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Why Enneagram team building games don’t work

If you’ve ever searched for some team building ideas, you must have come across The Enneagram. Different sources say it can help with virtually anything - from celebrating diversity to building effective communication. 

In reality, it’s just another variation of personality testing, which, as we’ve written before, doesn’t always make the best team building experience. 

Here’s why team building activities using Enneagram don’t always work and how you could replace it. 

What is Enneagram? 

The Enneagram is a famous personality typology system. It is based on nine interconnected personality types (where not only a single type matters but also the way it interacts with the other types):

Image credit

 

  1. Reformer (perfectionist)
  2. Helper (giver)
  3. Achiever (performer)
  4. Individualist (romantic)
  5. Investigator (observer)
  6. Loyalist (loyal skeptic)
  7. Enthusiast (epicure)
  8. Challenger (protector)
  9. Peacemaker (mediator) 

The system helps understand interpersonal dynamics in a workplace better. It actively promotes self-awareness and self-understanding. You get to learn your strengths and weaknesses and how to exercise them in the workplace.

 

It sounds great, in theory. Unfortunately, when it comes to verified results, many experts agree that the famous Enneagram may be just a bogus personality test now having its moment.

Why Enneagram for team building doesn’t work

Interestingly, the core problem with Enneagram is directly related to one of the primary drivers of its success. The test presents itself as a mystical knowledge of the past rather than a science-based psychological system. 

Unlike other famous frameworks for personality typology - Myers-Briggs Personality Tests, Big Five Personality Tests, or DISC - the Enneagram is not based on any psychological theory

Another criticism is that the test scores are based on specific choice options, limiting the participant’s ability to express themselves fully. This is a common issue with different single-option multiple-choice personality tests.

But what does it have to do with team building? 

Anna Kvasnevska

Team Building Expert & Writer

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Free

15-30 min

No

No

Share fun facts and bond with a team quiz

Have your participants choose from a list of questions they’d like their coworkers to answer about them, before watching as they guess the right answer.

01. Yes

share-fun-facts-and-bond-with-a-team-quiz

Free

15-30 min

No

No

Run a guided recognition activity

Have your participants choose from a list of questions they’d like their coworkers to answer about them, before watching as they guess the right answer.

01. Yes

run-a-guided-recognition-activity

Paid

1-2h

Yes

No

Organize a virtual cooking class

Hire a professional chef to help your team cook a delicious lunch or dinner. May be difficult for co-workers with families. To find providers and get tips, read our blog about virtual cooking classes.

02. No

organize-a-virtual-cooking-class

Paid

15-30 min

No

Yes

Hire a stand-up comedian

Have your participants choose from a list of questions they’d like their coworkers to answer about them, before watching as they guess the right answer.

02. No

hire-a-stand-up-comedian

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If you’ve ever searched for some team building ideas, you must have come across The Enneagram. Different sources say it can help with virtually anything - from celebrating diversity to building effective communication. 

In reality, it’s just another variation of personality testing, which, as we’ve written before, doesn’t always make the best team building experience. 

Here’s why team building activities using Enneagram don’t always work and how you could replace it. 

What is Enneagram? 

The Enneagram is a famous personality typology system. It is based on nine interconnected personality types (where not only a single type matters but also the way it interacts with the other types):

Image credit

 

  1. Reformer (perfectionist)
  2. Helper (giver)
  3. Achiever (performer)
  4. Individualist (romantic)
  5. Investigator (observer)
  6. Loyalist (loyal skeptic)
  7. Enthusiast (epicure)
  8. Challenger (protector)
  9. Peacemaker (mediator) 

The system helps understand interpersonal dynamics in a workplace better. It actively promotes self-awareness and self-understanding. You get to learn your strengths and weaknesses and how to exercise them in the workplace.

 

It sounds great, in theory. Unfortunately, when it comes to verified results, many experts agree that the famous Enneagram may be just a bogus personality test now having its moment.

Why Enneagram for team building doesn’t work

Interestingly, the core problem with Enneagram is directly related to one of the primary drivers of its success. The test presents itself as a mystical knowledge of the past rather than a science-based psychological system. 

Unlike other famous frameworks for personality typology - Myers-Briggs Personality Tests, Big Five Personality Tests, or DISC - the Enneagram is not based on any psychological theory

Another criticism is that the test scores are based on specific choice options, limiting the participant’s ability to express themselves fully. This is a common issue with different single-option multiple-choice personality tests.

But what does it have to do with team building? 

Trust Activity

Ups & Downs

Core dimension

Trust

Duration

20-30 min

What cheers us up and tears us down can be very different. Get to know your team’s motivators and demotivators.

Try this activity

Enneagram doesn’t inspire teamwork

The goal of most team building activities is to bring the participants closer together. Taking a personality test at home just to discover that you’re likely to clash with Jean from accounting doesn’t sound like a fun team building event. 

Yes, it is often framed like a perfect tool for any situation: 

There’s an Enneagram scenario for any team building challenge.

And as we know, when something is good for everything, it’s usually good for nothing.

14 team building exercises to try instead of the Enneagram 

So, think twice the next time you think the Enneagram might be a solid fix for your team building topic. And, perhaps, go with one of the team building exercises designed specifically for what you want to focus on.

Enneagram alternatives to promote cultural diversity in a workplace

  1. Show and tell the most defining features of all cultures in your team
  2. Build your team’s culture map
  3. Address cultural stereotypes
  4. Communicate the struggles you face because of cultural differences 

Check this post for more cultural team building activities 

Enneagram alternatives to improve communication

  1. Try these 15-minute team building games before your next meeting
  2. Organize a compliment session for your team
  3. Have dinner outside of the office and get to know each other better
  4. Play (Online) board games 
  5. Play “Guess What?” on Gomada - it’s free to try

For more virtual activities, check out these resources:

Build engaged teams with zero effort

Learn more

Enneagram alternatives to boost productivity

  1. Discuss your work preferences and motivations
  2. Hold a retrospective on your cooperation as a team
  3. Join a conference or take a skill training
  4. Organize a creative brainstorming session
  5. Run office Olympics to engage your competitive side

Enneagram tests and resources

If you’re confident that your team will benefit from some Enneagram-based exercises, here are a couple of verified sources: 

But we hope you came to this post because, just like us, you suspect the Enneagram’s effectiveness as a team building exercise might be overrated. Do team building that actually matters for your team! 

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