Using the Enneagram for Problem Solving in Corporate Teams

by Deni Tato, President - June 2010

Just like we tend to rely solely on our Enneagram type in our worldviews and perspectives, we also tend to habitually use the same approaches to problem solving, and often do not take advantage of other methods and ways of thinking, feeling, and being.

These personality limitations that we unconsciously place on ourselves also diminish our ability to understand one another and decrease our ability to think creatively, find new problem solving approaches, and apply innovative solutions.

Identifying your roadblocks to problem solving and recognizing other approaches can greatly increase your productivity, creativity, and reduce frustrations for yourself and your team members.

There are three main approaches to problem solving:

Possibility Focused: Types 2, 7, and 9
Views challenges and problems as opportunities for growth and change for themselves and the team. Positive affect, optimistic and enthusiastic. Reframes setbacks and disappointments. May gloss over difficulties, to the delay of solutions.

Person Focused: Types 4, 6, and 8
Sees affect of challenges and problems on themselves and others on the team. Often expresses self emotionally in initial response to problem. Looks for hidden emotion in others if not expressed and may mistrust stoicism.

Problem Focused: Types 1, 3, and 5
Solution focused in response to challenges and problems. Focuses on defining problem, resources, and competencies. Objective. May miss own emotions and emotions of others, impacting team relationships.

There is no single best approach. The best approach is, in fact, being able to choose which approach to apply given the team, situation or problem, and timing within the life cycle of problem solving.

From the Possibility Focused perspective, we can ask:
Now that we have this issue/problem/challenge, what can we learn from it and how can we benefit as a team?
What is the best way to solve this issue?
Is there a solution that is easy, fun, and engages all team members?
Can we learn from how others have solved this problem before?
Are there others who can help us?
How can we solve this issue with as few conflicts as possible?

From the Person Focused perspective, we can ask:
What am I feeling about this situation?
How is this problem affecting others on the team?
What is the impact of the problem outside the team?
What are we missing?
Who is responsible? How can we engage them in solutions?
Are there others I can talk to about the issue to get outside input?
Aware of initial reactivity, are we making decisions inclusive of all the centers (mind, heart, gut)?

From the Problem Focused perspective, we can ask:
What is at the core of the issue?
What is a realistic solution?
How much time and energy is required for a solution?
What processes, resources, and structures are needed to achieve a solution?
What is the most efficient solution?
What errors and mistakes creates the problem and how can we avoid them next time?

Your primary problem solving approach is the one that you perform most easily, but also most unconsciously. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these ways of problem solving.

Next time you are in a problem solving situation, take a moment to step back and evaluate which approach is most needed at this point of the process. Ask yourself questions from all the approaches and see if you can integrate them into a broader and more creative way of finding solutions.

References
Riso, Don and Hudson, Russ. The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types. Bantam, 1999.
Symons, Loretta. Learning from the Enneagram: Distinctions in Communication and Addressing Business Challenges.