10 Coaching Questions for Enneagram 1's
Knowing that people have differing personalities can assist you in coaching them well. You don't even need to be a personality type expert to see trends in what a person needs when you are coaching them, but knowing a bit about types can help you AND help you help them!
In this series, we will unpack what different enneagram types need from a coach as well as the tendencies of a coach who is that type.
(*Definitions will all be from The Enneagram Institute. You can take a free enneagram test here if you are interested.)
Enneagram Ones are the rational, idealistic type: they are principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic
According to the Enneagram Institute, they are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. Well-organized, orderly, and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. They typically have problems with resentment and impatience. At their Best: they are wise, discerning, realistic, and noble. They can be morally heroic.
I'm an Enneagram 1, so I get these folks.
We just want to do the right thing. And if we are honest we want everyone else to do the right thing as well. We need clarity on what is expected of us and we try to provide that clarity as well.
Here are some questions 1"s can benefit from and why.
1) What is your responsibility in this? 1's can tend to take on more than they are required or would even be valuable. They reason, "If I don't do it who will?".
2) Who needs to be involved in this decision? 1's are likely to bear the weight of forward movement on their own when often there is wisdom in the team.
3) What is motivating you? 1's need help discerning between conviction and condemnation.
4) Is this the right timing? It can be easy for 1's to prioritize anything they notice needs attention. It may be best for some things to wait.
5) What are you doing for fun lately? I have one daughter who regularly asks me this and I love/hate it when she does... 1's can tend to be too serious and may need prodding to enjoy life.
6) How do you feel about it? 1's can tend to downplay their emotions. They may need help, and even permission, as they learn how to identify their feelings and mine them for meaning.
7) Who will benefit and how? 1's can tend to be motivated by the "right thing" and may need assistance seeing the bigger picture. This will also help them connect emotionally.
8) How could you make it fun? What?! Fun is an okay goal? Why not?
9) Is there anywhere you need clarity? Sometimes 1's can make stuff up, inadvertently assuming that they need to do things or see that things get done when it was never really clear. Helping them back up and ask questions for clarity can be a game-changer.
10) What is a reasonable time frame for the next step? 1's can tend to work harder than they need to and then feel resentful that others aren't "all in" like they are, when perhaps they could take a chill pill.
Knowing your own type and tendencies, as well as those of the person you are coaching, can help you ask empowering questions that lead to those wonderful coaching "Aha" moments!
1's who are coaches may need to be conscious of their pace so they don't push too hard, and be careful not to dismiss emotional cues.
To learn more about your personal divine design check out our course Destiny by Design. For more on Coach Training and other Bridges Coaching offerings check out our Bridges Coaching home page.