Why the Enneagram is Different From Other Personality Assessments

I've worked in corporate America for more than a decade. In that time, I’ve taken many personality assessments as part of leadership development programs or team retreats. I like learning about myself and how I can grow into a better person.

On the personal side, I don’t take every “What’s your Hogwarts House?” quiz available, but I see the appeal.

I would like to get an A+ on a personality quiz, if that were an option.

I’ve written about why the Enneagram is special to me, but I haven’t covered how this framework is different from some of the other popular personality assessments used in the workplace. Many of these assessments have their purpose and are useful in their own right. But the Enneagram goes deeper, and that depth is what makes it transformational. 

Why is the Enneagram different from other personality assessments?

The biggest reason the Enneagram hits differently is because it’s focused on motivation - what lies beneath the surface of our observable actions. Once you’re aware of these deeply-rooted motivations, you can see how that plays out in your life - at work and at home. The other assessments primarily focus on traits and behaviors: helpful insights, but not necessarily helpful for development. 

Here’s how the Enneagram differs from some of the most common workplace assessments:

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

• Classifies individuals into 16 personality types based on observable traits

• Focused on introversion vs. extroversion, sensing vs. intuition, thinking vs. feeling, judging vs. perceiving 

• Limitation: Doesn’t offer a framework for personal growth

  
  

Strengths Finder

• Identifies individuals’ strongest talents from a list of 34 strengths

• Can assist with leadership development

• Limitation: Focuses only on strengths, ignoring areas for growth

  
  

Big Five Factors Test

• Categorizes individuals based on five traits: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism

• Research-supported validity of the high-level characteristics 

• Limitation: Focuses on behaviors, not motivation or coping mechanisms

DISC

• Describes four primary work styles: Drive, Influence, Support, and Clarity

• Easy for teams to apply to improve communication and collaboration 

• Limitation: Focuses on how people act, communicate and respond in specific situations

If you’re investing in your team’s development, why not choose a tool that can actually shift behavior, not just label it.  

Enneagram Workshops Benefits

An Enneagram workshop gives your team a new understanding of themselves. When people see the why behind their own patterns and their teammates’ behaviors, empathy grows. Conversations get kinder and collaboration gets easier. Leaders gain practical tools for developing their people in ways that actually stick.

Teams walk away with deeper compassion for one another, clearer insight into their culture, and specific growth opportunities they can act on immediately. Managers leave with concrete strategies for coaching different personality types, and employees feel more connected, engaged, and seen.

And because the Enneagram facilitation is both insightful and fun, the experience itself becomes a memorable moment of connection - the kind that strengthens belonging and builds momentum long after the workshop ends.

If you’re ready for professional development that actually changes how your team works together, let’s collaborate. I will partner with you to design a retreat or workshop that meets your goals, deepens connection, and gives your people practical tools they can use right away.

Your team deserves development that sticks.

Schedule a discovery call and let’s create it.

Here's how one recent participant described their experience: 

“I was blown away by working with Rachel, her deep expertise in the Enneagram, and her insightful questions!

I have worked with the Enneagram before, but the level of depth and understanding Rachel brought to the process was truly a game changer.

I am walking away with a better understanding of myself, both at baseline and when life is humming along or challenges arise, and how I interact with others.

If you have been curious about the Enneagram or how its frameworks could impact your team dynamics, take action and reach out to Rachel today. Thank you again!”