It's not just what you say, but how you say it. Good communicators know this, but it's often easier said than done. Teachers, leaders, and speakers are often left bewildered, wondering why the content that was so carefully planned and delivered seems to fall flat with the audience. The art of communication requires more than the transfer of information; it both connects with and engages the hearer. To communicate well, speakers must understand both their audience and themselves.
Speaking by the Numbers offers a strategy that combines communication principles with Enneagram wisdom to help leaders, pastors, and teachers understand how to convey content in ways that both inspire and connect with their audiences. Using the Enneagram wisdom of triads and stances, communicators can learn insight into the ways that various Enneagram numbers receive and process information. Sean Palmer draws from his extensive experience as a public speaker to develop communication strategies that lead to connection, transformation, and mobilization of audiences. Providing real examples of speeches and messages he has given, Palmer shows how he uses the Enneagram to craft a message that connects with his audience.
A healthy marriage of Enneagram wisdom and communication skill can help us speak with clarity into the heart of where people live, love, and experience life.
Industry Reviews
"Sean gets it. The most effective motive for any communication is compassion. Compassion puts the focus back on the receiver by aiming to ensure the receiver's uniqueness and needs are taken into account. The Enneagram is a tool that helps us address the uniqueness of every human heart and make certain that the good news of God's kingdom is best received. I highly recommend this work for preachers and teachers who seek to expand their capacity to reach people through words." -- AJ Sherrill, Anglican priest and author of The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation
"Sean's robust experience in public speaking and storytelling, combined with his mastery of Enneagram wisdom, gives readers a helpful guide to communicating more effectively. Sean's shared wisdom is a gift for speakers of all kinds. His humor and candor make this book an accessible and meaningful contribution to the larger body of Enneagram writing." -- Hunter Mobley, Enneagram teacher and author
"There's a big difference between Enneagram information and Enneagram wisdom. Sean helps us cultivate much-needed wisdom with practical insight on how to effectively engage all nine types and connect with each effectively. This is a great resource for those who speak, teach, or communicate with groups on a regular basis." -- Drew Moser, author of The Enneagram of Discernment and cohost of Fathoms: An Enneagram Podcast
"Seeing the world differently will help you speak more effectively. The Enneagram helps us recognize how we and our hearers see the world, and that recognition can sharpen our speech. Well-aware of the pitfalls and promise of the Enneagram, Palmer artfully distills and demonstrates insights into speaking to three different kinds of listeners who see the world in three distinct ways. Whether you're speaking at a board meeting or preaching to thousands, this book will make you better at understanding how others think, feel, and function, which will, in the end, not only make you a better communicator but also a better human." -- Glenn Packiam, associate pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs and author of Worship and the World to Come
"Sean Palmer combines his unique insights into communication with hard-earned Enneagram knowledge to bring a spectacular primer for anyone who desires to sharpen their skills. By effectively weaving narrative and instruction, Speaking by the Numbers equips communicators to tailor their message for the greatest possible understanding of their intended audience. If meaningful communication is your goal, this book is a must-read for you." -- Rhesa Higgins, founding director of Eleven:28 Ministries
"Every speaker, teacher, and content creator needs a Sean Palmer coaching them. In Speaking by the Numbers, Sean combines the skills of a master communicator, the wisdom of the Enneagram, the encouragement of a star coach, and the heart of a pastor to equip all of us to make our biggest impact possible. This book will not only help you connect more authentically with your audience but will build up your confidence so you can give the best talk of your life." -- Kadi Cole, author of Developing Female Leaders and Find Your Leadership Voice in 90 Days
"If you're looking for a book about public speaking, Sean offers a clear and practical guide to help you better understand your audience and speak to people who hear differently from you. If you're looking for a book about the Enneagram, Sean provides a deeper focus on the triads and stances, and he presents a unique perspective on how one might utilize that information in a professional setting." -- T.J. Wilson, Around the Circle podcast
"As a preacher and pastor of a multiracial, multicultural, and intergenerational church, communicating is often a daunting task when considering the variety of cultures, stories, and realities of the community I regularly serve. Speaking by the Numbers presses us to understand why centering the diversity of our hearers is just as significant as the work of knowing ourselves. Utilizing the Enneagram, Palmer offers a practical and timely tool for any public speaker who truly wants to be heard." -- Gail Song Bantum, lead pastor of Quest Church, Seattle
