Sometimes getting ahead at your job requires more than being super fantastic at what you do. That doesn’t mean you have to play politics and suck up to the bosses, but it does help to know what their management style is.
Cindy Leong, a relationship coach and Enneagram pratcitioner says it all comes down to understanding where the boss is coming from. “Generally, people will want to collaborate with you if they were to share the same flow of ideas. People (your boss, in this case) would better appreciate you if you can add value to their lives and complement their weaknesses.” In other words, if you want to get along with your boss, you’ll have to spend some time thinking about how to make their lives easier.
But this doesn’t mean suddenly agreeing with your boss on everything (your inner conscience might have a fit and, besides, they’ll know something’s up). The foundation of a good working relationship is not based on a bedrock of a**-kissing. One system that works to understand your boss is the Enneagram system. This assumes a person’s basic personality type does not change over time, and so you (and your boss) generally have fixed traits. Check out the different types here to figure out what drives your boss.
The Reformer: The rational, idealistic type
Basic Fear: Being corrupt, evil or defective
Basic Desire: To be good, to have integrity, to be balanced
Motivated by: The desire to be right, to improve everything, to be beyond criticism
The Helper: The caring, interpersonal type
Basic Fear: Being unwanted and unworthy of being loved
Basic Desire: To feel loved
Motivated by: The need to be loved, to express feelings for others, to be needed and appreciated
The Achiever: The success-oriented, pragmatic type
Basic Fear: Being worthless
Basic Desire: To feel valuable and important
Motivated by: The desire to be affirmed, to command attention, to be admired, to be regarded as distinguished
The Individualist: The sensitive, withdrawn type
Basic Fear: Having no identity or significance
Basic Desire: To find themselves and their significance
Motivated by: The need to express themselves and their individuality, to attract a rescuer
The Investigator: The intense, cerebral type
Basic Fear: Being useless, helpless or incapable
Basic Desire: To be capable and competent
Motivated by: The desire to possess knowledge, to have everything figured out as a way to defend self
The Loyalist: The committed, security-oriented type
Basic Fear: Being without support and guidance
Basic Desire: Security and support
Motivated by: Certainty and reassurance, fight against anxiety
The Enthusiast: The busy, fun-loving type
Basic Fear: Being deprived and in pain
Basic Desire: To have their needs fulfilled and be satisfied
Motivated by: Freedom, happiness and the avoidance of pain
The Challenger: The powerful, dominating type
Basic Fear: Being harmed or controlled by others
Basic Desire: To protect themselves and be in control of their life and destiny
Motivated by: The need to prove their strength, being important, domination
The Peacemaker: The easygoing, self-effacing type
Basic Fear: Loss and separation
Basic Desire: To have inner stability and peace of mind
Motivated by: A desire to create harmony and to avoid conflicts and tension
This article is featured in CLEO. Written by Karen Fong on 17 October 2017.
