Embracing Multiple Perspectives: Why I'm Excited About an Enneagram Workshop

As someone who has taken numerous personality/leadership assessments, like, I have taken A LOT. I appreciate the unique insights each one offers. I’ve experienced the value of various tools, and while I’m a firm believer in the CliftonStrengths assessment, I’m also excited to dive into the Enneagram.

With the upcoming opportunity to facilitate a workshop for the Ignite Women’s Conference for Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, I have read and read and read (Number 5 Strength: Learner) as much as possible to prep for this workshop. Pauses to have a realization.. Now that makes sense because I am a proud Enneagram 3 - The Achiever.

Naturally, I want to share about this tool and my number one tool in my tool belt, the CliftonStrengths Assessment.

The Enneagram and CliftonStrengths Assessment: Complementary Tools

The Enneagram, with its rich history and comprehensive view of personality types, provides valuable insights into our behaviors and motivations. It helps us understand our core desires and fears, offering a journey to personal growth and better interpersonal relationships. This complements the CliftonStrengths assessment, which focuses on identifying and leveraging our top strengths.

Of course Gallup put out a comparison article!

Here is what I have gathered and read. Both tools offer unique benefits that can work together to enhance self-awareness and performance (did I squeal when I read this and immediately bust out the hexagram, you betchya!). The Enneagram identifies nine personality types, each with distinct characteristics and growth paths, while CliftonStrengths pinpoints 34 talent themes, providing a detailed map of our innate strengths. When used together, these tools can offer a more holistic view of our potential and areas for development.

Why CliftonStrengths is My Go-To Tool

Even with my Learner hat on and my excitement overflowing with the upcoming Enneagram workshop, CliftonStrengths remains my primary tool for helping individuals and teams thrive. I am a Certified Coach after all. This assessment goes beyond labeling personality traits; it provides a strategic approach to personal and professional development. Research by Gallup shows that employees who use their strengths every day are six times more likely to be engaged at work, which leads to higher productivity and job satisfaction.

CliftonStrengths offers a precise and positive language to describe our unique talents. It’s like having a detailed roadmap for achieving our goals, with a coach to guide us on the journey. This strengths-based approach aligns with my passion for helping others discover and cultivate their potential.

Now of course I have the Enneagram in my back pocket! Something my Arranger hat loves to see, “Oh you are not interested in CliftonStrengths Assessment (internally screams), that’s ok, we will adapt and maximize this opportunity. Have you heard of the Enneagram?!”

Note my friends: I still believe that if you are taking ALL the assessments, and not making moves, you are truly doing it wrong. The first step of leadership is self awareness, which doesn’t stop when you take an assessment, it continuous. So here are some questions for you to think about as a fill in the blank personality assessment label.

1. Why did I take the assessment? What have I learned about myself?
2. What areas do I need to shine a light on when working with my goals, my teams, my family, my business…
3. What areas do I need to be cognizant of when working with my goals, my teams, my family, my business….
4. How do I communicate what I have learned in my every day? Hint: it’s not walking around or being in a board room to say, “Well, I am an Enneagram 9 and I am not talking about this”.

Friends, I hope this helps! Let me know which assessment is your favorite!

Now get out there and Do Great Things!
BDP