The 9 Types of Leadership: Mastering the Art of People in the 21st Century Workplace

by Beatrice Chestnut

The 9 Types of Leadership demonstrates how to solve people problems on the job in a quick, efficient and satisfying way through understanding personality patterns and motivations. In the past few years, mindfulness and other approaches to self-awareness have begun to transform the American workplace. But while it is increasingly widely accepted in the business world that the most direct route to success lies in adopting practices that actively promote a leader’s self-awareness, social skill, and emotional intelligence, the best and most efficient path to developing a more conscious workforce often remains unclear. The 9 Types of Leadership provides a pathway to greater self-awareness and social skillfulness. It will help you orient yourself when you get caught up in people problems that you don’t know how to work your way out of. By providing extremely detailed and accurate descriptions of nine recognizable personalities, The 9 Types of Leadership is an unmatched tool for business people to use to decode the mysteries involved in understanding why people do what they do, why we have conflicts with some people but not others and how we can become aware of our blind spots. Most importantly, it can help leaders know themselves in a deeper way so they can more effectively lead others.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Business, Psychology, Self Help, Personal Development, Professional Development

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Ashik Uzzaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today I finished "The 9 Types of Leadership: Mastering the Art of People in the 21st Century Workplace" by Beatrice Chestnut. In this book, the author talks about Enneagram and how it is relevant to leadership styles. The Enneagram is a system of nine personality types combining traditional wisdom with modern psychology - a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and the people in our lives - with three major applications:
* Personal and spiritual growth
* Successful relationships at home and at work
* Leadership development, team building and communication skills for business

This nine-pointed diagram (Ennea is Greek for nine) has apparently been used for centuries in esoteric Christian and Sufi traditions as a map of human consciousness and archetypes. The other alternatives to Enneagram model are Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Big 5 and DiSC.

I first came to know about Enneagram a decade ago when Todd Pierce joined Salesforce as an EVP and introduced it to all of us. In this book, the author talks about how he learned it from an Executive Coach while he was at Genentech and subsequently carried it to Salesforce and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. My personality style looks to be Type 3 based on a few tests I went through.

The Enneagram describes three centers of intelligence and perception: Head, Heart and Body. While every individual has all three of these centers, each of the nine personality types has a particular strength in one of them.

* The Intellectual Center: using the mind for language and rational thinking, ideas and images, plans and strategies. Located in the head. Type 5, 6 and 7 predominantly use this.
* The Emotional Center: using the heart for positive and negative feelings, empathy and concern for others, romance and devotion. Located in the area of the chest and diaphragm. Type 2, 3 and 4 predominantly use this.
* The Instinctual Center: using the body for movement, sensate awareness, gut-level knowing, personal security and social belonging. Type 1, 8 and 9 predominantly use this.

In this book, the author not only talks about these 9 personality types but also goes in detail about how each of these types has 3 different inclinations - self-preservation, social and one-to-one. That makes the total number of Enneagram subtypes to 27. However, she doesn't touch on the concept of wings in this book.

* Enneagram Type 1 – The Perfectionist

Core Desire: To be right / to be good
Core Fear: Being wrong / being bad
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to make mistakes”
Possible wings: 9 and/or 2
Stress Number: In stress, 1’s take on the negative traits of type 4
Growth Number: In growth, 1’s take on the positive traits of type 7
Center of Intelligence: Gut / Instinctual Triad
Description: Type 1’s are honest, dedicated, self-disciplined, responsible, and ethical when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 1’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be critical, rigid, judgmental, resentful, and inflexible.

* Enneagram Type 2 – The Helper

Core Desire: To be loved / to be wanted
Core Fear: Being unloved / being unwanted
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to have your own needs.”
Possible wings: 1 and/or 3
Stress Number: In stress, 2’s take on the negative traits of type 8
Growth Number: In growth, 2’s take on the positive traits of type 4
Center of Intelligence: Heart / Feeling Triad
Description: Type 2’s are selfless, warm, friendly, generous, intuitive, and giving when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 2’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be prideful, martyr-ish, insecure, possessive, flattering, and demanding.

* Enneagram Type 3 – The Achiever

Core Desire: To be valuable / to be admired
Core Fear: Not being valuable / not being admired / failing
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to have your own feelings or identity”
Possible wings: 2 and/or 4
Stress Number: In stress, 3’s take on the negative traits of type 9
Growth Number: In growth, 3’s take on the positive traits of type 6
Center of Intelligence: Heart / Feeling Triad
Description: Type 3’s are confident, efficient, energetic, hard-working, and optimistic when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 3’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be inauthentic, workaholics, self-promoting, impatient, validation needy, and vain.

* Enneagram Type 4 – The Individualist

Core Desire: To be authentic / to be uniquely themselves
Core Fear: Not having an identity / having no significance
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to be too much (or too little)”
Possible wings: 3 and/or 5
Stress Number: In stress, 4’s take on the negative traits of type 2
Growth Number: In growth, 4’s take on the positive traits of type 1
Center of Intelligence: Heart / Feeling Triad
Description: Type 4’s are authentic, creative, expressive, introspective, and compassionate when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 4’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be moody, stubborn, temperamental, withdrawn, and depressed.

* Enneagram Type 5 – The Observer

Core Desire: To be capable / to be competent
Core Fear: Being incapable / being incompetent
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to be comfortable in the world”
Possible wings: 4 and/or 6
Stress Number: In stress, 5’s take on the negative traits of 7
Growth Number: In growth, 5’s take on the positive traits of 8
Center of Intelligence: Head / Thinking Triad
Description: Type 5’s are observant, objective, insightful, independent, and calm when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 5’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be withdrawing, arrogant, cynical, indifferent, and distant.

* Enneagram Type 6 – The Loyalist

Core Desire: To be secure / to be supported
Core Fear: Being without support / being without guidance / insecurity
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to trust yourself.”
Possible wings: 5 and/or 7
Stress Number: In stress, 6’s take on the negative traits of 3
Growth Number: In growth, 6’s take on the positive traits of 9
Center of Intelligence: Head / Thinking Triad
Description: Type 6’s are loyal, witty, committed, prepared, responsible, trouble-shooters, and supportive when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 6’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be anxious, rigid, paranoid, pessimistic, and hyper-vigilant.

* Enneagram Type 7 – The Enthusiast

Core Desire: To be content / to be satisfied
Core Fear: Being deprived / being trapped in pain (typically emotional)
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to depend on anyone for anything.”
Possible wings: 6 and/or 8
Stress Number: In stress, 7’s take on the negative traits of 1
Growth Number: In growth, 7’s take on the positive traits of 5
Center of Intelligence: Head / Thinking Triad
Description: Type 7’s are adventurous, imaginative, enthusiastic, spontaneous, and positive when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 7’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be unfocused, superficial, restless, impulsive, escapist, and self-absorbed.

* Enneagram Type 8 – The Challenger

Core Desire: To be independent / to protect themselves
Core Fear: Being controlled / being harmed
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to be vulnerable.”
Possible wings: 7 and/or 9
Stress Number: In stress, 8’s take on the negative traits of 5
Growth Number: In growth, 8’s take on the positive traits of 2
Center of Intelligence: Gut / Instinctual Triad
Description: Type 8’s are protective, energetic, decisive, loyal, resilient, and direct when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 8’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be insensitive, manipulative, controlling, intimidating, rebellious, and confrontational.

* Enneagram Type 9 – The Peacekeeper

Core Desire: To be at peace / to be harmonious
Core Fear: separation / loss of conflict / conflict
Wounding Message: “It’s not ok to assert yourself.”
Possible wings: 8 and/or 1
Stress Number: In stress, 9’s take on the negative traits of 6
Growth Number: In growth, 9’s take on the positive traits of 3
Center of Intelligence: Gut / Instinctual Triad
Description: Type 9’s are amiable, open-minded, optimistic, nonjudgmental, supportive, and peaceful when at their best and living in healthy levels. When 9’s are in unhealthy levels, stressed, or not at their best they can be conflict-avoidant, indecisive, unassertive, passive-aggressive, stubborn, and insecure.

Source: http://www.dragon-bishop.com/2021/01/...

[Sarah Ronk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved her other enneagram book. This was a helpful business/corporate read, I’d recommend it. Even my 9 husband (who’s not terribly into all things enneagram) was highly interested to read it.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike most leadership books I've read recently, this one forces serious self-reflection using the Enneagram test. I really enjoyed it! It allowed me to identify areas of improvement that work for my own method of approaching problems (and the accuracy in this book is phenomenal--I know most personality tests feel vague and like horoscopes but when you read about your type, you know it's your type). I also really enjoyed using it to reflect on how I can better work with those around me who approach problems differently and have different values than me. Yes, I know everyone sees the world different--but this book gives a framework for how to work with people based on how they see it! And that is very helpful. As a "type 1" who enjoys structure and planning, this book gave me great insight on how to work with my more free-form and less deadline-oriented "type 7" manager.

I highly recommend, even if you only pick it up to read the chapter that applies to you. A fantastic self-reflection tool masquerading as a leadership book.

[Jenai Auman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love The 9 Types of Leadership , and I love the ways in which Beatrice Chestnut addresses the Enneagram as a tool.

This particular book is chockful of information, but it may not cover every aspect of the theories of the Enneagram. For that, I believe Chestnut's other book, The Complete Enneagram is a great book to keep alongside this one.

I understand the aversion people have to any form of labeling. It can be an excuse for dismissiveness and minimizing at best and, it is dehumanizing at worst. I really appreciate that Chestnut addresses the ethics of the Enneagram, discouraging others from wielding this newly found information as a weapon with ammunition to attack or blame others, but instead, encouraging individuals on how they perceive the world differently through the development of their life and their experiences. It gives us the language we need to appreciate the journeys and perspectives of others as well, though they may be markedly different from our own.

This book in particular addresses how the Enneagram can be utilized when engaging with others in the workplace. It helps people to become self-aware and more mindful when engaging in collaborative work. Whether you are interested in either organizational psychology or in increasing the value and quality of work and workplace relations, this book is well worth your time.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work from home: writing, painting, doing orders for Etsy--but I used to work as a librarian and really enjoyed it--until I had an assistant. As a type 5, I enjoyed my solitude, research time and drama-free environment, and I really didn't like having an assistant at all. To be honest, I preferred just doing more work myself than having to have dozens of small conversations all day about what had to be done.

I picked this book out mostly b/c I love Chestnut's YouTube videos on the enneagram, and I feel like she's the best enneagram teacher out there. As a 5, I related when Chestnut said that 5's usually grew up in a household where there was either some emotional neglect or too much emotional drama--so 5's tend to want to retreat more often and work alone. I also relate to the 1-to-1 type 5, and find that Chestnut's breakdown of each type into categories (different than other enneagram teachers who go into the type's wings) is more helpful, accurate and descriptively detailed.

This book was free with an Audible subscription, which was pretty awesome;)

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is an Enneagram primer for the workplace, so it reads like the transcript of a professional workshop. I've found the Enneagram itself to be very helpful, and this book would be a great introduction to the tool in a more corporate setting. But I could've predicted many of the principles espoused in the book (Sevens look on the bright side of obstacles!) and some of the personal stories read like testimonials to bring in an Enneagram workshop into the reader's own business.

If you are new to the Enneagram, and you want to see results in your interpersonal business relationships, this is the book for you. If you are familiar with the Enneagram already, much of this book will reinforce what you might discover elsewhere.

[Alex Bulankou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would recommend to only read (or listen to) this book if you like personality psychology and somehow haven't heard about Enneagram before. I didn't and it was a great introduction and given the Enneagram connection with antiquity, Odysseus' journey and Christian deadly sins, I became very curious and immediately proceeded to classify everyone I know into one of Enneagram types. If you are familiar with Enneagram already, don't bother with this book, it reads like a work seminar manual and there's nothing more than what many website already provide on the subject.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical, workplace addition to the Enneagram canon of self-help guides. This edition by Chestnut has all the well-structured advice and analysis of her previous work, with the added benefit of providing a few practicable strategies for getting along with colleagues based on Enneagram principles.

I did notice that in the epilogue all of the people quoted were type 8s, 3s, 9s, or 4s - and some referred to other 7s. It just goes to show that leadership really is the domain of particular personality types.

[Damir Odobasic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not first and not the last book to cover Enneagram and its characteristics just one thing is that I expected something else just from reading the title. Anyway it is all so well-connected with Enneagram and this book could have a range of different titles which will still work.



Bottom line, content is good and informational to give you a glimpse on different types of personalities. When you finish it you will still not be sure which one of them are you, at least I am not. So the future exploration awaits...

[Youmna Gebril · Rating 5 out of 5]

We know that we're all different. However, we don't seem to be able to spot the differences easily and communicate or take actions accordingly. This book definitely helps to identify personalities either of others or our own and provides a guideline for better connections that are supposed to save us a lot of time, effort and drama. I loved the book and the Enneagram concept and yes I believe that understanding these concepts will not only help in minimizing conflicts in the workplace, but life in general. Definitely added to my Favorites shelf.

[Roy Van Den Brande · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's just another deterministic personality type (Eneagram) book. Each chapter describes one of the 9 Types, with 3 subsets each. And even though she writes in the opening chapter that we all have a dominant type but it doesn't mean we can't have traits from others, it's still an oversimplification in one way and sometimes a very vague or general book in another way (eg one of the might try to avoid pain. I don't know, but I think that's just the human condition. It wasn't avoid risk, but pain).

I've been hard on some of those books in the past, and have to be hard on this one too.

[Justin Heap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant application of the Enneagram from one of the very best, articulated folks in the entire field. Applicable to a variety of environments, too! Note: this book doesn't aim to discuss Wings and/or much of the therapeutic tangents normally related to the tool –it's just not within the scope.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best "enneagram for business" book I've read so far. There's great information about how each style shows up as a leader and points out blind spots. The bullet lists of how to work with each style and what to do when your manager or direct reports are a certain type opens the way to more effective communications and overall healthy organizational development.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not very often you find a book that has a chapter that can describe your better than you can describe yourself. It turns out I’m a Type 1 on the Enneagram of Personality chart, who knew?

I recommend this to anyone who is not familiar with the Enneagram model and enjoys psychology or learning more about their self.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good enneagram book with an emphasis on using enneagram insights in the workplace. Not particularly entertaining, this reads more like a business book without a lot of fluff. Thorough and thoughtful, it provides a large amount of in-depth information in an easy to follow format. A very worthwhile read.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an insight book! The Enneagram has been life changing for me and this book really deep dives into each type. It provides insight for Enneagram understanding for use in the professional world but also teaches you so much about yourself and others in ways that would help you in personal relationships too.

[Sandy Skrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A group of leaders at work took the evaluation first, then we met several times to talk about each our our Enneagram and also reading this book along the way. Much more true for me than DISC or Meyers and Briggs - my type rings very true with this style. It also helped me with my personal relationships. I have both the hard copy and the audio book. Enjoyed both. Highly recommend.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It explains the Endogram of leadership styles.
The Perfectionist
The Helper
The Achiever
The Romantic
The Observer
The Questioner
The Adventurer
The Asserter
The Peacemaker

It takes all times to make a Team in the work place run proficiently.

[Mara Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I listened and used the paperback to take notes. This book is one of the most tangible resources I've found on descriptions on how the types show up at work. If you love and use the enneagram, get this book.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent observations
25% content
75% repetition

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best Enneagram book I've read so far dealing with work and vocational contexts and issues.

[Jonathan Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for business

This is not the best book I have read about the enneagram. however this was a great fresh perspective from a business point of view.

[John Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little disappointed in this one. Maybe the print version would be better. Didn’t feel like I got
Much additional insight but maybe I need a concrete example to apply the concepts to.

[Pablo Gómez]

NA

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid enneagram resource to better learn how to lead from your own number. Chestnut also gives practical advise on how to empower and work alongside people of other numbers.

[John Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Interesting book on enneagrams. Need to take a test and then reread the sections that I score into. More to come.

[Bre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likely best used as a desk reference. Highly repetitive but valuable information.

[Damien Faughnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is simply the best book about the Enneagram and leadership.
I use it as a reference book and not a week goes by that I don't refer to it.

[Raelle Rey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is mostly about personality styles based on enneagram. Sometimes it can be awkward as a woman to ask coworkers what their personality type is because they think you're flirting with them.

[Allison Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Enneagram books I've read!