Are you Skiing with Ski Poles?; Using the Enneagram Lines for Ultimate Performance.
How did you feel when you understood your Enneagram type for the first time? If you were like me, you probably felt a new level of personal growth, a sense of power and direction. But what if I told you there was more? What if I told you knowing your Enneagram Lines could help you achieve ultimate performance?
Enneagram lines connect a main type with two other numbers to form a triangle (1 connects with 4 and 7). These connecting lines ground your main type via lines of stretch and release.
As a leader, although your Enneagram type is powerful, the connecting lines become your secret weapon to true ultimate performance. I was recently describing the lines to a senior leader and used the analogy of ski poles to help. I compare the power of the lines to skiing with no poles. Without poles, a skier is limited to their ability to tackle moguls and tough terrain and limits dexterity and balance. With them the skier is freer to be themselves, can take on multiple challenges, and is swifter down the hill with fewer falls and downtime.
The lines on the Enneagram are similar. Left only to our main Enneagram type, we are limited to our ability to handle stress, navigate tough situations, and manage changing priorities. The lines in this sense form our poles and provide us with a firm foundation to pivot, restore balance, and keep pace.
For me, an Enneagram 3, the power of my lines, 9 and 6, are evident in preparation and recovery. My 6 keeps me prepared, focused and planned. Without it I find I take on too much and I’m not able to effectively prioritize. Ultimately, I make mistakes by going too fast. My 9 keeps me balanced. It forces me to stay present, listen to multiple perspectives and prioritize self-care. A three without my poles is only good at downhill racing, but when faced with tough terrain I crash and burnout.
Here are a few tips on how to better use your poles:
Enneagram One
7 – Schedule something fun this week.
4 – Listen to some music, paint, go for a hike. But get out of your head for 30 minutes.
Enneagram Two
4 – Listen to music on your way home from work. Journal. Or do something creative.
8 – Start with setting a small boundary this week. Or practice giving your opinion in the next meeting.
Enneagram Three
6 – Look at your next month and block important time in your calendar.
9 – Spend at least 1-2 hours in leisure per week. Book a massage.
Enneagram Four
1 – Commit to one task this week that you are going to focus on.
2 – Reach out to an old friend for coffee.
Enneagram Five
7 – Document the strategy that you have been putting off.
8 – Take one step on a project that you have been thinking about for a while.
Enneagram Six
3 – Commit yourself to the right next thing. Bite the elephant into chunks.
9 – Go to a yoga class or spend some time in silence.
Enneagram Seven
1 – Take 10 minutes at the beginning of the day to focus. Think about how you want to feel at the end of the day and ground yourself.
5 – Schedule 1 hour of thinking or reading time each week. This helps ground your big ideas. If it is a good idea in 3 days, it is the right idea.
Enneagram Eight
2 – Schedule some family or friends time today just to connect with others. Go for lunch with a friend.
5 – Schedule half a day a month for thinking time and prioritize this. It will help keep you grounded and thoughtful in your decisions.
Enneagram Nine
3 – Start every day with your top three priorities.
6 – Take time at the beginning of your week to hold blocks in your calendar for the important stuff.