The 9 Enneagram Types & What Each Means | Which Are You?
What's your Personality Pattern?
“Just be yourself, there is no one better”
The Masks we all Wear
Halloween is approaching and adults and children are picking out masks and costumes to become something other than they are. Even the people who have long ago put aside the Halloween fun are “masking up” for Covid-19 mandates. This medical mask may offer real protection or simply play a part in complying with what is expected.
In the history of psychology, the human personality has been viewed as a sort of “mask”, a covering that we use to shield our vulnerability. It has long been known that personality is altered by life experiences, defenses, and adaptations that we adopt to cope with life’s challenges.
The Measure of Personality
There are many different ways that Psychology has tried to capture the nature of personality. One common approach is to use Personality Tests. Most people are fascinated by the different questionnaires and their ability to define the complex nature of personality. There are the Myers- Briggs, Big Five Assessment, and Typefinder to name a few. The one that stands out for me is the Enneagram.
The Enneagram of Personality
The Enneagram personality test is a tool to help identify your unique “mask” that both protects you and shields you from the challenges of life events. Our authentic selves sit vulnerably beneath the surface. This is true for not just some of us, but all of us. If you have ever wondered, “why do I keep doing the same thing over and over?”; The Enneagram is the tool for you.
“The Enneagram doesn’t put you in a box. It shows you the box you’re already in and how to get out of it”
What is the Enneagram
The word Enneagram is said to have come from two Greek root words, ennea meaning “nine” and gram meaning “drawing” or “figure”. Some say it can be traced back to ancient Greece, others say it has its origins from various religious faiths, dating back thousands of years. These words describe a 9 point diagram with triangles and arrows relating each number to others.
The Enneagram is often referred to as a “tool” because it is a helpful framework by which a person can identify their unconscious motivations and drive toward behaviors. This is a lot to expect of a personality test, but in my opinion, the Enneagram delivers. Unlike other tests, the Enneagram will reveal the strengths and weaknesses of a person's personality; often one trait is expressed in two very different ways.
In its most basic form, it assigns an Enneagram Type designated by a number (1-9). This number will reveal how you interact and adapt to your environment during times of health and stress.
“There is nothing to prove and nothing to protect. I am who I am and it’s enough”
The Nine Enneagram Type
The Enneagram Institute defines each type using the definitions below.
Type 1: "The Reformer" has a strong sense of right and wrong. They are well-organized and striving for change and improvement, but fearful of making a mistake.
Type 2: "The Helper" is friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing. They mean well, but can also be people-pleasing and have difficulty acknowledging their own needs.
Type 3: "The Achiever" is ambitious, self-assured, and charming. Their downfall can be workaholism and competitiveness.
Type 4: "The Individualist" is self-aware, sensitive, and creative. They can be moody and self-conscious and have problems with melancholy and self-pity.
Type 5: "The Investigator" is a visionary pioneer, and often ahead of its time. They are alert, insightful, and curious, but can get caught up in their imagination.
Type 6: "The Loyalist" is the troubleshooter because they're reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. They can see looming problems and get people to cooperate but have defensive and anxious tendencies.
Type 7: "The Enthusiast" is always looking for something new and exciting to keep their multiple talents busy. As a result, they can be impulsive and impatient.
Type 8: "The Challenger" is a strong, resourceful straight-talker. They can take it too far and become domineering and confrontational.
Type 9: "The Peacemaker" is creative, optimistic, and supportive. They are more often willing to go along with others to avoid conflict and can be complacent.
Find out more from the Enneagram institute HERE.
What’s In an Enneagram Number?
Sounds simple right? Oh no, don’t underestimate its complexity. In addition to the Enneagram Number, there are Triads, Wings, Subtypes, Stances, Integration and Disintegration, and a heck of a lot more.
Triads - There are three triads (Heart/Feeling, Head/Fear, and Gut/Anger) that describe how you process and respond to life events.
Wings - This represents the number on each side of your core number. For example, the Enneagram three will have a two or a four-wing.
Stances - This categorizes the three ways people act around others to get needs met; Aggressive, withdrawn or Dependent.
Integration - This is a line that connects your number to a different number that represents how you behave when you are moving toward growth or health.
Disintegration - This is a line that connects your number to a different number that represents how you behave when under stress.
“The Enneagram, at its most abstract, a universal mandala of the self - A symbol of each of us” - Don Richard Riso
How do I take AN Enneagram test?
There are many different web pages that will offer an Enneagram “test” to reveal your Enneagram number. One that I have found useful is located on the Truity web page. You can find it at the button below!
It will generate a free simple result and offer a more detailed report for a charge. This is typical of how most of the online tests work.
However, many Enneagram experts caution that the test format is limited, and not the best way to determine your type. Instead “self typing” is recommended for a better result. The test format could potentially be influenced by different moods and stressors. To self-test you must read and learn all you can about each number. You then self-identify which number most matches your true nature. Self Typing can help you to take a slower, deeper journey toward true self-reflection, for a more accurate result.
Some books to help you on that journey are listed below…
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron
What’s Your Enneatype? by Liz Carver
The Path Between Us by Suzanne Stabile
Why Does Your Enneagram Test Matter?
By gaining a better understanding of your gifts and struggles you can have more insight into why you do what you do. This can shed light on your role in relationship patterns. Speaking of relationships, the Enneagram can help you see the world from the perspective of those around you. This can be an enlightening experience. Instead of an egocentric view, the world opens up to all different temperaments, personalities, gifts, and struggles. A context with which to view thoughts, feelings, and behaviors come into the light. Not only your own but those around you.
“All life is pattern… but we cannot always see the pattern when we are part of it” - Belia Plain
Your personality influences how you view the world and interact with others. Personality can be paradoxical, as our strengths can also be our weaknesses. Identifying these contradictions and challenging them can be difficult. Psychotherapy can be useful to help guide you on this journey. Therapy provides a non-judgmental space for you to take an honest look at your relationship with yourself and others. If you are looking for this type of support, or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out, by using the form below.
