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Why the Enneagram? | Discover Your Enneagram Style The Enneagram is unique in its ability to provide insight, growth and compassion. We use it explicitly much of the time, and it informs what we do all of the time. When is the last time you asked yourself, “Why did he do that?”, “How can she see it that way?” and more importantly, “What keeps me using strategies that often don’t work anymore?” The Enneagram answers those questions and so much more. It goes beyond behavior to look at the substrate motivation that holds behaviors in place. The Enneagram demonstrates nine different worldviews or styles. Each style has its own sense of reality, your own personal set of binoculars. It allows you to see what you see very clearly. But, like the view through binoculars, you are seeing just a thin slice of the whole picture. Only by scanning and taking in a different view – the other styles – do you get a sense of the total landscape. Someone operating from a different angle will see a different slice of reality, which is often the genesis of conflict. Just like the old Certs commercial, “It’s a breath mint”, “No, it’s a candy mint”, you can both be “right”. Because of its subtleties, the Enneagram shows you that while you resemble others of your style, you are unique. Your style is your affiliation, rather like being from the South or having graduated with the same major from the same University. You share common experiences and have similar sensitivities but are, in many other ways, different. Your Enneagram style is your personal value statement, your fuel, and also what can trip you up. The surest way to corrupt
a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think
alike than those who think differently.
Click here to take the free Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator Sampler. It’s strange, but wherever I take my eyes, they always see things from my point of view. Ashleigh Brilliant (Click on the number in the photo below to view the Enneagram styles.)
Perfectionist – Improver - The Good Person It is only imperfection that complains of what is perfect.
Gift: Seeing what can be improved Question: What is the right thing to do and the right way to do it? Resourceful side: Ones approach life idealistically. They are conscientious, reliable, and hard working. They excel at setting and following process and procedure and usually prefer roles that require consistency. They seek a perfect world and work diligently to improve both themselves and others. Non-resourceful side: Ones are perfectionist and tend to be preoccupied with getting everything right. They may be seen as overly responsible, serious or superior or at least precise. They may be critical of thers and are always critical of themselves.
Enneagram Style Two Helper - Giver - The Loving Person Let no one ever come to you Gift: Seeing what others need Question: How can I help you? Resourceful side: Twos approach life with generosity and nurturance. They are naturally attuned to others’ needs and feelings. They are supportive, encouraging and help others thrive. Non-resourceful side: Twos may exaggerate their helpfulness to receive attention and appreciation. They may become compulsive rescuers and be disappointed or angry when they are not appreciated. They may be seen self-sacrificing.
Enneagram Style Three Achiever – Producer - The Effective Person Those who say it can’t be done Gift: Achieving results Question: What do we need to do to progress most efficiently? Resourceful side: Threes are competent, productive, and enthusiastic, as well as good promoters. They take a practical approach to life. They want to make the world a more efficient place. They enjoy front and center and strive to surpass expectation. Non-resourceful side: Threes may become preoccupied with their image and focus too much on what others expect. They may appear to be more productive than they actually are. Can be overly competitive and confuse self with accomplishments. They are better at doing than being.
Enneagram Style Four Romantic – Connoisseur - The Original Person Seeing is believing, but feeling is the naked truth. Gift: Seeing what’s missing Question: How can I express myself uniquely? Resourceful side: Fours take a creative approach to life. They place a high value on individuality. They have an innate appreciation of quality and are deeply sensitive, poetic, and nostalgic. They want to make the world a more beautiful place. They feel most alive when they are able to express themselves and their feelings. Non-resourceful side: Fours may be preoccupied with being special. They may be overly sensitive to being left out or misunderstood. They often focus on what is missing. They may be seen as overly dramatic.
Enneagram Style Five Observer – Thinker - The Wise Person Knowledge is power. Gift: Objectivity and the ability to synthesize Question: What can I learn? Resourceful side: Fives take an objective approach to life. They value truth and have a natural ability to analyze and view things from a broad perspective. They want to understand the world and make it a more enlightened place. They enjoy researching and solving complex problems. They thirst for knowledge and information. Non-resourceful side: Fives may become overly intellectual and out of touch with their feelings. They may become withdrawn and self-sufficient in order to protect themselves from the intrusions of others. They may be seen as aloof or at least disengaged and observing.
Enneagram Style Six Skeptic – Troubleshooter - The Loyal Person Just because you are paranoid, Gift: Seeing what is safe Question: What might go wrong? Resourceful side: Sixes take a law-abiding, dutiful approach to life. They honor tradition and are responsible, dedicated, and courageous in protecting their families and friends. They want to make the world a safer, more honorable place. They excel at anticipating problems and playing Devil’s Advocate. Non-resourceful side: Sixes may become overly preoccupied with threats to their security or the security of those to whom they are committed. This may cause them to worry, be doubtful or drive them to be overly confrontational. Some Sixes are drawn to and do that which they most fear.
Enneagram Style Seven Visionary – Enthusiast - The Joyful Person I wish you all the joy that you can wish. Gift: Enthusiasm and flexibility Question: What will be exciting? Resourceful side: Sevens approach life with joyous enthusiasm. They are lively, cheerful, and gregarious, and have a natural ability to find the good in everything. They want to make the world a more enjoyable place. They love options and are good at energizing others. They crave the stimulation of new ideas and experiences and create elaborate future plans to keep their options open. Non-resourceful side: Sevens may develop an exaggerated need to have fun, to avoid pain, and to keep their options open. They can become addicted to excitement. They may avoid the hard work and suffering that often goes along with completing things they have set out to do. They may be seen as scattered and may not feel taken seriously.
Enneagram Style Eight Affectionate Tank – Leader - The Powerful Person The gods assist the stronger. Gift: Big picture action Question: Is everything under control? Resourceful side: Eights approach life with strength or fairness. They have a natural ability to get, use, and keep power. They are direct, energetic, confident, assured, and like to make important things happen. They stand up for the underdog and want to eliminate injustice in the world. They are best when the going gets tough. Non-resourceful side: Eights can become overly controlling, even vengeful. They may seek to dominate others and have difficulty being compassionate. They strive to hide any vulnerability.
Enneagram Style Nine Mediator -- Harmonizer - The Peaceful Person The first and fundamental Law of Nature Question: What does everyone think? Gift: Inclusion and consensus Resourceful side: Nines approach life with acceptance. They are diplomatic and can allow events to unfold in their own way at their own pace. They want to make the world a more harmonious place. They remain calm and consider all points of view. Non-resourceful side: Nines may become overly passive and avoid taking a stand on anything. They may put off important activities and get lost in unimportant distractions. They may be conflict averse.
You can learn more about the Enneagram from these folks who offer their knowledge generously: Mary Bast www.breakoutofthebox.com/enneagram.htm Jerry Wagner http://www.enneagramspectrum.com/ Clarence Thomas www.enneagramcentral.com Tom Condon www.thechangeworks.com/ennprimer/ennprimer.html
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