Enneagram

What is Enneagram

With roots in antiquity, which can be traced back as the works of Pythagoras, the Enneagram is a model of the human psyche. Principally it is a personality typology, interconnecting nine personality types.

Each type has a number and the number is often used as a short-cut to referencing the type. Each ‘type’ has ‘Core fears’, ‘Core motivations’ and ‘Core desires’.

The symbol of the Enneagram shows the interaction between the types.

Why explore the Enneagram

The model helps with understanding self and others and our interactions with the world. What is most useful about the Enneagram model, is that it is not merely descriptive, it provides direction in how to develop a “healthy” version of each type.

How I use the Enneagram

The Enneagram as an important narrative transformation tool. Together, the Enneagram RHETI 2.5 Psychometric Individual online survey, with two textbooks used in the Guiding Transformation Program, the Enneagram is frequently featured as a leadership development topic of exploration in individual coaching and peer-group Learning Circles. This is a great way to come to understand your Enneagram type.

OVERVIEW
9 ENNEAGRAM TYPES

THE PERFECTIONIST

Ones seek a perfect world and work diligently to improve it.

THE FRIEND

Twos want to be liked, try to meet the needs of others, and attempt to orchestrate the people and events in their lives.

THE PERFORMER

Threes organize their lives around achieving specific goals to appear successful and to gain the respect and admiration of others.

THE UNIQUE ONE

Fours desire deep connections with both their own interior worlds and with other people and feel most alive when they authentically express their personal experiences and feelings.

THE EXPERT

Fives thirst for knowledge and use of emotional detachment as a way of keeping involvement with others at a minimum.

THE QUESTIONER

Sixes have insightful minds and create anticipatory or worst-case scenarios to help themselves feel prepared in case something goes wrong. Some are tentative, some engage in high-risk behaviour to prove their fearlessness, and some do both.

THE ENERGISER

Sevens crave the stimulation of new ideas, people, and experiences, avoid pain, and discomfort, and engage in positive possibility planning, thus allowing them to keep all of their options open.