Enneagram and Predictive Index

I’ve spent some time reflecting on how I’m wired. I've used tools like Enneagram and Predictive Index. For those of us who grew up flipping through magazines, these tests feel slightly more scientific than those old "What Type of Guy Are You?" quizzes in Men's Health - where answering mostly A's meant you were "The Maverick Alpha" or all B's meant you were "The Thoughtful Trailblazer." These tests come with a little more science and a lot less abs on the cover.

On the Enneagram, I test as a 1w2 - the Reformer with a Helper wing. On the Predictive Index, I align most closely with a Venturer (although other tests have also shown Analyst).

That combination is interesting. The 1w2 in me holds a strong internal compass. High standards. Clear sense of right and wrong. Desire to improve systems and elevate people.

The Venturer adds fuel to that fire. It brings decisiveness, comfort with risk, competitive drive, and bias toward action.

So what does that look like in leadership? I don’t just want things to be better. I want them better now. I’ll take calculated risks. I’ll push for growth. I’ll step into ambiguity and move.

The upside is momentum, high standards, and courage to make hard calls. The watch-outs tend to be impatience, expecting others to move at the same speed, letting intensity overshadow empathy if I’m not careful.

Self-awareness helps. I've done well to keep the watch-outs in check. If you have worked with me - you'd probably not seen most of those traits.

The 1w2 keeps my motives grounded in integrity and service. The Venturer keeps me from overthinking and stuck in analysis. Standards with speed. Conviction with action.

Understanding how you’re wired doesn’t limit you. It sharpens you. It can sharpen teams.

I've used Predictive Index in building incredible teams. And while initially I was skeptical of it and may have called it nothing more than a magazine's latest "which guy is he" - the bumping together of different predictive index results allows for the quick identification of where communication will break down, where teams will stumble, and where trait dominance will show up.