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Welcome back to another episode here on the Enneagram at Work podcast. I am your host, Sarah Wallace, founder and managing director here at Enneagram MBA, a team training company. And today is our short and sweet weekend episode where we are continuing our weekend series on the do's and don'ts for giving feedback as a specific type. And as always, these are simply suggestions, things to reflect on. As we go through each of the type, you may realize, oh, I used to do that, but I've actually gotten really good and I don't do that anymore, or I've practiced a lot and I do do that. And then we're just doing uh three do's, three don'ts to consider when you're giving feedback. So obviously, not an all-encompassing list. I will ask if you are a fellow type seven, if you have anything that you would add, um, there will be an opportunity to add to this list at the end. Um, but in the spirit of keeping this a short and sweet episode, let's go ahead and dive right in. Um, as a reminder, our type sevens are striving to feel excited. They bring genuine energy and optimism to feedback. Uh, they're usually pretty quick to see the potential and pretty quick to frame things in a way that doesn't feel too heavy. And that can be such a gift, such a strength. And as we talk about in our workshops, and if you've been listening to this podcast for any amount of time, you know that those same strengths, when dialed up too high in the wrong situation, and in the particular person can, we can actually overdo those strengths. And so the other side of that potential, the ability to frame things um in a way that doesn't feel too heavy is then you also could run the risk with that same energy that keeps things light, that then that feedback becomes vague, it becomes rushed, or avoid it altogether when the feedback doesn't feel fun to give. And last weekend we talked about our type nines, do's and don'ts, kind of tips, things to think about for giving feedback as a type nine. And there's gonna be some overlap here because both of these can have a tendency to avoid for different reasons. And we're gonna talk about uh some of those today. So if you happen to be a type seven, striving to feel excited, looking at the world through not what might go wrong, but what might go right, possibilities, options, um, three things to remember to do or maybe to keep doing as you give feedback as a type seven is to continue with that genuine belief in the person's potential in front of you. As a seven, you tend to naturally see what someone else is capable of, the possibilities, what's possible for that person. So make sure that you're saying that part out loud. Don't, don't, um this comes natural to you. So make sure you lean into that because it will set the rest of the conversation up as probably feeling more collaborative and not so critical or corrective. The other thing that a seven is really good at is they have an ability, again, a natural ability to see the future. And unlike our type sixes, who we talk about, can also really see the future. It's not contingency planning for what might go wrong and making sure I have a plan B, C, D, F, G, and making sure I'm prepared. It's really what could we do in the future? What are what sort of things might unfold? And so it's a really exciting, full of potential and possibility type of future. And so keep that forward focused. This is where you shine as a seven. So when you're giving that feedback, frame it around what's possible, what's next, not just what went wrong. Um, and that reframe can be really inspiring. I think we still we're still gonna have to address maybe what went wrong and then look to the future. And then the last do is something that is probably not gonna come so natural. So the first two were things like keep leaning into this. You do you're already great at this, keep doing this, make sure you do this. This last one, this last do here is to just rip the band-aid off, practice and actually do say the uncomfortable part plainly, even if it's not fun, and it probably will not be. Um, it's going to be that much more effective. It's your your intention is going to come across. Um, that person is actually going to be able to be helped by your feedback if you don't dress it up and you know reframe it in such a way that it's so vague, it's so confusing. Uh, the person on the receiving end isn't actually sure what to work on or what you're asking of them. It might even sound like they're doing a great job, depending on how uh how much reframing and and positivity you add in there. So um a a direct, kind piece of feedback um is enough. And I think for our sevens to think similar to our type nines, because I this was one that we talked about there too. But the the type nine has that story. Um, if I avoid this difficult conversation, I'll be able to keep my peace. But we know that when there is tension, when something needs to be said, that is not a peaceful place. And so the reframe for our nines last week was say the difficult thing so that you can get back to being at peace. And so a similar sentiment around a reframe for that internal narrative can be applied here too. I want to feel excited, I want to be happy, I want to think about the possibilities. And when somebody isn't pulling their weight or isn't doing something the way that you wanted them to, or you need to have an uncomfortable conversation, um, you will be able to get back to that happy, excited, uh, let's go far, let's go fast type of place when you are able to give that direct, clear feedback. Cause it's not fun. It's not fun when something needs to be said that is not being said. We we all know that. Okay, so those are some things to think about doing, keep doing, or start doing. And then a couple things to avoid, I have three here for you, is uh kind of piggy piggybagging off that last do, and and it's the don't here. So don't skip the difficult part, don't skip the hard part because it's going to, you know, kill the mood, kill the vibe. Um if the conversation always stays positive, but the actual issue never gets addressed, then nothing changes. And again, that is not a fun place to be. It is going to be hard to do big, exciting, positive things if those conversations are happening. And a lot of times that's where so much of the growth happens in those difficult, uncomfortable conversations and situations. The other thing to avoid doing as much as possible is rushing through that feedback in order to get back to something more exciting and more energizing. So do your best. Maybe this might be some channeling some of that uh arrow to the type five. Do your best to stay present, um, slow down, um, be thoughtful. This is probably not a conversation you just want to wing, even though I know sevens can be very good at that. Um, you know, I would think about the things that our fives are really good at in this situation. I would also look at your other um arrow to the type one and looking at, okay, how can I incorporate that? Both of these tend to be very logical, not getting overly emotional either way. Um, very much both of these, the one and the five, have a show me the data, don't give me the drama, um, just speak plainly, let's get to the point type of thing. And both of them tend to be very thoughtful when they speak. And so uh as a seven, just look to okay, how can I avoid rushing through this? And how can I feel more prepared and be more prepared so that what I am giving can actually be used. Um, and I'm not, I'm not rushing through it to the point of, oh, it's not a big deal, don't worry about it. Um, but no, we we want to be in the present moment and address what needs to be addressed so that we can move beyond it. And then another, the last thing I have on here to avoid is just being just being careful um about the reframe that you're probably gonna, you're probably what it going to want to give. And not to let it replace the follow-through that needs to happen. Okay, so what I mean by this is um it it it is a common, it can be a common challenge where a seven, they're sometimes they're called the energizer, sometimes they're called the enthusiast, enthusiast, and they can give a great pop pep talk. They can make you feel like, oh, right, we're we're ready, let's go, let's do this. But a great pep talk is not the same as a clear piece of feedback, a clear next step. And you don't have to totally forget about the pep talk. You can do that, you can kind of reframe whatever the feedback is, looking to the exciting possibilities of the future. And you want to make sure that you're pairing that with something clear, direct, something that they can take and do something with. So make sure that both happen when you're giving that feedback. Um, you know, some something like, um, you know, I I want to, you could for so many of these, sometimes it's the just just framing the conversation, you know. I wanna, I wanna share something directly um because I think it's something that is important and I think it's something, um, I think it's information that you can do something with to reach your potential or to um create more possibilities for yourself and your career or the next step in that. And so it's this is this is not comfortable. There are there are types that are more comfortable with feedback than others. Um, I would say stereotypically, this is not a type that where this comes natural, but it also doesn't mean that you can't do it with practice and um care and being intentional. And so over the years, um you may be a seven and think to yourself, I this, I have worked on this. I I check, check, check. I'm doing all these, I'm avoiding all the avoids. Um, A plus work, great. Um, I'm assuming though, there there probably was some uh some work that had to be done, some tweaking that had to be done along the way. So just keeping that in mind. And again, using that reframe, your your typical story is around I'm striving to feel excited. I'm striving to reach the reach the possibilities that there are out there in life. And so changing this story a little bit to um if I if I address this needed feedback or this challenging conversation head on, we'll we'll all be able to start moving in in a more uh positive, potentially filled uh or a future filled with potential. So as a seven, if you happen to have any additional uh feedback, do's and don'ts for other sevens, or if there's a specific example, something that's worked that you've tried that wasn't on the list, please reach out and share. We love hearing from uh real-world experiences, and you can share that feedback over at Enneagrammba.com forward slash contact. And with that, thank you for being here. We are going to um be having a guest, co-host, um, returning to the show this coming week for another coworker chemistry episode between the Enneagram Type 2, Striving to Feel Connected, and our Enneagram type 3's, Striving to Feel Outstanding. So make sure you come back for that one. Have a wonderful rest of your weekend or week whenever you're listening to this. Um, thanks for being here, and we'll see you soon.