EP 69: Michael Norton on The Enneagram

For another episode on “The Art of Coaching” we zero in on The Enneagram with Conscious Leadership Group Coach and Enneagram Expert, Michael Norton.  He emphasizes the Enneagram's role in personal growth and coaching, explaining its nine-pointed system as a tool for understanding personality structures and spiritual development. Norton shares his background in music and theater, highlighting how these experiences shaped his attunement skills and facilitation style. He also delves into the Enneagram's practical applications in coaching, including its ability to enhance communication and trust within teams, and its role in personal transformation by addressing core delusions and unconscious defense mechanisms.  We cover:  Michael’s earliest influences that helped shape his creativity and ability to be attuned the room How Michael found devotion in music and in acting which forged a path  How taking on leadership roles within the acting world helped hone his ability as a coach and led him to The Enneagram Michael provides a historical overview of how The Enneagram came to be  Michael describes the Enneagram as a nine-pointed system that represents nine different personality structures and stages of spiritual development. Michael emphasizes the Enneagram's role as a tool of spiritual awakening and its ability to help individuals understand their motivations and blind spots. Michael discusses how the Enneagram has been useful in his coaching and theater work. He explains how understanding different Enneagram types can improve communication and trust within a team. Elisa and Michael jam on the high sides and low sides of being an Enneagram 4  Michael explains how the Enneagram can help individuals understand their core delusions and unconscious defense mechanisms. He discusses the importance of recognizing and letting go of the belief that there is something missing within oneself. Elisa and Michael talk about the broader implications of the Enneagram, including its ability to challenge and transform personal identity. He explains the different strategies for working with each Enneagram type, including specific homework assignments and areas of focus. Michael highlights the importance of using the Enneagram to create a more trusting and collaborative environment in coaching. Michael shares a case study of a client who is a type eight, focusing on the client's journey of self-discovery and personal growth. He describes the three subtypes: self-preservation, sexual, and social, and how they influence the behavior and motivations of each type. To learn more about Michael Norton and The Conscious Leadership Group, please visit www.conscious.is.  Resources mentioned: Beatrice Chestnut and her podcast Enneagram 2.0. “The Complete Enneagram” by Beatrice Chestnut  If you are a leader, business owner, entrepreneur looking to deepen your leadership capacity, step into embodied leadership for the sake of what is most important to you - schedule time with me at www.elisamaryhaggarty.com