Through the Enneagram Lens: 10 Things to Stop Doing

In his article How to Be Happier at Work: 10 Things to Stop Doing Right Now, Inc. Magazine columnist Jeff Haden identifies 10 behaviors that don’t serve us well in the workplace. They are:

All of us can fall victim to everything on this list. But certain Enneagram types are more prone than others to specific behaviors.

Blamers avoid taking responsibility.
- Prone to blaming: Type 7 – notice how reframing is a way to avoid taking responsibility.
Impressers focus on creating a favorable image.
- Prone to impressing: Type 3 – notice what information you share and why you decide to share it.
Clingers hold on and hold back to avoid disruption.
- Prone to clinging: Type 2 and 9 – notice how avoiding disruption limits forward movement.
Interrupters stop listening and start talking too soon.
- Prone to interrupting: All types – notice what a difference it makes when we wait to let others finish their sentence before we start talking.
Whiners chronically see the glass half empty.
- Prone to whining: Type 4 – notice what happens when you make an effort to see the glass half full.
Controllers exert force.
- Prone to controlling: Type 8 – notice how intimidation is impacting your relationships.
Criticizers hone in on flaws.
- Prone to criticizing: Type 1 – notice what happens when you dial down the judgment.
Preachers carry on longer than needed to make a point.
- Prone to preaching: Type 5 – notice your audience.
Dwellers hold on to the negative past too long.
- Prone to dwelling: Type 1, 2, 4 and 8 – Let it go!
Fear-ers focus on an imagined future.
- Prone to fearing: Type 6 – notice how your attention to what might and might not happen is keeping you from focusing on what is happening now.

Regardless of type, how are these behaviors impacting your happiness at work and home?