ADLM Meeting of the Minds

Advanced practice professionals (NPs, PAs, RNs, etc.); Lab supervisors; Lab directors (and/or assistant directors); Lab managers (supervisory and/or non-supervisory); Medical technologists; Point-of-Care coordinators; Physicians; Pathologists; Toxicologists; In-training individuals

Basic

A laptop or personal device for notetaking and audience participation. This includes completing a brief online Enneagram and DISC self-assessments. Please note that charging stations are not available at audience tables, bring a fully charged device for this activity.

• Handouts with Enneagram and DISC summaries, reflection prompts, and scoring sheet.
• Links to validated free online assessments.
• Suggested reading and resource list for continued learning.

After participating in this course, participants will be able to: 

• Identify their Enneagram type and DISC communication style to improve self-awareness and professional growth.
• Analyze how personality and communication differences influence team dynamics and workplace effectiveness.
• Apply adaptive communication strategies to improve collaboration, reduce conflict, and enhance leadership impact within laboratory environments.

• Moderator: Frederick Strathmann, PhD, MBA, DABCC, MOBILion Systems
• Rebecca Wilson, PhD, DABCC, NRCC, Cincinnati Children's Hospital

(5 minutes) Welcome and introduction (Frederick Strathmann and Rebecca Wilson)

The faculty presenters will start with an overview of course objectives, structure, and materials with emphasis on the interactive nature of the session. Participants will be oriented to self-assessments, group discussions, and applied exercises to support active engagement throughout.

• Course objectives, structure, and materials
• Expectations for participation in assessments, discussions, and exercises

(45 minutes) Understanding the Enneagram framework (Frederick Strathmann)

Dr. Strathmann will provide an introduction to the Enneagram framework and its nine personality types, with a focus on workplace behaviors, motivation, and stress responses. Participants will complete a brief self-assessment, interpret their results, and reflect on strengths, blind spots, and triggers through guided exercises and small group discussions to compare insights and observations.

• Enneagram types and workplace application
• Online assessment and interpretation
• Small group discussion and reflections

(5 minutes) Break

(45 minutes) Communication styles using the DISC Bird Model (Rebecca Wilson)

Dr. Wilson will provide an overview of the four DISC communication archetypes: Eagle (direct), Parrot (expressive), Dove (supportive), and Owl (analytical), and how these styles influence communication in professional settings. Participants will complete a short online DISC self-assessment and discuss how communication style affect decision-making, feedback, and teamwork. Participants will then engage in a partner activity to practice adapting tone and messaging to different communication styles using short workplace scenarios.

• DISC communication archetypes and characteristics
• Self-assessment and worksheet exercise
• Impact on decision-making, feedback, and teamwork
• Partner activity to practice adapting tone and messaging in workplace scenarios

(5 minutes) Break

(50 minutes) Applying self-knowledge to team dynamics (Frederick Strathmann and Rebecca Wilson)

Drs. Strathmann and Wilson will integrate Enneagram and DISC insights to help participants identify effective interaction strategies across diverse personality and communication styles. Faculty will demonstrate verbal and nonverbal cues that reveal underlying personality and communication preferences. Participants will then engage in an interactive “speed assessment” activity, rotating in two-minute intervals to identify others’ Enneagram and DISC types using guided prompts and observation. Individual scoring sheets will be completed to assess accuracy and reflect on observation skills. The section will conclude with a group debrief to discuss lessons learned, recurring patterns, and strategies for improving interpersonal communication.

• Applying Enneagram and DISC insights across styles
• Recognizing verbal and nonverbal communication cues
• “Speed Assessment” exercise with guided observations
• Reflection on accuracy and interpersonal effectiveness

(10 minutes) Closing and Q&A (All)

Faculty will summarize take home messages, emphasize practical applications, and encourage continued self-development using provided resources. 

• Key takeaways and recurring themes
• Practical application strategies and next steps