Page 174 - Using the Enneagram System to Identify and Grow Your Leadership Strengths and Achieve Maximum Success

Become an Excellent Communicator 149

Both original e-mails use capital letters to emphasize particular
words. In e-mail etiquette, capitalization is the equivalent of using a
loud voice or yelling. None of the individuals with the eight other
Enneagram styles use capitalization with the same frequency as Twos,
although some Eights will write an entire e-mail in capital letters.
While Daniel’s e-mail capitalized the word FABULOUS, Larry cap-
italized words that chastise Joseph Spaulding, the most obvious
being the words JUST A LITTLE RESPECT. The other capitalized
words in Larry’s e-mail, when read in context (NOT, HAVE,
BEFORE), are intended to stop Joseph—as well as others who may
share Joseph’s opinions—from raising these types of issues.
Like Daniel’s e-mail, Larry’s focuses primarily on others and
events rather than on himself, with the exception being the open-
ing and closing lines. Larry’s clear agitation, stated aggressively,
illustrates the common Two emphasis on having appreciation,
respect, and positive regard expressed toward both themselves and
others for whom they feel loyalty and concern. Daniel’s e-mail
shows appreciation and positive regard for the e-mail recipient;
Larry’s e-mail expresses anger because, in his view, respect was not
shown to Shirley and Marc, or to himself, the informal leader. Twos
like to orchestrate the interactions between and among people,
and they often become angry when others do not behave accord-
ing to their rules of interpersonal conduct.
The two original e-mails differ in length and detail. While
Daniel’s e-mail is brief, Larry’s longer e-mail indicates that he put
considerable effort into writing it. The sequential logic of Larry’s
position, combined with his use of capital letters to emphasize cer-
tain words, shows that Larry feels extremely angry and resentful,
although he never states this directly. Even Larry’s statement,
“thanks to the chairpeople and committee members, especially
Joseph Spaulding, for a job well done,” is an indirect sarcastic com-
ment directed toward Joseph. Finally, Larry’s ending comment, “I
feel a little better now . . . but just a little,” indicates that he is still
quite agitated and serves as a warning to Joseph Spaulding and
others not to raise these issues again.