Page 150 - Using the Enneagram System to Identify and Grow Your Leadership Strengths and Achieve Maximum Success

Know the Business: Think and Act Strategically 125

FRAME YOUR RESPONSES IN A POSITIVE WAY Instead of responding
to the ideas of others with reasons why something may not work,
respond first with how the ideas could work, then add your
thoughts about potential problems. Although Sixes are often
thought of as more pessimistic than optimistic, they can also be
thought of as optimists with a strong sense of reality. When you
think of a worst-case scenario, instead of verbalizing it, ask your-
self this question: I know what I am trying to prevent from hap-
pening, but what do I hope can happen?

Enneagram Style Sevens

Leadership Paradigm:
Leaders get people excited and create innovative
ventures so that organizations can take advantage
of important business opportunities.
Seven leaders usually find that the environmen-
tal aspect of knowing the business comes easily to them. They
become highly energized by keeping up with the latest trends and
customers’ needs, processing the data quickly, and synthesizing
the information into potential business ideas.
Seven leaders are also very interested in knowing the organiza-
tion’s products, services, and technology, with a focus on innova-
tion and new products. Not only will they pay attention to the
organization’s structure, systems, and finances when necessary
(i.e., when they have to get something done quickly), but they also
get to know others in the organization easily through their engag-
ing interpersonal style.
Seven leaders embrace thinking and acting strategically, with a
focus on vision and strategy. They tend to be dreamers, conjuring
up possible future scenarios and becoming enthralled with the
organization’s potential, and their enthusiasm helps enlist others
in these possibilities. Because they like to see their dreams become
reality, Seven leaders pay attention to goals and tactics in order to