Make a Big Change Using Enneagram Integration

Photo by Amir Geshani on Unsplash

As professionals navigating a dynamic world, we pivot throughout our lives and careers for a multitude of reasons. Whether you’re chasing a passion project or reacting to a series of unanticipated events, strategy and intent are crucial components of thriving through a pivot.

Once you know it’s time for you to pivot, how do you do it?

Look no further than the mirror in front of you to begin searching for the strategy and intent necessary to make big moves. Self-awareness is an essential part of a successful pivot and, utilizing the Enneagram, we’re able to practice integrating to our non-dominant types in order to find the courage, creativity, and confidence we need to carry out great change.

Once we know our dominant Enneagram type, we’re able to dive into the work of self-development by looking at the wings, the lines of stretch and release, and our levels of integration. While all of these self-development strategies can assist us through a pivot, we’ll focus on integrating to the center of the Enneagram figure as a means of letting go of our core fears and concerns.

By channeling the healthy characteristics of our non-dominant Enneagram types, we’re able to tap into the courage, creativity, and confidence imperative to our pivots.

For courage, integrate to…

Type 8 (The Active Controller)

At their healthiest, Type 8s are confident leaders with resolute direction. If you feel like you’re lacking the bravery this pivot requires, try trusting your gut and powering through.

Type 1 (The Strict Perfectionist)

Type 1s are intuitively driven toward what is right. Give yourself the gift of asking what the right move is and, through channeling Type 1, trust in the answer that comes to you.

For creativity, integrate to…

Type 7 (The Enthusiastic Visionary)

A healthy integration to Type 7 will yield positivity and excitement for the future. What possibilities excite you? What is your big picture vision for your career or your company?

Type 4 (The Intense Creative)

By channeling Type 4’s intuition for aesthetics and quality, you’ll be able to determine how your next big move is going to be unique. The more authentic and disruptive your idea is, the more successful your pivot will be.

For confidence, integrate to…

Type 3 (The Competitive Achiever)

Competent and results-driven, healthy Type 3s are the definition of confidence. By integrating to a Type 3, you’ll be able to pay attention to the small steps needed to take a big leap.

Type 6 (The Loyal Skeptic)

Get ready for a reality check through risk analysis. At their healthiest, Type 6s gain confidence in their decision-making through understanding the potential drawbacks of their pivots.

Self-awareness and self-development are ever-entwined journeys that help us live, learn, and work more strategically and with more intention. These integration strategies are not intended as a “quick fix,” but rather as a starting point for the life-long trajectory toward being the best versions of ourselves. 

Learn more about the Enneagram at integrative9.com.