The Enneagram at Work
Unlocking the Power of Type to Lead and Succeed
Book Edition Details
Summary
In the dynamic world of modern leadership, "The Enneagram at Work" emerges as a beacon for those eager to harness self-awareness as a transformative tool. Authored by Jim McPartlin, a seasoned expert from the high-pressure hospitality industry, this book redefines how we perceive leadership through the lens of the Enneagram. With two decades of experience, McPartlin illustrates the profound impact of understanding one's personality type—not just for personal growth, but to invigorate entire teams and foster inventive solutions. Whether you're navigating the intricacies of feedback, nurturing mentorships, or managing workplace conflict, each chapter offers practical exercises that guide you from insight to action. Perfect for both Enneagram enthusiasts and novices, this guide promises to illuminate your leadership path, making you not just a participant but a pioneer in your career journey.
Introduction
Have you ever wondered why some leaders seem to effortlessly connect with their teams while others struggle despite their best intentions? The answer lies not in technical skills or industry knowledge, but in something far more fundamental: self-awareness. In boardrooms and break rooms alike, the most successful leaders share one crucial trait—they understand not only their own behavioral patterns but also how to recognize and work with the patterns of others. This understanding transforms ordinary managers into extraordinary leaders who can navigate conflict with grace, give feedback that actually creates change, and build teams that thrive even under pressure. The journey to becoming such a leader begins with a single, powerful realization: you are not defined by your habits of mind, but you can learn to direct them. When you master this skill, you unlock the ability to lead authentically, inspire genuinely, and create lasting positive change in every professional relationship you touch.
Know Thyself: Building Self-Awareness Through the Enneagram
Self-awareness stands as the foundation of exceptional leadership, yet it remains one of the most overlooked skills in professional development. The Enneagram reveals nine distinct patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting that shape how we navigate the world. Unlike other personality systems that simply categorize, the Enneagram illuminates the deeper motivations and fears that drive our behaviors, offering a roadmap for growth rather than limitations. Jim McPartlin discovered this transformative power during his first Enneagram workshop in 1993. As the instructor described Type 6, the Loyal Skeptic, he experienced what he calls an "out-of-body moment," blurting out in amazement as his entire life suddenly made sense. The constant anxiety, the need for security, the tendency to imagine worst-case scenarios—patterns he had carried for decades were finally given context and meaning. This wasn't about being broken or flawed; it was about understanding the lens through which he viewed the world. The revelation continued as McPartlin realized that his anxiety, while often challenging, also served him well. His constant preparation meant he was always ready for any situation. His questioning nature helped him anticipate problems before they occurred. The key insight was learning to work with these patterns rather than being controlled by them. He began to recognize when his Type 6 tendencies were serving him and when they were holding him back, allowing him to make conscious choices about how to respond. To begin your own journey of self-awareness, start with honest self-observation without judgment. Notice your automatic reactions in different situations. What triggers stress for you? When do you feel most energized and authentic? Pay attention to the voice in your head—is it critical, worried, ambitious, or peacekeeping? These observations provide clues to your core type and the patterns that shape your leadership style. Remember that awareness is the first step, not the destination. Once you identify your type, resist the urge to use it as an excuse for limiting behaviors. Instead, view it as a tool for expansion. Your type shows you both your natural strengths and the areas where growth is possible. The goal is not to eliminate your patterns but to develop the flexibility to access the gifts of all nine types when situations call for them.
Leading with Intention: From Patterns to Conscious Action
The difference between managing and leading lies in consciousness—the ability to respond rather than react. Management often operates from habitual patterns, following established procedures and maintaining the status quo. Leadership requires something deeper: the activation of your core self, that authentic essence beneath the layers of learned behaviors and protective patterns. Maxcine Bell, the executive housekeeper at Disney's Contemporary Resort, demonstrated this conscious leadership when she encountered a cocky young manager named Jim McPartlin. Fresh from hotel school, he arrived with theories about efficiency and a stopwatch, ready to time the housekeeping staff to improve productivity. Rather than dismissing him or crushing his enthusiasm, Maxcine made a deliberate choice to teach him what real leadership looked like. She put him on the front lines, cleaning rooms for thirty days until he could meet the same standards expected of every team member. What followed was a masterclass in authentic leadership. McPartlin learned that you cannot effectively lead others unless they know you've walked in their shoes. The experience was humbling and transformative, breaking through his academic arrogance to reveal genuine respect for the people who made the operation work. Maxcine's approach wasn't punitive—it was precisely calibrated to create understanding and empathy. She recognized potential in him and chose to invest in developing it through direct experience rather than lectures. This story illustrates five key principles of conscious leadership. First, know yourself deeply, including both your strengths and blind spots. Second, approach each situation with genuine curiosity rather than assumptions. Third, honor your commitments absolutely—your word becomes your credibility. Fourth, choose your team carefully, seeking diverse perspectives and complementary skills. Fifth, pay attention consistently, staying present rather than operating on autopilot. To implement these principles, begin each day with intention. Before entering meetings or difficult conversations, pause and check in with yourself. What are you feeling? What are you thinking? What does your body tell you? This simple practice of self-observation allows you to lead from your core rather than your patterns, making conscious choices about how to show up in each moment.
Inspiring Others: Mentorship, Feedback, and Authentic Connection
True leadership extends beyond personal achievement to the development of others. This requires mastering the delicate arts of giving meaningful feedback and fostering genuine mentorship relationships. Most leaders struggle with these skills because they lack the self-awareness to understand how their communication style affects others and the emotional intelligence to adapt their approach accordingly. The story of Tom LaTour and his mentoring of McPartlin illustrates both the power and the challenges of authentic development. When McPartlin performed an impromptu somersault during a company meeting as the head of human resources, Tom called him to his office the next morning. With quiet intensity, he asked whether it was appropriate for a senior executive to act like a "circus clown" in front of the entire company. There was no sugar-coating, no attempt to preserve McPartlin's ego—just direct, honest feedback about professional standards. What made this feedback transformative rather than merely critical was Tom's deeper investment in McPartlin's growth. Over the following two years, he took him under his wing, teaching him the art of thoughtful, measured leadership. Tom demonstrated how to balance authority with approachability, how to make difficult decisions with grace, and how to maintain composure during crises. The mentorship wasn't comfortable, but it was precisely what McPartlin needed to evolve from a charming performer into a genuine leader. Effective feedback follows a four-step process: observe, interpret, feel, and need. Begin with a factual observation without judgment. Offer a generous interpretation that gives the person the benefit of the doubt. Express how the situation affects you emotionally. Finally, clearly state what you need going forward. This structure creates safety while ensuring your message is heard and understood. When mentoring others, remember that chemistry and mutual respect are essential. Not every pairing will work, and that's acceptable. Focus on creating psychological safety where honest conversations can occur. Share your own struggles and failures alongside your successes. The most powerful mentorship happens when both parties are willing to be vulnerable and learn from each other, creating a relationship that transforms both the mentor and the mentee.
Thriving Together: Collaboration and Conflict Management
The highest expression of leadership occurs not in individual achievement but in the ability to bring out the best in teams. This requires understanding that conflict is not something to avoid but rather a natural and necessary part of any high-performing group. The key lies in managing conflict consciously rather than letting unconscious patterns take control. McPartlin experienced this firsthand during an executive retreat with a construction company he had worked with for years. Despite careful planning and years of self-awareness training, the meeting immediately went off-script as the CEO and COO launched into an animated debate about business challenges. McPartlin's first instinct was panic—his Type 6 patterns kicked in, demanding adherence to the plan and control over the situation. He watched as other team members slipped into their own unconscious reactions: Type 8s folding their arms in frustration, the Type 1 fixating on protocol, and the Type 9 remaining diplomatically silent. The breakthrough came when McPartlin made a conscious choice to activate his inner observer. Instead of trying to force the meeting back on track, he centered himself and began watching the process unfold with curiosity rather than anxiety. What he witnessed was actually productive conflict—respectful disagreement that was moving the team toward genuine solutions. By lunchtime, the group had worked through a major organizational challenge, and everyone agreed the session had been highly successful despite abandoning the original agenda. This experience illuminated a crucial truth about collaboration: success isn't about following predetermined plans but about having the awareness to recognize what the group needs in each moment. Effective collaboration requires balancing three elements—your logical assessment of the situation, your emotional intelligence about group dynamics, and your willingness to take appropriate action even when it feels uncomfortable. To foster genuine collaboration, start by sharing your own self-awareness journey with your team. When people understand their own patterns and those of their colleagues, they can work together more effectively. Create space for different communication styles and decision-making approaches. Most importantly, model the vulnerability and authentic connection that allows teams to move beyond politeness into genuine partnership where diverse perspectives create better outcomes than any individual could achieve alone.
Summary
Leadership is not about perfection or having all the answers—it's about the courage to show up authentically and the wisdom to grow continuously. As this journey reveals, "You are fine just as you are, but being is not the same as knowing." The Enneagram doesn't change who you are; it illuminates the patterns that may be limiting your full expression and shows you a path to conscious leadership. The most transformative leaders are those who have learned to recognize their automatic reactions, pause in moments of challenge, and choose responses that serve both their goals and their relationships. Your leadership journey begins with a single step: commit to observing yourself with curiosity and compassion. Start noticing when you're operating from patterns versus your authentic core, and gradually expand your ability to access the full range of human wisdom available to you. The world needs leaders who can bridge differences, inspire growth, and create environments where everyone can thrive—and that journey starts with understanding and developing yourself.
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By Jim McPartlin
