The Enneagram: Understand Personality Types

The
Enneagram is a description of 9 unique ways of seeing and experiencing
life. Your “type” is the main filter through which you perceive inner
and outer reality. The Enneagram helps you to understand personality
differences – your and others, develop the best traits of each
type in yourself, and relate well to each type (knowing their
strengths and vulnerabilities). Each type is relatively predictable in their
concerns, communication styles and behavior. People make sense when you
know this 9 type information and it increases the capacity for valuing unique qualities and having compassion or each type’s challenges. We are all nine types at various times but one
is the core driver and causes both a distortion of reality (missing the
360 degree view) as well as an amazing strength to focus strongly on
one area of life.

Here’s
a brief summary of the types, parts of which each of us have. One type,
called the core type, is more automatic to the way you are and have
been throughout your life (requires no effort to be that) and dominant
in your basic motivation, thinking process, perspective, and filtering
system. There are typical behaviors in each type but behavior is less
representative of type than the reasons why someone does what they
do. The Types and their major avoidances and focus include:

Type 1 – The Perfectionist/Reformer – avoids mistakes, imperfection – “there’s a right way”
Type 2 – The Overhelper/Cheerleader – avoids their own needs – “love me for my giving to you”
Type 3 – The Overachiever/Winner – avoids failure – “strives for success”
Type 4 – The Depth Seeker/Romantic – avoids everyday, humdrum life – “let’s go deep”
Type 5 – The Knowledge Seeker/Observer – avoids expression of personal feelings – “be objective”
Type 6 – The Security Seeker/Detective – avoids relaxing with the unknown – “let’s question everything”
Type 7 – The Optimist/Fun Lover – avoids pain – “let’s have a good time”
Type 8 – The Director/Powerhouse – avoids vulnerability – “I want to be in charge”
Type 9 – Peacemaker/Accommodator – avoids conflict – “peace at all costs”

At a party, the 1 might be sharing their values about recycling and also straightening the pictures on the wall, the 2 might be offering to get you some food, the 3 might be networking their business and mentioning their latest accomplishments, the 4 might finding the one person to mutually share deep experiences, the 5 will be listening for a conversation about computer related technical information, the 6 will talk about concerns related to security and safety and protection, the 7 just wants to keep the energy high and fun, the 8′s voice looms loud about others and the 9 is enjoying the camaraderie and nice feelings and appreciating that no one is having an argument.

All the types are looking for love and value both from within themselves and from others, through their core focus of attention. It’s great to make the world a better place by perfecting, helping, achieving, sharing your feelings, knowledge gathering, security seeking, being positive, directing and peacemaking, like each type does. At the same time it can be “demanding” to expect love and value from each of those drives. People are different and have different needs and thank god for that. Accept people for who they are and what they contribute and don’t expect something that they aren’t.

There are hundreds of subcategories in this system so no one ever feels anything other than the unique, unlimited person that they are. It’s important to value another and having clearer understanding of ones’ motivations and how they perceive how they are giving to you. Even someone who is being critical can be giving from their perspective by helping you to improve.

The Enneagram helps you see the beautiful gift you are and well as the box you are in. Step out of your box, look at all the other boxes and let’s all help each other value what is here, as well as be less attached to our ego and our “way” of being. Vive la differance!

Herb
Pearce has been teaching the Enneagram (and Myers-Briggs) in public
workshops and for organizations and companies for 18 years, having
taught close to 2000 workshops and trainings. He is a psychotherapist
and personal coach who uses the Enneagram with individuals, couples and
families. Herb is the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Power
of the Enneagram. For more information, sign up for his newsletter at
his website at www.herbpearce.com.