How This CEO Uses Personality Type to Journal Her Way to Success

What if success didn’t come solely from hard work, but also from understanding yourself more deeply? That’s the path Meha Agrawal, founder and CEO of Silk + Sonder, chose when she left a fast-paced tech career to build a company rooted in self-reflection. 

In this candid conversation, Meha shares how personality tests like the Enneagram and the 16 types test (inspired by Myers & Briggs) helped her better understand her leadership style, navigate burnout and other challenges of entrepreneurship, and develop a journaling practice that’s both deeply personal and profoundly practical. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with both vision and vulnerability, Meha’s story offers a blueprint: start with a pen, a prompt, and the courage to look within. 

Let’s start with your Myers-Briggs and Enneagram personality type—what are they, and how did you first discover them?

I’m an ENTP, though I initially typed as an ENFJ earlier in my career. I also identify as an Enneagram 3w2. I first discovered these personality frameworks during a period of self-reflection while working in tech, before I founded Silk + Sonder. I was constantly toggling between execution and intuition, people-pleasing and purpose, so I was craving language to help me decode my inner world and leadership style. These tools gave me that language and later, they became foundational to how I lead, journal and live.

How has understanding your personality type helped you better understand your strengths and challenges as a leader?

As an ENTP and 3w2, I’m energized by vision, momentum and connection. I love ideating, inspiring and solving big problems, and my natural charisma and intuition help rally people around a shared mission. But with those strengths come challenges: I can be restless, hyper-achieving and overly focused on external validation. Understanding my type has helped me create rituals—like journaling, delegation and recovery—that ground me and prevent burnout. I now approach leadership with more self-compassion and strategy, not just hustle.

Do you see your personality type reflected in the way you make decisions, build your team, or shape your company culture? Can you give an example?

Absolutely. At Silk + Sonder, our culture is built around self-awareness, emotional intelligence and freedom—all extensions of my ENTP curiosity and Enneagram 3 drive for meaning and impact. 

One of my favorite examples is how we adopted a weekly "intention setting" ritual across all teams. We ask: What went well? What didn’t? What are your asks? It’s a simple but powerful way to build a psychologically safe space for transparency and growth—two things I deeply value. I also intentionally hire team members who balance my energy; those who bring operational rigor and groundedness to complement my visionary style.

How did journaling become such a core part of your personal and professional life?

Journaling became my anchor during some of the most uncertain, high-growth phases of my life. Whether I was building Silk + Sonder, navigating burnout or processing personal growth, journaling gave me the clarity I needed to make aligned decisions. It helped me slow down, process emotions and turn challenges into opportunities. Over time, it became not just a self-care ritual but a leadership tool. That’s actually how Silk + Sonder was born—through my desire to bring a more guided, inspiring journaling experience to others.

Are there particular journaling practices or prompts you return to when you feel overwhelmed or stuck?

When I feel overwhelmed, I always come back to a few core prompts:

•  “What is really bothering me right now?”
• “What would my highest self do in this situation?”
• “What is this challenge here to teach me?”

I also love scripting and visualization exercises. On harder days, I’ll write out how I want to feel or map out the best-case scenario to reframe my mindset. I’m a huge believer in turning obstacles into insight through language.

Have you ever had a breakthrough moment through journaling — something that changed the way you lead, think, or live?

Yes, many. One of the biggest breakthroughs was realizing how much of my identity was wrapped up in achievement. Through journaling, I uncovered that my worth wasn’t tied to revenue or validation but to how aligned I felt with my values: impact, freedom and authenticity. 

That shift fundamentally changed how I lead. I stopped chasing more and started focusing on meaningful success by setting boundaries, trusting my intuition more and building from a place of joy.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to use journaling as a tool for growth?

Start small. You don’t need to write a novel—just be honest. Journaling isn’t about sounding profound; it’s about getting real with yourself. Choose prompts that help you unpack what’s on your mind, and return to them consistently. Also: notice patterns. Over time, you’ll begin to see themes in your writing that point to deeper truths, desires or blocks. That’s where the real magic happens—when you begin to recognize and rewire your inner narrative.

“Over time, you’ll begin to see themes in your writing that point to deeper truths, desires, or blocks. That’s where the real magic happens—when you begin to recognize and rewire your inner narrative.” – Meha Agrawal, CEO of Silk + Sonder

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice—based on your personality and growth journey—what would it be?

Your drive is a gift, but you don’t need to prove your worth through constant motion. Trust the timing of your life, and make space for rest, curiosity and joy. The most powerful results come not from doing more, but from aligning more deeply with who you are. And remember: softness is not weakness. Let your intuition lead the way—it already knows where you’re going.

What’s next for you and Silk + Sonder? Are there any upcoming offerings or events that our readers should be excited about?

We’re entering such an exciting chapter. Last year, Silk + Sonder launched AI-powered life coaching that produces a personality blueprint, personalized habits and daily action plans tailored to your personality, limiting beliefs and goals. This year, we’re expanding on that feature set and looking into deepening our community offerings with Sonder Pods—intimate micro-communities for deeper connection and accountability. 

We’re also working on bringing Silk + Sonder to international markets and investing in thought leadership through live masterclasses and speaking engagements. Personally, I’m also exploring creative ways to support other founders—so stay tuned for new courses and experiences that merge business, mindset and self-discovery.

Join Truity & Silk + Sonder for Our Next Event

Whether you’re leading a company, shifting your mindset, or simply trying to make sense of a busy season of life, Meha’s story highlights the power of personality type and journaling to drive growth from the inside out.

If you’re curious about how personality insights can support your own self-discovery, join us for our upcoming live virtual event on July 24th, co-hosted by Truity and Silk + Sonder, where we’ll explore the Big Five personality model and how to use it as a tool for journaling, reflection and real change. Interested? Sign-up here!