9 Types of Leaders: Leading Courageously with the Enneagram

We’re living and leading in a time of deep uncertainty. From economic upheaval to political polarization to a shifting workplace landscape, leaders at every level are being asked to navigate complexity, make values-aligned decisions, and build trust in the face of ambiguity. In these conditions, technical know-how alone isn’t enough. What’s called for is courageous and wholehearted leadership—the kind that starts from the inside out.

Why Your Leadership Perspective Matters

Each of us carries an unconscious set of beliefs about what good leadership looks like. These beliefs shape how we make decisions, what we prioritize, how we relate to others, and even how we measure success. They also reflect our core motivations, our worldview, and our deepest fears.

When we lead without awareness of these inner drivers, we can end up overusing our strengths or unconsciously avoiding the very things our team most needs from us. But when we understand our internal leadership perspective, we can lead more intentionally—and more courageously.

The Enneagram: A Map for Leadership Awareness

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding your unique leadership style. More than a personality test, it illuminates the core motivations, strengths, and blind spots that drive our behavior. It also helps us recognize that there are nine different perspectives on leadership, each with its own gifts and challenges.

When you understand your Enneagram type, you not only gain deeper self-awareness—you also expand your capacity to connect with, empower, and develop those who see the world differently.

The 9 Types of Leaders and Their Gifts

Here’s a brief look at the nine Enneagram types through the lens of leadership. Each type brings something essential to teams, organizations, and the world.

Type 1 – The Improver

Gift: Integrity and high standards
Improver leaders are guided by a strong inner compass. They set the bar high and model ethical leadership, fairness, and responsibility. Their teams often appreciate their clarity and commitment to doing what’s right, even when it’s hard.

Type 2 – The Giver

Gift: Empathy and support
Givers lead with heart. They build relationships of trust, tune in to the needs of others, and are often the glue that holds teams together. Their generosity creates a culture of care, loyalty, and inclusion.

Type 3 – The Performer

Gift: Drive and adaptability
Performers are results-oriented leaders who know how to inspire action and move things forward. They’re skilled at motivating others, building confidence, and helping teams hit ambitious goals with clarity and speed.

Type 4 – The Individualist

Gift: Depth and authenticity
Individualist leaders bring emotional insight and creative vision. They model vulnerability, encourage meaning-making, and foster cultures where people can bring their full, authentic selves to the work.

Type 5 – The Observer

Gift: Insight and thoughtfulness
Observers lead with depth and precision. They are analytical, calm under pressure, and great at making strategic decisions based on deep understanding. Their steadiness and independence are assets in fast-changing environments.

Type 6 – The Loyal Skeptic

Gift: Foresight and loyalty
Loyal Skeptics are the guardians of the group. They’re vigilant, loyal, and often the ones asking the hard questions. Their ability to anticipate risk and think through contingencies helps teams stay grounded and prepared.

Type 7 – The Enthusiast

Gift: Optimism and possibility
Enthusiast leaders bring energy, innovation, and a can-do spirit. They help teams see opportunity in the face of challenge and are skilled at reframing problems to uncover new paths forward.

Type 8 – The Protector

Gift: Strength and decisiveness
Protectors are bold leaders who stand up for their teams and get things done. They value truth, empowerment, and justice, and they’re not afraid to challenge the status quo for the sake of what matters.

Type 9 – The Peacemaker

Gift: Harmony and perspective
Peacemakers bring calm, consensus, and a wide-angle view. They’re gifted at seeing multiple sides of a situation and creating space for inclusive dialogue. Their grounded presence helps reduce tension and build cohesion.

Leading Courageously in Uncertain Times

Courageous leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with presence, self-awareness, and a willingness to engage with what’s real—even when it’s messy or hard.

Each Enneagram type has a natural leadership gift. But in times of stress, we can default to autopilot, overusing our strengths or avoiding discomfort. For example, a Type 1 might become overly critical, while a Type 9 might check out to avoid conflict. That’s where the Enneagram becomes a powerful map and compass for leadership development.

By recognizing when we’re operating from reactivity or fear, we can return to our center and lead from our values. We can access more range—stepping into challenge when needed, softening control when necessary, and showing up with both confidence and humility.

Here are a few reflective questions to explore:

• What’s my impact when I bring my natural leadership gift?

• What strengths do I bring consistently? Which ones am I underusing?

• Where am I being invited to lead with more courage or presence?

Next Steps: Discovering Your Leadership Perspective

Curious to understand your leadership style more deeply? Start by identifying your Enneagram type. We recommend having a typing interview with a trained Enneagram coach or use a reliable online assessment, combined with personal reflection and coaching.

Once you know your type, dig into how it shows up in your leadership. What do you pay attention to? What do you avoid? What are your go-to strategies—and how well are they working for you right now? A seasoned coach, versed in the Enneagram, can help you read the map and set your compass towards the impact you want to have as a leader. We can help you with that.

Even more powerful is learning the types of your team. When leaders understand the internal worlds of those they lead, collaboration gets easier, conversations get richer, and cultures get stronger. We provide team coaching using the Enneagram to help you and your team have these powerful interactions.

In Closing

The Enneagram invites us to lead not just from skill or know-how, but from self-awareness. It teaches us that there’s no one “right” way to lead—and that our differences can be a source of strength rather than struggle. In a world that needs brave, grounded, and wholehearted leaders, the Enneagram gives us a map—not to become someone else, but to become more fully ourselves.

So whatever your type, your perspective matters. And your leadership, when it’s rooted in truth and courage, can change everything.