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THE ENNEAGRAM- 9 PERSONALITY TYPES

WHAT IS THE ENNEAGRAM?

The Enneagram teaches emotional intelligence and helps us to significantly expand our relationship skills with the nine human personality styles. It improves our understanding of ourselves and others by clearly outlining what drives each style to act, feel, and think the way they do. Each style has a particular set of positive traits, as well as related characteristics that can cause us problems.

The Enneagram is taught in a wide range of venues, including Disney, Intuit, Apple, the Stanford MBA program, Harvard Law school, and to every school teacher in Prague. It is used by the CIA to predict the behavior of world leaders. Many managers, therapists, and coaches use the Enneagram in their work and find it to be the most effective tool available for developing change and awareness.

Relationship problems develop when one is unaware of the pitfalls of one’s dominant type. The study of the Enneagram makes it possible to stop the automatic mode of the style. Change is frequently more about noticing and halting specific habits rather than actively doing something.

Knowing one’s type helps break core, unhelpful patterns and begin

more effective ways of living and relating with others.

Each type has a particular view of the world that is not questioned. These "blinders", or tunnel vision, narrow our opportunities for alternative ways to relate to the world and can lead to poor decisions and conflict. The nine types and their basic way of operating in the world are as follows:

Type 1 - The Perfectionists - They want to be good and do things right.
Type 2 - The Givers - They believe they should take care of others' needs.
Type 3 - The Performers - They want to be successful and present a good image.
Type 4 - The Romantics - They are searching for the idealized love or situation.
Type 5 - The Observers - They want to conserve their energy and resources.
Type 6 - The Loyal Skeptics - They plan for potential hazards and search for certainty.
Type 7 - The Epicures - They ensure there are a lot of options & have many interests.
Type 8 - The Protectors - They want power and control, and reverse injustices.
Type 9 - The Mediators - They blend with others' agendas and go along with others.

The Enneagram describes the CORE motivation of each style. Development comes from noticing the habits of the style, observing them, and choosing how to respond. For example, Type Two can notice when they help others and that they expect something in return. The process is a life-long journey of self-development that brings effective rewards in our professional and personal lives.

The Enneagram also improves our working relationships by learning about the anger buttons for each style, the best way to approach each style when in conflict, and how to deliver constructive feedback so they will hear what you say.

Find Your Path

.......to a deeper understanding of who you really are under the outer personality. The Enneagram describes both your gifts and path for development. You can learn these life-lessons and wisdom over the next 10 to 20 years, or learn the quick, insightful way using the Enneagram.