Enneagram Types at a New Job: How to Overcome Challenges

The way that Enneagram types at a new job behave mostly depends on the way they generally handle stress. That’s because, regardless of how happy you are about landing a new job, every change and new experience is a step into the unknown, which usually involves a certain dose of stress.

So, in this article, we’ll analyze how each type behaves at a new job, how they overcome the initial anxiety, and what coping mechanisms they could learn to make the transition smoother.

Let’s start!

How Each Enneagram Type Behaves at a New Job

Analyzing the characteristics of Enneagram types at a new job allows us to understand each type from an everyday perspective. In addition, this understanding might also help us gain a better insight into the interpersonal dynamics at our workplaces, allowing us to recognize certain types in our coworkers.

That said, let’s take a look at typical behaviors of Enneagram types at a new job!

Enneagram 1

Enneagram Type One, also known as the Perfectionist, focuses on being optimally prepared for the new role they are taking on. They are primarily concerned with their competence related to the new job, and they brush up their skills to ensure they give off the impression of being the best person for the job.

While they are generally self-confident, Ones may be too self-conscious and anxious about their performance. This anxiety propels them to ensure they do everything in line with the highest standards, respecting all the rules and procedures in the new workplace.

Tip: For this Enneagram type at a new job, it is important to focus on being more flexible than strictly following the rules. Otherwise, they may come off as being too rigid and, therefore, unapproachable. Therefore, they should relax and focus more on building relationships at work than on perfecting their skills which are usually already highly developed.

Enneagram 2

Type Two isn’t as excited about the new job as they are excited about the fact that they will meet new people. Moreover, though they are often very successful because they are diligent, persistent, and responsible, Twos aren’t that ambitious and typically find motivation for work in the relationships they form with their colleagues.

As a result, they may obsess over whether the new team will like them, google each member for information, and plan how they will present themselves to gain their approval. In general, they are likely to assume a very kind, warm, and open-minded attitude toward the new workplace and coworkers and offer their help whenever they perceive they might be useful.

Tip: Enneagram Type 2 at a new job should take care to set healthy boundaries from the very start and avoid resorting to people-pleasing patterns to earn their coworkers’ validation. They should also focus more on getting recognition for their competence and hard work and not just on how helpful and kind they are toward others.

Enneagram 3

Type Three, the Achiever, is one of the most assertive and self-confident Enneagram types, so they will step into their new role with enthusiasm and energy. Moreover, since they are very image-conscious, Threes will also give their best to impress everyone at the new workplace, displaying their charm and wit.

In the meantime, as they chat and make their first connections at a new job, Threes will assess the situation, identify their biggest rivals quickly, and later plan how to beat them. Although they may give off the impression of someone interested only in quick wins, Threes will showcase their competence and hardworking nature the first chance they get.

Tip: Instead of focusing on becoming the next CEO the moment they show up, Enneagram Type 3s at a new job should take care not to turn everyone into their silent enemy by bragging or being overbearing. It would be wise for them to establish professional and personal life balance from the start since they are prone to workaholism.

Enneagram 4

The creative Enneagram Type 4 at a new job is full of curiosity and approaches the new opportunity with a genuine desire to forge meaningful connections and contribute in a unique way. Driven by the desire to be authentic in everything they do, Fours may be concerned with whether they will be understood, accepted, and valued for who they are in the new workplace.

Since they are very introverted, Fours may struggle with feeling like an outsider, focusing too much on how others may perceive them. Nevertheless, despite self-doubt and desire to be accepted, Fours aren’t ones to embrace the new workplace culture wholeheartedly, as they are unwilling to sacrifice their authenticity for the sake of blending in.

Tip: Focusing on others instead of themselves will bring much-needed relief from anxiety to the Enneagram Type 4 at a new job. They need to step out of their world and concentrate more on the here and now in the new workplace.

Enneagram 5

Fives, also known as Investigators, prefer to take a rational and calm approach when dealing with new situations, including starting a new job. They behave in a polite, reserved manner, carefully observing the situation and atmosphere.

Nevertheless, they are not too concerned with how people will react to them or whether they will fit in. They only care about being competent enough and contributing in a useful, practical way. For this reason, they may come off as a bit cold in interpersonal connections, but they eventually form strong bonds with people similar to them.

Tip: Fives would be surprised by how much they can grow and learn by embracing teamwork. Instead of emphasizing their independence, Enneagram Type 5 at a new job would benefit greatly from connecting with their coworkers and cultivating professional relationships.

Enneagram 6

The diligent Enneagram Type 6 at a new job is overwhelmed with anxiety because stepping into the unknown is one of the biggest stress triggers for them. Consequently, Sixes will do everything in their power to prepare themselves well.

Moreover, they play out several worst-case scenarios for the first day at work in their heads and make at least one plan for each of the catastrophes they imagine. Prone to second-guessing themselves and downplaying their qualities, similarly to Twos, they focus on being of help to their coworkers.

Tip: To boost their self-esteem, Enneagram Type 6 at a new job should remind themselves that they earned the new opportunity thanks to their competence, skills, and qualities. It is important for them to set healthy boundaries and avoid taking on too many responsibilities from the start.

Enneagram 7

Type Seven, also called the Enthusiast, shows up at a new job, jumping for joy, excited to meet new people, and curious to explore new possibilities. Of all the Enneagram types at a new job, they are the least nervous and the most delighted about starting something new. They love novelty and thrilling experiences, so, for them, a new job is a new adventure.

Creative, playful, and full of natural confidence, they make friends at work easily and quickly immerse themselves in workplace life. However, they also get bored rather quickly and don’t bother too much to hide that boredom.

Tip: The biggest and often only real challenge for Enneagram type 7 at a new job is to focus on the job, stay organized and consistent, and not get carried away by all the exciting new connections. By committing more to being self-disciplined, Sevens will ensure long-term success in their new role.

Enneagram 8

Eights, the so-called Challengers, are powerhouses who, similarly to Sevens, exude natural self-confidence and charisma. However, they are not as spontaneous as Sevens. Instead, they approach a new job in a calm, strategic manner, observing the situation to spot where the opportunities for advancement are.

Bold, self-assured, direct, and efficient, Eights keep their eyes on the prize, effortlessly making both friends and enemies in a new environment. They aim to establish themselves as a figure of authority and display an image of strength, hiding their vulnerabilities well. In addition, their direct communication style at work may make them come off as being too bossy.

Tip: Eights often forget how intimidating they can be and how much such an image may affect their career. Therefore, they should make a conscious effort to show more of their warm side of personality and focus on building positive professional relationships.

Enneagram 9

The biggest concern of Enneagram Type 9 at a new job is to fit in. They need to feel a sense of belonging to the community at their workplace and, therefore, focus on people and office culture to adapt to a new work environment as smoothly as possible.

Their attitude is friendly and genuinely open-minded, yet they may come off as a bit timid or passive since they tend to wait to be told what to do instead of being proactive. Nevertheless, thanks to their supportive, warm, and kind nature, they make office friends with ease, and people are usually quick to accept them.

Tip: Staying focused on professional goals is the key to success for Enneagram Type 9 at work. While making friends is important, Nines shouldn’t forget the primary reason why they got the new role and concentrate on being more assertive. They must acknowledge that being modest about their competence and professional contributions doesn’t help them at work.

Why Does Knowing Your Enneagram Type Matter in a Workplace?

Knowing your Enneagram type matters in a workplace because it can help you make the most of the possibility that you have and achieve your professional goals with less effort. By learning about your Enneagram personality type, you become more self-aware and, thus, better equipped for dealing with all work-related challenges.

In fact, the key to resilience, in general, lies in knowing your strengths and weaknesses, not in defying your weaknesses and trying to hide them. The Enneagram test and theory not only help you identify your key weak spots but also help you comprehend their origins and ways in which you can transform them into your advantages.

Once you recognize the typical thought, emotional, and behavioral patterns that you display, you get a much better insight into your core needs and motivations. Furthermore, these insights help you make more intentional, conscious career choices that better serve your overall well-being and professional goals.

So, there’s no doubt that career success and self-awareness are interconnected and that by fostering self-awareness, you actually unlock your career potential. By supporting your personal growth and development, the Enneagram test and theory help you communicate more efficiently and use your strengths in a more targeted, focused manner to serve you, not others.

In addition, learning about Enneagram types, Enneagram wings, and other Enneagram key concepts can also help you identify others’ personality types at work and understand their needs better, thus promoting collaboration and teamwork.

Use Enneagram to Land Your Dream Job!

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Key Takeaways

So, now that you know what each Enneagram type at a new job is like, you can also see how this framework goes beyond personality insights—it serves as a roadmap for both personal and professional growth.

By understanding your Enneagram type, you can identify career paths that align with your strengths, navigate team dynamics more effectively, build strong professional relationships, and develop resilience against work-related stress.