ultra responsible activities and worst-case scenario planning.

As Lisa discovered how these patterns of needs and fears played out in her work relationships, she realized two things: (1) it was safe and okay to look her fear in the eyes and examine where it was productive/unproductive, and (2) maybe her colleagues weren’t out to get her after all.

While our Enneagram type (or hardwiring) never leaves us, as we grow more aware of how deeply it directs our lives, we begin to experience some freedom from its grips. We get to choose how we respond to life’s circumstances instead of our instinctual reactions choosing for us.

In Lisa’s case, she began to feel more comfortable reaching out for genuine connections, building trust with her peers, and most importantly, having courageous conversations with her boss to feel empowered and aligned in her leadership role. She even invited him over to her home for a family dinner and they spent time getting to know one another – as parents, friends, siblings, children of aging parents. She told me later she gained tremendous appreciation for him based on this experience, specifically his approach to parenting and prioritizing his family.

This shit works.

I know because after reconnecting with various clients over the years, they tell me they are still using the Enneagram to develop themselves, or with their spouses to improve their marriages, or with their teams to build healthy team cultures.

In my own experience, the Enneagram has left me with this:

  • Immense compassion for myself and others (versus judgment)
  • Connection with anyone on the planet (underneath it all, we’re vastly diverse and yet remarkably the same)
  • Energy and vitality where there was once stagnation

Today, I use the Enneagram with every leader I coach and every team I develop. I’ve built organizational cultures using the language and insights from this system. If you know the Enneagram would benefit you, your team, or your business (like I do), let’s have a conversation to explore how.

*Also, a great therapist or teacher is a must for anyone looking to “wake up,” in my humble opinion. Not even the best of us made it out of childhood unscathed (sorry). For personal recommendations on therapists, please email me: erin@erinrocchio.com.

Image: © 2016 The Enneagram In Business

Erin Rocchio

Wholeness at Work