The greatness of the type 9 is the power of embracing others gently. By virtue of this eminent point, Nines will provide us the peace. In addition to that, healthy Nines can see the goodness in others and can also see the goodness in themselves. Compared with the type 7 (me), in my view, Nines are good at caring others better than Sevens, because Sevens tend to focus on only themselves. Therefore, I’d like to incorporate the strength of Nines in me.
Next, I noticed that I sometimes fell into the trend of unhealthy Nines while reading the Enneagram books. For example, as Riso and Hudson (1999) explain, Nines are likely to focus on the brilliant aspects in their life in order to keep their mind peaceful. Also, they tend to neglect the dark side in their life. Like Nines, I have a propensity to look away shadow aspects in my life in order to maintain my inner peacefulness and stillness.
Third, as for “moving into the inner sanctum” (p.328) and stubbornness and inner resistance, Nines have a tendency to create and keep their inner sanctum where they feel safe, because they can get rid of the disturbance situation. Furthermore, Nines sometimes have stubbornness and inner resistance toward the situation threatening to violate their inner peace. Like Nines, I sometimes build my inner sanctum and resist the situation disturbing me. Considering the above aspects, the unhealthy features in Nines sometimes appear on me.
Last, the purpose of taking this class is to integrate the wisdom of the Enneagram with my interest (leadership development). Therefore, I’d like to explore the types of leadership using the Enneagram. As Palmer (1995) illustrates, Nine leaders sometimes struggle with a lot of opinions around them and try to put forward alternative ideas. Also, their goals tend to be wide not specific. That is because the particular goals may arouse disagreements between followers. So, Nine leaders tend to listen to followers too much carefully, gather a lot of information, and share the information a little.
Nine leaders are good at drawing a big picture, but they don’t want to think about the detail until they can make a complete plan. In addition, Nine leaders are likely to suppose that followers also draw a comprehensive plan, and they may feel discomfort to find the followers have a narrow and selfish plan. Thus, “Nines are imprecise in specifying the ways in which a plan to be carried out” (Palmer, 1995, p.242).
Nine leaders have a tendency to want advice or directions from every department in an organization, because they try to obtain consensus in order not to bring chaos in the organization. Therefore, Nine leaders may not take prompt actions until they can gain an appropriate agreement.
Nine leaders are likely to avoid innovative ideas, because new ideas may trigger disorder in their mind. Although Nine leaders may not be suitable for the top positions in the fast-changing industry for example, internet industry, as Paler points out that they may fit for the top position in utility companies which tend to get around competition.
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