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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Enneagram at Work summary
Jim McPartlin with Anna Akbari
Unlocking the Power of Type to Lead and Succeed
27 mins
Brief summary
The Enneagram at Work by Jim McPartlin with Anna Akbari is a guidebook that helps readers leverage their Enneagram type to better understand their strengths, weaknesses, and interpersonal dynamics at work. It provides actionable insights for better communication, teamwork, and personal growth.
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The Enneagram at Work
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
The Enneagram can help you capitalize on your strengths and chuck your weaknesses.
The Enneagram isn’t a new concept. It first appeared 2,500 years ago and has been linked to mystical and religious practices like Sufism and Christianity throughout the ages. In the twentieth century, the enigmatic model was updated with modern psychological terms – and it shot into public consciousness.
What was once considered “woo-woo” by some is now firmly embedded in mainstream practice. The Enneagram is often used to resolve workplace conflicts and marital troubles. And companies like Chanel, Geico, and Best Buy have integrated the Enneagram into their corporate culture to strengthen employees’ personal performance and interpersonal dynamics.
The key message here is: The Enneagram can help you capitalize on your strengths and chuck your weaknesses.
As a leader, possessing an awareness of assets and blind spots – both in terms of yourself and your colleagues – is invaluable. Knowing what makes you and the people around you tick and, conversely, stall is an invisible superpower that can boost trust, morale, productivity, and profit.
The Enneagram provides a springboard for cultivating that awareness. A geometric model of the human psyche, it outlines patterns in how people understand and navigate the world. What it won’t do is try to fix you. In fact, the Enneagram’s underlying message is that you’re fine just as you are.
But being doesn’t equal knowing. While the Enneagram won’t try to alter your core, it’ll reveal your behavioral patterns and help you build on the strengths that benefit you while demonstrating how to release those patterns that don’t.
That said, change won’t come easy. If you’re like most people, you’re probably very attached to your behavioral patterns. They’re comfortable and familiar, even when they’re hurting you. Because of this, trying to break free of them is difficult.
As you work on shedding ingrained habits and behaviors to reveal your true core, you may be met with resistance – both internal and external. But by gaining a comprehensive understanding of who you truly are, what motivates you, and how you connect with your peers, you will grow and evolve.
Self-acceptance is key – acknowledging that this is where I am and committing to this is what I’m working toward. Practicing patience is also essential. By taking things slow and being open about your process with yourself and those around you, you’ll have a better chance at achieving the behavioral metamorphosis you’re striving toward.
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What is The Enneagram at Work about?
The Enneagram at Work (2021) reveals how applying the Enneagram – an emotional intelligence metric – can elevate leadership in the modern workplace. It explores the different Enneagram types and shows how tapping into self-awareness can make teams stronger and spark innovative solutions. From managing conflict and building mentorships to giving and receiving criticism, it provides the tools to foster personal growth and long-lasting success in the office.
The Enneagram at Work Review
The Enneagram at Work (2021) is a comprehensive guide that explores how the Enneagram personality system can be applied in the workplace. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:
- It offers practical advice on how to understand yourself and others better, leading to improved communication and collaboration in professional settings.
- The book provides real-life examples and case studies that illustrate how different Enneagram types function in the workplace, making it highly relatable and applicable.
- With its insightful insights into how the Enneagram can be used for personal and professional growth, it keeps readers engaged and sparks curiosity throughout.
Who should read The Enneagram at Work?
- Would-be collaborators who want to better understand themselves and others
- Individuals seeking awareness of their strengths and blindspots in the workplace
- Go-getters who want to build stronger teams and become more effective leaders
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The Enneagram at Work FAQs
What is the main message of The Enneagram at Work?
The main message of The Enneagram at Work is to understand yourself and others better using the Enneagram framework.
How long does it take to read The Enneagram at Work?
The reading time for The Enneagram at Work varies, but a typical reading would take a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Enneagram at Work a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Enneagram at Work is worth reading as it provides insights into personality types in the workplace and offers practical tips for personal and professional growth.
Who is the author of The Enneagram at Work?
Jim McPartlin with Anna Akbari are the authors of The Enneagram at Work.
What to read after The Enneagram at Work?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Enneagram at Work, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Executive Presence by Sylvia Ann Hewlett
- The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile
- The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte
- Impact Players by Liz Wiseman
- Conversations Worth Having by Jackie Stavros and Cheri Torres
- The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile
- Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter
- Managing Up by Mary Abbajay
- Unfu*k Yourself by Gary John Bishop
- How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job by Dale Carnegie