Enneagrams

“Seek not good from without. Seek it within yourselves, or you will never find it.”

- Bertha Von Suttner -

What is an Enneagram?

An Enneagram is a geometric figure that maps out nine distinct personality types of human nature and their complex interrelationships. Each number on the Enneagram denotes one personality type. While it is common to identify with several of the nine types in some way, everyone is born with one distinct personality type. This is considered a basic personality type.

One way to familiarize yourself with Enneagrams is to read the book written by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson titled The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types.

You can also complete the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator, a questionnaire that will help you identify your basic personality type.

Below are brief descriptions of the nine Enneagrams as described by Riso and Hudson.

You may be able to identify which description best matches your basic personality type.

Type One: The Reformer

The principled, idealistic type. Reformers are ethical and conscientious, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers and crusaders, always striving to improve things but afraid of making a mistake. Well organized, orderly and fastidious, they try to maintain high standards but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic. At their best, healthy Reformers are wise, discerning, realistic and noble, as well as morally heroic.

Type Two: The Helper

The caring, interpersonal type. Helpers are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but they can also be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasing. They are driven to be close to others, and they often do things for others in order to be needed. They typically have problems taking care of themselves and acknowledging their own needs. At their best, healthy Helpers are unselfish and altruistic and have unconditional love for themselves and others.

Type Three: The Achiever

The adaptable, success-orientated type. Achievers are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for personal advancement. They are often concerned about their image and what others think of them. They typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness. At their best, healthy Achievers are self-accepting, authentic, and everything they seem to be—role models who inspire others.

Type Four: The Individualist

The romantic, introspective type. Individualists are self-aware, sensitive, reserved, and quiet. They are self-revealing, emotionally honest, and personal, but they can also be moody and self-conscious. Withholding themselves from others due to feeling vulnerable and defective, they can also feel disdainful and exempt from ordinary ways of living. They typically have problems with self-indulgence and self-pity. At their best, healthy Individualists are inspired and highly creative, able to renew themselves and transform their experiences.

Type Five: The Investigator

Type Six: The Loyalist

The committed, security-orientated type. Loyalists are reliable, hardworking, and responsible, but they can also be defensive, evasive, and highly anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They are often cautious and indecisive but can also be reactive, defiant, and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their best, healthy Loyalists are internally stable, self-confident, and self-reliant, courageously supporting the weak and powerless.

Type Seven: The Enthusiast

The busy, productive type. Enthusiasts are versatile, optimistic, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also be overextended, scattered, and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but they can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with superficiality and impulsiveness. At their best, healthy Enthusiasts focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming joyous, highly accomplished, and full of gratitude.

Type Eight: The Challenger

The powerful, dominating type. Challengers are self-confident, strong and assertive. Protective, resourceful, and decisive, they can also be proud and domineering. They feel that they must control their environment, often becoming confrontational and intimidating. They typically have problems allowing themselves to be close to others. At their best, healthy Challengers are self-mastering—they use their strength to improve others’ lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and sometimes historically great.

Type Nine: The Peacemaker

The easygoing, self-effacing type. Peacemakers are accepting, trusting, and stable. They are good-natured, kind-hearted, easygoing, and supportive but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace. They want everything to be without conflict but can tend to be complacent and minimize anything upsetting. They typically have problems with passivity and stubbornness. At their best, healthy Peacemakers are indomitable and all-embracing. They are able to bring people together and heal conflicts.

What can it do for you?

The enneagrams can give you a better understanding of yourself and can lessen feelings of guilt and other negative emotions.

Because the enneagrams are not stagnant, you can move from unhealthy to healthy stages of your type, sometimes even on a daily base.

With my training in HBLU, I can “upgrade” a layer of your Enneagram type that is preventing you from moving in the direction you want to go.

Learn more about Enneagrams here.