What is the Enneagram?
|
The Enneagram (ANY-uh-GRAM) is a transformational tool for understanding WHY you do what you do, as well as uncovering opportunities for growth related to limiting beliefs and thought-processes. It can not only help you understand yourself better, but it can also help you comprehend how those around you see the world through a different lens.
The Enneagram is a personality typing system comprised of nine numbers representing nine different “types” (personalities). Your type (or number) is rooted in a core fear and core motivation generally developed based on a formative childhood experience or care taker. It's a fluid system, so the Enneagram symbol represents how the types are connected to one another. The Enneagram is unique in that it accounts for how you show up depending on your stress level and current life circumstances, as opposed to highlighting how you are ALWAYS a leader, introvert, driven, etc. |
How do I figure out my Enneagram type? Is there a test?
Online Enneagram assessments can't always pinpoint your type with 100% accuracy, but they're a great starting point. I've created a quick quiz (five minutes or less) to help you identify your most likely type:
https://easyenneagramtest.com/
Because assessments can struggle to capture your innermost motivations, I also recommend reading through all nine type description. A helpful hint: the description that feels most convicting or uncomfortable is often a strong indicator of your dominant type. (I have no financial ties to the Enneagram Institute and recommend them solely based on my own knowledge and experience.):
https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions
A few tips for interpreting your results:
If you score high on two neighboring numbers (like 8 and 9), you may be one type with a wing of the other — for example, a Type 8 with a 9 wing, or vice versa.
If you score high on two numbers that seem unrelated (like 1 and 7), consider the growth and stress lines. Type 1 moves toward 7 in growth, so high scores on both could mean you're a healthy 1 — or a 7 experiencing stress, since 7 moves toward 1 under pressure.
https://easyenneagramtest.com/
Because assessments can struggle to capture your innermost motivations, I also recommend reading through all nine type description. A helpful hint: the description that feels most convicting or uncomfortable is often a strong indicator of your dominant type. (I have no financial ties to the Enneagram Institute and recommend them solely based on my own knowledge and experience.):
https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions
A few tips for interpreting your results:
If you score high on two neighboring numbers (like 8 and 9), you may be one type with a wing of the other — for example, a Type 8 with a 9 wing, or vice versa.
If you score high on two numbers that seem unrelated (like 1 and 7), consider the growth and stress lines. Type 1 moves toward 7 in growth, so high scores on both could mean you're a healthy 1 — or a 7 experiencing stress, since 7 moves toward 1 under pressure.
What if I resonate with more than one type?
Everyone has one dominant Enneagram type. Your type reflects the framework of beliefs and coping strategies you developed as a child to keep yourself safe, and those patterns continue to show up automatically and subconsciously throughout your adult life until you become aware of them.
If you find yourself relating to multiple types, that is completely normal. It makes sense that we all experience anger, anxiety, or self-consciousness at times. What makes the Enneagram different from other personality frameworks is that it's not focused on what you do, it's focused on why you do it. Two people can behave the exact same way for completely different reasons, and that underlying motivation is what points to your true and dominant type.
Here's the good news: if you're having trouble narrowing it down, that might actually be a sign of progress. The goal of the Enneagram isn't to put yourself in a box, it's to become aware of your patterns so you can let go of them and become more integrated across all nine types. If you're struggling to pinpoint yours, you may have already done some of the inner work needed to move beyond those childhood defaults.
Still not sure about your type? I'd love to do a typing session with you!
If you find yourself relating to multiple types, that is completely normal. It makes sense that we all experience anger, anxiety, or self-consciousness at times. What makes the Enneagram different from other personality frameworks is that it's not focused on what you do, it's focused on why you do it. Two people can behave the exact same way for completely different reasons, and that underlying motivation is what points to your true and dominant type.
Here's the good news: if you're having trouble narrowing it down, that might actually be a sign of progress. The goal of the Enneagram isn't to put yourself in a box, it's to become aware of your patterns so you can let go of them and become more integrated across all nine types. If you're struggling to pinpoint yours, you may have already done some of the inner work needed to move beyond those childhood defaults.
Still not sure about your type? I'd love to do a typing session with you!
Enneagram Type Descriptions:
Review the chart and descriptions below for a high-level overview of each Enneagram type.
Type 1
|
Type One is often referred to as “the perfectionist.”
|
Basic Fear: Being wrong, bad, or corrupted
Basic Desire: To be perfect, good, without fault Triad: Instinctive (Anger) Wings: Type 9, Type 2 In Stress: Type 4 (become disconnected, alienated) In Growth: Type 7 (care-free, spontaneous) |
Type 2
|
Type Two is often referred to as “the helper.”
|
Basic Fear: Being worthless, rejected
Basic Desire: To be needed, loved, appreciated Triad: Feeling (Shame) Wings: Type 1, Type 3 In Stress: Type 8 (become blunt, hostile) In Growth: Type 4 (emotional regulation, acknowledge needs) |
Type 3
|
Type Three is often referred to as “the achiever.”
|
Basic Fear: To be worthless, without value, useless
Basic Desire: To succeed, be admired, attain status Triad: Feeling (Shame) Wings: Type 2, Type 4 In Stress: Type 9 (apathetic, irresponsible) In Growth: Type 6 (collaborative, altruistic) |
Type 4
|
Type Four is often referred to as “the individualist.”
|
Basic Fear: Being flawed, unimportant
Basic Desire: To be special or unique Triad: Feeling (Shame) Wings: Type 3, Type 5 In Stress: Type 2 (needy, clingy) In Growth: Type 1 (emotionally stable, objective) |
Type 5
|
Type Five is often referred to as “the investigator.”
|
Basic Fear: Being ignorant or drained of their energy
Basic Desire: To understand, be competent Triad: Thinking (Fear) Wings: Type 4, Type 6 In Stress: Type 7 (scattered, overwhelmed) In Growth: Type 8 (decisive, confident) |
Type 6
|
Type Six is often referred to as “the loyalist.”
|
Basic Fear: Being without support or guidance
Basic Desire: To be secure, certain Triad: Thinking (Fear) Wings: Type 5, Type 7 In Stress: Type 3 (image-conscious, competitive) In Growth: Type 9 (relaxed, harmonious) |
Type 7
|
Type Seven is often referred to as “the enthusiast.”
|
Basic Fear: Being stuck, trapped in pain, FOMO
Basic Desire: To feel satisfied and content Triad: Thinking (Fear) Wings: Type 6, Type 8 In Stress: Type 1 (critical, impatient) In Growth: Type 5 (analytical, focused) |
Type 8
|
Type Eight is often referred to as “the challenger.”
|
Basic Fear: Being controlled or harmed
Basic Desire: To feel in charge of their life Triad: Instinctive (Anger) Wings: Type 7, Type 9 In Stress: Type 5 (misunderstood, isolated) In Growth: Type 2 (helpful, empathetic) |
Type 9
|
Type Nine is often referred to as “the peacemaker.”
|
Basic Fear: Being stuck in conflict or detached from others
Basic Desire: Inner harmony, peace of mind Triad: Instinctive (Anger) Wings: Type 8, Type 1 In Stress: Type 6 (worried, passive-aggressive) In Growth: Type 3 (energetic, confident) |
