Work, translated
Same words. Different meanings.
Sometimes, the same words carry different meanings. One person hears something the other never meant.
Same type, different people. Use these to start a conversation, not to assume.
Built for Asia
Not just translated. Made for how teams here talk.
The X-Map for Work covers the moments many teams here find hardest to say out loud.
- Polite agreementA nod in the meeting isn't always a yes. See who may agree out loud but differ inside — and how to raise it in private.
- Feedback without embarrassmentStraight and in the moment, or gently and in private? Know before you say it.
- Credit, given wellA mention in front of the team, or a quiet word? Ask once, then stick to it.
- English and 中文Take the test in either language. Team debriefs with Daniel or Simyee in English or 中文.
Before day one
The CV shows their experience. What happens when you work together?
How someone decides, takes feedback and handles pressure tends to show up in month three. Start the conversations that usually happen too late.
- 1How they decideFast and on instinct, or slow and thought through.
- 2How they want feedbackStraight in the moment, or gently and in private.
- 3What quietly drains themThe thing that wears them down long before they say so.
- 4What they won't say“Sure, can” sometimes means “not sure at all”.
Why pairs matter
Talent matters. So does how people work together.
Who was on a team mattered less than how the people on it worked together. The top factor: people feeling safe to speak up.
Gallup found managers account for at least 70% of the variance in engagement scores across business units. One relationship, every day.
Both point to the same place: the relationships, not the résumés. That's what 9Works helps you see.
The nine at work
Nine ways to do good work. Which is yours?
A type is a mirror, not a label. It shows how someone tends to work — never who they have to be.
Energised byClear standards and work done properly.
Drained by sloppy work, shortcuts and rules that change for no reason.
Tell your colleagues “Tell me clearly what good looks like — and tell me when I've got it right.”
Energised byHelping people do well, in a warm team.
Drained by being taken for granted in a cold, transactional team.
Tell your colleagues “A simple thank-you goes a long way with me. Ask what I need, too.”
Energised byClear targets and progress people can see.
Drained by slow decisions and meetings that end with no outcome.
Tell your colleagues “Give me a clear target and room to run. Recognise the win when it comes.”
Energised byWork with meaning, and room to be creative.
Drained by copy-paste work and being treated as just another headcount.
Tell your colleagues “Show me why this work matters, and give me space to do it my way.”
Energised byTime to think, and problems worth solving.
Drained by back-to-back meetings and being asked to decide on the spot.
Tell your colleagues “Send me the agenda early and give me time to think. You'll get better answers.”
Energised byA team they can trust and a clear plan.
Drained by sudden changes with no reason given.
Tell your colleagues “Tell me early when plans change. Once I trust you, I'm all in.”
Energised byNew projects, variety and fresh ideas.
Drained by the same task every day, long reports and heavy rules.
Tell your colleagues “Give me room for new ideas — and help me finish the best one.”
Energised byReal responsibility and straight talk.
Drained by office politics, slow approvals and being micromanaged.
Tell your colleagues “Be straight with me and give me ownership. I'll get it done.”
Energised byA calm team and a steady rhythm.
Drained by open conflict, raised voices and last-minute pressure.
Tell your colleagues “Ask me directly what I think. I may not say it unless you ask.”
Try a pair
Pick two types. See where they meet.
You and a colleague. You and a candidate. Two partners. Tap a number for each person — the map changes as you go.
You
Them
How it works
Read yourself. Read the pair. Then act on it.
-
Step 1
Take the free test
36 short statements about how you work. You get your type in plain words — what energises you, what drains you, and one line to share with your colleagues.
Start the test -
Step 2
See the pair on the X-Map for Work
Put your type next to anyone else's. Ten everyday moments — deciding, feedback, deadlines, pressure — each marked in sync, meet halfway or take care.
Open the X-Map for Work -
Step 3
Act on it
Hiring this month? Read each finalist before the offer. Team not clicking? We map every pair, then talk it through with the team leader.
See how it works for companies
Who's behind it
Built by people who've hired, led — and got it wrong too.
- Daniel Yeo25+ years in medtech · built sales excellence across Asia Pacific at ZEISS · IEA Accredited Enneagram Professional
- Simyee LimFormer Group CEO, EP Manufacturing Berhad · 17 years at Mercedes-Benz in China, at director level
They built 9Works for the owner who hires five people a year and can't afford to get one wrong — and for the manager who just wants Monday's meeting to go better.
Talk to us Meet the foundersIn their own words
Leaders who took it back to their teams.
From our Business Enneagram workshops, team talks and coaching.
★★★★★
“Working with people as a business owner is challenging, especially if there are specific goals to achieve for the team or project stakeholders. … The second highlight for me was learning about the better ways of communicating with people of different personalities, leading to more effective decision making.”
Ir. Dr. TANG Kok CheongFounder & Managing Director, MyCAE Technologies★★★★★
“Enneagram is a very useful & precise people management tool to manage different types of people scientifically. … I am very happy that it enables me not only to become a better leader, but a better husband, father, and person.”
Eugene LeeManaging Director of an Automotive Group in Malaysia★★★★★
“I’ve also brought Daniel into corporate settings, engaging him to run talks that help employees understand their own personality type and communicate and support one another better as teams.”
Jeanette LeeSenior Financial Planner in SingaporeQuestions
Fair questions, straight answers.
Is this a test to screen people out?
No. A type is a mirror, not a label. It helps you understand how someone works and what to talk about early. It informs the decision; you make it. We don't recommend rejecting anyone on their type.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
The test is 36 statements and takes 5–8 minutes on your phone. It's free, and so is the X-Map for Work. Candidates and staff never pay.
Who sees my results?
You do. Your results are shared with an employer only when you choose to share them, and they're handled under Malaysia's PDPA.
Why the name 9Works?
The Enneagram describes nine types — nine different ways people work. 9Works shows how your way works, how theirs works, and how the two of you can work well together. A starting point for understanding — not a verdict on anyone.
Is it available in Chinese?
The test is in English and 中文. Team reads and debriefs with Daniel or Simyee can be done in English or 中文.
Free · 5–8 minutes
Stop guessing. Read the pair.
Start with yourself. Then send it to the person you work with most.
At work, you spot the risks early and stay loyal to a team that has your back.