Page 157 - Using the Enneagram System to Identify and Grow Your Leadership Strengths and Achieve Maximum Success

132 What Type of Leader Are You?

Because Nines desire harmony, they like organizations that feel
unified and have logical, well-designed, and clear organizational
structures and processes. Nine leaders also form relationships eas-
ily, perceiving interactions as a pleasure, not a task. In addition,
they consider finances important and create processes that are
aligned as much with the financial demands of the business as with
the organization’s products and services.
Nine leaders think and act strategically with clarity and resolve,
keeping their focus on the mission. Because they enjoy the more
detailed aspects of the work, Nines often immerse themselves in
goals and tactical pursuits. Often, Nine leaders will back into vision
and strategy from the mission, goals, and tactics, with a tacit or
implicit strategy emerging intuitively through goal identification
and tactical choices.
Here is a comment made by one of Liz’s direct reports:

“Our organization is very complex, with multiple clients
wanting something different from us, but Liz takes it all in
stride. Her excellent client relationships are an asset, but she
also knows the industry and the market well. More than that,
she is highly analytical, and she applies what she knows to
make us a first-class business. She is also easy to talk to and
gives great advice.”

Because Nine leaders usually focus on the details to get to the
big picture, this can create a challenge for them when they are new
to leadership. Starting with the details and extrapolating the big
picture from this information is a viable way of knowing the busi-
ness and thinking and acting strategically, but it takes longer and
can thus create dilemmas for Nine leaders.
Organizations and followers may expect leaders to grasp the
important items early and show them the overall direction quickly,
but Nines like to take their time and do not appreciate being pres-
sured to make a decision or to take a strong position before they
are ready to do so. However, most Nine leaders learn to identify,