Case Study: Navigating Change & Rebuilding Connection Through the Enneagram
How one equipment finance team renewed trust, improved communication and embraced change during a pivotal leadership transition.
As part of a two-day corporate retreat in Washington, D.C., Evolve Impact facilitated an Enneagram Team Workshop for a national organization serving the equipment leasing and finance sector, a vital financial partner to the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries.
Amidst significant leadership changes and internal policy shifts, this team — comprised of long-tenured professionals — was experiencing confusion, tension and a sense of disconnection. The Enneagram Workshop helped the group reconnect, improve communication and strengthen collaboration through deepened self-awareness and a shared language for growth.
Team Culture: Deep Experience Meets Disruption
The team included a diverse group of two dozen professionals, many of whom had been with the organization for 15+ years. With decades of combined experience came entrenched working styles and growing tension as the organization faced major internal change. A new CEO, updated policies and strategic shifts had left some team members feeling disoriented and others resistant to change.
The team culture felt ‘stuck,’ marked by uncertainty and resistance. The Enneagram Workshop was designed to support the team in navigating these shifts while rebuilding trust, connection and clarity.
Workshop Objectives: Supporting Change and Rebuilding Trust
This two-day offsite addressed key organizational priorities, including:
A new DEI strategy
Compensation policy updates
Staying competitive in a fast-evolving industry
A refreshed approach to client engagement
To align with these broader goals, the Enneagram Team Workshop focused on helping participants:
Understand their own and others’ communication styles
Strengthen the leader–team dynamic
Explore the meaning of successful, collaborative team culture
Build empathy, psychological safety and a renewed sense of shared purpose
Participants were encouraged to show up as their full selves and left the workshop feeling heard, supported and more connected to one another.
Key Takeaways & Impact
Aïcha Doucouré, Evolve Impact Coach & Facilitator
Empathy and Perspective-Taking
A transformative exercise called the “3x3 Empathy Exercise” helped participants view workplace dynamics from each other’s perspectives. This created a foundation of compassionate communication, allowing space for vulnerability and open dialogue. Participants reported feeling more connected and open to understanding others’ viewpoints, fostering a collaborative environment.
Normalizing growing pains
Facilitators used the Forming–Storming–Norming–Performing framework to normalize the team’s discomfort, helping shift the narrative from 'something’s broken' to 'this is a natural stage of growth.
Data-Driven Insights
Team members deeply valued the personalized, data-driven Enneagram reports, which offered actionable insights into each person’s work style, motivation, communication preferences and potential growth areas. The scientific foundation of the Enneagram resonated strongly with the group, providing a clear and objective path for both individual and team development, while also highlighting areas for improvement in overall dynamics.
Personal & Team Transformation
Individual Growth
One team member, previously viewed as unpredictable, experienced a significant breakthrough — gaining clarity about her role, deepening her understanding of herself and colleagues and embracing more inclusive, collaborative behaviors. Another, once withdrawn and disengaged, re-engaged with renewed energy and meaningful contributions to team discussions. These personal transformations were not only visible to their peers but also served as powerful indicators of the workshop’s positive impact on overall morale and connection.
Leadership shifts
The CEO began the retreat relatively disconnected but left with a new commitment to building trust. After understanding her own Enneagram type and those of her team, she began engaging in more honest, human conversations — and following through on key commitments. While trust is still being rebuilt, team members are noticing a more transparent and aligned leadership style.
Barriers Overcome
more Honest communication
A key shift was increased empathy and honesty across the team. Conversations that were once difficult — such as setting boundaries or giving constructive feedback — are now approached with greater respect, empathy and directness. Team members have become more attuned to each other’s communication styles and needs, fostering a more inclusive, supportive environment and enabling smoother collaboration.
Trust-Building in a hybrid world
Building trust is especially challenging for remote and hybrid teams. This workshop sparked vulnerable conversations and fostered psychological safety — even among employees who aren’t physically together. While full trust is still a work in progress, the team is moving toward more open, honest and collaborative interactions.
Lasting Impact
Weeks after the workshop, participants continue to reflect on their learnings. The Enneagram has become a shared language for growth, and several team members have expressed interest in ongoing coaching and development. Although time was limited, the experience planted seeds for a long-term culture shift, emphasizing that team growth is a continuous journey — not a one-time event.
What Participants Are Saying
“Our team came in engaged and left feeling fully involved throughout the process.”
“The workshop had a therapeutic feel and a practical, down-to-earth approach that exceeded my expectations.”
“It unpacked real ideas and emotions while providing valuable tips and tools we could immediately use.”
“Huge thanks to the facilitators for their deep preparation—they really took the time to understand each of us and tailored the experience to fit our unique team needs.”
“The facilitators’ personalized approach made all the difference in creating a safe and productive space.”
Conclusion: A More Unified, Resilient Team
The Enneagram Team Workshop made a significant and positive impact on team dynamics, helping a deeply experienced group navigate leadership change, reconnect as individuals and build a stronger, more collaborative future. By fostering empathy, enhancing communication and strengthening trust, the workshop laid a solid foundation for ongoing personal and collective growth. Participants expressed enthusiasm for continuing this journey, feeling better equipped to meet the evolving challenges of hybrid work and their industry’s demands. With practical communication tools and renewed cohesion, the team is well-prepared to support the broader needs of the equipment finance sector and the AEC clients they serve.
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