Unleashing the Power of Enneagram 1 Leadership

leading as a reformer

November 6, 2024
An enneagram 1 leader

Are you a leader who is looking for ways to further develop your leadership style? Do you want to maximize the potential of your team and make sure that everyone has the tools they need to succeed?

If so, then exploring the power of enneagram 1 leadership may be just what you need. 

The Enneagram is a personality typology system that can help you understand how people interact with one another and how different personalities can lead differently. 

This ancient personality typing system can help you unlock your potential as a leader and create a more positive and productive work environment. 

In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how Enneagram 1 leaders lead differently and why it’s important for any leaders, from team leaders to small business owners, to understand. 

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How Can Leaders Use the Enneagram?

Although it is often used to gain insight into individual personalities, the Enneagram can also be used by leaders to better understand their team members and create an environment of understanding and collaboration. 

Leaders can use this system to better understand why people think and behave differently in certain situations. Through knowledge gained from using the enneagram, leaders can equip themselves with better communication tools to foster stronger relationships with their teams. 

When leaders have greater insights into their own personalities and those of their team members, it allows them to build collaborative working relationships wherein each member brings unique talents and perspectives that support each other’s strengths

This helps create an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best work while also being able to openly share ideas without fear of criticism or judgment

How Enneagram 1 Leaders Lead Differently. 

The Enneagram 1 is one of nine types within the enneagram system.

People with this type are known for their strong sense of responsibility, purpose, and perfectionism. They are often highly organized and goal-oriented, with an eye on achieving excellence in all that they do. As leaders, enneagram type 1s can bring an intense focus on completing tasks quickly and efficiently. 

Enneagram 1 leaders have a strong sense of justice and are driven by their ideals. They tend to be highly organized, logical, and principled in their work. As such, they often have very high standards for themselves and their teams. 

Leading as an enneagram 1 has its strengths and weaknesses.

Enneagram 1 Leadership Strengths

At their best, enneagram 1s make excellent leaders who inspire others to do their best work. 

They can be role models for their teams by setting high standards for themselves and others. They also tend to have strong decision-making skills, which enable them to move quickly in times of crisis or when making important decisions that will affect the entire organization. 

Enneagram 1s tend to have strong communication skills, which makes them excellent facilitators in group settings. They listen well and value open dialogue where all perspectives are heard and respected. 

This kind of leadership style allows them to foster collaboration amongst their teams while also keeping everyone accountable for achieving shared goals together. 

Their high standards enable them to complete tasks efficiently, effectively and with high quality. But the desire for perfectionism can also lead to their weaknesses. 

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Enneagram 1 Leadership Weaknesses

Enneagram 1s can sometimes be too focused on perfectionism at the expense of creativity or collaboration. It’s important to remember that no one is perfect - even those with type 1! 

If unchecked, this pursuit of perfectionism can create an atmosphere or cause tension among team members who don’t feel like they measure up. Team members may begin overworking or being too hard on themselves or others when mistakes happen. 

Because of this tendency, Enneagram 1 leaders should strive to find a balance between striving for excellence while still allowing space for creativity and learning from mistakes along the way.  

To avoid becoming too rigid or inflexible in their approach to leading a team, it’s important for enneagram type 1s to recognize when it’s time to step back and listen to different perspectives from other members of the team before reaching a conclusion.  

Enneagram type 1 leadership is all about balance – balancing your own expectations with those of your team members while striving for excellence in all areas. 

By understanding how your own personality type affects your approach to leading others, you’ll be better equipped to lead confidently and bring out the best in everyone around you. Unlocking the power of enneagram type 1 leadership could be just what you need to take your team – and yourself – to new heights!

The enneagram is an invaluable tool when it comes to understanding your own leadership style as well as those of your team members. Understanding how different personalities lead differently can help team leaders maximize the potential of their teams while also creating an environment where everyone feels respected and valued regardless of their individual differences. 

Action Plan

By understanding how Enneagram 1s lead differently, you can use these insights as starting points for further developing your own leadership style as well as those of your teams in order to create successful businesses with lasting impact!

Are you ready to level up your leadership?

Here are a few resources for your to explore in your leadership journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Team Leadership

What is team leadership?

Team leadership is a management approach focused on leading and guiding a group of individuals working together towards a common goal. A team leader is responsible for providing direction, support, and guidance to the team members, while fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Team leadership involves setting clear goals and expectations for the team, communicating effectively, and building trust and relationships with team members. It also involves empowering team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their unique skills and perspectives to the team's success.

Some key characteristics of effective team leadership include:

  1. Communication: Team leaders communicate clearly and effectively with their team members, keeping them informed about goals, expectations, and progress.
  2. Vision and strategy: Effective team leaders have a clear vision for what they want to achieve and a strategy for how to get there, while also being flexible and adaptable when necessary.
  3. Empowerment: Good team leaders empower their team members to make decisions and take ownership of their work, while also providing support and guidance as needed.
  4. Trust-building: Team leaders build trust and strong relationships with their team members, creating a positive and productive work environment.
  5. Results-oriented: Finally, effective team leaders are results-oriented, focusing on achieving goals and driving performance while also valuing the well-being and development of their team members.

Overall, team leadership is a collaborative and empowering approach to management that values communication, trust-building, and results-driven performance.

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What are the different styles of team leadership?

There are several different styles of team leadership, including:

  1. Democratic leadership: In this style, the leader encourages open communication and participation from all team members in decision-making processes.
  2. Autocratic leadership: This style involves the leader making decisions and taking control over the team's direction, often with little input from team members.
  3. Transformational leadership: This style focuses on inspiring and motivating team members to achieve their full potential, often by setting a clear vision and communicating goals effectively.
  4. Servant leadership: A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their team members, focusing on serving and empowering them to achieve their goals.
  5. Laissez-faire leadership: In this style, the leader provides minimal guidance or direction, allowing team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions independently.
  6. Transactional leadership: This style involves setting clear goals and expectations for team members and providing rewards or discipline based on performance.
  7. Situational leadership: This approach involves adapting one's leadership style to fit the specific situation or needs of the team at any given time.

Overall, each style of team leadership has its own strengths and weaknesses, and effective leaders may use a combination of different styles depending on the situation and the needs of their team.

Learn more about leadership.

What are the different skills required for team leadership?

There are several key skills required for effective team leadership, including:

  1. Clear: Team leaders must be to communicate effectively with their team members, setting clear expectations and goals, providing feedback, and keeping everyone informed about progress and changes.
  2. Active listening: Leaders need to be able to listen actively to their team members, hear their concerns, ideas, and suggestions, and work collaboratively to find solutions.
  3. Empathy: Good team leaders value empathy, recognizing and understanding the perspectives of their team members, and working to build trust and strong relationships
  4. Decision-making: Leaders must be able to make informed decisions based on available information and input from team members, while also being decisive when necessary.
  5. Problem-solving: Effective team leaders must be able to identify and solve problems that arise within the team, working collaboratively to find creative and effective solutions.
  6. Motivation and empowerment: Leaders must be able to motivate and empower their team members to take ownership of their work, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential.
  7. Delegation and management: Team leaders must be able to delegate tasks effectively, manage resources and timelines, and oversee the work of the team to ensure quality and efficiency.

Overall, effective team leadership requires a combination of interpersonal, decision-making, and management skills, as well as the ability to inspire and empower team members to work collaboratively towards shared goals.

Learn more about leadership.

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

Servant Leadership

What is servant leadership?

Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy and management style that emphasizes the importance of serving others first before considering one's own needs and desires. It's an approach to leadership that focuses on the well-being and growth of others, rather than solely on achieving organizational goals.

A servant leader prioritizes the needs of their followers or team members, providing them with support, guidance, and mentorship. They are committed to empowering their team members to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.

Some common characteristics of servant leaders include:

  1. Empathy: Servant leaders value empathy, placing themselves in the shoes of their followers to better understand their needs and motivations.
  2. Listening: They are active listeners, taking the time to listen to their followers' concerns, feedback, and ideas.
  3. Commitment to development: Servant leaders prioritize the growth and development of their followers, providing opportunities for learning and development.
  4. Humility: They recognize their own limitations and seek input from others to make informed decisions.
  5. Stewardship: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, working to create a positive impact for all stakeholders.

Overall, servant leadership is about creating a supportive and empowering environment for others to thrive. By prioritizing the needs of their followers, a servant leader can inspire trust, loyalty, and commitment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How can servant leadership be beneficial in the workplace?

Servant leadership can be beneficial in the workplace in a number of ways, including:

  1. Improved employee engagement and job satisfaction: When employees feel supported, valued, and empowered by their leaders, they tend to be more engaged and satisfied with their work.
  2. Increased collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize communication, collaboration, and trust-building, which can lead to stronger relationships and more effective teamwork.
  3. Higher levels of productivity and innovation: When leaders empower their team members to take ownership of their work and contribute their ideas, it can lead to higher levels of productivity and innovation.
  4. Reduced turnover and absenteeism: Employees who feel supported and valued are less likely to leave their jobs or call in sick, leading to reduced turnover and absenteeism rates.
  5. Improved organizational culture: Servant leadership can create a positive organizational culture that values growth, development, and well-being for all stakeholders, which can lead to improved morale and outcomes.

Overall, servant leadership can lead to a more positive, productive, and fulfilling workplace environment, benefiting both employees and the organization as a whole.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

How does servant leadership differ from other leadership styles?

Servant leadership differs from many other leadership styles in several key ways:

  1. Focus on serving others: Servant leaders prioritize the needs and well-being of their followers over their own interests, while many other leadership styles focus more on achieving organizational goals.
  2. Empathy and listening skills: Servant leaders value empathy and active listening skills to better understand the needs and perspectives of their followers, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on asserting authority or making decisions without input from others.
  3. Collaboration and teamwork: Servant leaders prioritize collaboration and teamwork, seeking to empower and develop their followers to achieve their full potential, while other leadership styles may be more focused on competition or individual achievement.
  4. Humility and accountability: Servant leaders view themselves as stewards of their organization, prioritizing the well-being of all stakeholders and taking responsibility for their decisions, while some other leadership styles may be more focused on personal ambition or avoiding blame.

Overall, servant leadership is characterized by a focus on serving others, prioritizing empathy and collaboration, and taking a humble and accountable approach to leadership. While other leadership styles may be effective in different contexts, servant leadership can be a powerful tool for creating positive change and empowering others to reach their full potential.

Learn more about how to cultivate servant leadership.

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