How many times have you replayed a conversation in your mind, after the fact, thinking about all the ways you could have handled it differently? Strong communication skills are key to a successful business and personal life. They can help us better understand others, build trust and respect and even create an environment for sharing thoughts and ideas and solving problems.
If you are an online entrepreneur, mastering good communication skills will help you create a magnetic message that gets customers excited about your product or service. Becoming an effective communicator can also help you lead and positively influence others, making it easier to spread your mission.
Each Enneagram Type has a different natural style of communicating. Read through the descriptions for each Type to learn their natural communication style:
Enneagram Type 1
Type 1s communicate by teaching, preaching and advising. They focus on tasks or ideas more than they do feelings and sometimes use words to imply judgment.
Type 1s can focus on their competent, confident nature to get their messaging heard by others. They also typically use well-reasoned opinions to influence others. However, Type 1s can improve their natural style by soliciting or listening to others’ ideas and integrate their points of view into their opinions. This will show others that they are willing to listen to and accept others’ views.
Enneagram Type 2
Type 2s communicate by encouraging, comforting and complimenting. They affirm others and use a responsive tone to encourage others to tell them more.
Type 2s typically get their messaging heard by others because of their personality and relationship building skills. Because 2s sometimes prefer to influence in an indirect manner, however, they may be less effective than if they directly asked for what they wanted.
Enneagram Type 3
Type 3s communicate by promoting, motivating and networking. They speak in a clear and efficient manner and relay their thoughts in a cohesive way.
Type 3s can focus on their competence, self-confidence and good social skills to get their messaging heard by others. However, Type 3s may find some resisting their influence because 3s may come off as overly competitive, ambitious and abrupt. Be aware of these perceptions when attempting to influence others.
Enneagram Type 4
Type 4s communicate by expressing, emoting and discussing. They speak in an emotionally expressive way, telling personal stories and using self-referencing words.
Type 4s can focus on their thoughtfulness, introspection, and values to get their messaging heard by others. However, Type 4s can also strengthen their influence by being less intense, emotional and remembering to consider practical concerns.
Enneagram Type 5
They communicate by questioning, gathering and lecturing. They share data and facts more than emotions because they want to uphold their privacy and conserve energy.
Type 5s often use strategizing and their expertise to get their messaging heard by others. However, Type 5s can improve their natural style by engaging more within social networks or organizations.
Enneagram Type 6
Type 6s communicate by reacting, supporting, worrying and questioning. They speak analytically by can also easily engage in emotions discussions.
Type 6s can focus on identifying potential problems, discussing options and building support to get their messaging heard by others. However, Type 6s can improve their natural style by positioning their opinions in a positive way, by focusing on solutions instead of problems.
Enneagram Type 7
Type 7s communicate by brainstorming, storytelling and daydreaming. They speak in a quick and spontaneous way, changing topics quickly.
Type 7s can focus on their innovative ideas, optimistic opinions and engaging personality to get their messaging heard by others. However, Type 7s can improve their natural style by focusing on how others react to their ideas and giving complete consideration to one idea before moving on to the next one.
Enneagram Type 8
Type 8s communicate by commanding, directing and defending. They have a bold and authoritative way of communicating.
Type 8s can have a natural way of influencing and use strategizing and anticipating outcomes to get their messaging heard by others. However, Type 8s can improve their natural style by remaining calm and engaged when their influence is not immediately well received.
Enneagram Type 9
Type 9s communicate by reassuring, encouraging and calming. They affirm others’ opinions and speak in a manner that is fair to all parties.
Type 9s have an easy to relate to style and want to others’ perspective, which allows their messaging to be heard by others. However, Type 9s can improve their natural style by stating their opinions directly and conveying how strongly they feel about a certain issue.
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