Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront.

For Type 9s, growth often begins with the realization that peace doesn’t mean disappearing. True harmony includes your voice, your priorities, and your presence.

Nines are the calm in the storm — steady, supportive, and easy to be around. But that same go-with-the-flow energy can become a derailer when it leads to avoiding conflict, deferring decisions, or minimizing their own needs in favor of keeping the peace.

These derailers represent common challenges for Nines. While they may not apply to every individual Nine or all the time, they reflect general tendencies that can show up when things feel overwhelming, emotionally charged, or uncertain.

If you’re still exploring your dominant Enneagram type, noticing a few of these patterns may help you better understand your inner world.

If you already identify as a Type 9, what helps you get back on track when you find yourself procrastinating, zoning out, or saying “yes” to things that aren’t really yours to carry? Your insight might be the encouragement another Nine needs to speak up and step in.

Source: Awareness to Action Enneagram, Mario Sikora

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🗓️ Book an Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at work:
https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

✏️ Get an overview of all nine types inside the Understanding People at Work Cheat Sheet
https://www.enneagrammba.com/cheatsheet

For Type 8s, growth often begins with recognizing that strength doesn’t always mean control. It takes a different kind of strength to soften, to be vulnerable, and to trust others without having to test them first.

Eights are natural leaders — bold, decisive, and unafraid to take charge. But when that powerful energy is driven by a need to protect or dominate, it can unintentionally shut others down, create conflict, or block the very connection they crave.

These derailers represent common challenges for Eights. While they may not apply to every individual Eight or apply all the time, they reflect general tendencies that can emerge when trust is low, pressure is high, or emotions feel like a threat.

If you’re still exploring your dominant Enneagram type, seeing a few of these in yourself might help provide some clarity.

If you already identify as a Type 8, what helps you get back on track when your intensity is getting in the way of collaboration or connection? What helps you lead from your power and your heart?

Derailer series source: The Awareness to Action Enneagram

The Enneagram DIY Workshop Kit:

https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-workshop-kit

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

🗓️ Book an Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at work:
https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

✏️ Get an overview of all nine types inside the Understanding People at Work Cheat Sheet
https://www.enneagrammba.com/cheatsheet

ChatGPT can’t read the root, but your team can.

Inside this episode, we're talking about blind spots at work, how they can impact the team, and why self-awareness can't be automated (at least for now...).

Get your Blind Spots at Work by Type Reference Chart:

https://www.enneagrammba.com/blindspots

Find the HBR AI Usage Chart:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJmgCYMu8xz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

🗓️ Book an Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at work:
https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

✏️ Get an overview of all nine types inside the Understanding People at Work Cheat Sheet
https://www.enneagrammba.com/cheatsheet

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront.

For Type 7s, growth often starts with the willingness to stay — to stay with the hard thing, the boring thing, or the uncomfortable emotion, rather than jumping to the next exciting idea or distraction.

Sevens are known for their energy, optimism, and visionary thinking. They bring lightness to heavy moments and possibility to stuck places. But when that drive to avoid pain or limitation takes over, it can become a subtle (or not-so-subtle) barrier to real progress — especially in work environments that require follow-through, emotional depth, or patience.

These derailers represent common challenges for Sevens. While they may not apply to every individual Seven or all the time, they reflect general tendencies that can show up when things feel too slow, too serious, or too emotionally vulnerable.

If you’re still narrowing down your dominant Enneagram type, a few of these tendencies might help guide your reflection.

If you already identify as a Type 7, what helps you get back on track when you find yourself avoiding discomfort, resisting structure, or losing steam halfway through a project? Share your tips — they might be just what another Seven needs to hear.

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

🗓️ Book an Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at work:
https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

✏️ Get an overview of all nine types inside the Understanding People at Work Cheat Sheet
https://www.enneagrammba.com/cheatsheet

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront.

For Type 4s, growth often starts with the realization that your depth, creativity, and emotional insight — the very qualities that make you so uniquely powerful — can also become obstacles when left unchecked.

It’s not always about changing who you are, but rather noticing how your patterns show up at work. Do you find yourself withdrawing when you feel misunderstood? Comparing yourself to others? Getting stuck in what’s missing?

Real progress comes not from becoming someone different, but from learning how to navigate the emotional waves without letting them steer the ship.

These derailers represent common challenges for Fours. While they may not apply to every individual Four or apply all the time, they reflect general tendencies that can arise when we’re feeling emotionally off-center or disconnected from purpose.

As a Type 4 herself, Coach Brenda Brown co-hosts this episode to share her real-world experience with each of the derailers.

If you're still discovering your dominant Enneagram type, noticing a few of these might help guide your exploration.

If you already identify as a Type 4, what helps you get back on track when you're feeling unmotivated, unseen, or stuck in comparison mode? Your insights might be just what another Four needs to hear.

Source: Awareness to Action Enneagram

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

🗓️ Book an Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at work:
https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

✏️ Get an overview of all nine types inside the Understanding People at Work Cheat Sheet
https://www.enneagrammba.com/cheatsheet

In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our time at the Association for Talent Development (ATD) conference. Sarah Wallace sits down with fellow facilitator Brenda Brown to reflect on the highlights, hot topics, and meaningful moments from the event.

We unpack how the Enneagram continues to stand out as a powerful, memorable tool for personal growth and team development — especially when using it with other assessments like MBTI and DiSC. We also talk about what makes it so effective: its flexibility, its emotional depth, and yes… the fun it brings to the learning experience.

From conversations at our booth to breakout session insights, this episode gives you a front-row seat to what L&D professionals are saying, what they’re asking for, and why the Enneagram is more relevant than ever in today’s workplace.

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

🗓️ Book an Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at work:
https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

✏️ Get an overview of all nine types inside the Understanding People at Work Cheat Sheet
https://www.enneagrammba.com/cheatsheet

Due to tech issues and waiting until the last minute, this is going to be a skip week on the content.

I didn't want to completely ghost you this week, so sharing a fun update about being at the Association for Talent Development Conference in Washington, DC. If you'll be attending, stop by to see us at #2630!

Coach Brenda Brown will be around too, helping with leadership profile and coworker compatibility sessions at the booth.

If you won't be around but still interested in following along, check out our Enneagram MBA Stories on Instagram, where I'll be sharing behind-the-scenes from the conference.

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

🗓️ Book an Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at work:
https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

✏️ Get an overview of all nine types inside the Understanding People at Work Cheat Sheet
https://www.enneagrammba.com/cheatsheet

Derailers (the things that can get us off track) can be some of the most challenging aspects of our personality patterns to confront.

For Type 5s, growth isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about learning to step out of your head and into the moment, even when it feels uncertain or emotionally demanding.

Your ability to observe, analyze, and think deeply is a major strength. But when those gifts become a way to disconnect or protect your energy at all costs, they can quietly hold you back at work — especially in environments that call for collaboration, visibility, or emotional presence.

These derailers represent common challenges for Fives. While they may not apply to every individual Five or apply all the time, they reflect general tendencies that can surface when you feel overwhelmed, under-resourced, or overly self-reliant.

If you’re still figuring out your dominant Enneagram type, noticing a few of these patterns may offer some helpful clues.

If you already identify as a Type 5, what helps you get back on track when you find yourself withdrawing, overthinking, or disconnecting from the team? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you.

Have a request for a future episode? Drop a text here!

🗓️ Book an Enneagram Workshop for your team retreat at work:
https://www.enneagrammba.com/enneagram-team-workshops

✏️ Get an overview of all nine types inside the Understanding People at Work Cheat Sheet
https://www.enneagrammba.com/cheatsheet