It seems that everywhere you turn these days someone is giving a leadership workshop, writing a book or a blog about leadership, etc. But what actually is leadership and how do you define it? There are so many definitions of leadership by so many leaders today and throughout history. I have not come across a single definition that encompasses all aspects of effective leadership. We simply know it when we see it, and even more when we feel it. Inspiring leaders are those who bring out the best in those around them, and do so with integrity, courage and grace.
Often when people think of leaders they think of their boss, a CEO, manager, owner, president etc. What I know to be true is that we all have leadership potential and developing our leadership capacity is important to our relationships and our inner peace. An essential component of leadership development is self-awareness and self-management.
We must understand ourselves fully so we can be in greater control of our actions, reactions, decisions, and attitudes. We need to know what triggers us, what unconscious fears are at play, and which habits and repetitive patterns get in our way. Then, we need to learn to stop judging these things in ourselves, so we can optimize our strengths while showing up in a more compassionate way for others.
One of the most important tools I’ve come across on my own inner journey and in the work I do today in the leadership development field is the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and those with whom we interact. The modern Enneagram is a synthesis of ancient wisdom and modern psychology. It is a very rich system and a powerful vehicle for transformation which goes far beyond its popularity as a personality typing tool.
The term Enneagram is derived from the Greek words ennea, which means nine, and gram, which means something written. The nine personality types are arranged around a symbol, which shows the interactions among the types. Understanding our Enneagram personality type can help us to unlock a greater understanding of who we really are underneath our patterns of behavior.
As my teachers, Don Riso and Russ Hudson, often said, “Our Enneagram type is not who we are, it is who we are not.” This speaks to the transformational potential of the Enneagram―which, if used correctly, can guide us into a deeper understanding of our true nature. We can also use the Enneagram as a tool in our relationships to understand those with whom we live and work, and deepen our mutual connections to our shared values and goals.
Understanding our Enneagram personality type can help us unlock our potential as leaders, and also see what holds us back from being effective and impactful. When we understand our inherent strengths as well as our potential limitations, we enliven the leader within us. Approached with integrity and curiosity, the Enneagram can bring a level of self-knowledge that is unparalleled.
The nine types are:
- Type One – Perfectionist
- Type Two – Helper
- Type Three- Achiever
- Type Four- Enthusiast
- Type Five- Investigator
- Type Six – Loyalists
- Type Seven- Enthusiast
- Type Eight- Challenger
- Type None- Peacemaker
Listed below are descriptions of three of the nine types. Learn about the other six types and your Leadership style in my complimentary Enneagram Guide for Leaders.
- Type Ones know how to get the job done, and done well. There is little room for error. They have the ability to see what is needed in order to make things right because their focus is always on creating perfection. The Type One has a strong need for things to be neat, orderly and perfect, and they can be harsh critics of themselves and others. This can create challenges as they tend to be taskmasters and have difficulty delegating. Freedom from their personality comes through letting go of the need for everything to be perfect, and entering a state of trust that others have valuable input. This relieves the Type One of the burden of having to do it all since nobody can live up to their expectations.
- Type Fours are highly intuitive and creative, but often struggle with fitting into their families, their organizations, or society at large. They have an underlying belief that they are somehow flawed, and often struggle with melancholy and moodiness which can impact their leadership. Freedom from their personality patterns comes when they let go of the belief that they are not enough, and allow themselves to step into a state of belonging to a group, team, family, or organization.
- Type Sixes are natural leaders, but rarely see themselves as such. They often lead by building consensus and dutifully carrying out the tasks of their group. They are the glue that holds the team together. They are excellent trouble shooters, and have a plan for every possible worst case scenario; therefore, the team relies on them for answers. At their best, Type Sixes lead from a place of trusting others to support them, which allows them to pay attention to the details that need to be addressed in order for the team to be successful. Their challenge is that, when they struggle with a lack of trust in the support around them, they can become suspicious, skeptical, pessimistic, and indecisive. Freedom from their personality patterns comes from letting go of the need to look to others for answers, and trusting their own inner authority.
When we determine our personality type, we can also tap into our innate leadership style, and mitigate some of the challenges that may be holding back our teams, organizations, or families. Cultivating great leadership within ourselves starts with simple observation. What are our habitual patterns? What situations and feelings do we avoid? What is our style when it comes to conflict management? And where are our personalities or our lack of self-awareness creating friction for ourselves and others?
Leadership, like all other things that truly matter, is an inside job. When you go within, and get in touch with the core qualities that make you unique and capable, you will start to shine, no matter what role you’re currently in. My wish for you is that you become more of who you truly are, so you can lead authentically, and create a trickle-down effect of integrity, honesty, and compassion wherever you go.
Whether you’re looking to develop yourself into a more effective leader in your organization, family, relationship or personal life, I can help you develop your inherent leadership potential.
A strong and effective leader is one who understands themselves. Self-knowledge cannot be learned from a book or a course. It is a personal journey.
