There are nine personality types within the Enneagram, each with its unique set of characteristics and specific motivating drivers. By understanding these different characteristics, team members can learn how to work more effectively with one another. In this article, we are specifically looking at the Heart Triad (2, 3, 4).

Triads describe your go-to emotion. Your Enneagram type determines which of the Triads you belong to. The Heart Triad (feeling) consists of 2s, 3s, and 4s. These teammates primarily experience life through a filter of feelings and respond based on their feelings in the moment. They see the world with an added relational intelligence and can use the feelings of others as data points for evaluating different situations. These teammates strive to be seen as the best and want to be recognized for it. When making important decisions, give these teammates time to think, and space to move beyond the feelings of the moment.

When making decisions, the 2s, 3s, and 4s of the Heart Triad are driven to succeed and also provide success for others, choosing a course of action that most aligns with the mission. Their intuitive awareness of others' feelings and perceptions serves their focus on the audience experience. These teammates are good at bringing empathy and compassion to every situation and can be especially helpful in understanding the most important needs of a project and its stakeholders.

Because 2s, 3s, and 4s are so others focused, it may be hard to move forward on projects that do not benefit everyone involved. Remind these teammates to stay on track for completion, even if they're uncomfortable that not everyone will be happy about the end result. These teammates may delay decisions if they get caught dwelling too long on external opinions or spending too much time trying to make all stakeholders happy. Heart triads can process those emotions with rest, and creative expression like painting, or journaling. Encourage them to take breaks and write out their thoughts. These teammates may feel forgotten if successes aren't noticed by others. Don't let that hold this team back- be your own cheerleaders! Set regular time to celebrate the wins together and acknowledge each other's hard work and accomplishments.

Twos externalize shame, meaning, they will focus outwardly on the feelings of others. They often will repress their negative feelings in order to feel good and loving. Threes deny their shame so they tend to have trouble recognizing their feelings. They will chase success in order to diminish any feelings of shame. Fours internalize their shame, they want to control it by focusing on their uniqueness. They concentrate their attention inwardly on their own feelings. Despite differences in these types, they all experience shame and use their heart to decide how to act.

If you're not a 2, 3, or 4, make sure to express your sentiments with these teammates and be willing to share how you feel about situations. If you are in the Head Triad, encourage these teammates to look at the data as facts that can help other people. It may be helpful to create a personal narrative to communicate information or humanize the data presented. If you are in the Gut Triad, encourage these teammates to make decisions even if it will not benefit everyone. Be mindful to communicate thoughtfully so that your Heart Triad teammates don't take it personally.

Using Triads exposes patterns of emotions and decision-making, which can lead to greater self-awareness. Check out your team's Enneagram Triads on your Team Dashboard!