Enneagram: Social 9w8

Basic Fear: Being rejected or outcast

• Mitigated primarily by avoiding conflict at all costs. However, the 8-wing actively pushes me to stand up for my morals and values. This leads to an internal tension between passiveness and assertiveness.

Basic Desire: Being at peace

• Applies to my relationship with myself, as well as my relationship with the world around me.

Strengths I’m granted as a 9w8:

• Seeing multiple perspectives in a situation

• Encouraging and supporting others

• Adapting to new ideas or circumstances

• Connecting with others

• Asserting myself in professional settings

• Effectively leading

Areas for improvement I’m working through as a 9w8:

• Avoiding difficult conversations/situations

• Struggling to balance assertiveness vs. passiveness

• Tendency to hide true feelings behind a calm façade

StrengthsFinder Top 5:
Arranger, Maximizer, Responsibility, Individualization, Activator

1. Arranger: A natural ability to coordinate people and resources for maximum effectiveness. Creative flexibility in complex situations leads to greater efficiency.

2. Maximizer: Focus on quality and prefer working with/for the best. Makes individuals and teams better by seeing what each person naturally does best and empowering them to do it.

3. Responsibility: Deep sense of dedication and feel ownership for commitments. A person of their word who others know they can rely on and trust.

4. Individualization: Notice and appreciate each person’s unique characteristics and don’t treat everyone the same. Sees what makes each individual unique and knows how to bring out someone’s best.

5. Activator: Naturally know how to turn ideas into action. A catalyst for making things happen whose energy can be contagious and engaging.

My partnership style

• In emails/texts: Communicate your purpose clearly, but don’t forget to importance of building our personal connection! We’re both human beings who have lives, interests, and stories outside of work. I’m not saying we need to be best friends, but I do prefer to know coworkers and clients on a personal level.

• In meetings: I work best when objectives are identified upfront. This helps me frame my mindset and filter out the general noise of life. Please allow me to give feedback and share my thoughts even when you see things differently. I tend to shut down when being steamrolled or ignored, so please listen intently and engage in dialogue.

• In receiving feedback: I adore criticism when it’s constructive. Avoid being overly negative or critical, and express suggested areas of growth as opportunities rather than flaws.

• In conflicts: Please respect that conflicts are my nightmare. While I understand they are inevitable in life, my innate fight-or-flight response to conflict is soaring off to Timbuktu. Encourage me to participate in the resolution by sharing your perspective calmly and logically while creating a safe space that enables me to respond openly and honestly. I will gladly respect your viewpoint when the respect is reciprocated. In the end, I want nothing more than to partner on a mutual solution.

Thank you for taking time to learn about where I’m coming from. Allow me to return the favor!