The enneagram is useful for discovering your personality type and the core motivations that have helped shape you. Also, it is useful for helping you find a career path that will be meaningful and fulfilling. Below you’ll find advice about each enneagram type to help you learn how to experience a meaningful career doing work that you love.
The purpose of connecting the dots between your enneagram type and a career is NOT to narrow you into a specific field or niche but to help you understand what motivates you as a person and how to connect that with work that you’ll find fulfilling.
Before we go too much further, first check out this shortlist provided by Forbes about the wrong way to view your career.
- “I’m stuck here.”
- “It’s too late to change.”
- “I blew it (I’m a loser).”
- “There are no opportunities out there for me.”
- “I don’t need to network .”
- “I can’t risk losing the money I make now.”
- “I’ll be doing this forever.”
These are all limiting thoughts and do not have to be true for your life. Regardless of your current position, you can change, overcome, learn skills, make adjustments, and create alignment. You can connect the dots between your giftings and your career.
If you are on the brink of starting your career, considering making a change, or experiencing workplace burnout, you need to include the following factors as you consider the type of work you want to do.
Three Important Career Tips
Career Tip #1: Consider Your Key Motivations
The Enneagram is a powerful tool because it provides a clear understanding of what motivates each type. I believe factoring in these natural motivations can help steer a person’s career choices.
The Enneagram is a useful tool in assessing personalities, thus, enabling self-awareness in career decision-making. This idea is supported by Holland (1959), who states that the best satisfaction in career choice derives from the reflections of motivation, knowledge, personality, and individual competence. Moreover, Enneagram offers techniques for adapting daily toward career and personal success. – Assumption Journal
To learn more about the key motivations of each of the nine types, be sure to navigate to those that interest you using the table of contents below.
Career Tip #2: Start With Why
In his book, Start With Why, Simon Sinek suggests that often we know WHAT we do and HOW to do it but never fully understand WHY we do it. For those who want to find a fulfilling career, it might look something like this:
WHAT: Earn Money
HOW: A Steady Job
WHY: ???
Do you see the problem? Without understanding why you want to have a fulfilling career will often leave you doing the same things repeatedly.
Therefore, Simon recommends answering why first will provide the inspiration and clarity needed to drive change or be fulfilled.
So, what is your “why”? What is your reason for working? Why is your career important, and what purpose will it serve? Write it down and remind yourself often of your reason(s).
Career Tip #3: Identify A Cause You Would Make Sacrifices For
Simon Sinek (I am a fan!) also believes it is important to identify a “just cause” when making an impact and having a meaningful career. What purpose would you willingly make sacrifices for? Identifying work that serves a purpose you believe in will feel worth it.
With these three initial career tips, use the guide below to navigate enneagram careers and options related to your type.
The Enneagram Career Guide For Every Type
Below are brief excerpts from larger posts about each enneagram type and possible career options. To further explore and learn more about each number and the available career choices, use the links: More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type…
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 1: The Perfectionist
One tends to be very rational. They can be very black and white, principled, and perfectionistic. They often feel responsible for improving themselves and the world around them.
Their core desire is to have integrity, be good, full of virtue, and right.
The message they most want to hear from others is something along the lines of, “You are good.”
Enneagram careers and options for an enneagram one should be based on their freedom to help improve outcomes and systems. Ones thrive in an environment where their attention to detail is appreciated and can drive positive change by correcting what needs to be fixed.
Therefore, enneagram type one careers that provide an opportunity for attention to detail, structure, and a systematic approach to work will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 1 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type One
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 2: The Helper
Twos are relational and selfless people. They are caring and generous, aiming to please. A type two is loving and giving in nature, sometimes to a fault.
The core desire of a two is to be appreciated.
The message the two most want to hear is, “You are so loveable and wanted.”
A career choice for an enneagram two should be based on their freedom to be supportive and connect relationally. Twos thrive in an environment where their generosity is affirmed and can drive positive change by serving others.
Therefore, enneagram type two careers that provide an opportunity to respond to others’ needs, be relational, and help make a difference will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 2 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type Two
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 3: The Achiever
Threes tend to be goal-oriented doers. They are success-driven and value accomplishment. A three can be very influential, talented, and good at setting goals.
Their core desire is to be admirable, successful, and respected.
The message the three most want to hear is, “You are valuable simply for being you .”
A career choice for an enneagram three should be based on their freedom to achieve success both personally and for the organization. Three’s thrive in an environment where their drive is appreciated and can confidently drive positive results by accomplishing big goals.
Therefore, enneagram type three careers that provide an opportunity for goal-setting, motivating others, and achieving results will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 3 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type Three
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 4: The Creative Individualist
Fours are on the hunt for depth and authenticity. They are in tune with their feelings and the environment surrounding them. A four can also be very creative, artistic, and inspiring.
The core desire of a four is to be authentic.
The message fours long to hear is, “You are special and unique.”
A career choice for an enneagram four should be based on their freedom to create change through creativity. Fours thrive in an environment where their individuality is appreciated and can drive positive change through authentic expression.
Therefore, enneagram type four careers that provide an opportunity to leave an impression, be creative, share their insights, and be expressive in their work will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 4 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type Four
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 5: The Observer
For the most part, fives are private, with a very active mind. They are observant, like to understand how the world works, and knowledgeable. An enneagram five can be intense, perceptive secretive, and even innovative.
The core desire of a five is to be competent.
The message a five wants to hear is, “Your capable, but it’s ok to ask for help.”
A career choice for an enneagram five should be based on their freedom to inspire by sharing new ideas and concepts. Fives thrive in an environment where their need for space is understood, and they can drive positive change by solving complex problems.
Therefore, enneagram type five careers that provide an opportunity to explore ideas, develop new skills, have alone time, and share their insights will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 5 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type Five
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 6: The Loyalist
Sixes make great friends. They are loyal (hence the title), responsible, and committed. A six will value security, feeling safe, and high levels of trust.
The core desire of a six is to be secure and supported.
A six most want to hear the message: “You are safe.”
A career choice for an enneagram six should be based on their freedom to provide stability and safety to the organization. Sixes thrive in an environment that is consistent and when they can drive positive change by helping the team make the best decisions possible.
Therefore, enneagram type six careers that provide an opportunity to work in a team environment with consistent expectations and security will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 6 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type Six
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 7: The Enthusiastic Visionary
Sevens love variety and like to keep their options open. They are highly optimistic, future-thinking, and energetic. A type seven is typically spontaneous, busy, and loves to have fun.
The core desire of a seven is to be happy.
The message sevens long for is, “You will be completely cared for.”
A career choice for an enneagram seven should be based on their freedom to have new experiences and networks. Sevens thrive in an environment that is optimistic. A seven will feel fulfilled when they can drive positive change by providing vision and dreaming of new possibilities.
Therefore, enneagram type seven careers that provide an opportunity for new experiences in correlation with large amounts of freedom will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 7 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type Seven
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 8: The Challenger
Eights are powerful and self-confident. An eight can be a force of nature because they carry a strong presence and naturally like to take charge. An eight can also be compassionate and concerned with justice. They have a strong will and know what they want.
The desire of an eight is to be protected.
The message an eight wants to hear is, “You are important.”
A career choice for an enneagram eight should be based on their freedom to lead and make difficult decisions. Eights thrive in an environment where their can-do attitude is appreciated and have the ability to drive positive change by standing up for others.
Therefore, enneagram type eight careers that provide an opportunity to lead, make decisions, and actively take on challenges will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 8 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type Eight
Enneagram Careers & Advice For Type 9: The Peacemaker
Nines are often the glue that holds relationships together. They are diplomatic in their choice of words, modest, and generally easy-going. A nine tends to be agreeable and often downplay their wants or needs. They are also great at seeing both sides of things too.
The desire of a nine is peace.
The message nines long to hear is, “You matter too.”
A career choice for an enneagram nine should be based on their freedom to create peace by resolving problems and bringing groups together. Nines thrive in an environment where their need for stability is understood and have the ability to drive positive change by supporting others and mediating conflict.
Therefore, enneagram type nine careers that provide an opportunity to mediate conflicts, support others, and bring groups together will allow them to naturally lean into their giftings and personality traits.
To further explore and learn more about Enneagram type 9 career choices available, use the link below:
More Career Ideas & Advice For Enneagram Type Nine
Your career is an opportunity to make a difference, serve others, and find joy in your work. I hope using this enneagram careers and advice guide is helpful to you. Remember, things can change, you’re not stuck, and you have more to offer. Using the enneagram to help you align your passion with your work is a worthwhile endeavor and know that I am cheering for you.
