If you always felt that you are slightly different than others and you use this to stand out, chances are you are an Enneagram Type 4 leader…The Individualist.
The team at Trilogy Effect helps leaders grow by developing self-awareness and learning to tap the full potential of themselves and their people. The Enneagram, a framework that allows us to understand how our individual worldviews influence our behaviors and reactions, is foundational to their work.
Trilogy Effect’s partners joke that they don’t often see Enneagram 4s in “corporate captivity” but, when they do, it’s often leading in a creative role.
“Type 4 leaders in corporate settings are more rare than other types,” confirms Trilogy Effect founding partner Mary Beth Sawicki. “And, they are incredibly self-aware and authentic. It’s as though they couldn’t be inauthentic even if they tried. Enneagram 4s are attuned to their own emotions and those of others. They are sensitive and compassionate.”
Leaders with deep connections
Enneagram 4 leaders tend not to be satisfied chatting about the weather or last night’s game. They want to go deep. They want to connect on a human level with whoever they're speaking with and really “see” that person.
Type 4s tend to seek creative outlets, and they do not settle for anything less than an authentic expression of their creativity. There's an attention to beauty with Type 4 leaders, and that’s why they’ll often be involved in design, communications or marketing. These leaders can also be drawn to careers in accounting, medicine and the law.
No matter what roles Enneagram 4s are in, they’ll be creative. When in a corporate setting, they're going to be constantly orienting to the mission. They will always bring their people back to that foundation.
“However, Type 4 leaders can sometimes over-identify with their emotions,” explains Wendy Appel, a Trilogy Effect founding partner. “Instead of saying ‘I'm feeling sad today’ or ‘I'm feeling depressed today’, they are more declarative. ‘I am depressed. I am sad’. This is why these leaders can present as temperamental and somewhat moody at times.”
But, at their best Type 4 leaders are incredibly attuned, sensitive and kind. They are fully aware of people’s talents, gifts and aptitudes. They attend to the needs of their team members to empower them.
Typical Type 4 leaders
Type 4s bring a certain aesthetic perfectionism to whatever they do, and that’s why it’s often said that Prince and Cher present as this type.
And then there’s Steve Jobs. His authorized biography details his orientation towards design and purity. It describes his appreciation for music, the arts, and also how temperamental he was in his demand for innovative, holistic design. He had to be different. A typical Type 4 leader!
“These leaders spend a lot of energy on feeling and then thinking about what they're feeling,” explains Trilogy Effect managing partner, Heather Marasse. “To break that loop between thinking and feeling, a great development strategy is to add physical activity into their daily routines. This allows them to get out of their own heads for a while and see things with a fresh perspective.”
To get your own fresh perspective on leadership development contact Trilogy Effect today to set up a call.