Watch for the Cracks

    People are under more pressure at work today than at anytime in recent memory--downsizing, longer hours, an uncertain future all raise stress levels. This will lead to increased conflict in companies, and it is in everyone's best interest to reduce conflict so people can concentrate on solving business problems rather than interpersonal problems. I was talking with my friend and associate at Awareness to Action International Krisann McCormick the other day and she said her HR clients were voicing this as the challenge they were most concerned about in the coming months.
    Understanding the Enneagram will help you identify the "cracks," the predictable, conflict-inducing behaviors that get triggered when stress increases.
    Each type will start to exhibit these cracks when their preferred strategy feels impeded.
    For example, when Nines feel that their strategy of striving to be peaceful is being interfered with by the circumstances around them, they will act out in ways that help to restore that sense of peacefulness. They may become withdrawn and non-responsive; in a sense hiding from the outside world.
    Eights, on the other hand, are striving to be powerful and will act out in ways that help them feel bigger and stronger. They may become short-tempered and explosive, insulting and bullying others who get in their way.
    It will be a big help for you as a leader, coach, or consultant to understand the nine strategies and how each type will behave when they feel they are unable to maintain the feeling associated with their preferred strategy. This will help you provide some perspective so the employee can come up with more effective ways to achieve the strategy.
    Nines can be helped to see that their tendency to withdraw causes others to become more frustrated with them, leading to avoidable conflict, while staying engaged and addressing problems as they arise will actually reduce the Nine's stress and bring them the peacefulness they seek.
    Eights can be helped to see that their anger and hostility serve to alienate their coworkers, limiting the Eight's ability to execute. Staying calm and positive, lifting people up rather than tearing them down, will motivate people toward a common vision.
    Below is a list of the nine strategies; a little creative thinking can help you identify ineffective ways people will act when the cracks occur and how to reframe situations to get them back on track. Feel free to send me an email at mario@mariosikora.com if you would like guidance on how to do this for one of the types.
Mario Sikora

The Nine Strategies:

1. Striving to be Perfect
2. Striving to be Connected
3. Striving to be Outstanding
4. Striving to be Unique
5. Striving to be Detached
6. Striving to be Secure
7. Striving to be Excited
8. Striving to be Powerful
9. Striving to be Peaceful