Ever wonder why you react a certain way when your team member misses a deadline or why you can’t seem to shut your brain off during your supposed "day off?" You’re not crazy. You’re just wired a certain way. And understanding that wiring might be the single most powerful thing you can do for your business (and your relationships!).

Discovering the Real You: How the Enneagram Can Transform Your Business and Relationships

What is the Enneagram Anyway?

If you’ve never heard of the Enneagram, it’s not just another personality test. It’s a powerful tool for understanding yourself and the people around you. Based on nine core types, the Enneagram digs into your core motivations, your biggest fears and how you show up when you're thriving and when you're spiraling. 

The book The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile is one of the best guides to this tool I’ve ever come across. It doesn’t just describe your type. It crawls inside your head and gently (sometimes uncomfortably) holds up a mirror. You'll find yourself nodding along—and maybe wincing too—as you recognize your patterns.

Why Personality Awareness Matters in Direct Sales

Let’s be real. Direct sales is a people business. Whether you're leading a team, coaching hostesses, or following up with customers, everything you do hinges on your ability to communicate and connect. When you understand how you're wired—and how others are wired—you show up with more empathy, more wisdom, and more maturity.

That maturity isn’t about age. It’s about understanding. Understanding your go-to behaviors under stress. Understanding your blind spots. And maybe most importantly, understanding when to step back and not get pulled into someone else’s chaos.

God doesn't make junk! You are wired the way you are with your own skills, talents, and gifts on purpose because the world needs you just as you are. But, you're a whole lot more impactful when you're at your healthiest self. And you can’t be that if you don’t know how to recognize it.

My Family's Enneagram Journey

A few months before the world shut down for COVID, my family took the Enneagram test and then listened to each person’s section of The Road Back to You on a long car trip. (Highly recommend the audiobook for family listening!)

Was it uncomfortable? Oh yes. There’s nothing quite like hearing your less-than-stellar traits read out loud while you're trapped in a moving vehicle. But something beautiful happened. We began to see each other more clearly. We understood what made each person tick. And when we were all stuck inside the same house for the better part of a year, that understanding saved our relationships.

When there's tension in the house or one of us starts slipping into the "unhealthy zone," someone will usually say, "Time to pull the book back out!" And when I find myself completely baffled by something my 22-year-old just did? Yep—that’s my cue to revisit her Enneagram type and remember what really drives her. She's my complete opposite, and I’m convinced God gave me that girl to stretch me, refine me, and help me grow in ways I never expected.

Recognizing the Healthy and the Unhealthy You

One of the most eye-opening parts of the book is how it describes each type at their healthiest and at their worst. Knowing what your healthy self looks like helps you move toward that version of you on purpose. And recognizing when you're slipping into your unhealthy patterns? That awareness is everything.

For example, if you’re a Type 1 (the Perfectionist), you might be hardworking and ethical at your best. But under stress, that same drive can turn into harsh self-criticism and judgment toward others. The Enneagram helps you catch those patterns in the moment so you can choose a different path.

How This Helps Your Business

Imagine recognizing that your team member isn’t being lazy—they’re just overwhelmed and operating from a completely different motivation than you. Or realizing your own perfectionism is keeping you from hitting "send" on that team email or launching your next big idea.

When you understand personality styles, you stop taking things so personally. You stop expecting everyone to think like you. And you start leading and communicating in a way that actually works.

How to Put This Into Action

• Take the test. The official Enneagram Institute test is great, but even a free online version will get you started.
• Get the book. Start with The Road Back to You. Listen on Audible or grab a hardcover. Trust me—you’ll be going back to this one again and again.
• Reflect. Pay attention to when you're operating out of stress. Can you spot your unhealthy traits? What does your healthiest self look like?
• Use it with your team. Encourage your team to discover their types too. It can open up powerful conversations and create more trust.

Final Thoughts (And a Little Encouragement)

You don’t have to change who you are to be successful in this business. But the more you understand yourself, the more strategic (and kind!) you can be with your energy. The Enneagram isn’t a magic solution—but it’s a tool that can help you show up with more clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Want to Go Deeper?

If you’re ready to understand yourself (and others!) on a whole new level, start with The Road Back to You. Personally, I love the audiobook—perfect for listening on the go. But don’t be surprised if you end up ordering the hardcover too. This is one of those books you’ll highlight, dog-ear, and revisit often.

And while you're diving into self-discovery, don’t miss my brand new quiz:

👉 Discover Your Direct Sales Superpower

This quiz helps you uncover your natural strengths and shows you how to build a business that fits you—your personality, your pace, and your purpose. You’ll get personalized strategy recommendations, plus a little heartfelt wisdom about what makes you shine (and what might trip you up).