Take a minute to recall someone in your life that you would consider a great leader. What qualities come to mind? How did/do you feel after interacting with this person?
Being a good leader does not require a specific personality type. In fact, according to the Enneagram, each person possesses gifts and skills that uniquely qualify him/her to lead in specific and beneficial ways. These strengths are often referred to as superpowers.
Of course, each person is unique and complex, but by considering these general superpowers and allowing each individual to lead according to their natural gifts you can begin to build stronger, more creative and more productive teams.
Type 1: Making Processes + Refining Systems
Often called Moral Perfectionists, Type 1s are motivated by the need to be good and do the right thing. Their attention to detail allows them to see where improvement can and should be implemented for optimization of productivity and results.
Type 2: Being Supportive + Providing Care
Often called Supportive Advisors, Type 2s are focused on relationship building. Their sensitive nature and uncanny ability to perceive the needs and feelings of others allows them to address problems in caring and encouraging ways.
Type 3: Focus + Team Building
Often called Successful Achievers, Type 3s are very focused on achieving goals. While they provide a lot of energy and focus to teams, they not only focus on their own success but also help others discover their strengths and reach success as well.
Type 4: Creativity + Innovation
Often called Romantic Individualists, Type 4s are focused on experiencing life authentically. Their unique creativity and willingness to build deep, meaningful relationships with others helps create a team that is willing to dig deep and dream big.
Type 5: Inspiring with New Ideas + Concepts
Often called Investigative Thinkers, Type 5s tend to be experts in their fields because they spend so much time researching. While they tend to need more time alone, 5s provide a wealth of knowledge and help others more clearly understand topics and concepts.
Type 6: Commitment to Others + Problem Solving
Often called Loyal Guardians, Type 6s want to know that they are safe and secure. With a tendency to ask all the ‘what-if” questions, 6s have the ability to look at different scenarios and analyze risk to help provide the best options possible.
Type 7: Casting Vision + Optimism
Often called Entertaining Optimists, Type 7s focus on the positive and continuously look for ways to enjoy life. While their energy can be mistaken for scattered thinking, 7s have the ability to reframe every situation into a more positive outcome.
Type 8: Empowering Others + Advocation
Often called Protective Challengers, Type 8s are assertive and powerful. While they can be more intimidating than the other types, 8s are also very passionate about justice and can be snowplows for others, helping create a path of opportunity where there would otherwise not be one.
Type 9: Creating Peace + Resolving Problems
Often called Peaceful Mediator, Types 9s seek peace and harmony. With their ability to take into account the perspectives of every person, 9s are great mediators. However, do not underestimate their peaceful nature–they have the ability to quietly accomplish a great deal.