The Enneagram: Nine Points of View and Core Motivation The Enneagram framework refers to nine points of view, also known as Types, or styles that reference a different perspective of the way people think, feel and act in relation to the world, others and themselves. It reveals more than a personality profile, as it goes into the often unconscious core motivations that lie deep within our personality, and helps us to understand why we are the way we are. While each of us have all nine motivations within us, one of these nine is more dominant and serves as the main driver for how we show up in the world. Typing, Not Stereotyping For the Enneagram to have value, it is essential that you identify your core Type/style. This is the starting point to explore and open up the possibility for change and transformation. There is a danger in using a “type-based” system in that it can be easy to stereotype people. Stereotyping implies that one fact about someone leads to making assumptions about many other characteristics. Stereotyping limits our openness and perspective. A person cannot be oversimplified and reduced to their type alone. The Enneagram should be used to inspire compassion for self and others. Deepening our understanding of the perspectives, motivations and behaviors of other Types/styles improves our curiosity, empathy and communication and reduces the likelihood to judge and dismiss other people’s approaches, points of view and styles. Motivations, not behavior One of the key differentiators of the Enneagram framework is that it explores deep-seated core motivations, not only the outwardly observable behaviors. Using the iceberg model, behaviors are visible and above the waterline, but they are driven by the deep, unconscious motivations. Individuals from different Types/styles may display similar surface behaviors while having very different core motivations. For example, two people may both demonstrate the behavior of being unstructured and late to meetings. However, with further exploration, one person might demonstrate this behavior because of the core motivation of an Enneagram Two style, saying yes to too many things, becoming overloaded because they are driven by the desire to be liked and needed. While the other person might demonstrate this same behavior because of the core motivation of an Enneagram Seven style, driven by the desire to keep things interesting and not experience the pain of a boring meeting. If you have ever wondered WHY someone does what they do, the Enneagram offers a pathway for exploring the core motivations of each Type/style. These insights can strengthen your understanding of tensions and possibilities that exist in relationships, teams, and organizations. Check out my blog series below on the Enneagram, or get in touch for coaching on how to begin the journey of moving toward your full potential. Blog Series The Enneagram: Connecting Ancient Wisdom to Global Transformation The Enneagram and Neuroscience: Growing New Neural Pathways
How to Design Opportunities for the 21st Century Volunteer Volunteerism in the U.S. has changed significantly over the last 50 years. In 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that 64.5 million people volunteered in the previous year. In previous research conducted in 2008, the largest change in the hours spent volunteering was in the 20-24 year old age group. In the most … Continue reading “How to Design Opportunities for the 21st Century Volunteer” Volunteerism in the U.S. has changed significantly over the last 50 years. In 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that 64.5 million people volunteered in the previous year. In previous research conducted in 2008, the largest change in the hours spent volunteering was in the 20-24 year old age group. In the most recent report in 2012, the people aged 35-44 were most likely to volunteer. For volunteer programs to be successful moving forward, they must be designed to appeal to these demographics. What does that mean? Between juggling full-time work and starting a family, younger volunteers need fun and flexibility. Volunteer opportunities need to be broken down into small pieces. “Episodic volunteering” is a term used to provide smaller, more manageable commitments. Microvolunteering is even less time commitment. This allows individuals to offer minutes of their time to help organizations. Sparked has developed a internet based platform that allows individuals and organizations to solve problems online in real-time all over the world. So how do you design a volunteer program for the 21st Century volunteer? 1. Break it down: Provide short-term opportunities. 2. Ask yourself: How can we use the internet? 3. Find that Perfect Match: Align the interest of the volunteer, the organization and the client being served. 4. Make it fun! Do you want learn more about effective volunteer engagement? Watch this presentation I recently gave at the University of Wisconsin, Communiversity Series, in Madison. Or explore these other resources: Volunteer Management: Mobilizing All the Resources in the Community (McCurley & Lynch, 2011) The Volunteerism Bibliography Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action Corporation for National Service Virtual Volunteering Project Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement
Is Your Organization Built to Last? Recently I partnered with Forward Community Investments in hosting a webinar on organizational capacity building and strategy development. In this time of constant change, nonprofit organizations need to think about building capacity to remain relevant in the field in which they operate. What are the key steps to building your organization to last? 1. Assess … Continue reading “Is Your Organization Built to Last?” Recently I partnered with Forward Community Investments in hosting a webinar on organizational capacity building and strategy development. In this time of constant change, nonprofit organizations need to think about building capacity to remain relevant in the field in which they operate. What are the key steps to building your organization to last? 1. Assess current organizational capacity. Capacity refers to intentional, coordinated and mission-driven efforts aimed at strengthening the management and governance of nonprofits to improve performance and impact. 2. Start at the top. Focus on your organization’s mission and vision. 3. Know Thyself. Analyze your organization’s business model; focus on geography, customers, programs, and funding. 4. Know the market. Your organization doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Map out where you operate and who you compete with. What trends will impact your organization? 5. Build on your strengths. What differentiates your organization from others in your market? What makes you unique? Build on that. 6. Make decision-making explicit. Identify criteria for testing strategic options. Create a structure for discussion with board and staff. 7. Develop strategies to answer the biggest questions. What are the most important questions facing your organization right now? Draft strategies that answer each question. 8. Develop implementation plan. You’ve defined the big questions facing your organization and created strategies to address those questions. The last step is bringing strategy to life. Document how you will implement the strategies that will build an organization to last. Check out the webinar. Or if you want to chat about building your organization to last, Contact me today to get started!
Calling All Change Makers Vista Global Coaching & Consulting, LLC (VGCC) partners with organizations and individuals to make meaningful change in the world. Whether you are navigating change on a personal, professional or organizational level, VGCC services will guide you to your vision. With over 20 years of experience, Certified Coach and Consultant Mary Stelletello will help you reach your goals. Contact … Continue reading “Calling All Change Makers” Vista Global Coaching & Consulting, LLC (VGCC) partners with organizations and individuals to make meaningful change in the world. Whether you are navigating change on a personal, professional or organizational level, VGCC services will guide you to your vision. With over 20 years of experience, Certified Coach and Consultant Mary Stelletello will help you reach your goals. Contact Mary today to learn how Vista Global Coaching & Consulting is right for you.
How I Developed the Vista Global Vision (and How to Get Started on Yours) When I started my business I wanted to identify a company name that I could use in both English and Spanish so it would be understandable when I worked in Latin America. I wanted to identify a name that conveyed opportunity and expansivenss. After pages of scribbling different words and word combinations, Vista Global emerged. A “global … Continue reading “How I Developed the Vista Global Vision (and How to Get Started on Yours)” When I started my business I wanted to identify a company name that I could use in both English and Spanish so it would be understandable when I worked in Latin America. I wanted to identify a name that conveyed opportunity and expansivenss. After pages of scribbling different words and word combinations, Vista Global emerged. A “global view” and vision of making a difference in the world. It emerged like the sun rising. I love the cycle of the sun, rising to welcome a new day and setting to reflect the beauty of the day that has ended. Vista Global conveys that sense of possibility. As a certified coach with The Coaches Training Institute, I believe that values are the foundation of our success professionally and personally. Research conducted by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner for The Leadership Challenge confirms that when we live and work in alignment with our values we have higher performance, more energy and frankly life is just a lot more fun! Can you identify your top 5 values? Are you living and working in alignment with your values? If you have never thought about your values and what is important to you, here are a few quick tips to get you started on this path toward your greatest potential: 5 Tips for Identifying your Values: 1. Values are who you are. Not who you would like to be, not who you think you should be but who you are in your life right now. 2. Values serve as your compass pointing out what it means to be true to yourself. They are guiding principles of how you live your life. 3. Values are the “non-negotiables” must-haves in your life to be fulfilled (beyond the requirements of food, shelter, etc.). If a value is not being honored, you feel disrupted, off balance, or a sense of things not being “right”. 4. Values are demonstrated in “peak moments” when you are completely in the zone of happiness and fulfillment. What are you doing at that moment? Where are you? Who are you with? 5. Values are uniquely yours and once you have greater clarity of your values you are on your way to living and working in ways that offer your best self to the world! My top 5 values are communication, collaboration, justice, authenticity, and fun. What are your values?
Launching the Vista Global Blog Coaching and Consulting for a better world… I am thrilled to enter the blogosphere to share what I have learned over the past 25 years in the nonprofit sector as a CEO, Program Officer, Consultant and Coach. I look forward to learning from you as well, as we venture toward that horizon of making a … Continue reading “Launching the Vista Global Blog” Coaching and Consulting for a better world… I am thrilled to enter the blogosphere to share what I have learned over the past 25 years in the nonprofit sector as a CEO, Program Officer, Consultant and Coach. I look forward to learning from you as well, as we venture toward that horizon of making a difference in the world.
