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©2022 The Enneagram in BusinessMAKE GREATDECISIONSEXPANDING YOURTHREE CENTERS OFINTELLIGENCEPART IGinger Lapid-Bogda PhDThe Enneagram in Business Mini-Book©2022 The Enneagram in Business

Decision-making and the EnneagramWe all make decisions, large and small, every day, butare we using all three Centers of intelligence to do so? When making a decision, ask these three questions:Head CenterWhat information does my head have to offer aboutthis decision?Heart CenterWhat does my heart say about my feelings and valuesrelated to this decision?Body CenterWhat does my gut know about what decision I shouldmake?Think of the three Centers as our three advisors, yetwe want our advisors to be trustworthy ones. TheEnneagram can help us do that! Here are ways eachtype can gain more productive use of each Centerwhen it comes to decision making: Head Center (moreobjective analysis), Heart Center (increased empathy),and Body Center (more effective action).

Enneagram OnesHead CenterObjective analysisBe careful not to let your positive or negativeopinions about another person overshadow theobjective data; don’t overthink.Heart CenterEmpathyConsider both your own and other people’s feelingsin depth.Body Center Taking effective actionTurn decision-making into an art form; use justenough action to get the results you want.

Enneagram TwosHead CenterObjective analysisDo not let your personal feelings for other peoplebias your decisions; strive to be objective.Heart CenterEmpathyExamine your motivation for needing to knowexactly what others are thinking and feeling.Body Center Taking effective actionLearn the art of timing so that you will know when toact, when to wait, and when to do nothing.

Enneagram ThreesHead CenterObjective analysisConsider data, including feelings, that you may nothave considered but that can help.Heart CenterEmpathySpend time considering your own feelings and thoseof others; factor them into your decisions.Body Center Taking effective actionWork on making most of your decisions less quicklyso that new insights have time to percolate.

Enneagram FoursHead CenterObjective analysisDon’t let your personal experiences and feelingsbias your view of the facts; become more objectivein your decision-making.Heart CenterEmpathyExamine your perceptions about what other peopleare feeling regarding issues and decisions; makesure you are not projecting your own emotionalreactions onto others.Body Center Taking effective actionDon’t let feelings immobilize you and prevent youfrom making a decision; action is one way to movethrough emotional reactions.

Enneagram FivesHead CenterObjective analysisRemember that logical analysis is not necessarilyobjective; logic can have its own bias, depending onthe logic used.Heart CenterEmpathyLearn to feel your own feelings in real-time, not afterthe fact. This will enable you to read other people’sfeelings more accurately and to use this informationin decision-making.Body Center Taking effective actionMake decisions in a timely manner, usinginformation from your mind, heart and gut.

Enneagram SixesHead CenterObjective analysisSlow down your analysis of the data related to adecision, particularly when you are anxious or noticethat you are repeating the same thoughts.Heart CenterEmpathyRemain empathic even when someone’s behaviorbothers, hurts, or angers you.Body Center Taking effective actionMake decisions that are good risks, not just excitingones; take action using your gut as a way to bypassover-analysis.

Enneagram SevensHead CenterObjective analysisMake sure you really have all the data, not just thehighlights.Heart CenterEmpathyExamine your feelings and read your internal cues;this will help you to read other people’s bodylanguage.Body Center Taking effective actionSlowing your pace will help you make wise decisions,not just decisions that intrigue or stimulate you.

Enneagram EightsHead CenterObjective analysisQuestion your assumptions, ask the opinions ofothers, take in multiple viewpoints when makingdecisions.Heart CenterEmpathyTake the time to sense the feelings of other people,even when you don’t respect those individuals.Body Center Taking effective actionDon’t rush into decisions; don‘t make overly complexor overly large decisions when a simple solutionwould work just as well.

Enneagram NinesHead CenterObjective analysisRemember that you can collect too much data andthen overanalyze a situation; this creates confusionabout which information is the most relevant.Heart CenterEmpathyMake sure to maintain your empathy, even withpeople you perceive as negative and complaining.Body Center Taking effective actionFigure out why you procrastinate; err on the side oftaking action too quickly rather than too slowly.

ABOUT THE ENNEAGRAM IN BUSINESSEstablished in 2004 by Ginger Lapid-Bogda PhD, The Enneagram inBusiness offers excellent quality, state-of the-art products and services.Our vision is to help elevate consciousness globally using theEnneagram integrated with other innovative approaches; our mission isto provide an abundance of Enneagram-based resources for use aroundthe world. These include the following:» Eight Enneagram books, including several best sellers» Full-color Enneagram training tools, both in hard copy and virtual formats» Global Enneagram certification programs for consultants, trainers, andcoaches» Premier leadership development and team development offerings» Training, coaching and consulting services, both virtual and in-person» A comprehensive, interactive online Enneagram Learning Portal (ELP)» A global network of over 70 top-quality Enneagram professionals(EIBN)ENNEAGRAM BOOKS by Ginger-Lapid-BogdaBringing Out the Best in Yourself at WorkWhat Type of Leader Are You?Bringing Out the Best in Everyone You CoachThe Enneagram Development GuideConsulting with the EnneagramThe Enneagram Coloring BookThe Art of TypingThe Art of the Enneagram (co-authored with Russell Tres Bogda)TheEnneagramInBusiness.com | EnneagramLearningPortal.com |info@TheEnneagramInBusiness.com | 510.570.2971