Enneagram Insight

Hello again! Emily the intern is back again and this time I am talking about one of my favorite things: the enneagram test.

If you don’t know what the enneagram test is, it is essentially a personality test. However, the enneagram looks deeper into the human psyche, examining why we do what we do and how that affects us. Here is a link to the official enneagram test so you can better understand what we’re getting at this week: https://www.eclecticenergies.com/enneagram/test-2.

My enneagram is type 9. A typical type 9 is called The Peacemaker. Type 9s are easy-going, relaxing, and complacent to a fault. We are creative, supportive, and will go along with anything to keep the peace. We avoid confrontation and conflict as much as possible. Along with the personality type, there are accompanying wings, or sub-types, which describe your personality even more. I am a 9w1. A type one is a reformer, seeking moral truth and can be fairly idealistic. According to Enneagram Paths, 9w1 people “follow the rules and fulfill what is expected of them because they truly want to create a harmonious society.”

This week we are focusing on how the enneagram test and your personality type plays a role in the workplace. There are all kinds of personalities running rampant in an office setting—everyone knows that.  The enneagram allows a look into how each person works and how they can best suit their office setting.

In our article for the week, What Your Enneagram Type Says About Your Leadership Style, each enneagram is broken down and they explain how each type functions in a workplace. Each person has unique leadership qualities that they possess. For instance, type 9s probably don’t make the best leaders because we are more reserved and have a tendency to disengage or not take a stand. Not to say that 9s can’t be leaders, but they have a more reserved style of leading. We lead with a more relaxed nature and do whatever we can to keep the peace.

Other enneagram types lead differently. For example, the type 3 (the Achiever) is always trying to prove themselves to everyone around them. They strive for perfection at all times. Type 2s (the Helper) are self-sacrificing, sometimes getting in the way of what needs to be done. Type 6s (the Loyalist) are natural born leaders and plan for the worst case scenario. Their leadership style shines by planning every detail meticulously.

Another wing (ha, enneagram pun) of this week’s enneagram theme is Friends. Yes, the television show that every one on this planet deserves to watch and love. It has been fun to examine the qualities of the characters to determine what their enneagram type is. We are just focusing on Monica and Joey: two characters that couldn’t be more different. Monica is definitely a type 3. She is constantly trying to prove herself in whatever she does: her career as a chef, her relationship with Chandler or to her parents. Joey, on the other hand, is a typical 7 (the Enthusiast.) He couldn’t care less about things like a schedule or high-achieving. Joey’s mind jumps from place to place, not allowing him to finish things he starts.

It is fun to peer into the enneagram through the lens of my favorite TV show, but it is not just something of fiction. The test can help in the workplace. If you know your type, you can learn to better cater to your own needs and in turn, be more productive. I am so excited to learn what all your enneagram types are; let us know in the comments below!

P.S.: there is a band called Sleeping at Last and they release songs every other month for each of the enneagram types and they are all so inspiring. They have yet to release 9 because it is last, but they have songs for each of the other types. I highly recommend giving them a listen.

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A Little Q&A with Alison Taylor, Office-Crush Style

A few weeks ago, our intern Maddie sat down with Little Fox Bakery owner & our neighbor, Alison Taylor to ask her a few questions about our topic of office-crush style and what she defines her’s as. As we mentioned, one of our goals here at Ment being a coworking space is to be a link between creativity & community and Alison’s concept behind Little Fox and her favorite ment word fits right in. As an entrepreneur, she is taking her creativity, her ideas and putting them into the community through her passion of baking. If you have not been yet, go on and head over to 314 E Main Ave. and get yourself a macaroon. 

Q: What made you want to open a bakery?

I have worked in restaurants since I was a teenager. It was my first job ever and pretty much right away I fell in love with the food industry. Later, I fell in love with baking because the science of it and that it is very chemistry oriented, but also very creative at the same time.

Q: Can you explain what Little Fox means to you?

There are actually two answers. Little Fox is actually what I called my son when he was a baby. But in the bigger, broader picture, Little Fox is a business that allows me to take control of my life and also be in charge of what my day-to-day looks like.

Q: What makes Little Fox Bakery different than other bakeries?

What makes Little Fox Bakery standout is that we really try and be creative with our ingredients. We have hibiscus cupcakes or honey and jalapeño, these are flavors that you normally can’t find on other bakery and grocery’s shelves.

Q: This month we our displaying office-crush style. So what would you say your office-crush style is?

Well since my office is a kitchen, for me it is somewhere with a lot of counter space and storage.

Q: Do you know your enneagram number or Myers-Briggs? Do you think this reflects in your work life?

ENFP, which is basically the most introverted extrovert of the personality types. So ENFP known for being creative types, we are known to have really strong drives but also get bored easily. And I think that definitely shows. I think it is one of the reasons I fell in love with restaurants- no work day ever looks the same. 

Q: Later in the month, we will be asking followers to pick if their work style is more like Joey Tribbiani or Monica Geller from Friends. Which would you say yours is?

I would say more like Monica because she is pretty take charge.

Q: What’s your favorite word that has ment in it and what does it mean to you and your business?

For me, I would definitely say experiment. That is my favorite thing about baking and trying new combinations and day dreaming about something. Sitting down and seeing if I can really make it a reality. So experimenting is a huge part of what I do everyday. 

 

You can find Little Fox on Instagram & Facebook 

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Minimalism in Your Workspace

Written by: Emily Jones I  Follow her on Instagram @emilyjones232

First off, let me introduce myself! My name is Emily and I am a brand-new intern here at Ment Cowork. I am in charge of the social media accounts for us and this is my first time on the blog!

Since I have started interning at Ment, I have really noticed how much impact my desk space really influences my mood and productivity. I never put that much thought into how much weight an organized office space can hold. I know that not all amazing work comes out of beautiful spaces (talking to you, Apple) but if 42% of workers believe that the design of the office space increases productivity, it must mean something.

Our fascinating read this week from Forbes finds Millennials Care Most About Workplace Design, and as a millennial, I definitely agree. But, you don’t have to be a millennial to feel this way.

Our monthly theme for February is office-crush style—finding how you love to work and living that fully.  My office-crush style is minimal, bright, and organized. For my own desk, I have very few things on it: some pens, a calendar, a notebook to jot down ideas in, and some hand lotion for my exceptionally dry hands.

A lot of clutter and papers can really drag down my workability. According to the Forbes article, 62% of workers feel the same way. Try a file organizer or utilize those drawers on your desk, it might help you in the long run.

Find time for yourself throughout your work day. We talked a couple weeks ago about the importance of breaks and those really boost your productivity. Taking time to enjoy your cup of coffee or getting up and walking around the office for a minute really helps to regroup and getting the creative juices flowing again.

Make comfort a priority. Employees want to feel comfortable and happy in a workplace environment. They want to be able to feel like they aren’t stuck. Comfortable chairs make all the difference. Your mind isn’t focused on your discomfort from the chair, it can now be focused on producing some awesome content and getting the job done!

A happy office is a productive one, and implementing a few of these easy changes can really boost efficiency and workplace morale. Find your office crush style, start designing your office in the way you love, and maybe your boss will thank you!

 

I have really enjoyed writing for the Ment blog today and I hope you found my voice comforting and encouraging!

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The Where & The How You Love to Work

This week kicks off our office-crush campaign where we will be talking about where we love to work and how we love to work. The where and the how are more important than we sometimes realize. Not all great success start out in beautiful offices, the garage where Bill Gates invented Microsoft comes to mind, but having a comfy chair, natural light and decor matching your personality doesn’t hurt either and could actually foster the right frame of mind to keep you on track with your goals.

Let’s talk decor. Less is sometimes more and does not mean it has to be boring. At Ment, this is our office-crush style. We provide our members with private offices that are blank canvases waiting to be garnished to their liking. The mixture of large white and brick walls with neutral colors & natural light opens up all sorts of possibilities.

What are the things you can do to define your office-crush style that also fosters the right frame of mind? Here’s what we have found:

  • Think about what motivates you and then have a reminder of this somewhere in your workspace where you will see every day you come to the office. Keeping tokens of past accomplishments are usually small and can be easily displayed. By having these near, they are great reminders of how far you’ve already come and can make you feel proud and accomplished throughout your day.
  • The same goes for family photos, cheeky signs and goal lists, these are all reminders that could push you to keep going.
  • A great desk chair. It’s just like a bed, you spend a majority of your life in it so it’s worth splurging a little to get it right.
  • Not so glamorous, but invest in a document scanner or utilize the one we have for you in Ment! You will have less paper clutter and more desk space to keep clean and organized.
  • Accessorize with items that bring you happiness which falls in line with the lifestyle of hygge or if you have been watching Tidying Up on Netflix (do it) she explains how you should only keep the things that give you a sparkle feeling. She may have been talking about clothes, but the same goes for your office. Want a bottle of champagne ready to be popped every Friday after work? Add a bar cart and get the celebration started. Because after all, if we aren’t celebrating our accomplishments, little or big, what are we even doing it for? You can check places like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist for lightly used pieces that will keep your office design on budget.
  • Colors. As you may already know, each color has a different meaning behind it. Bring this concept in through desk and office supplies like paper organizers, staplers, pen holders or mouse pads. Get creative!
  • And to wrap it all up, it is recommended that you take the time every six months to do a cleanup and revamp things a bit to give yourself some new inspiration.

These are just a few and you can find out way more by reading our article pick for the week from Forbes called Create Your Dream Home Office Inspired By The Workspaces Of Top Influencers And Entrepreneurs. Guys – don’t miss out because the article is only about female entrepreneurs. There are some great tips in there for all office owners.

An office can be created anywhere & anyhow you want it to be. Not to keep throwing working from home under the bus, but it means that work is highly accessible to you at all times, and as a part of our work-life balance resolution we made (I know you haven’t forgotten about that!) we made a promise to work when work needs to be done and be present in our own personal lives just as equally if not more. As the cheeky sign says, “If you’re waiting for a sign, this is it.” Take the leap, start designing your own space in an office where you love to work and somewhere where you love how you work so that you can start achieving those goals, accomplishing the tasks and committing to yourself + your idea, whatever it may be.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy – The Impact of Giving Back

Last week, we focused on how to give back as an entrepreneur and what better way to reflect on doing so than to welcome one of our members who is a successful entrepreneur to give her input on the topic. Ashley Bauer started her own company in 2012 with husband Eric called FlightBridgeED, a medical education company that specializes in providing pre-hospital, critical care, and emergency medicine education for healthcare professionals of all types. Ashley, Eric and their team joined Ment a little over a month ago and we are happy to introduce you to them, their company and their outlook on philanthropy to you!

Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy – The Impact of Giving Back

Written by member Ashley Bauer on behalf of the FlightBridgeEd Team

Philanthropy is considered kindness and generosity to fellow mankind.  As a business owner and entrepreneur, often times you can feel there is absolutely not enough time in the day; and the thought of attempting to add something else to your plate is just unthinkable. However, it is imperative to understand the importance of giving back especially within the community that we are all a part of.  It not only benefits the community in which you live and work but also rewards you both personally and professionally.

The act of giving is not limited to monetary contributions. In fact, I can reflect back on our early business venture and many philanthropic contributions from others were simply time and experience and had nothing to do with monetary giving. I do believe those contributions and opportunities helped us exponentially and allowed us to continue to pursue our vision and goals. This also allowed us to see the importance of giving back as well.  Research has shown that when an individual donates, whether time or money, it stimulates an area within the brain that makes us feel good (Brown, 2016).  What better reason to give than this?

If monetary contributions are the easiest way for you to give back, then think locally. Sponsoring a local charity or contributing to a new community project are excellent ways to contribute and can make a huge difference and overall impact. Taking the time to help other entrepreneurs can be invaluable as well. Giving suggestions and coaching other entrepreneurs can really be the key turning point in their venture, with this often being a contribution they will never forget and are likely to pay it forward just as someone did for us in the beginning. Volunteering time can also be invaluable and can make a life-changing difference not only for you but the lives in which you are volunteering to help.

As an entrepreneurial or business owner philanthropist, you not only get the satisfaction of giving back and helping but are likely to further your networking opportunities as well.  These situations usually open up new opportunities for you and your business and garner exposure that you never really intended in the beginning.  It is likely to unintentionally build respect for you and your company within the community as well. In the end, as with everything else in life, the more you give, the more you are likely to get in return.  Like many business owners and entrepreneurs, we are blessed in so many ways, but we also understand the importance of giving back to others and our community. We understand the impact it has on us and those around us and hope it inspires others to do the same and focus more on philanthropy and humankind.

Arora, K. (2017). Five powerful ways to give back as an entrepreneur. 

Brown, C. (2016).  The importance of philanthropy in business. 

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