Enneagram
What is an Enneagram
The Enneagram is a system of personality which describes people in terms of nine types, each with their own motivations, fears, and internal dynamics.
The Enneagram is an emotionally focused system of understanding people — honing in on one’s core emotional motivations and fears. Each of the nine personality types has its own driving force, which is centered around a particular emotion.
Some Enneagram types experience strong emotions, while other types aim to avoid emotions in one form or another. However, whether running from emotions or diving into them, each type describes some aspect of emotional experience.
Nine Personality Types: Nine Emotional Realms Exploring the Types
Each of the nine personality types within the Enneagram framework is a portal to a unique emotional realm. These realms are centered around particular emotions, serving as the guiding force behind each type's thoughts, actions, and reactions. As we journey through these types, we begin to appreciate the intricate dance between our emotions and our personalities.
Type 1
The Perfectionist
Driven by the fear of imperfection and motivated by the desire for perfection, Type 1 individuals navigate life with a critical eye, their emotions often tied to the pursuit of flawlessness.
Hilary Clinton
Judge Judy
Martha Stewart
Gandhi
Emma Thompson
Bill Maher
Mary Poppins
Rudy Giuliani
Type 2
The Helper
Rooted in a fear of rejection, Type 2 personalities find their emotional fulfillment through helping others, making them prone to emotional highs and lows in their relationships.
Dolly Parton
Mother Theresa
Nancy Reagan
Jennifer Garner
Pam Beesly (The Office)
Jimmy Carter
John Denver
Type 3
The Achiever
Driven by the fear of failure and the pursuit of success, Type 3 individuals navigate life with ambition and are acutely attuned to the emotions that success and recognition bring.
Oprah Winfrey
Bill Clinton
Lady Gaga
Taylor Swift
Tony Robbins
Michael Jordan
Don Draper (Mad Men)
Type 4
The Individualist
Type 4 individuals grapple with a deep fear of being unimportant, leading them to explore the full spectrum of their emotions and identity.
Johnny Depp
Angelina Jolie
Sylvia Plath
Alanis Morrisette
Edgar Allan Poe
Prince
Repunzel
Type 5
The Investigator
With a fear of incompetence, Type 5 personalities seek to understand the world through intellectual pursuits, often distancing themselves from intense emotions.
Bill Gates
Albert Einstein
Stephen Hawking
Jane Austen
Mark Zuckerberg
Diane Sawyer
Sherlock Holmes
Type 6
The Loyalist
Rooted in the fear of uncertainty, Type 6 individuals experience a wide range of emotions, often oscillating between loyalty and suspicion.
Jennifer Aniston
Mark Twain
Tom Hanks
Princess Diana of Wales
Bono
Katie Couric
George Constanza
Type 7
The Enthusiast
Type 7 personalities are driven by a fear of pain and deprivation, constantly seeking new experiences to keep their emotions in a state of excitement and joy.
Robin Williams
Mick Jagger
Joan Rivers
Jim Carrey
Cameron Diaz
Carol Burnett
Peter Pan
Type 8
The Challenger
Motivated by a fear of vulnerability, Type 8 individuals confront their emotions head-on, often expressing them in assertive and powerful ways.
Barbara Walters
Winston Churchill
Mark Cuban
Serena Williams
Donald Trump
Kamala Harris
Pink
Tony Soprano
Type 9
The Peacemaker
Type 9 personalities fear conflict and disconnection, leading them to often suppress their emotions and seek inner and outer harmony.
Queen Elizabeth
Walt Disney
Ronald Reagan
Jack Johnson
Janet Jackson
Morgan Freeman
Mister Rogers
Enneagram Type Growth Tasks
Growth Tasks offer a unique path to personal development. These tailored tasks provide individuals with a roadmap for overcoming their specific challenges and embracing personal growth. In this discussion, we will explore how Enneagram Type Growth Tasks can lead individuals towards self-improvement and a deeper understanding of themselves.
- Pay attention to your judgement
- Develop an appreciation for the "good enough" over the "perfect"
- Make small mistakes on purpose
- Be gentle with yourself and others
- Laugh at yourself
- Be brutally honest about your motivations.
- Say “no” when you really don’t have the time or energy to do something for someone else.
- Speak up for yourself.
- Become more conscious of your own motives.
- Before you help, ask the other person what they really want.
- Slow down. Create a balance of moving forward and self-reflection. Learn to moderate your pace.
- Don’t be afraid to fail. You are more than your success and failures. Compete only with yourself.
- Practice active listening to connect more deeply with other people.
- Embrace vulnerability.
- Examine your thoughts and feelings.
- Recognize that emotions are fleeting and can become a blind spot.
- Establish concrete goals. Clarity on what you want to achieve.
- Practice self-discipline. Getting enough
sleep, etc. - Avoid negative ruminating thoughts.
- Avoid putting off things if you are not in the right mood.
- Practice healthy hobbies to get out of
your head. - It is ok to ask for help.
- Step outside of comfort zone.
- Explore your emotions.
- Practice playing.
- Own your power.
- Stop over-fixating on things to the point
of paranoia. - Work on building trust in your relationships.
- Develop healthy habits to release anxiety.
- Before you help, ask the other person what they really want.
- Find the joy in the ordinary.
- Commit to work and play.
- Be honest with yourself about your progress.
- Create quiet time.
- Make decisions slower at times.
- Act with self-restraint.
- At times, relinquish control.
- Get feedback from others on how your tone comes across.
- Let people know how much you value them.
- Accept recognition.
- Embrace conflict.
- Set your sights on achievements.
- Be the naysayer.
- Challenge yourself to take action.
Disc vs Enneagram
Enneagram and DISC, two distinct personality models, offer unique perspectives on understanding human behavior. Enneagram delves deep into our inner world, uncovering the intricate tapestry of thoughts, emotions, and motivations that drive our actions. In contrast, DISC primarily emphasizes behavioral patterns, providing valuable insights into how individuals tend to act and interact with others. DISC's strength lies in its ability to predict behavior effectively, making it a valuable tool in workplace settings and interpersonal dynamics.
However, its focus on behavior often sidelines the emotional complexities explored by the Enneagram, rendering it less suitable for contexts like counseling, where a deeper understanding of thoughts and feelings is paramount. Ultimately, the choice between these two models depends on the specific insights one seeks, with Enneagram offering emotional depth and DISC providing a pragmatic lens on observable behaviors.
Enneagram Types In the Workplace
In the dynamic landscape of the modern workplace, understanding the personalities of your employees or potential hires is a strategic advantage. Harnessing the power of the Enneagram in this context can provide invaluable insights into how individuals may thrive within a specific team or work environment. Our Enneagram test investment equips employers with fundamental information about their team members' skill sets, ranging from their socialization preferences to their distinctive working styles.
This knowledge empowers organizations to optimize team dynamics, foster effective communication, and unlock the full potential of each individual, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious and productive workplace. By recognizing the unique strengths and challenges associated with each Enneagram type, employers can tailor their leadership and management approaches to nurture a workforce that excels collectively and individually.