Page 142 - Using the Enneagram System to Identify and Grow Your Leadership Strengths and Achieve Maximum Success

Know the Business: Think and Act Strategically 117

the business is usually high on their list, because Fours relish the
challenges inherent in complicated and significant endeavors. Using
their intuitive skills to assess industry trends and customer needs,
most Fours actually picture future scenarios in full color, as though
they were viewing a film projected on a screen.
Four leaders, particularly those with a great deal of management
experience, also pay attention to knowing the organization.
Depending on what holds their interest, Fours may know all the
organizational elements in depth—that is, products, services, tech-
nology, structure, systems, people, and finances.
When it comes to thinking and acting strategically, Fours often
enjoy the complexity of the process. Above all, Four leaders empha-
size the creation of a shared vision, believing that being part of a large
and important vision gives both them and the people they lead a
sense of meaning and purpose that inspires all to do excellent work.
Dave, a director-level leader, was described by one of his
employees this way:

“At first, I wasn’t quite sure if I would like Dave. It took him a
while to warm up to me, but I think he was trying to figure
me out. Once we got to know each other better, I realized
that Dave is one of the most thoughtful, intelligent, and
visionary leaders I have ever worked for. He takes the time to
learn everything he can about the people and the business,
and there’s no one who can match him on industry knowl-
edge and technical ability—although he rarely uses his tech-
nical skills directly anymore.”

As mentioned earlier, a Four leader who is not particularly inter-
ested in the actual work of the organization may not pay attention
to all aspects of knowing the business. It is particularly important
to Fours that their values are aligned with those of the organiza-
tion, and that the organization’s work has meaning for them. This
intense attraction to vision and meaning can also lead Fours to find
day-to-day work pedestrian, and they may lose interest in the very