The Enneagram is a tool to improve self-awareness as well as other elements of emotional intelligence. It is a study of the nine basic types of personality. It explains why we behave the way we do and points to specific directions for growth.
A center is a filter of how you usually relate to the outside world. The Gut/Instinctive types approach the world through their gut or instincts. They are as follows:
Challengers – Eights
Peacemakers – Nines
Reformers – Ones
Type Eight – The Challenger
Eights are self-confident, strong and assertive. They have a desire to be self-reliant, strong and to avoid feeling weak or dependent.
SUPERPOWER – Boldness and Energy
CORE FEAR – Being harmed or controlled by others
CORE DESIRE – To assert strength and control to mask vulnerability
EIGHTS AT THEIR BEST
- Independent and self-sufficient
- Direct
- Decisive
- Lots of energy
- Make things happen
- Strong
- Sense of honesty, integrity and fairness
- Protective
- Courageous
- Confident
EIGHTS AT THEIR WORST
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- Stubborn and headstrong
- Controlling
- Insensitive
- Demanding
- Aggressive
- Confrontational
- Intimidating
- Have trouble being vulnerable
- May not listen
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Get in tune with emotions – Learn to recognize your emotions. Pause and sort out your thoughts/feelings before taking action.
- Learn that vulnerability is strength, not weakness – Work to show more vulnerability as this will enable you to connect more deeply with others and be most effective.
- Learn to monitor your intensity – Watch the eyes and body language of others you are interacting with and adjust accordingly.
Type Nine – The Peacemaker
Nines are creative, optimistic, supportive and go with the flow. They want to keep the peace, to merge with the agendas of others, and to avoid conflict.
SUPERPOWER – See value in all perspectives
CORE FEAR – Loss or separation
CORE DESIRE – To be at peace
NINES AT THEIR BEST
- Calm, cool and collected
- Good mediators
- Non-judgmental
- Accepting of different views
- Great listeners
- Optimistic
- Pleasant and likable
- Patient
- Inclusive
- Empathetic
NINES AT THEIR WORST
- Conflict avoidant
- Forgetful
- Indecisive
- Slow-moving and procrastinating
- Defensive
- Passive-aggressive
- Unassertive
- Have trouble saying no
- Care too much about what others think
- Unhealthy behaviors
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Learn to see value in conflict – Understand that conflict isn’t always bad and can result in deeper, more meaningful relationships.
- Practice being more direct and assertive – Practicing with people you trust first may be helpful.
- Set goals with definite deadlines – Nines can be procrastinators, so goals with deadlines are helpful in keeping them accountable.
Type One – The Reformer
Ones are responsible, thorough and hard-working with high standards for themselves and others. They want to improve themselves and the world around them.
SUPERPOWER – They can improve anything
CORE FEAR – Being wrong or being bad
CORE DESIRE – To improve the world
ONES AT THEIR BEST
- High personal standards
- Ethical
- Reliable and responsible
- Detail-oriented
- Productive
- Accurate
- Honest
- Fair
- Organized
ONES AT THEIR WORST
- Powerful inner critic
- Judgmental/critical of others
- May get engulfed in details
- Inflexible
- Overly serious
- Controlling
- See things in black and white
- Have trouble relaxing
- Don’t know when “good enough” is enough
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Learn to relax – Take some time for yourself, without feeling that everything is up to you and that your absence will create chaos.
- Try not to be so critical of yourself and others – Work on your inner critic. When you begin to beat yourself up in your mind, talk back with something positive. When you notice yourself getting frustrated with others, remember that not everyone is wired like you and it’s okay.
- Manage your anger – You get angry easily and are offended by what seems to you to be the perverse refusal of others to do the right thing – as you have defined it. When you start feeling angry, practice the pause and do some deep breathing before you respond. If you notice yourself stuffing anger, do the work to bring it out and deal with it.
- Manage stress – Managing stress is important for all of the types. Walk, eat well and practice mindfulness! Planning can also help Ones manage stress.
I hope you have enjoyed this series on the Enneagram. If you’d like to learn more, the Enneagram Institute (enneagraminstitute.com) is a good resource. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn or by email leslie@influencehrconsulting.com, and I’d be happy to share more information and additional resources.
