The 9 Ways of Working: How to Use the Enneagram to Discover Your Natural Strengths and Work More Effectively [Paperback]

Michael J. Goldberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 22, 1999

The Enneagram -- a system based on nine personality types -- is a uniquely powerful approach to understanding why people behave the way they do. The 9 Ways of Working teaches how to recognize the personality types of everyone you work with -- colleagues, clients, consultants, and the boss -- and use that information to understand how those people manage, make decisions, resolve or create conflicts, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'A practical and immediately useful book for managers.'" -- Getting Results, American Management Association

"A dictionary of the people with whom you work! Keep it right on your desk... Goldberg has created a tool that enables the reader to improve managerial and peer relation skills using the Enneagram. Based on nine personality styles - each with different values, goals and ways of achieving them the Enneagram makes the intentions and behaviors of others understandable, allowing people to work together with power and impact. In using the Enneagram, management and staff are given practical steps to create a work environment of higher efficiency, clearer communication, stronger work teams and greater understanding. Goldberg's presentation is clear, concise and easy to follow." -- The Canadian Manager [review of hardbound edition]

"A thorough and complete guide to all nine Enneagram types. Entertaining to read, filled with practical examples, The Nine Ways of Working is without a doubt one of the best if not the best Enneagram books for making our work and personal relationships deeper and more rewarding. No one in business should be without it." -- Jack Labanauskas, Enneagram Monthly

"Gives many suggestions on the best way to handle different types of people, as well as ways to eliminate the faults associated with one's own personality type." -- Human Resources Professional [review of hardbound edition]

"Goldberg is a master of the Enneagram and his book is the best in the business on business." -- Clarence Thompson, editor, Enneagram Educator

"Offering insight into how people behave, relate and make decisions, [and] using expert direction he has already seen work for organizations such as Motorola and the CIA, Goldberg offers real solutions for everyone who wants to communicate more effectively" -- OR/MS, Operations Research/Management Science Today [review of hardbound edition]

A practical and immediately useful book for managers -- Getting Results, American Management Association

The 9 Ways of Working is a dictionary of the people with whom you work! Keep it right on your desk -- The Canadian Manager

From the Back Cover

The 9 Ways of Working introduces the nine personality styles of the Enneagram, a classic, highly powerful approach to work and life. Each of the Enneagram's nine types has a distinct worldview which determines how they think, what they want, and why they act the way they do. You'll recognize the personality types of the people you work with---colleagues, clients, bosses---as well as your own. And you'll discover the most effective ways to work with these people:
1. The Perfectionist gets things done right---regardless of the consequences. 2. The Helper nurtures others' careers---and demands to be appreciated for it. 3. The Producer works hard to succeed---but can burn out in overwork. 4. The Connoisseur explores his or her creativity and deep feelings---but may get lost in them. 5. The Sage craves data, theories and insight---but may forget the human element 6. The Troubleshooter knows the secrets and who can be trusted---but can get mighty paranoid. 7. The Visionary inspires with brilliant, fun, imaginative ideas---but leaves closure to others. 8. The Top Dog exercises leadership---but may end up as a vengeful bully. 9. The Mediator wants everybody working as a conflict-free team---but may forget his or her own goals.

Drawing on twenty-five years of teaching and consulting, Michael Goldberg's rich descriptions catch the "aha!" of each style with insightful anecdotes and real-life stories. He shows how each style is likely to connect with or miss the others, what kind of leadership is right for certain situations, and how each style makes important decisions and gets work done. You'll see the special gifts and talents of each style, their limits and blind spots, and when they will shine and when they will wilt. The 9 Ways of Working is packed with practical tips and cautions for each style and for working with each style.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (April 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569246882
• ISBN-13: 978-1569246887
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent intro to the Enneagram, April 18, 2002

By 

F. J. Cote (Downers Grove, Il USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The 9 Ways of Working: How to Use the Enneagram to Discover Your Natural Strengths and Work More Effectively (Paperback)

This book was my intro to the Enneagram and it is excellent.
It has very good descriptions of the 9 types and how to find out where you fit.
Its real distinguishing feature is a breakdown on how each group relates to the others in practical everyday situations. Like what to do if you work for a 7 or what if you are a 7.
I wasn't sure which type I was ( I'm a nine) and I read all the rest first. I kept trying to fit myself into a 7 or a 5 but, when I read the 9 chapter it sounded like he reached into my heart and pulled out the things no one else knows about me. I can still feel it today.
Then they go on with more, practical info and advise about what to do with your new found knowlege.
I've since read "Wisdom of the Enneagram" and "Personality Types." They are also very good but I wouldn't recommend them as your first Enneagram book.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oriented toward business world; excellent elsewhere, too, December 31, 2003

By 

richardpinneau.com (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: The 9 Ways of Working: How to Use the Enneagram to Discover Your Natural Strengths and Work More Effectively (Paperback)

If you already have Goldberg's excellent "Getting Your Boss's Number" you probably don't need this volume. This volume however makes Goldberg's perceptive analysis and effective writing available in paperback (earlier title is out of print).

Goldberg's work is not quite as casual in style as Renee Baron's delightful works ("Enneagram Made Easy" and "Am I Your Type"), but it will appeal much more to the no-nonsense business world. His examples of people at different points on the Enneagram are drawn from his business experience and effectively highlight the types of challenges and opportunities that work presents differently to individuals, depending on their Enneagram dynamics.

I cannot imagine anyone not being fascinated and empowered by looking at themselves, their coworkers, and their family through Goldberg's careful presentation. He is respectful of all and does not approach Enneagram as a "pigeon-holing" or "typing" process. Rather it's an appreciation of strengths and challenges. From a background in psychology, I especially appreciate his discussion of the underlying dynamics and likely sources of how family experience helps us slide into certain Enneagram-number ways of operating.

So much more readable and better-organized that most of the "classics" in Enneagram. If you enjoy processing and sharing insights about how humans function, you may also want to explore Baron's titles. The latter are excellent for a casual chat around the family room - then those who like to really APPLY the principles to their work and life will want to move into Goldberg.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction to the practical Enneagram, July 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The 9 Ways of Working: How to Use the Enneagram to Discover Your Natural Strengths and Work More Effectively (Paperback)

Having studied the esoteric Enneagram as well as the growing literature on its practical uses, I have seen no better book on how to "work in" the Enneagram to one's daily life. Goldberg's writing is clear and succinct; his theoretical foundation solid; and the richness and imagination of his examples and situations are quite rewarding. A fun book, an approachable book, a great teaching tool, I highly recommend it.