Enneagram Insights: How Each Type Builds Trust in Leadership
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Trust is at the core of every strong team and every meaningful relationship. However, how we build it can look different depending on our Enneagram type.
Understanding the patterns of trust through the lens of the Enneagram can help us become more compassionate leaders. It shows us what we naturally look for when evaluating others, and what others might need from us in return.
Below, we explore how each of the nine types seeks and extends trust. As you read, consider your type and the people you lead, partner with, or support.
Note: As with any self-awareness tool, the Enneagram is a framework, not a box. We’re all complex, nuanced beings, and no type description will capture you perfectly. Take what resonates with you (and your type), and feel free to leave what doesn’t. The goal isn’t to limit you, but to open up deeper reflection and growth.
Type-by-Type: How Trust Looks Through the Enneagram
Type 1: The Reformer
How to build trust with them: Show integrity, consistency, and a strong sense of ethics.
How they can build trust with others: Practice compassion when others fall short. Trust deepens when perfection isn’t the only standard.
Type 2: The Helper
How to build trust with them: Acknowledge their generosity and efforts. They feel safe when their care is seen.
How they can build trust with others: Set healthy boundaries and allow yourself to receive rather than just give.
Type 3: The Achiever
How to build trust with them: Recognize them beyond performance. Value who they are, not just what they do.
How they can build trust with others: Vulnerability builds credibility. Owning your mistakes humanizes leadership.
Type 4: The Individualist
How to build trust with them: Be emotionally honest and authentic. Four's crave depth.
How they can build trust with others: Grounded consistency in that authenticity helps others feel that you are reliable and safe.
Type 5: The Investigator
How to build trust with them: Respect their space and need for autonomy. Don’t force immediacy.
How they can build trust with others: Sharing more of yourself—emotionally and relationally—lets others in beyond the intellect.
Type 6: The Loyalist
How to build trust with them: Be reliable and transparent. Show up and follow through.
How they can build trust with others: Leaning into self-trust allows others to trust you more deeply in return.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
How to build trust with them: Match their energy with grounded optimism. Celebrate with them.
How they can build trust with others: Staying present and following through consistently will help bring vision to life.
Type 8: The Challenger
How to build trust with them: Be direct, honest, and don’t back down easily. They trust strength.
How they can build trust with others: Showing vulnerability and really listening invites others to trust you, not fear.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
How to build trust with them: Create harmony and listen deeply. Avoid steamrolling.
How they can build trust with others: Speaking up and taking a stand can build clarity and confidence in leadership.
A Question to Reflect On
How does your Enneagram type influence the way you build—or protect—trust?
What’s one small risk you could take this month to expand trust with your team, a peer, or yourself?
So what is The Enneagram Experience… really?
It’s not another leadership model.
It’s not another assessment that sits in a folder.
It’s a mirror.
It shows you how you move through the world—what drives you, what derails you, and what helps you return to yourself.
You’ll take a powerful, research-backed Enneagram assessment. But that’s just the beginning.
Then you’ll meet with a Henley coach—not for a lecture, but for a conversation. A moment to pause, notice, and make meaning of what your results reveal about your leadership, your stress patterns, your communication style, and your growth edge.
You can join a live group debrief session or choose a 1:1 coaching session if you want to go even deeper.
You’ll leave not with answers, but with awareness.
And from awareness? Everything else becomes possible.
Sessions begin in June.
Registration is open now. Save 10% with code ENNEAGRAM.