Unlock Career Success with the Enneagram: Your Ultimate Guide

The Enneagram is a circle of the nine basic personality types of human nature and their behaviour. It is a useful tool for self-discovery and personal growth. It can help you understand yourself and others’ behaviour in different situations. Each of these nine types has its own way of relating to others. The Enneagram helps everyone understand that there are 9 points of view.

The Power of the Enneagram in Career Development

Here's a closer look at how you can use the Enneagram to match your type to your job and create a career that aligns with your natural abilities and interests.

Understanding Your Enneagram Type

• The Reformer (Type 1)

Reformers are driven by a strong sense of purpose and a desire to make the world a better place.  Ones are people of high standards, and they expect themselves and others to live by those standards. They are good in careers that allow them to live out of their values. They are good lawyers, judges or teachers.

• The Helper (Type 2)

Helpers are natural caregivers who enjoy working with people and making a difference in their lives. They have a desire to feel loved, to connect with others in heartfelt way. They are the most people-oriented of the Enneagram types. They focus on a relationship and feel best about themselves when helping others. They are excellent in careers that allow them to use their empathy. They are good nurses, social workers and therapists.

• The Achiever (Type 3)

Achievers are ambitious and success-oriented. Threes are the “stars” of the personality types, people of tremendous drives, ambition and belief in themselves. They want to excel, to be the best at whatever they do. Threes are good in careers that allow them to showcase their talents and earn recognition for their achievements. They are good in marketing, sales or running a business. 

• The Individualist (Type 4)

Individualists are creative and expressive; they are the most aware of their own emotional states. They may be drawn to careers in the arts, writing, or other creative fields that allow them to express their unique perspective and voice. 

• The Investigator (Type 5)

Investigators are curious and analytical, with a strong focus on knowledge and understanding. They have a desire to understand everything, to look beneath the surface of things and to arrive at deeper insights about reality. They are good scientists, engineers, technologists. They have a desire to become an expert in anything they do.

• The Loyalist (Type 6)

Loyalists are reliable, hard-working and organising. They have a desire to create a stable, safe environment, to cooperate and create with others. They are disciplined and faithful. They are good in careers that offer a sense of structure and order, such as law enforcement, finance, or military service.

• The Enthusiast (Type 7)

Enthusiasts are energetic and adventurous. They have a strong desire for freedom, new experiences and challenges. They love to travel, explore and have fun. They may be good in hospitality, entertainment, or tourism. 

• The Challenger (Type 8)

Challengers are strong-willed and confident, with a natural ability to lead and take charge.  They have a desire to be independent and to take care of oneself. They are good leaders, lawyers, politics and CEOs.

• The Peacemaker (Type 9)

Peacemakers are harmonious and easy-going, emotionally stable with a strong desire for unity and cooperation. They are good in careers that require diplomacy and conflict resolution. They are good yoga teachers, meditation teachers, customer services and diplomats.

Getting Started with Your Enneagram Career Journey 

By understanding your Enneagram type and the types of careers that align with your natural abilities and interests, you can make more informed decisions about your professional development and find greater fulfilment in your work. Remember, the Enneagram Type is not a strict set of rules, but rather a tool to help you better understand yourself and your unique strengths and weaknesses. Use it as a guide to explore new possibilities and find the path that is right for you.