An Ennea-What????
Hard to say, but easy to understand, an Enneagram is a personality typing system that describes how people see the world and manage their emotions. There are nine personality types mapped out on a diagram that helps show how each type relates to another. The diagram makes it possible to explain why people behave in certain ways by describing their basic personality and how it adapts and responds to positive and negative situations. It also encourages personal and professional development, and helps others understand the subject.
Enneagram personality tests are most commonly used for personal self-knowledge; helping us understand how we deal with conflict resolution, team dynamics, and emotional intelligence. We thought it would be a good idea to have each member of ANDERSON take the Enneagram personality test to get a better understanding of each team member and what makes us tick! Check it out.
The Boss Man
Let’s kick things off with the head honcho, ANDERSON President and CEO, Ted Anderson. Ted is The Enchanter. Enchanters enjoy setting ambitious goals and completing them, as 3w2 personalities are known for seeking accomplishment. They can also be very encouraging, but have a fear of being rejected.
| 3w2 Strengths | 3w2 Weaknesses |
| Dedication to achieving their goals | Heavily focused on social image |
| Naturally self-confident and self-aware | Struggles to accept failure from others |
| Ability to easily connect with others | Can be overly competitive or possessive |
| Care deeply for their community | Tendency to be unintentionally manipulative |
| Being efficient in the workplace |
The Account Team
Our Director of Account Services, Adri, is The Guardian. Guardians often seek support and guidance, but are also incredibly hard-working and intellectual. They also tend to fear losing their stability, and will project their feelings onto others.
| 6w5 Strengths | 6w5 Weaknesses |
| Solving problems practically and efficiently | Struggles to control negative thinking |
| Focuses on specifics and details | Tendency to withdraw from others |
| Ability to work well and independently | Difficulty expressing their own emotions |
| Passion for pursuing knowledge | Being perceived as cold or aloof |
Next up we have our Account Coordinator, Chelsea, or should we say, The Enchanter. The second one of the team, Enchanters can be encouraging and enjoy setting very high goals for themselves, as they also seek success and accomplishment. But while looking for success, there comes a fear of being rejected or unworthy.
| 3w2 Strengths | 3w2 Weaknesses |
| Dedication to achieving their goals | Heavily focused on social image |
| Naturally self-confident and self-aware | Struggles to accept failure from others |
| Ability to easily connect with others | Can be overly competitive or possessive |
| Care deeply for their community | Tendency to be unintentionally manipulative |
| Being efficient in the workplace |
Finally on the Account team, our Social Media Coordinator, and The Host, Alyssa. Hosts understand and attend to the needs of others, while also repressing their own negative emotions. 2w3’s seek acceptance and a feeling of accomplishment and enjoy group settings, however this causes them to be particular about being disliked or undervalued.
| 2w3 Strengths | 2w3 Weaknesses |
| Optimistic world-view and upbeat attitude | Tendency to be overly competitive or obsessive |
| Building deep, personal connections | Not acknowledging their own needs |
| Being adaptable in stressful situations | Taking criticism personally |
| Communicates clearly and effectively | Criticizing themselves and others when under pressure. |
| Has a passion for serving others |
The Media Team
Now onto the Media team! Laura, the Director of Media Services, is also The Enchanter! Just in case you forgot already, Enchanters set high goals for themselves, and seek out success and accomplishment. They can be very encouraging, but also have a fear of being rejected or unworthy.
| 3w2 Strengths | 3w2 Weaknesses |
| Dedication to achieving their goals | Heavily focused on social image |
| Naturally self-confident and self-aware | Struggles to accept failure from others |
| Ability to easily connect with others | Can be overly competitive or possessive |
| Care deeply for their community | Tendency to be unintentionally manipulative |
| Being efficient in the workplace |
Austin, our Digital Media Specialist, got the 2w1 Enneagram, otherwise known as The Companion. Companions are known as the loyal Enneagram, and it’s clear why. These people easily recognize the feelings and needs of others, while also desiring their own love and acceptance. They are incredibly loyal and aim to serve those around them. However, this leads to the suppression of emotions and desires.
| 2w1 Strengths | 2w1 Weaknesses |
| Recognizing the needs of others | Being highly self-critical or insecure in trying times |
| Awareness of their own growth areas | Seeking praise from others |
| Focusing and giving attention to present tasks | Ignoring and sacrificing their own personal needs |
| Offering support and encouragement | Difficulty facing criticism from other people |
The Creative Team
Last but not least, the Creative team. Specifically, the office Peacekeeper, ANDERSON Creative Director, Aaron. Peacekeepers are exactly what they sound like. These people avoid conflict to the best of their possible ability and seek peace and harmony not only with others, but with themselves. The opposite of that, though, 9’s also tend to fear loss and separation, causing them to try to ignore the issue or numb themselves to fix a problem.
| 9 Strengths | 9 Weaknesses |
| Ability to see multiple perspectives | Difficulty facing personal conflict with others |
| Remaining calm and adaptable | Tendency to minimize problems |
| Supporting and reassuring those around them | Avoiding difficult or upsetting situations |
| Mediating conflict between others | Being passive aggressive rather than addressing conflict |
| Being open minded and suspended judgement |
Project Manager, Emily, is up next, so let’s learn a little bit more about the company Caregiver. 2’s on the Enneagram chart can easily understand the needs of those around them and attend to those needs. They can however hide their own emotions and obtain a fear of being unwanted or disliked.
| 2 Strengths | 2 Weaknesses |
| Supporting and encouraging those around them | Seeking and needing approval from others |
| Ability to naturally recognize the needs of others | Being perceived as overbearing at times |
| Warm, loving, positive attitude | Difficulty recognizing and acknowledging their own needs |
| Persistence and dedication to the tasks at hand | Disliking or being easily offended by criticism |
| Drive to get to know other people |
We were going to write out a summary for Motion Graphics and Video Editor, Justin, but his Enneagram was INCONCLUSIVE. This is not a bad thing by any means! It just indicates that he had very close scoring between the types.
Last but not least, ANDERSON’s Graphic Designer Allie is The Opportunist, or a 7w8. This Enneagram personality type tends to be enthusiastic, determined, and protective. Generally, they tend to be more tough and work-oriented. Opportunists do not like to miss out on—you guessed it—opportunities. People with this type love the company of others and enjoy seeking opportunity and experience, but they can also justify negative actions and feelings.
| 3 Strengths | 3 Weaknesses |
| Staying high-energy and positive | Being perceived as impatient and blunt |
| Natural self-confidence and charisma | Focusing too heavily on career |
| Ability to assert themselves | Difficulty following through on plans |
| Remaining calm in situations of crisis | Tendency to focus on material items |
That’s It
In the end, we have a mixture of personalities in the ANDERSON office. Knowing things like each other’s Enneagrams can help promote a positive workplace, and let’s face it, it’s fun learning new things about yourself!
