Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

Enneagram brings new perspectives

February 7, 2018 by Kristin 18 Comments

I like the way Facebook helps keep connections alive. Andrea Kleid and I went to college together. Recently, as she’s been sharing about how Enneagram has helped her better navigate life and relationships, I’ve been intrigued and asked her questions.

I decided I was probably not the only one who would benefit from her insights, so please welcome Andrea to #PorchStories today as she shares why Enneagram personality types matter.

(And I’m a 1, by the way.)

*****

I was standing in the Presidential Suite of the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas putting final touches on the room where we would showcase several artists on our label for twenty of our clients. My team of five people was arranging chairs and making sure the lighting was just right while we waited for catering to arrive. Beyond the hors-d’oeuvres, we ordered a birthday cake to celebrate one of our female clients who was turning 40.

One of the gentleman hosts came over to show us the cake before he put it in the refrigerator. As he opened the lid, we all gasped. Instead of reading “Happy Birthday, Theresa!” we saw “Congratulations, Theresa!” decorated with fondant baby bottles and diapers. I just kept saying, “No, no, no, no, no.” I spoke very firmly to the Bellagio host, “This is not what we ordered, and you have 20 minutes to fix it before our guests arrived.” He left with a panicked look on his face, and his fellow hosts followed him out.

As soon as they left, my head blew off my shoulders. “How does this happen?” I asked as I shot a look to each member of my team. “No really, how did this happen?” I yelled in a strong voice. They stayed quiet at first, and then began the terrible idea of telling me it was going to be okay.

My energy was big and I paced and slammed my folder on the table. I felt my team jump behind me. I slowly turned around and they all looked like they had seen a ghost. My normally vivacious and upbeat team looked afraid of me.

I must have let down my guard for a moment to make eye contact, and one of the guys on my team came over, put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Really, Kleid, it’s going to be okay.” Even though I was still incredibly frustrated, I had this acute awareness that I had just completely freaked out and lost all composure OVER A CAKE. Granted it was a $300 cake, but still, it was a cake.

I looked around again at my team and whispered, “I’m sorry I just lost it.” They said it was okay, but their countenance still showed me that I hurt them – not by what I said, but that I had come across in such a blaming, aggressive way. I continued to pace, but there was a different energy about me. I was embarrassed of my behavior and I wanted to fix what I had done.

I turned around to them and said, “Hey guys, this is funny, right?” Staring at me with fear, they seemed afraid this was a trick question. So I repeated it, “The cake, the fact that it’s a congratulatory baby cake, it’s funny, right?” I saw one of them crack a smile and said, “It’s actually hilarious.” I said, “Yes, it’s hilarious! Call catering right away and tell them to keep it the way it is, and get it up here!” They all breathed a sigh of relief and got on the case.

When our clients arrived, we lit the candles and sang “Happy Birthday” and as Theresa approached the cake to blow out the candles, she began laughing hysterically. Then everyone began to realize what it said, and it was the biggest hit of the night. We found out later when we listed “baby blue” as the colors to use, someone had interpreted it as a baby cake. We explained the story to the group, and to this day, people talk about the hilarious cake mishap.

This was a moment in my life when
I knew I had to be a better leader.

I will never forget the looks on my teams’ faces that night and how I made them feel. I knew I needed to increase my self-awareness and learn to be less controlling or I wouldn’t be given the privilege of leading kind, talented people. No one should have to put up with a controlling, aggressive leader.

In many ways, this moment of self-awareness led me to the Enneagram. I am an 8 on the Enneagram, the Challenger, if you couldn’t figure that out yet! I have learned how to take the same energy that can be domineering and channel it into true leadership and empowerment.

The Enneagram is a map of nine distinct personality types, and one of the most life-changing tools I’ve ever encountered. Understanding the nine types and how they interact have forged a way for me to experience deep personal growth and have helped me to have better understanding and grace in my relationships.

So many people ask me where to start, and it’s simply reading through the type descriptions and finding the one that you are most dominant in. No one type is better than one another; each is its own valuable perspective on the world.

Through my time studying the Enneagram and understanding its nuances, I’ve been able to completely change a perspective I’ve had on people I’ve known for more than 15 years.

Once we understand each person emerges
from childhood with a very specific perspective
on the world, the grace begins to flow.

{Tweet that.}

There are so many things I could say about how the Enneagram has influenced my life, but probably the greatest is presence. I have learned through my own personal work if I am able to be present and recognize what I’m feeling in times of adversity or stress, then I can manage my reactivity.

If you’re not familiar with the amazing world the Enneagram holds, please dive in! It will give you tools for growth and make you a more aware human, and we all need more present, healthy people in this world.

Check out the Enneagram Institute to read through the nine type descriptions or find a free test online to begin the journey.

*****

Andrea Kleid is 17-year music industry veteran with a passion to help people grow. She led one of the most successful and influential radio promotion teams in her industry. As a vice president at a major label, Andrea developed a reputation for launching top artists and growing their careers using her signature brand of honesty, laser-sharp insight, and unstoppable passion. A master at connection, Andrea’s deep empathy and fierce strategic mind make her a force for good. Andrea uses Enneagram personality process as a catalyst for growth for artists and teams. Andrea lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and runs her own company, BoxerPoet.

*****

I also want to make sure my #PorchStories friend don’t miss the book giveaway (!!!) happening. Yesterday I shared about Kayla Aimee’s new book, “In Bloom: Trading Restless Insecurity for Abiding Confidence,” and am giving away two copies. Come enter to win!

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: personality

Comments

  1. Melody says

    February 7, 2018 at 6:27 am

    Awesome post!! Now I’m off to
    investigate what number I am. And to order an Over the Hill birthday cake for our 11 year old. Ha!! Great story!!!

    Reply
    • Melody says

      February 7, 2018 at 7:37 am

      Oh I just took the free test and I’m also a “1” with a wing 2. Wow, that was really insightful – the questions were unlike most personality tests and I really liked it.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        February 7, 2018 at 3:20 pm

        I said I’m a 1, but I have a 2 wing too. It’s really, really interesting to read about. I especially love the Enneagram Institute’s page where you can read about how two types naturally interact. It’s been eye-opening, especially for my marriage and parenting my son. I’m glad you enjoyed your introduction to the Enneagram here. 🙂

        Reply
  2. Michele Morin says

    February 7, 2018 at 6:41 am

    Thank you, Andrea, for sharing that jarring bump on your road to self-awareness. I LOVE the Enneagram, even though it’s complex and takes some investigation. I keep reading and “trying on” numbers, all the while growing in my understanding of my strengths and weaknesses.
    Thanks, Kristin, for this intro. to that great personality inventory!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 7, 2018 at 3:23 pm

      Thanks for being here, Michele!

      Reply
  3. Rachel says

    February 7, 2018 at 6:47 am

    Oddly enough, I just took this same test on FB one week ago! I’m a #2- the helper. 🙂 Fun post! I like how you were able to make lemonade out of lemons! Good job!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 7, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      Thanks for being here, Rachel!

      Reply
  4. SUSAN SHIPE says

    February 7, 2018 at 8:30 am

    I think I want to read more about the Enneagram. It is complex but very interesting.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 7, 2018 at 3:19 pm

      I recently added two books I keep hearing about to my (always-growing) list. It’s interesting to me too!

      Reply
  5. Barbara H. says

    February 7, 2018 at 8:32 am

    I have heard of this but haven’t investigated it yet. Thanks for the tips!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 7, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      Hope you enjoy discovering more about it, Barbara!

      Reply
  6. Tara says

    February 7, 2018 at 9:48 am

    Thanks for sharing this story. So funny! I am through and through an Enneagram 2 with a 9 wing. Anyone who knows me isn’t surprised at that!

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      February 7, 2018 at 2:03 pm

      Hi Tara! Your wings are actually on either side of your type. So if you’re a 2, your wings would be a 1 and 3 and usually one is more dominant. But we all have all types inside us. Hope this helps.

      Reply
      • Kristin says

        February 7, 2018 at 3:17 pm

        I told someone that today about the wings but then I doubted myself, so I’m glad you said this, Andrea! Thanks again for sharing your story here today!

        Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 7, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      Even for our online interaction, I’m not surprised you’re a 2. Hence the desires of your heart you shared on your blog this week.

      Reply
  7. Lisa notes says

    February 7, 2018 at 2:47 pm

    I was guessing you were an 8! lol. I’m a 5 (I think; I still wander between 1 or 5?). I have explored the Enneagram a lot this past year. I find it fascinating and enlightening. I’m learning more about myself, how to use my strengths and counter my weaknesses. Thus, my word for the year: Mystery, in my attempt to let go a little of my “need to know”. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 7, 2018 at 3:17 pm

      Interesting! I want to go read about an 8 now. 🙂 I’ve loved reading about how the different types naturally interact and then be aware of that, especially with my husband and kids, so I can do my part to improve those relationships (and any relationship). I like the word “mystery,” and even though it’s different my word (“rescue”) I get the need to let of needing to know. I want to solve all the problems, thus the #1 Reformer. Glad you’re here today, Lisa!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Agreement Even in Diversity - Words, Photos and Art says:
    February 7, 2018 at 5:51 pm

    […] #FaithOnFire, #Glimpses, #InspireMeMonday, #LMMLinkup, #TrekkingThru, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #porchstories, […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Melody Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Nine Ways to Go for God
  • 20 years of marriage!
  • God always finds them
  • 5 skills to raise kids well
  • Cheesy, breezy Wisconsin Dells

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

Strep throat bookended his summer. Literally. He t Strep throat bookended his summer. Literally. He tested positive for strep the first Saturday of Summer Break and the last day of Summer Break. He also had it in June and COVID-19 in July. 

Here’s to being grateful he’s quick to recover, antibiotics work, our pediatrician is our friend, and he won’t miss the first day of school. 

#88daysofsummer #boymom #reallife #summerbreak #backtoschool #choosingJOY
What a perfect day for a back-to-school party for What a perfect day for a back-to-school party for some @ncca.lions 7th grade boys and their siblings! A new student wanted to meet some classmates, so we hosted some friends & made new friends. 

#backtoschool #momlife #middleschoolers #boymom #poolpeople #morethangroceries #bettertogether #siblinglove #88daysofsummer #countryliving
Introducing Backroads and Blooms Photography by Ca Introducing Backroads and Blooms Photography by Cate Taylor 🎉 

Cate has five different prints available as 5x7s or 8x10s and then matted and framed. She has in stock two of each print in each size, but she will order more. 

🖼 5x7s matted in 8x10 frame = $12
🖼 8x10s matted in 11x14 frame = $20

🌵 Cactus
🌸 Pink flower
💦 Daisy with water drops
🌼 Yellow & orange flower
✨ Starburst flower 

Let Cate know in the comments what you’d like to order or message me. Local pickup/dropoff only right now. 

You can send PayPal friends & family to kristinhilltaylor@gmail.com, send Venmo to @KristinHillTaylor, or pay cash at pickup.

#buddingphotographer #momlife #firstborn #entrepreneur #photography #outdoorphotography #naturephotography
I took a break from my work & chores to read yeste I took a break from my work & chores to read yesterday and I’m so glad I did. I had to stay up late to finish it last night. 

First of all, don’t judge this book by its cover, which I don’t like. (I’ve seen another cover for this same book, so I really don’t understand!) 

Anyway, I loved the story of first love and loss and reconnection told in the dual now-and-then timeline. I thought the end was a little abrupt, but maybe that’s just because I wanted a little more about Macy and Elliot. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #88daysofsummer
Today I’m thankful for a productive stretch of t Today I’m thankful for a productive stretch of time making my way through a to-do list, this view from my kitchen window, a little more Summer Break with my kids, a book that has me distracted from other things I “should” be doing, and lots of wide-open space in our day. 

#mondaymotivation #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #countryliving #momlife #reallife #88daysofsummer
We’ve taken our older kids on short-term mission We’ve taken our older kids on short-term mission trips and hope to go on more. They’ve served locally. We support missionaries. We want our kids to be open to wherever God calls them and incorporating missions into our small-town life is one way we, as parents, have hoped to teach that. 

I’m incredibly thankful @hardinbaptistchurch comes alongside us with the same message. The middle and high school @hardinstudents spent the summer looking at different aspects of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Youth minister @cbright2 spent the last Sunday of the series looking at nine practical ways that students – yes, even middle and high schoolers – could participate in and pray about going for God. 

Chase shared these 9 Ways to Go with students' parents, and I asked him for permission to share them with you because even as an adult I want to remember to live on mission – even right where I am. 

9 WAYS TO GO FOR GOD: https://bit.ly/9WaysToGo

#linkinbio #ontheblog #bloggerlife #momlife #churchlife #faithlife #livingfaithfully #missions #missionminded #youth #teenagers #parenting #parenthood
“Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, “Writing is what makes me happy. Writing, even, is how I feel I contribute to the world. Reminding people of what’s important. Letting them escape the harsh parts of life, even if it’s just for a few hours. Helping them feel happiness through watching happily-ever-afters unfold. Remembering truths. Recalling their self-worth. Loving others. Living well. Learning. I want to do that.” 

And, let’s be honest, love stories about writers make me happy too. “Meet Me in the Margins” was cute, predictable, and a good way to escape for a little while. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #authorlife #librarybooks #poolpeople #weekending
This is the only picture I took tonight. You can’t tell, but there was a porch full of people talking, more kids playing basketball, and another group around the kitchen table. We covered a lot of ground in our conversations. Nobody cared that I didn’t have hot dog buns or tomatoes for the burgers. I ran out of paper plates and am happy to hear the dishwasher cleaning all the “real” plates. I’m grateful for come-as-you-are community, where we share real life. 

#88daysofsummer #PorchStories #livingfaithfully #morethangroceries #choosingJOY #bettertogether #reallife #hospitalitymatters #poolpeople
While Ben had a great week at @memgrizzyouth camp While Ben had a great week at @memgrizzyouth camp with some school friends, the girls and I soaked up some more of summer with our friends. 

#88daysofsummer #boymom #bettertogether #girlmom #momlife #reallife #choosingJOY
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM