Enneagram Triads: The Collaboration Approaches
I was talking with someone about my book recently who asked, “What are the Enneagram Triads, actually?” Which inspired this 4-part series about them. Each article will describe what that group of Enneagram Triads are and how I use them as a map for clarity, compassion, and collaboration.
So, without further ado, here is part 4: The Collaboration Triads.
What are the Enneagram Collaboration Triads*?
Said simply, they are groups of Enneagram Types that have in common ways we relate to and provide for the world.
(*Belinda Gore calls these the Object-Relations Triads: Frustration (Types 1, 4, and 7), Rejection (Types 2, 5, and 8), and Attachment (Types 3, 6, and 9). Helen Palmer uses Flow (Types 1, 4, and 7), Power (Types 2, 5, and 8), and Blend (Types 3, 6, and 9). Dr. David Daniels uses the term Harmony Triads, with the same inner groupings as labeled above. I coined the term Collaboration Triads working with teams.)
Types 8, 2, and 5 are in the Relationalist Triad.
The Types in this Triad use their Intelligence Center Triad to provide necessary support for others. People rely on them as anchors. These Types offer themselves to the world, giving the strength and protection of their presence (Type 8s), providing the care and support of their relationship (Type 2s), or exhibiting the reason and perspective of their minds (Type 5s). This Triad is sometimes called the Rejection Triad because they tend to reject something essential in order to avoid rejection from others.
Types 9, 3, and 6 are in the Pragmatist Triad.
The Types in this Triad use their Intelligence Center Triad to provide tangible support and down-to-earth effectiveness. People are attracted to the ways they offer stability. These Types look for ways to practically relate to the world, seeking a comfortable harmony (Type 9), fulfilling productive and ambitious roles (Type 3s), or finding a secure and predictable path (Type 6s). This Triad is sometimes called the Attachment Triad, as they demonstrate different forms of constructive connection.
Types 1, 4, and 7 are in the Idealist Triad.
The Types in this Triad use their Intelligence Center Triad to provide perspective of what could be. People appreciate how they move towards what is possible. These Types seek ultimate ideals, pushing for high standards (Type 1s), dreaming of a reality where nothing is missing (Type 4s), or hoping for freedom from pain (Type 7s). This Triad is sometimes called the Frustration Triad because of the feeling that rises in them from all that doesn’t match these visions.
How can we use the Enneagram Collaboration Triads as a map for clarity, compassion, and collaboration?
In my work as an executive coach, I take the role of a guide. Enneagram is a fabulous map of human motivation and behavior. But in order for a map to be helpful, we have to know how to read it and use it. So how do we use Harmonic Triads as a map to break out of the box that has been holding us back?
Clarity
We move through the world without much consciousness much of the time. That includes the way we work. When we know our dominant Collaboration Triad, we can have clarity about what we seek to provide for the teams we work with. Idealists will thrive on a team where they can bring their ideas and ideals. Pragmatists will thrive on a team that values their grounded support. Relationalists will thrive when their team members can accept the gifts they are providing from their Intelligence Centers. The map of the Collaboration Triads can help us pause and ask, “What am I good at offering to those around me?”
Compassion
When we are trying to provide something, it means there can be a struggle when that thing isn’t well received. When we know our dominant Collaboration Triads, we can have compassion with struggles of our teammates who are bringing something different from the team’s primary approach. An Idealist on a Pragmatist team will likely feel stuck in the weeds if their vision is seen as impractical. A Relationalist on an Idealist team may struggle to know what to offer to someone else’s dream. A Pragmatist on an Relationalist team may struggle to contribute if there’s not clarity to the mission they are supporting. The map of the Harmonic Triads can help us pause and ask, “How can I better receive what my team member is trying to provide?”
Collaboration
As is true in all the Triads, each approach both offers something and misses something. When we know our dominant Collaboration Triad, we can better hold the tension of different approaches. I was working with a team whose leader left. While the search to fill the role was in process, each team member had extra work being piled onto their plate. The Pragmatist who was on the search committee wanted to hire a good leader as soon as possible to keep everyone from burning out. The Idealist on the committee wanted everyone to do extra work longer in order to search for the ideal candidate who would be best in the long run. Neither of these approaches were wrong. Talking about them in the context of these Collaboration Triads helped them hold the tension between them with less stress and judgment. The map of the Collaboration Triads can help us pause and ask, “Can I see the value of my teammate’s approach?”
Where do we go from here?
Maybe you are reading this article and thinking, “This sounds great, but I don’t know my Enneagram Type or my Intelligence Center.” Or maybe you took a test for your Type once but haven’t known where to go from there. Or maybe you just need something more to get your Enneagram journey kickstarted. If this is you, sign up for my Break Out of the Box Enneagram Course. At just $59, this self-guided course with unlimited access to 19 videos, a robust course workbook, curated podcast playlists, and more, is a tremendous value.
If you are reading this article and thinking, “What are those images behind this symbols?” Or “Where can I get more information about Triads"?” then you should get my book, Out of the Box & Into the Wild: An Enneagram Journey through the Triads of Nature.
And of course, I will always have a bias towards coaching as a next step. Sign up for a consultation call and let’s talk about your right next step.
