Page 170 - Using the Enneagram System to Identify and Grow Your Leadership Strengths and Achieve Maximum Success

Become an Excellent Communicator 145

Communicate Clearly
Most Twos ask frequent questions but talk about themselves only
with people to whom they feel close. Twos also give numerous
compliments for the purpose of affirming others, and they smile
frequently, using a soft, responsive voice in order to encourage the
other person to tell them more.
However, when Twos are upset or exhausted or when they dis-
like someone or something that the person has said, they become
either quiet, or angry and complaining. In addition, while Twos may
appear to be interested in almost everyone, in cases where they are
not genuinely interested in the other person or in what he or she
is saying, they can disengage from the conversation precipitously.

Listen Fully
Twos are usually excellent listeners, easy to talk to, and quite com-
passionate, but they listen most fully to people to whom they feel
close, those they believe need and want their help, people they
want to have like them, and individuals who have high status and
influence. While listening, Twos may also be preoccupied with
their own thoughts, even when they don’t show this—for exam-
ple, they may be pondering whether they (1) like the other person
or the person likes them, (2) want to help the other person, (3)
strongly disagree with what the person has said, or (4) feel the
other person might do harm to someone the Two wants to pro-
tect. In the last situation, Twos become filled with an intense and
protective concern, which they often express directly.

Give Effective Feedback
Twos are insightful and offer useful advice, but their feedback may
also be only their own perception. Consequently, getting confir-
mation or disconfirmation of these perceptions from the feedback
recipient can be helpful.
While Twos are adept at giving positive feedback and have excel-
lent timing because they tend to read body language adroitly, they
may be reluctant to give constructive feedback, avoiding saying