People are persuaded by different messages.

Some respond to results. Others value trust, security, recognition, freedom, harmony or meaning. This practical workshop uses the nine Enneagram personality types and their 27 archetypal patterns, formed by the three instinctual orientations, to help participants understand what drives behaviour and decision-making.

Participants will learn to recognise communication preferences, adapt their influence approach and deliver persuasive messages without manipulating others.

Objective

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Recognise the nine Enneagram communication styles
• Understand the 27 archetypal influence patterns
• Identify personal persuasion strengths and blind spots
• Adapt messages to different motivations and fears
• Handle resistance and objections confidently
• Build trust while influencing decisions
• Apply ethical persuasion in workplace conversations

Outline

Part 1: Discover Your Persuasion Style
Know How You Naturally Influence
Participants explore the nine Enneagram styles:
Type Core Persuasion Driver

1 Reformer	Standards and improvement
2 Helper	Relationships and appreciation
3 Achiever	Results and recognition
4 Individualist	Meaning and authenticity
5 Investigator	Knowledge and competence
6 Loyalist	Security and trust
7 Enthusiast	Possibilities and freedom
8 Challenger	Strength and control
9 Peacemaker	Harmony and inclusion

Activity: Persuasion Style Self-Discovery
Key Takeaway: Your natural style can influence some people and disconnect others.

Part 2: Decode the 27 Archetypes
Understand What Really Drives People
Each Enneagram type can express itself through three instinctual orientations:

Self-Preservation
Focused on:

• Security
• Resources
• Stability
• Personal wellbeing

Social
Focused on:

• Belonging
• Contribution
• Status
• Group influence

One-to-One
Focused on:

• Intensity
• Connection
• Energy
• Personal impact

Together, the nine types and three instincts create 27 distinct behavioural and communication patterns.

Activity: Decode the Audience
Participants analyse workplace characters and identify:

• Core motivation
• Likely concerns
• Preferred communication style
• Best persuasion approach

Key Takeaway: The same personality type may respond differently depending on its dominant instinct.

Part 3: Adapt Your Persuasion Message
Say It in a Way They Can Hear
Participants learn to:

• Identify audience motivations
• Frame benefits around individual needs
• Adjust tone, pace and language
• Build credibility and emotional connection
• Respond to resistance without becoming defensive

Practical Message Guide

Audience Driver	Persuasive Message
Standards	“This improves quality and consistency.”
Relationships	“This supports the people involved.”
Results	“This delivers a stronger outcome.”
Meaning	“This creates a more authentic impact.”
Knowledge	“The evidence supports this approach.”
Security	“The risks have been considered.”
Possibility	“This creates new opportunities.”
Control	“This gives us greater influence.”
Harmony	“This supports everyone’s interests.”

Activity: Rewrite the Message
Participants adapt one workplace message for different Enneagram archetypes.
Key Takeaway: Effective persuasion is audience-centred, not speaker-centred.

Part 4: Influence with Ethics and Impact
Turn Understanding into Action
Participants learn to:

• Apply ethical influence principles
• Handle objections and difficult personalities
• Persuade without pressure or manipulation
• Use presence, voice and body language
• Close conversations with clear action

Activity: Persuasion Superpower Challenge
Participants deliver a three-minute persuasive conversation to a selected Enneagram archetype and receive peer feedback.
Key Takeaway: Influence succeeds when people feel understood, respected and empowered to decide.
P.O.W.E.R. Persuasion Framework

• P: Profile the audience
• O: Observe motivations and concerns
• W: Word the message for relevance
• E: Engage with trust and empathy
• R: Request a clear next action

Programme Differentiator
Most persuasion programmes teach one universal communication method.
This programme recognises that people:

• Think differently
• Fear different outcomes
• Value different rewards
• Respond to different messages

The Enneagram and 27 archetypes help participants move from generic persuasion to personalised, ethical and more effective influence.

I would position this as a science-backed workplace resilience programme rather than a laughter yoga session. Laughter becomes the tool, while resilience, mental well-being, positive psychology, and workplace performance become the outcomes.

Santhanaram Jayaram's Profile

Santhanaram Jayaram has more than 28 years of experience in both the private and public sector including Financial Services - Retail and Learning and Development. Qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table in 2005, 2006 & 2007. Author of Ram up your Laughter. Appeared on National TV, Radio, Print. Current Board of Director for a Credit Co- operative with over 43,500 members (Telecoms Credit Co-operative) and Director of Security companies - Security Masters and Secure Guard.

With his versatility, engaging presence and diverse industry experience in hosting, facilitating and relating to a diverse group ranging from the PMETs to the C-suite, such as Lee Kuan Yew's School of Public Policy’s Senior Management Program, Regional Agency Workshop QBE Insurance, Regional Symposiums Strategic Project Management: Greater Business Results in Uncertain economy, Project of the Year Award by Project Management Institute Singapore, Ram has also appeared in Print, Radio ,National TV and on Netflix.

Besides personalising and customizing trainings to multi-national corporations, universities, and private associations, he also specialises in helping top level executives to improve their operational efficiencies; relate better thru communication skills, pioneer creativity thru design thinking skills, become better leaders thru leadership and people management, deliver greater service excellence and move up the next level thru career coaching.

Ram’s Qualifications: 

• Master of Business Administration (Oklahoma City University)
• Bachelor of Science (Hons) (University of Bradford)
• Master NLP Practicioner (American Board of Neuro-Linguistic Psychology)
• WSQ Advance Certification in Training and Assessment (ACTA), Workforce Singapore
• Certified in Train-the-Trainer Certification Program - Bringing Out the Best in Yourself at Work
• Certified in IDENTI3 Level 2 Accreditation
• Certified in Belbin Team Role Accreditation
• Certified Practitioner and Trainer in FIRO-B® and FIRO-Business® Instruments (CPP Asia Pacific)
• Certified Practitioner and Trainer in Enneagram Spectrum of Personality Styles

Selected Client Organizations:

• Daimler Financial Services
• Marina Bay Sands
• Resort World Sentosa
• Starbucks
• Singapore Airlines
• Mcdonald’s
• Port of Singapore Authority
• SMRT
• UOB Bank
• UBS Bank