I would normally let this idea pass on (I have a graveyard of post ideas that will never see the light of day 😉🪦), but ’tis the season, so why not! I was thinking about the phrase, “That’ll be on my tombstone” (and similar sentences), so those inspired this post.

Things That Feel Like the Worst-case Scenario | A Reinterpretation of the “Core Fear” of Each Enneagram Type : We often hear about the “core motivation” and “core fear” of each Enneagram type. When I’ve talked about this with people who love the Enneagram (including many of you!), the term “core fear” doesn’t quite resonate. Instead, I’ve begun to teach this as what each type is avoiding or what feels like the WORST for each type.

Want to deepen your relationships and truly understand the people in your life? This guide explores how to relate with each Enneagram type—Types One through Nine—highlighting what each type values in communication, how they show up in relationships, and how you can connect more meaningfully. Whether you’re a Type Two learning to set boundaries or a Type Seven embracing stillness, these insights will help you grow in empathy and understanding.

What does growth look like for you? These aren’t the only signs of growth for each type, but these might help you observe what growth looks like for you. If you notice areas where you’ve grown, take a moment to acknowledge that! Building those habits can take a lot of intentional work. If there are items on this list that aren’t yet available to you, that’s okay, too. This is not intended to be a report card! Even noting a couple of ways you’ve grown is incredible!

Sometimes I think we get so caught up examining the differences between the types that we lose sight of our similarities. When I asked about what makes each type feel valued at work, every type shared that they appreciate being recognized for a job well done, even in small ways. So let your coworkers / employees / managers / group project buddies know how much you appreciate them!

We all have strengths & weaknesses. I love the idea that we can learn to “borrow” strengths: meaning, we assume we’re capable of growth and change AND we can learn to build on what we’re already good at. We can also acknowledge that each type has some incredible abilities that we can all appreciate!

In this episode of Enneagram in Real Life, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews returning guest, Reverend Nhien Vuong. In this episode, Nhien and Stepahnie dive deeper into Nhien’s book, The Enneagram of the Soul: A 40-Day Spiritual Companion for the 9 Types. They discuss key concepts, including the transformative power of integrating the Enneagram with contemplative practice. They explore the idea that you are not your type, but rather your type is a gateway to greater self-awareness and spiritual freedom. The conversation emphasizes the importance of moving beyond simply self-describing to actually doing the inner work and practicing self-compassion. Nhien also breaks down  conscious communication (from her book) for each type.

This week on Enneagram in Real Life, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews co-authors Khara Croswaite Brindle, a certified financial therapist, and Hannah DeGroot, an LPC and Certified Enneagram Coach. Khara (SO3) and Hannah (SP3) share insights from their book, Your Enneagram and Money: Transforming Enneagram Edges into Financial Freedom. They delve into how each Enneagram type approaches financial beliefs and challenges, emphasizing that money is an emotional topic often overlooked in traditional financial approaches. The conversation highlights the importance of self-awareness regarding money beliefs and offers practical, type-specific tools for achieving financial wellness.

When I asked in my stories about what makes life feel meaningful, EVERY type said something along the lines of “time with friends,” “being with people I love,” “close family connections,” and other similar responses. The more I work with people, the more I’ve found that human connection is essential to our sense of well-being. It’s not necessarily about Enneagram type!

In this episode of Enneagram in Real Life, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Reverend Nhien Vuong. Nhien shares wisdom about spiritual wholeness through the lens of the Enneagram. Drawing from her own transformative journey—from high-achieving attorney to contemplative Enneagram teacher—Nhien emphasizes that true healing begins when we stop striving to “fix” ourselves and instead reconnect with our divine essence. Her new book, The Enneagram of the Soul, offers a 40-day spiritual journey grounded in this approach, inviting people of all spiritual perspectives to gently awaken to their authentic nature through daily reflections and practices.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, Stephanie Barron Hall interviews Betsy Wills and Alex Ellison, co-authors of Your Hidden Genius. The discussion revolves around the role of aptitude testing in career exploration and personal growth. Betsy and Alex share insights into how understanding aptitudes can guide individuals to find career satisfaction, overcome burnout, and navigate workplace dynamics. They explain the science behind aptitudes, the practical tools available in their book, and how these assessments complement personality frameworks like the Enneagram. The conversation highlights actionable steps to foster career wellness and equity in professional settings.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, we meet with Tyler Zach, author and certified Enneagram coach with 18 years of experience coaching students, adults, couples, and business teams. He has grown a vibrant community of over 47K Enneagram enthusiasts on his Instagram account @GospelForEnneagram. He is writing a faith-based 40-day devotional for every Enneagram type which you can grab on Amazon.com.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, we meet with Mary Adkins, a writing coach and founder of The Book Incubator, a 12-month program to write, revise, and pitch your novel or memoir. She is author of the novels When You Read This (Indie Next Pick, “Best Book of 2019” by Good Housekeeping and Real Simple), Privilege (Today.com “Best Summer Read,” New York Post “Best Book of the Week”), and Palm Beach (recently named one of the New York Post’s “Best Books of 2021”). Her books have been published in 13 countries, and her essays and reporting have appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Slate, and more. A graduate of Yale Law School and Duke University, she helps aspiring authors finish their books with joy and clarity.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, we meet with Taylor Elyse Morrison. She is a founder, facilitator, coach, and serial entrepreneur making well-being and personal development more accessible. Through her company Inner Workout and her book of the same name, Taylor supports people’s journey to know, care for, and become their full selves. In this episode, we talk about Taylor’s experience with burnout, discuss her perspective on failure, and how she approaches self-care as a tool for her own well-being, all through the lens of an Enneagram Type 3.

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, we are in full swing with season 3! As we introduce a new season, we are also introducing a new co-host, Heidi Alaniz Critz, who has been part of the Nine Types Co. team for almost three years. Get to know both of us in this episode as we do a deep dive into our personal Enneagram journeys, our types, subtypes, and more! 

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, we meet with Scott Allender. Scott Allender is an expert in global leadership and organizational development. Along with cohosting The Evolving Leader podcast, Scott regularly teaches Enneagram workshops and conducts typing interviews and emotional intelligence assessments for individuals and teams who seek to become more radically self-aware and cognizant of the impact they have on the world. 

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, we meet with Amanda E. White, a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular instagram account @therapyforwomen. She is the author of the book “Not Drinking Tonight: A Guide to Creating A Sober Life You Love," and the workbook version which will be coming out in January 2023. She is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center, based in Philadelphia serving clients across the country. She has been featured in notable publications such as Forbes, Washington Post, Shape, Self and more. We discuss performance and perfectionism, as well as explore the topic of Alcohol. This episode is great for those who are curious if their relationship with alcohol is serving them in their daily lives. What a great conversation with my fellow Enneagram Three!

This week’s episode of Enneagram IRL is a little special because I'm the one being interviewed! Truity Labs (@truitylabs) is an online personality assessment platform, and they have a variety of assessments, including the Enneagram. A few months ago, I was interviewed by Samantha Mackay, who creates training programs and content for Truity Labs! Fun Fact: Samantha and I met in the Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy. In this interview, Samantha and I discussed some of the upsides and downsides of using the Enneagram with teams, my approach to leadership and organizational communication as a practitioner, and more. So thank you so much to Samantha and Truity for interviewing me!

On this week’s episode of Enneagram IRL, we meet with Kimberly Reese, a licensed therapist, expert on Black Agency, and a Certified Enneagram Coach based out of Charlotte, North Carolina. With over a decade of specialized experience in treating trauma in the BIPOC community. She is originally from South Florida but was raised in Durham, North Carolina where she obtained her Bachelor of Social Work from Meredith College and completed her Master of Social Work at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is committed to shifting the culture of mental health services by promoting quality therapeutic services to her clients in North Carolina. We talk about what it’s like to be an Enneagram Three, emotionality and being in the heart center, the Type Three approach to losing, failure, and achievement, and learning to do things we’re bad at.

When I think about communication, I think about more than just talking: it’s how we express ourselves (even silence is a form of self-expression), it’s how we connect (or don’t), it’s how we build relationships and cultivate our lives. It’s everything! And this is one of THE most important ways I think we can use the Enneagram. How do you communicate with yourself? (Yes, it’s a thing!) And how do you communicate with others?

If you’ve been curious about using the Enneagram for growth, improving your relationships, and deepening self-awareness, I have good news for you!