The Enneagram Personality System
The
Enneagram personality system offers a mirror for self-love and personal
growth. The Enneagram has taught me to genuinely appreciate how
different another person's inner world can be from my own - and how our
differences can add richness to life. This is a path towards Universal
Love!
It isn't based on birthdate. The
nine types reflect archetypal patterns that shape how that person sees
the world and responds to situations. Since there are more than nine
types of humans in the world, there is complexity beyond the basic
numbers 1 to 9, yet even at the most simple level this framework can
enrich our understanding of human nature.
Why the Enneagram? I
love
the Enneagram as a personality model because I find it can offer deep
insight that naturally supports personal growth. With the Enneagram,
the types
are less about how somone looks on the surface, more about
what beliefs,
fears, and priorities underlie those behaviors. For instance, one
person might be extroverted because they are working hard to gain
approval from others, while another person might be engaged in trying
to maximize their fun.
The Enneagram is more of a personal
passion than a professional endeavor for me. I'm sharing it here on my
website because it's been such a
wonderful tool for me, and I wanted to compile my favorite sources so
others can benefit. Perhaps in the future I will add a section about my
own journey with it.
No type
is better than others, they are just
different, like different flavors of food! I have dear friendships with
people of every type.
How to get started? Take a test? Yes, of course there are
free online tests. I'll point
you to a couple good free ones below (don't bother paying for a test).
Or just
to consider the descriptions of each of the types and note which ones
resonate with you. There's even a basic Enneagram podcast
with one episode for each type, a nice introduction!
Each source describes the types slightly
differently, so take your most likely types and compare between
a few sources. Discuss it with your closest people and get feedback
about what aspects seem true to
them.
Once you feel like you've found your type, view your life
through that lens for a month or so. Reflect on how it fits or doesn't
fit you.
Also consider who you were as an older child or younger teen;
this can reveal who we were before we grew to balance our natural
tendencies! Usually the Type
stays the same throughout our lives, though we can develop many skills
and positive habits to become healthy and happy.
Quick test includes your "instinct" (see below).
Longer test, choose the free "snapshot," no need to pay for the upgraded version.
Hint: When taking a test, jot down any questions that really speak to you!
Try taking a test with a friend: read the questions outloud and mark their answers. You will gain insight into your friend's inner world.
Wings: The adjacent numbers are that type's "wings."
If you rank high on two adjacent numbers (ex. 2 and 3), one is probably your type and the other would be your "wing." We all have both wings, but sometimes one wing is stronger or more obvious so we might say that someone is a "2 wing 3" or 2w3.
Look up both of the wing combinations and compare (2w3 vs. 3w2).
It's considered healthy to have both wings present - two wings helps you fly steady.
Try to notice and enhance your weaker wing too!
Subtypes (aka Instincts):
Each type has three subtypes. There's a test just for subtypes/intincts!
Look up your Type/Subtype combo to learn more. Scroll down and click the colorful squares for each type. This site shows the "countertype" clearly, which is one subtype that can look very different from the stereotype for that number!
Another Subtype/Instrict resource to compare, as sometimes a different author's description will capture someone's personality better than others.
Going deeper:
EnneaThought Daily emails with good insights on your type
The Art of Growth Podcast
Beatrice Chestnut Videos
Tom LaHue Videos
Be kind! Our personality patterns, emotions, and habits are deeply personal. Please be gentle with yourself and with others as well!
