The Enneagram: How it strengthens our internal relationships

More than a personality test

Every member of a successful business team brings their own unique style and perspective to the table. Some are detail-oriented perfectionists, some come out of the gate ready to take charge, and others are more reserved but always thinking two steps ahead.

At Lunne, it’s all about embracing this mix. That way, we can stay real and deliver solutions that get results. 

To foster a deeper understanding and awareness of these differences, we use the Enneagram. It’s a fun and insightful system that describes people in terms of nine distinct types, providing an overview of personal views, fears, strengths, behaviors, and motivators. What makes the Enneagram especially effective is that it highlights the behavioral patterns that influence how we think, feel, and react. It allows us to decode what’s beneath the surface—beyond the job title—and build the kind of trust that strengthens relationships and drives great work. 

Here’s a closer look at the Enneagram framework and how it allows people to show up for one another. 

Strengthening internal relationships

We all have our views and ways of doing things. And each of the nine personality types that make up the Enneagram helps us understand the why behind those feelings and actions.

Using the system, we classify ourselves according to these types: 

Type 1: The Reformer

They are perfectionists, rational, and idealistic. They want to follow the rules and do things correctly.

Type 2: The Helper

They are generous and caring and want to please others. But they can also sacrifice their own needs. 

Type 3: The Achiever
They are success-oriented and want to be admired by other people. Failure is Type 3’s biggest fear. 

Type 4: The Individualist

They are self-aware and sensitive, always looking to make personal connections.

Type 5: The Investigator

They seek understanding and knowledge and can focus on developing complex ideas and skills. 

Type 6: The Loyalist

They are dependable and hard-working; they strive to find solutions to problems. 

Type 7: The Enthusiast

They are extroverted, optimistic, and versatile. While always looking for new and exciting experiences, they can also get distracted.

Type 8: The Challenger

They are self-confident and assertive. It’s important for them to stay in control of situations and prove their strengths. 

Type 9: The Peacemaker 

They are trusting and stable. They prefer that everything go smoothly without any conflict. 

Defining these types is important because we work in a highly collaborative environment, so every new Lunne employee takes the assessment as part of the onboarding process. Not only does it help us become more self-aware, but it also allows us to get a lot more human by understanding the personalities behind all the emails, Google Meet gatherings, and online chats. 

The Enneagram is our manual for seeing what drives us and how we all operate, handle stress, and communicate. It’s our road map that helps us reach the finish line together, even through all the bumps and turns that can occur. 

For example, during a team meeting where we need to regroup to quickly rethink our strategy because of an unforeseen roadblock, it helps to know our types to support one another and reach an effective solution. We’re not going to jump to conclusions, assuming our teammate is sitting there quietly ignoring our recommendations. We know they are a Type 5 (Investigator) and need some extra time to process—they are likely brewing up a great idea. Or when someone who is a Type 3 (Achiever) comes in swinging with bold ideas and pushes for quick reactions, they aren’t trying to be bossy. We understand they are just goal-oriented and trying to develop ideas that are going to push the group toward a solution. 

The Enneagram allows us to see the bigger picture when it comes to personalities, rather than just labeling these tendencies as “quirks.” We’re better able to interpret reactions and behaviors, which makes it easier to empathize with one another. And by appreciating all our different points of view, we can help each other feel valued and open up more to share honestly. 

Supporting leadership and enhancing culture

The positive outcomes of using the Enneagram system go beyond the team level. Company leaders also use the framework to help drive their decision-making and collaboration. It’s a key component in team management. Often, these leaders are taking part in critical conversations that involve making decisions about the company, culture, and clients. In order to approach these conversations effectively, they need to be aware of their personalities, motives, behaviors, and communication styles—as well as each other’s—so they’re equipped to give and receive feedback effectively. These insights allow them to break down walls, consider personal preferences and feelings, and have productive conversations that can help lead to those beautiful “aha” moments faster. 

Understanding where each person is coming from is also a great advantage when it comes to determining effective solutions or troubleshooting. The level of self-awareness gives team members a sense of control. Depending on the situation, they’re able to lean into their strengths or press the brakes on certain traits to help maintain alignments. For example, someone who is a Type 8 (Challenger) might try to turn down the dial a bit during a brainstorm session, take a step back, and listen to understand suggestions before immediately pushing back. Or a Type 7 (Enthusiast) may be shouting out ideas left and right and realize they need to tone it down to let the team focus. By doing so, this helps make space for a Type 3 (Achiever) to streamline the discussion and propose next steps so the team can move forward productively.

This type of scenario is exactly where we see the power of the Enneagram in action. The system gives everyone permission to own and talk openly about the strengths and opportunities of each personality—making room for everyone at the table to contribute and work together to achieve shared goals.

And as the Agency of Relationships, this alignment helps us fuel our people-first culture. Here, it’s not just about making timely decisions—it’s about making space for all perspectives and building connections that foster a collaborative environment. The tone starts at the top with our leadership team, which then creates a ripple effect for how our internal teams communicate, support each other, and solve problems. But it doesn’t stop there. Our culture of empathy and partnership also flows out into our client interactions, allowing us to build stronger, trust-driven relationships that last.

Boosting productivity

The effects of the Enneagram framework don’t stop there. The tool also helps individuals discover what they need in order to grow professionally. Having such a level of self-awareness allows us to recognize our behaviors and how we respond to challenges—owning our strengths and improving our blind spots. For example, someone who is a Type 2 (Helper) may excel in collaborative environments but can also overextend themselves and say “yes” too often in an effort to please people and feel appreciated. The pitfall is that they sacrifice their own needs and can face burnout. 

By using the Enneagram, these individuals can take time to pause and reflect on (1) why they feel the need to always help others before themselves and (2) how they can set healthier boundaries and communicate for more balance.

Then they can take these insights and incorporate them into a growth plan for professional development. It helps lay out clear and actionable steps. And as a result, we get to see these individuals thrive in their roles and continue to climb the ladder—which is the most exciting part! 

On a management level, the system also helps individuals lead with empathy and tailor their process so they can stay aligned with their team or partner. For example, a Type 3 (the goal-oriented Achiever) may find it more helpful to be as concise as possible with information when they are working with their partner, who is a Type 9 (Peacemaker). And if the manager is running at full speed to meet a tight deadline, they’ll make sure to check in with their Type 9 partner throughout the process, ensuring they are sharing information appropriately while not running them over.

By taking the time to tune into these motivations and recognize what each person needs to thrive, teams work more effectively together. 

It really helps us motivate each other and set one another up for success. I may be looking at the big picture alongside a 7, but we need our 6s to ask all of the questions while our 1s are helping align the details needed to set the team up for success. By knowing these traits and gifts, we can put together the optimal team in order to garner the best results for our clients.

 

—Andrea Hubler, director, Marketing Strategy 

Why it matters 

For a business driven by collaboration and creativity, the Enneagram is more than nice to have—it’s essential. And we’ve experienced this firsthand. By using these insights at Lunne, we’re able to align our work with each of our core values: Keep it real, Drive creativity, Help others, Think it through, and Get results. This way, we can show up for each other and our clients more consistently and intentionally.

If you’re ready to take your internal relationships and development to the next level, start the Enneagram journey with your own team—and explore what possibilities these insights open up. 

We’re here to help! If you have questions about the Enneagram or want to gain some additional insights, then let’s connect and start a conversation.