TLR Coworking recently hosted an enlightening talk by María, a prominent member of the TLR Family, on the fascinating subject of the Enneagram. Dive into this blog post to gain insights into the nine Enneagram types and their key characteristics, based on María’s engaging presentation.
In today’s diverse and interconnected world, effective communication and understanding are key to building successful relationships, especially in professional settings like coworking spaces. That’s where the Enneagram system comes in—a valuable tool for self-awareness and understanding others. During a recent talk at TLR Coworking in Málaga, Spain, María shared her insights on Enneagram types, offering attendees a deeper understanding of themselves and their coworkers.
But what exactly is an Enneagram? Derived from the Greek words “ennea” (meaning nine) and “grammos” (meaning diagram), an Enneagram is a personality typing system that categorizes individuals into nine distinct types. Each type represents a unique set of core motivations, fears, and behaviors that shape how individuals perceive and interact with the world.
María talking about the Enneagram system at TLR Coworking recently.
The Enneagram system goes beyond surface-level traits and delves into the deeper motivations that drive our thoughts, emotions, and actions. By understanding the Enneagram types, individuals gain valuable insights into their own patterns of behavior and those of others, leading to improved communication, empathy, and collaboration.
When it comes to the workplace, knowing and understanding the Enneagram types of coworkers can be particularly advantageous. It enables us to tailor our communication and interactions to their specific needs, fostering better teamwork, reducing conflicts, and maximizing productivity. By recognizing the unique perspectives, strengths, and blind spots of each Enneagram type, we can create a more harmonious and inclusive work environment.
María shows an informative slide featuring all 9 Enneagram types.
Now, let’s explore each of the nine Enneagram types and their key characteristics, as shared by María during her enlightening talk:
Type 1 – The Perfectionist:
These individuals are driven by a strong sense of right and wrong. They have high standards and a keen eye for detail, making them excellent at quality control and process improvement. However, their self-critical nature can sometimes lead to an excessive focus on mistakes, inhibiting their ability to delegate tasks and trust others.
Type 2 – The Helper:
The Helper excels at understanding and meeting the needs of others. They are compassionate, empathetic, and often take on the role of caretakers within a team. However, their strong desire to be needed can sometimes lead to a neglect of their own well-being and boundaries.
Type 3 – The Achiever:
Driven by a need for success and recognition, Type 3 individuals are highly ambitious and goal-oriented. They excel at project management, networking, and achieving targets. However, their relentless pursuit of success can sometimes make them overly focused on appearances and result in a fear of failure.
Our dear Silvina and Dora enjoying the event at TLR Coworking.
Type 4 – The Individualist:
These individuals have a rich inner world and a deep emotional depth. They are often creative, introspective, and value authenticity. They bring a unique perspective to the table and excel in roles that require creativity and innovation. However, their tendency to dwell on feelings of longing and discontentment can sometimes hinder their productivity and ability to move forward.
Type 5 – The Investigator:
Type 5 individuals are highly intellectual and value knowledge. They possess a thirst for learning and are often experts in their chosen fields. Their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills make them valuable assets in research and strategy roles. However, their inclination towards introversion can sometimes make them appear distant and detached from their colleagues.
Type 6 – The Loyalist:
As the name suggests, this type is known for loyalty, dependability, and commitment to the team. They are excellent at risk assessment, contingency planning, and building strong relationships. However, their tendency to anticipate potential threats can sometimes lead to anxiety and indecisiveness.
The lovely Eva and Juan pictured at the TGIF afterparty.
Type 7 – The Enthusiast:
These individuals embody enthusiasm and a thirst for adventure. They bring energy and positivity to the workplace, often excelling in roles that require innovation and adaptability. However, their fear of missing out can sometimes lead to scattered focus and difficulty in following through on projects.
Type 8 – The Challenger:
Assertive, confident, and a natural-born leader – this is a type 8 individual in a nutshell. They are passionate about justice and fairness, making them effective advocates for change. Their decisive nature and ability to take charge can drive teams towards success. However, their strong personalities can sometimes be overpowering, and they may struggle with vulnerability and accepting differing viewpoints.
Type 9 – The Peacemaker:
These individuals seek harmony and unity within the team. They are natural mediators and excel at creating a balanced and inclusive work environment. Their calm presence and ability to diffuse conflicts make them valuable assets in conflict resolution. However, their desire to avoid conflicts can sometimes result in a reluctance to express their opinions and needs.
A huge crowd showed up to the TLR Coworking space to listen to María’s amazing talk.
María’s talk about the Enneagram system at TLR Coworking shed light on the nine Enneagram types and their key characteristics. This, in turn, provided audience members with valuable insights into themselves and their coworkers. By understanding the core motivations, fears, and behaviors of each type, individuals can enhance their communication skills and build stronger relationships in the workplace.
If you would like to find out which Enneagram type best characterises your own personality, María recommends this online test from Truity.
Enjoying the talk are: Ana, Eva, and Andrés (who gave an amazing TGIF talk also, last year, which you can read about here!).
TLR Coworking continues to foster a culture of personal growth and development by hosting engaging events like María’s Enneagram talk. By providing a platform for knowledge-sharing and self-discovery, TLR empowers its members to thrive both professionally and personally.
As you navigate the coworking environment, remember that the Enneagram is a tool, not a definitive label. It offers a framework for understanding ourselves and others, but it’s essential to recognize that individuals are multifaceted and can exhibit traits from multiple Enneagram types. By cultivating empathy, open-mindedness, and adaptability, we can create a collaborative and inclusive coworking community where everyone can thrive.
About María
María has been a TLR member since February 2023. She is an ex-industrial engineer, but is now professionally dedicated to her two passions: being an artist and a trainer in personal development.
As a certified NLP and Enneagram coach, her main goal is to help people and teams improve their relationships and communicate more effectively by gaining empathy, assertiveness and self-knowledge.
Find out more about María by checking out her Instagram accounts: @cafelitoclub.es (personal development) and @maoacollection (art).
To read more blog posts by TLR members, check out our blog feed here. You can also click here to learn more about TLR subscriptions.
One Response
Fantastic- I’m very interested in learning more!