Enneagram Types as PMs

3/28/24 Update - Listen to my interview on The Enneagram Effect Podcast!

I love using tools like the Enneagram to provide more insight into how people may feel, act, or make decisions. Knowing a client’s Enneagram type instantly allows me to get to know them better and understand their motivations and fears that may be impacting their journey in the hiring process. These are far too simplified to represent any one person, but these are the themes that instantly come to mind for each type.

- Project Management Office (PMO): 1s are great at creating or upholding a PMO, which sets, maintains and ensures standards for project management across an organization.
- Detail Oriented: Always run your draft by a 1! They have a keen eye for spotting inconsistencies and remembering the important details.
- Ownership: They tend to take ownership of projects they are a part of, to ensure a positive outcome for all.
- Self Critical: 1s often have a persistent inner critic, taking aim at all of their ideas and actions. Their work is largely figuring out how to not let it get the best of them.

- Altruistic: 2s help others and often put their needs in front of their own; it's not purely altruistic as they do it to gain favor, it's a relationship building strength for a PM.
- Cross-Organization: These PMs often have contacts throughout their organization and beyond, acquaintances and friends who can broaden their scope of influence.
- Booster: Enneagram 2s encourage and motivate their teammates.
- Burnout: When using all of your energy to help others, it's easy to find yourself in a state of burnout. 2s should be sure to take the time they need to keep themselves thriving and not just surviving, or exhausting themselves.

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- Achievement Oriented: Enneagram 3s thrive when working towards and accomplishing their goals, and enjoy being recognized for those achievements.
- Productive: It's rare when they don't check everything off of their to do list!
- Image Conscious: 3s are often focused on appearing a certain way to others, and sometimes that is to their own detriment if they lose sight of who they are or what they really want.
- High Energy: When one of these PMs has their goal in sight, they seemingly will not run out of energy until it's complete (and maybe not even then!).
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- Non-Conforming: These PMs don't want to blindly follow others, or be the same as everyone else, they are comfortable being different.
- High Quality: Enneagram 4s have high standards and work with their teams to create quality products for their customers.
- Purpose Driven: They know their purpose in life and in their role, which keeps them moving forward.
- Vulnerable: 4s value authenticity and are able to be vulnerable with team members, creating an atmosphere of open dialogue.

- Independent: 5s often want to complete their work alone, they may especially be annoyed in a work environment with too many meetings that are unnecessary.
- Thorough: Diving deep is an Enneagram 5's super strength; they love to gather information so they can use it later on.
- Systems Oriented: These PMs often focus and rely on processes and mechanisms. They are great at troubleshooting issues with processes and will denounce a process if it's not working for them.
- Boundaries: It's important for 5s to create boundaries to help preserve their energy, and they may naturally do so (even physically putting barriers around their workspace or putting in headphones to show everyone they're busy).

- Risk Mitigation: Enneagram 6s are great at identifying potential problems and getting ahead of them. Even if something unexpected to most happens, the 6 has probably already come up with a control plan.
- Dependable Leader: Extremely loyal and consistent, you can always count on a 6.
- Validation Seeking: Not all 6s have this quality, or you may not be able to tell, but many seek validation from their manager, other leaders, stakeholders. Always encourage a 6 that they have good judgment and to act from a place of authority. 6s may also want a mentor they can be open with and bounce ideas off of, so they don't fall victim to their inner committee or rely on their direct leadership too much.
- Devil's Advocate: It is so important to have a 6 in the room when reviewing a plan, because they will ask the right questions to improve the trajectory of the project every time. It may be annoying if their concerns don't align with the team's, but if their point is valid, it's well worth making adjustments early on in the process than finding out you should have farther down the road.

- Brainstorm Leader: Skilled at coming up with new ideas and helping others open up in Brainstorming sessions.
- Quick Learner: 7s follow what interests them and are able to rapidly learn new skills to support that.
- Optimistic: In difficult situations, a 7 PM can navigate their team to their desired outcome through using their positive attitude.
- Juggling Multiple Projects: Following their interests means 7s often juggle multiple projects at once, which will also keep them interested since they'll have a variety of things to switch between. Watch out for shiny object syndrome and make sure you're prioritizing properly!
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- Influential: Powerful and often charismatic, 8s are able to influence stakeholders, customers and leaders to move their projects forward.
- Champion: 8s typically use that influence to be the champion for their customers or those who are in need of support, pushing for what they believe is just.
- Keep it Moving: Physically and/or mentally, Enneagram 8s keep their momentum through action.
- Direct Communication: 8s have a very direct communication style, which can sometimes be misunderstood as brash by those who are less confident.

- Boost Morale: The 9 on your team is likely the one helping everyone else with their problems, coming up with team morale events, and generally trying to reduce or avoid team conflict.
- Customer Service: They work well in customer facing roles as they want to keep their customers happy at all times.
- Procrastinating: 9s may procrastinate or shift their priorities often, or may just seem like they are to others. It may be wise for them to openly communicate to others when they're shifting focus in case there are different expectations.
- Open Minded: Rarely do they shut down new ideas or opinions, they're open to fresh perspectives and welcome them in meetings.
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