Overusing Strengths by Enneagram Type
Sometimes too much of a good thing can actually create challenges for us. Our strengths are no different. At times, we know when we’re overusing our strengths, but sometimes this tendency is more challenging to recognize. I love to use the Enneagram to identify strengths in myself and others, but we also need to notice when we are overusing them!
When I was working on this series, I was reminded of the scene from The Office when Michael Scott is being interviewed by David Wallace – you know, this one 😂 ⬇️
David: So, let me ask you a question right off the bat, what do you think are your greatest strengths as a manager?
Michael: Why don't I tell you what my greatest weaknesses are? I work too hard, I care too much, and sometimes I can be too invested in my job.
David: Okay. And your strengths?
Michael: Well, my weaknesses are actually strengths.
🤣🤣🤣
Jokes aside, if we look a bit closer, we start to recognize ways we (often unintentionally) overuse our strengths — and maybe we don’t want to be a Michael Scott, but many of us find ourselves overworking at the expense of our overall wellness or caring so much about others' needs that our own needs get buried. And of course, this can all vary between types. So what exactly does this look like for each type?
It seems like we’ve been talking a lot about balance lately, or lack thereof. Overcorrecting, overfocusing, over-functioning & under-functioning, and now overdoing our strengths. It just happened to play out this way but I think this is such a helpful concept to keep in mind when it comes to self-awareness. The Enneagram highlights what takes up a lot of our attention (according to our type), making it easier to identify what may be falling through the cracks. I know for some of us, being able to find that balance and stay in that middle ground can be a little frustrating but be encouraged as you continue to read. Growth doesn’t happen all at once! (By the way, if you want to read more about the strengths for each type, check out this Instagram post!)
Type One
Becoming so focused on the details that tasks become more complicated or time-consuming than “necessary” because something could always be better
Getting attached to a specific routine or structure and not allowing myself or others to step out of the box or be spontaneous
Taking on excessive amounts of work because I’m capable of doing it, even when it can be delegated to someone else
Feeling like the weight of the world is on my shoulders because I can see problems all around me and feel responsible to fix them
Offering solutions and advice even though the recipient may not want or need it
Creating unattainably high standards for myself and others
Type Two
Completely taking on how others feel (which can get quite heavy) and feeling pressure to take action
Connecting with others on a faster or deeper level than they may be ready for
Making myself indispensable to the point of exhaustion
Giving too much thought to how others may be feeling that it interferes with my decisions
Feeling like I know others better than they know themselves and only leading them in a way that I think is best
Taking on the responsibility of keeping the environment positive and happy, even though I may not be
Type Three
Constantly maintaining a sense of composure even when a situation would benefit from some vulnerability
Subconsiously adapting so much that it becomes difficult to identify my true sense of self
Taking on tremendous (maybe too much) pressure when it comes to getting things done and delivering results
Continuously striving to make a bigger and better difference which can lead me to feel like nothing is enough
Focusing so much on solutions and action that I neglect important details or input from others
Over focusing on growth and forgetting to slow down (or even pause)
Type Four
Remaining so deeply in a state of introspection and overthinking that I neglect my actual tasks
Prioritizing “never done before,” out-of-the-box solutions to the point that beginning the project feels so daunting or overwhelming that I can’t get started
Overemphasizing creating an authentic and vulnerable environment when others may not be ready
Overfocusing on doing what looks good and feels the best even though it may be impractical
Being so willing to be emotionally vulnerable that it sometimes leads to regretful oversharing
Getting stuck in my emotions after experiencing them fully
Type Five
Researching to the point that I can’t make a decision because I’ve just uncovered so many more things I don’t know
Focusing so intently on planning that it’s all consuming & there’s no room for spontaneity
Only relying on data without considering how decisions or perspectives will affect my emotional realm
Becoming so comfortable observing that I don’t put myself in the ring (even if it can benefit me)
Dismissing others’ opinions because they’re supported by intuition or emotions versus factual analysis
Becoming so content that I miss out on good things that I may really enjoy
Type Six
Overthinking to the point that I’m stuck in analysis loops
Taking on tremendous worry and concern for those I truly care about
Feeling overly responsible for all the little details and making sure things go well
Remaining fully committed to a situation that is no longer serving me because I’m loyal, and I am more comfortable with white-knuckling my way through than with stepping into the unknown
Clinging so tightly to my set of plans that I can’t enjoy them
Being so aware of what might happen that I forget to acknowledge all of the good that is currently happening in my life
Type Seven
Making all things positive even when it would actually help to process the full scope of a situation
Feeling pressure to be the cheerful & supportive person in the room, even when it feels like too much for me
Overfocusing on an exciting solution to the point that I forget to consider the practical action steps
Choosing to only see what’s going well and overlooking important details
Recognizing that I’m doing too much and running myself into the ground, but continuing full speed ahead because I believe I can figure it out
Consistently seeking the next jolt of excitement that I miss the chance to cultivate something I already love doing
Type Eight
Overworking and “pushing through” way past the point of exhaustion
Focusing so intently on competence that I have *negative* amounts of patience for people who work slowly or don’t know what they’re doing
Overtaking the workload & missing an opportunity to empower someone else (which I can be really good at)
Becoming overzealous with others about applying my helpful suggestions
Taking on the responsibility to fight others’ battles, sometimes without their permission
Being so focused on reaching the end goal that I overlook others’ opinions or feelings
Type Nine
Being so understanding of every perspective that it’s difficult to identify my own opinions
Frequently sacrificing my own needs or wants because it’s easier to go with the flow
Prioritizing supporting others to the point that I leave myself behind
Becoming so focused on not offending others that it’s difficult to get my point across, even though I sometimes feel it’s really important to let others know I disagree
Getting so good at making my own “comfy space” inside that I mentally live there instead of engaging in the real world
Overemphasizing my understanding and blurring the lines between empathy and enablement
