LeadForward Vol.1 No. 3

Why it matters: when a leader practices the Virtue that antidotes their Passion, teams experience more voice, shorter decision cycles, and safer learning. Culture shifts because leaders stop rescuing and start hosting the conditions where others can contribute. Five ego traps that fuel the Savior Trap, with Enneagram overlays 1) Indispensability myth What it sounds like: “If I step back, everything slows down.” Hidden fuel: Type Three’s image efficacy and Type Eight’s intensity can merge into over ownership; Type One’s resentment adds pressure for “the right way.” Virtue practices include truthfulness, innocence, and serenity. The Contemplative Blogger Cost: Fragile systems, thin bench strength, succession avoidance. Transformative move: From “I am the engine” to “I design engines.” Practice: Publish decision rights and remove your name where it is not essential. Close the loop with a one-page decision brief: problem, options, trade-off, owner, date. Why this works: Virtues re-center identity away from role performance toward essence, easing the compulsion to be central. The Enneagram Institute 2) Image management What it sounds like: “Perception matters, so let me handle the update.” Hidden fuel: Type Three’s self-deceit and Type Two’s pride can sanitize reality to keep admiration flowing. Virtues: truthfulness and humility. The Contemplative Blogger Cost: Slow learning, late surfacing of risks, brittle trust with donors and boards. Transformative move: From polished narratives to transparent learning. Practice: Require every update to include one miss, one adjustment, and one next step. Name trade-offs explicitly. 3) Hero narrative What it sounds like: “I rolled up my sleeves and saved the day.” Hidden fuel: Type Twos’ helping identity and Type Eights’ force can create cape-wearing. Virtues : humility, innocence. The Contemplative Blogger Cost: Team agency shrinks. People wait for you. Transformative move: From hero to host. Practice: In every win, credit three specific contributions by others before mentioning your own. 4) Spotlight bias What it sounds like: “Partners expect to hear it from me.” Hidden fuel: Type Three’s vanity and Type Six’s fear can over-centralize the microphone “for safety.” Virtues: truthfulness, courage. The Contemplative Blogger Cost: Communication bottlenecks, leader exhaustion, stalled development. Transformative move: From single-voice to multi-voice. Practice: Rotate spokespersons with prepared briefs and Q&A. Announce the rotation so stakeholders shift their anchor.

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