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THE ENNEAGRAM- NINE PERSONALITY TYPES

WHAT IS THE ENNEAGRAM?

The Enneagram teaches emotional intelligence and helps us to significantly expand our personal relationship, management, and decision-making skills by learning about the the nine human personality styles (or types). It improves our understanding of ourselves and others by 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 characteristics that can cause personal and working relationship issues.

The Enneagram is taught in a wide range of venues, such as Disney, Intuit, Apple, the Stanford MBA program, Harvard Law school, and every school teacher in Prague. It is also 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 style helps break core, unhelpful patterns and begin

more effective ways of living and relating with others.

Each style has a particular view of the world that drives their behavior. These views narrow our opportunities for alternative ways to relate to others and can lead to poor decisions and conflict. The nine styles, and their basic way of operating in the world are driven by the following behaviors:

Style 1 - The Perfectionists - Being good and doing things right.
Style 2 - The Givers - Taking care of others' needs at the expense of their own needs.
Style 3 - The Performers - Working to be successful and present a good image.
Style 4 - The Romantics - Searching for the idealized love or situation.
Style 5 - The Observers - Conserving their energy and resources.
Style 6 - The Loyal Skeptics - Planning for potential hazards & searching for certainty.
Style 7 - The Epicures - Ensuring they have many options and interesting activities.
Style 8 - The Protectors - Gaining personal power and control, and reversing injustices.
Style 9 - The Mediators - Blending with others' agendas and going along with others.

The Enneagram describes the CORE motivation of each style and how what we do may give us the opposite of what we want. Development comes from noticing the unconscious habits of the style and choosing a different way to respond. We can also improve our working relationships by learning about the anger (hot) buttons for each style, the best ways to approach each style when in conflict, and how to deliver constructive feedback by style so others will be more willing to hear what we say. The process is a life-long journey of self-development that brings effective rewards in our professional and personal lives.

For example, Twos may focus on connecting with others by helping them This creates a feeling of being more secure by being needed. A style Two can begin noticing when they want to offer assistance when it was not requested. The Two has a sense "I know better what they need", but the other person may not want this help. Style Two may become angry if the person does not appreciate their efforts and the other person may feel intruded upon. Style Two continues to feel angry because of "after all I have done for you." The other may see the Two as needy for approval and complements, not helpful, thus causing them to withdraw. This is the opposite of what the Two wants. Checking if the other person wants your help can prevent this scenario.

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.