What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a personality typing system that describes how we operate in the world. It explains how each of us, based on our individual traits and childhood experiences, fit into one of 9 types. And each type has its own set of core motivations and fears that influence the way we respond and interact with the environment. Why and how we behave, think, and react are based not just on how we are raised, but also some part of nature that we’re already born with.
Some people may not like personality tests at all for the sake of not wanting to be labeled or put inside a box. What we don’t realize is that we’re already in a box and the Enneagram doesn’t just tell us what box we fit into, it also shows us how to get out.
Ultimately, the Enneagram is a tool that can be used for self-discovery, Although its main application is in personal growth and emotional intelligence, we are seeing organizations also use them in leadership development and training, communication and coaching, conflict resolution, team building, and even in career and employee development.
The Enneagram gives us a better understanding of ourselves and others; and by understanding ourselves and others better, we are able to improve communication, relationships, and live more fulfilling lives overall.
Type One
The Perfectionist
The Perfectionist believes you must be good and right in order to be worthy. They are conscientious, responsible, improvement-oriented and self-controlled but can also be critical, resentful, and self-judging.
Type Two
The Giver
The Giver believes you must give fully to others in order to be loved. They are helpful, caring, supportive, relationship-oriented but can also be overly intrusive, demanding and prideful.
Type Three
The Performer
The Performer believes you must be successful in order to be loved. They are fast-paced, focused on goals and efficiency. They can also be inattentive to feelings, impatient, and image-driven.
Type Four
The Romantic
The Romantic believes you must obtain the ideal relationship or situation to be loved. They are idealistic, deeply feeling, empathetic, authentic, but also dramatic, moody and sometimes self-absorbed.
Type 5
The Observer
The Observer believes you must protect yourself from a world that demands too much. They seek self-sufficiency and are non-demanding, analytic, unobtrusive, and thoughtful, but can also be withholding, detached, and overly private.
Type Six
The Loyal Skeptic
The Loyal Skeptic believes the world is unpredictable and hazardous so they try to create security and certainty by being prepared. They are trustworthy, inquisitive, and are good friends but they can also be doubting, vigilant, and questioning.
Enneagram Types
Type Seven
The Epicure
The Epicure believes you must keep life up and open to assure a good life. They seek possibilities and pleasure and are optimistic, upbeat, and adventurous but also avoid pain and can be un-committed and self-serving.
Type Eight
The Protector
The Protector believes you must be strong and powerful to assure protection and regard in a tough world. They seek justice and are direct, strong and action-oriented, but also can be overly impactful, excessive, and sometimes impulsive.
Type Nine
The Mediator
The Mediator believes that to be loved and valued, you must blend in ad go along to get along. They seek harmony and are comfortable and steady but can also be self-forgetting, conflict-avoidant and sometimes stubborn.