Most people, me included, tend to think that they just ‘communicate’. Most of us see our own way of doing things as the most natural way of doing things. It’s what we consider ‘normal’. We take ourselves as the norm and think that others deviate from that norm.
Communication styles and the enneagram
Each of the nine enneagram types has its own communication style. This style is integrally linked to what each one, subconsciously, pays most attention to and what is most important to them.
Here is a short overview of what each type focusses most on and how this relates, among other things, to their communication style.
Type 1
Is focussed on a rood result, on things that need doing, what needs to be improved, what’s good, what’s fair and ideal.
Communication style: exact, careful, clear, complete, detailed, explaining, conscientious.
Type 2
Is focussed on people, on ensuring that others feel good, on the relationship and on being recognised within it, on what binds.
Communication style: attentive, warm, fun-loving, enthusiastic, cooperative, interested, being seen, empathic.
Type 3
Focussed on the self, on self-profiling, scoring, achieving goals, targets, on getting results, on the functional.
Communication style: efficient, charming, fast, one-liners, short and to the point, directive, passionate.
Type 4
Focussed on the self, on authenticity, on depth, on content, value, the personal, the beautiful and the exceptional.
Communication style: expressive, emotional, intense, lively, sometimes gentle, sometimes forceful, reflective, daring.
Type 5
Is focussed on the content, on understanding, knowing, exchanging knowledge, on solutions, facts, on business.
Communication style: rational, factual, observing, short and to the point, business-like, analytical, reserved.
Type 6
Is focussed on the context, on getting information in order to understand the risks involved, on the threats.
Communication style: warm, questioning, looking for answers, doubting or, conversely, forceful, sceptical, prepared.
Type 7
Is focussed on the future, on keeping options open, on maintaining a sense of freedom, on the fascinating.
Communication style: spontaneous, playful, cheerful, positive, story-telling, goes off on a tangent, associative, creative.
Type 8
Is focussed on personal truth, where the other stands (and how forcefully), leading the conversation, the truth.
Communication style: direct, to the point, strong, down-to-earth, sometimes blunt, impulsive, directive, authoritative.
Type 9
Is focussed on what the other wants, on making/keeping friends, on maintaining harmony, avoiding conflict.
Communication style: calm, careful, friendly, cautious, harmonious, woolly, slow, cooperative, expansive.
Do you recognise your dominant style? I’d love you to tell me about it in the reaction box below. I can learn from it and so can the readers of this blog.
To your personal growth!
All the best,
Jeanette
Leave a Reply