A CASE FOR ENNEAGRAM-BASED EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT TRAININGS
Personality tests abound in the workplace. From Myers-Briggs to DISC, each has its merits but most end at basic self-discovery, offering a static snapshot of who we are and how we behave.
The Enneagram is different.
Rather than measuring personality traits, the Enneagram explores motivations - the why behind our behavior. It builds self-awareness and empathy, not through labels, but through understanding the patterns that drive us.
I like to say (paraphrasing Ian Morgan Crohn):
“The Enneagram doesn’t put you in a box — it makes you aware of the box so you can climb out.”
That awareness is powerful for individuals and transformative for teams.
Below are five invitations for corporations, agencies, teams, boards and non-profits and outcomes of bringing Enneagram-based trainings into 2026 learning and development programs.
Create a shared language to break down barriers when the stakes are high.
Workplace tension usually isn’t about what is said, but how it’s said — and how it’s received. The Enneagram gives teams a common framework to talk about stress, motivation, and collaboration without blame or defensiveness.
Instead of “You’re so controlling,” teams start saying, “I can see how your Type One drive for improvement is showing up here.”
This shared language softens conflict, builds mutual respect, and helps people focus on solving the problem rather than each other.
Nurture emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is one of the strongest predictors of leadership success and team performance. The Enneagram accelerates EQ development by helping people recognize their emotional patterns, defense mechanisms and communication triggers.
When teams understand why they react the way they do — and why others might react differently — empathy naturally follows. That leads to calmer meetings, more productive collaboration, and fewer misinterpretations.
Humanne Kind workshops facilitate conversations with team members around this in a safe way.
Transform team dynamics and office politics.
Office politics often arise when self-protection is mistaken for selfish ambition. Enneagram training helps employees and leaders notice their own patterns under stress and how those patterns impact others.
A self-aware team member is less likely to take feedback personally, more open to others’ perspectives and better equipped to adapt. Over time, with increased adoption and training around the Enneagram, this reduces friction, increases trust and makes collaboration smoother across departments and hierarchies.
Build loyalty, authentically.
Retention isn’t just about perks or pay. People stay when they feel known and when their contributions, quirks and growth are valued.
An Enneagram-based approach to team development signals that your company sees employees as full humans, not just job titles. That sense of belonging and recognition builds loyalty, engagement and resilience through change.
Create conditions for innovation.
Research consistently shows that psychological safety - the feeling that it’s safe to speak up, make mistakes and take risks - is the foundation for innovation.
When employees understand themselves and each other through the Enneagram, they’re more likely to bring fresh ideas forward without fear of judgment. Curiosity replaces criticism. Self-awareness replaces ego.
In other words: innovation thrives.
why this matters now
In the age of AI and automation, human inspiration is your brand’s greatest competitive advantage. Self-awareness, empathy, communication, and creativity can’t be outsourced or manufactured; they have to be cultivated.
Enneagram-based trainings help people do just that. They don’t just make work better - they make it more human.
bring enneagram to your team
Humanne Kind offers customized Enneagram and creativity workshops designed to help teams connect, communicate and grow together. Whether you’re looking for a one-time workshop or a full series, we create experiences that are practical, engaging and grounded in real workplace needs.
Here is a sample series of workshops, designed to help a team grow in connection and creativity:
Pre-Workshop: Testing + Typing Sessions
Workshop: Enneagram Basics Workshop
Workshop: Enneagram and Communication
Creative Practice: Facilitated Group Creativity Time
Workshop: Enneagram for Leaders
Workshop: Hands-On Project Deep-Dive (Practical Application)
If you’re ready to invest in your people and in a more emotionally intelligent culture, let’s talk. You can schedule an intro call here or complete the contact form.