#60: The Enneagram + Conflict || Part 1: The Essentials with Jenn Whitmer

What is conflict exactly, and how do you know when it’s resolved? Are there specific ways each Enneagram type handles hard conversations and approaches conflict?

In this episode, speaker, writer, and Enneagram Coach Jenn Whitmer joins the show. We go in-depth about how to handle hard conversations and conflict using the Enneagram.

Jenn shares what conflict is, how you know when it’s resolved, the five steps of genuine reconciliation, and the three major buckets each Enneagram type uses to approach conflict.

So y’all, this interview was so good that I split it into 2 episodes. In this episode, you’ll learn the basics of conflict and the three ways all Enneagram types handle conflict. In Episode #62, we’ll break down conflict type-by-type. In other words, today we’re laying a solid foundation so when you listen again in two weeks you’ll have a greater depth of understanding of conflict and personality type.

I love how Jenn shared with us what each coping style does well in conflict, what trips up each style, and how each style can improve in resolving conflict, and how she shared the three times it’s important to have a hard conversation.

Key Quotes

“How you handle conflict will either propel you forward as a fantastic leader or will damage your leadership abilities.” – Jenn Whitmer
“We can create cultures of peace and love and care and efficiency one conflict at a time.” – Jenn Whitmer
“Pay attention to the things God keeps dropping in your path that people say to you, your experiences. What’s the recurring thread that keeps coming back in the melody of your life?” – Jenn Whitmer
“The longer and more grievous the injury, the longer it takes to solve.” – Jenn Whitmer
“We are actually feeling beings who think and all decisions, and all problems come through our emotions.” – Jenn Whitmer

Mentioned in the Podcast

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About Jenn Whitmer

Jenn helps teams and leaders solve conflict and personality clashes. She speaks, writes, and coaches about hard topics with infectious joy. Through working with Jenn, people improve communication, work through conflict, and build self-awareness with the Enneagram. She asks big questions that lead to big dreams and big ideas and big living. Usually, that means laughing.

Jenn has graduate certificates in music education, theology, and leadership along with a Master of Arts in communication and culture from Webster University and certification as an Enneagram coach.

Jenn lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Michael, their four kids, and a cat that puts up with them all.