Personality Test Showdown: DiSC vs. CliftonStrengths vs. Enneagram - Which Drives Real Results?

We've likely all taken random online personality tests AND we've likely all been part of an organizational shift to one personality system or another. Maybe you've jumped on board with each one, maybe you've rolled your eyes, either way, there is a reason more and more organizations are trying to tackle team dynamics and healthy workplace culture - people and relationships make or break an organization.

I will be the first one to tell you, if a personality tool is working for you, I'm all for it. That being said, not all personality tests or tools are created equal. It all boils down to your endgame. Let's start with the basics between these three popular personality systems:

DISC	CLIFTONSTRENGTHS	THE ENNEAGRAM
Simple, easy to understand and apply quickly	Identifies individual talents and potential	Deeper dive into core motivations and stress behaviours
Focuses on observable behaviours	Promotes positive psychology approach	Reveals blind spots and growth areas
Adaptable to different work situations	Enhances role alignment and productivity	Offers insights into team dynamics and conflict
Provides clear action steps for communication	Offers a language for discussing capabilities	Provides a framework for personal development

In terms of team chemistry:

• DISC - Enhances day-to-day interactions

• CliftonStrengths - Optimizes team composition and task allocation

• Enneagram - Uncovers team dynamics and resolves underlying conflicts

In terms of effectiveness:

• DISC - Quick wins in communication

• CliftonStrengths - Boosts individual and team performance

• Enneagram - Drives lasting cultural and personal transformation

So what does this mean?

I am obviously biased. Let's face it, the website you're browsing is called EnneagramAWARE. With that being said, I am not new to self development, team development or the current and most effective tools available. And even after seeing the effectiveness of a whole range of options, I come back to the Enneagram every time.

In my opinion, we are looking at the difference between scratching the surface or diving in. Every personality tool serves a purpose, but the Enneagram digs deeper. Here's another way to look at it: other assessments give you a bird's-eye view of your team's landscape while the Enneagram puts you on the ground, navigating the actual terrain. It doesn't just outline behaviours; it reveals the landscape's true contours, showing why your team moves the way it does.

The Enneagram is designed to look at what is getting in the way so you are able to create more substantial, lasting change in team dynamics.

This depth and potential for transformation is what sets the Enneagram apart in the crowded field of personality assessments. It's not always the easiest path - true growth rarely is - but for those willing to do the work, the results can be game-changing.