By: Courtney Millard

Have you heard of the Enneagram? If you haven’t, you are probably not alone. Although it is an ancient practice, it has really started to gain popularity in the last several years. The Enneagram is a powerful tool that helps you gain insight into yourself and others. Each person fits into one of 9 types, which describe how you see the world and your motivation for doing things. It has really given me insight into why I take action in some areas and drag my feet in others. Take my employment at Fiat for example.

I know nothing about finance. “What am I doing here?,” is a question I asked myself daily during the first year or so of employment at Fiat. In fact, I tried to quit...twice! After earning a degree in Health Promotion and subsequently being a stay at home mom for the past 4 years, the learning curve was insanely steep. I made a lot of mistakes, complained about learning new software and basically any other tasks asked of me during our weekly staff meetings. I honestly don’t understand why they put up with me. It’s safe to say, as the only employee, I was NOT employee of the month.

So what am I doing here? Why would these guys hire me to work in their wealth management office when I have zero qualifications and even less desire to learn about this topic? I often point this out to them and they always reply, ”We didn’t hire you for your financial knowledge, just keep doing what you do.” Whatever that means.

At this point you are probably wondering...what is your point and how DO you still have a job? Great question. I think the answer can be found in the Enneagram. I have recently discovered that I am a 9, the Peacekeeper.

So what does it mean to be a type 9? Above all, the 9 strives for harmony, peace, and reconciliation. Do you know what doesn’t foster inner peace? Getting involved in a business that deals with personal finances when you don’t even deal with your own personal finances! When I started at Fiat, my overwhelming thoughts and feelings were that I was out of my league in the financial sector. It really threatened my life balance and caused me to put up a huge wall.

It’s funny looking back, because Matt (Enneagram 7) and Brad (Enneagram 3) could really see my potential even though I couldn’t see it in myself. They didn’t need me to deal with financial tasks, that’s their department and they are exceptional. They wanted my skills in personal relationships and hospitality. They recognized my ability to create a comfortable, harmonious, and welcoming environment for clients. Learning more about my natural inclination as a 9 to create a peaceful environment has really helped me embrace my role at Fiat and, I hope, is evident each time you walk through our door.

I have loved learning about the Enneagram (much more than learning financial jargon). I read books, listen to podcasts, and talk to anyone who will listen. I have gained such valuable insights into myself and recognized some personal pitfalls. It has also opened me up to identifying my strengths and how to cultivate growth in those areas of my life. I have really developed a new level of empathy and compassion for those closest to me. Understanding how someone views the world and how it differs from your own view really defuses negative assumptions that can crop up when someone reacts differently to a situation. It can be so valuable in families, friendships, and even the workplace!

As you may have noticed, our office is growing. I can no longer claim the title of best/worst/ONLY employee! I absolutely love it. It’s wonderful to be part of a team that values and respects each others’ roles in the company. We have recently started using the Enneagram to gain insights into our teammates and how to communicate with each other more effectively. Needless to say, we work hard, but also have a lot of fun around the office. My favorite kind of task.

I feel fortunate to work for a company that truly considered what kind of business they wanted to build. It’s not just about money. Building relationships with our clients is a key component to what we do at Fiat. We want to know what motivates you in order to serve you better. We want you to experience the joy we feel when we help you achieve your financial goals. We want you, our valued clients, to feel warmly welcomed, like you are part of the team. And of course, we want to know your Enneagram number.

Additional Resources

Want to learn more about the Enneagram or find out your own type? There are many wonderful resources online. The most notable being The Enneagram Institute. You can find a more detailed overview of the Enneagram as a whole as well as descriptions of each type.

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com

While Enneagram experts don’t recommend quizzes as the best way to find your type, it can be a good place to start narrowing things down. When taking the quiz, try to give your initial reaction and think of it through the lens of your younger self. Once you get the results, you will want to read through your top 2 or 3 types to see which one resonates with you more. Focus on your key motivations as opposed to your actions to really drill down into your specific type. Here is a quiz that many of the experts I follow recommend:

https://www.yourenneagramcoach.com/dont-know-your-type

A fun way to learn more is through podcasts. Here are a few I recommend:

• The Road Back to You: Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile
• The Enneagram Journey: Suzanne Stabile
• That Sounds Fun: Annie F. Downs (Enneasummer 2020 series)
• Enneagram & Coffee: Sarajane Case

Finally, if you have made it this far, thanks for reading! I have really enjoyed sharing this with all of you. I would love to hear from any of you regarding your findings or if you would like to share your type.

Email me at cmillard@fiatwm.com