R. Karl Hebenstreit

Name: R. Karl Hebenstreit, Ph.D., PCC

Lives in: La Quinta, CA

From: I was born in New York and raised in Greece (in the Nea Smirni suburb of Athens) from 2-9 years old. My mom is Greek and my dad is American. They met in Greece when he was stationed there with the US Air Force. I moved back to New Jersey in the US at nine years old and stayed there until 1998. Then I moved to California and have been there ever since.

Occupation: International speaker, executive coach, author, leadership/team/organization development consultant.

Tell us your first three jobs (ever!):
I was a waiter at several Greek diners in New Jersey during high school!

Then came temporary office work, eventually landing in my discipline of interest – human resources at Merck.

My first full-time professional job was as Recruiting & Staffing Manager at Bellcore (the research and development arm of the Regional Bell Operating Companies).

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Enneagram type: Type 2, the Helper

What do you love about Greece? I love the open/friendly/generous culture of the people, the rich history everywhere you look/walk, the FOOD (σουβλαάκι, χωρίς κρεμμίδια, παρακαλώ!), the access to the gorgeous islands and their people and culture.

Tell us something most people don’t know about you: Despite my Germanic name, I am mostly Greek (50%), and a dual-citizen of the US and Greece! I am fairly fluent in Greek and speak English, French, and a little German.

Where we are most likely to find you in Lynn’s community? Chatting with Lynn at Enneagram conferences.  🙂

First time you tried Kundalini Yoga? I haven’t yet, and I’m totally open to it!

Tell us your top tip to combat climate change: Stop dependency on fossil fuels; reduce/reuse/recycle!

Anything else you’d like us to know?: I am an author of several Enneagram-based books, including “The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram” (now in its third edition!), “Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision” (a children’s book that introduces the world to the Enneagram in an easily-understood way; available in English, Greek, Spanish, and French), and the just-released “Explicit Expectations: The Essential Guide & Toolkit of Management Fundamentals.