The Enneagram is a tool for self-knowledge and personal development that classifies people into nine different personality types, each with its own unique combination of characteristics, strengths and challenges. In this article I tell you what the Enneagram is and what the different enneatypes are.
What is the Enneagram and what is it for?
The Enneagram is a system of self-knowledge that supports the existence of nine different personality types or “psychological skeletons”, also called “enneatypes”.
Each of these enneatypes has a unique combination of personality traits, strengths and weaknesses, as well as a specific pattern of thinking and behavior.
According to the Enneagram, each individual identifies with a main enneatype, which is related to the way he or she perceives and relates to the world.
Through the use of the Enneagram, we can better understand our motivations and tendencies, as well as those of the people around us. This is a great help to improve our personal and professional relationships and to reach a higher level of self-realization.
The purpose of the Enneagram is to help us understand our patterns of thought, emotion and behavior, and to identify areas of development to grow and evolve. Through understanding our enneatype, we can learn to recognize and overcome negative patterns of thought and behavior, and develop the strengths and skills necessary to reach our full potential.
The Enneagram is a valuable tool for self-discovery and personal development that can help people understand their patterns of thought, emotion and behavior, identify areas for development and reach their full potential.
What are the 9 enneatypes?
In the Enneagram, personalities are classified into nine different types. Each type has a unique combination of personality traits, strengths and weaknesses, as well as a specific pattern of thinking and behavior.
The classification into enneatypes is based on the theory that each person has a “base” or “basic type” that develops throughout his or her life, and that this base has a significant influence on his or her personality, thinking and behavior.
Enneatype 1: The Perfectionist
This type is a perfectionist, critical of himself and others, and has high ethical and moral standards.
Enneatype 2: The Helper
This type is generous, helpful and cares deeply for others. He often feels more fulfilled helping others than taking care of himself.
Enneatype 3: The Achiever
This type is ambitious, competitive and likes to be the best. He often expects to be recognized and valued for his success.
Enneatype 4: The Individualist
This type is sensitive, creative and often feels different and out of place. He is often searching for his true identity and his place in the world.
Enneatype 5: The Researcher
This type is rational, curious and seeks to understand the world around him. He often feels more comfortable behind the scenes and avoids excessive social contact.
Enneatype 6: The Loyal
This type is committed, loyal and seeks security and stability in his life. He is often afraid of being abandoned or of making wrong decisions.
Enneatype 7: The Enthusiast
This type is optimistic, enthusiastic and seeks fun and variety in life. They often have difficulty coping with problems or difficult situations.
Enneatype 8: The Leader
This type is strong, determined and seeks to have control and power in his life. He is often direct and can be perceived as intimidating by others.
Enneatype 9: The Peacemaker
This type is compassionate, easy-going and seeks to avoid conflict and maintain peace in his or her life. He often avoids making decisions and may have difficulty setting boundaries.
What does the enneagram symbol mean?
The Enneagram symbol is a visual tool that represents the nine Enneagram personality types and the relationships between them.
The symbol consists of a circle with nine dots, each of which represents one of the nine personality types. The dots are connected by curved lines that represent the relationships and influences between the different personality types.
The circle symbolizes the unity and interconnectedness of all personality types.
Furthermore, within the circle, the points are divided into three categories: instinctive types, cognitive types and emotional types.
- The instinctive types are represented by points 1, 8 and 9 and relate to the basic survival instincts.
- Cognitive types are represented by items 2, 3 and 4 and relate to thinking and communication.
- Emotional types are represented by points 5, 6 and 7 and relate to emotions and relationships.
The Enneagram symbol is a visual tool to represent the nine Enneagram personality types and how they relate to each other, and how each of the types relates to instincts, thoughts and emotions. It is a useful tool for self-assessment and personal development, as well as in the field of therapy and coaching.
How do I find out which is my dominant enneatype?
There are several ways to find out what your enneatype is. One of the most common ways is through an Enneagram questionnaire or test. These questionnaires usually include questions about your personality traits, your strengths and weaknesses, your thinking and behavior patterns, and your motivations and values. Often, you will be asked to choose from several options or to rate the truthfulness of certain statements.
However, it is important to keep in mind that the Enneagram is a complex theory and there is no single correct answer to every question. Therefore, the use of only one questionnaire may not be sufficient to determine your enneatype accurately.
In my opinion, the best way to discover your enneotype is through deep and honest personal reflection on your personality, your thoughts and behaviors, your motivations and values, and your relationships with others. You can read about each enneotype and see which one identifies you the most, but it is important to remember that no enneotype is completely descriptive of a person, and each person is unique.
What are wings in the Enneagram?
Wings in the Enneagram are concepts that describe the secondary or complementary tendencies of a particular personality type. Wings are described as adjacent numbers on the Enneagram circle and refer to characteristics and behaviors that a person may adopt in different situations. For example, a person with a number 4 personality type may have a number 3 wing and/or a number 5 wing.
It is important to keep in mind that the wings are not separate personality types, but rather secondary tendencies that complement and enrich the central type. Some people may be stronger in one wing than the other, and some people may not have a defined wing.
Knowledge of the wings in the Enneagram can help people better understand their strengths, weaknesses and behavioral patterns, which can be useful in self-knowledge and personal growth.
Where does the Enneagram come from?
The Enneagram is a personality system that has been used in different forms throughout history. The modern Enneagram theory originated in the 1920s in Russia with theologian George Gurdjieff and psychologist N. O. Lossky. Both men believed that the Enneagram could help people understand themselves and others, and develop their spiritual potential.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Enneagram was introduced in the United States by clinical psychologist Oscar Ichazo and Chilean psychologist Claudio Naranjo. Both developed their own theories about the Enneagram and began to teach it in their workshops and seminars.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the Enneagram began to gain popularity in the corporate and business world, as it was discovered that it could help organizations better understand their employees and improve communication and teamwork.
Today, the Enneagram is used in a variety of fields, such as psychology, coaching, leadership, personal development and teamwork. It has become a valuable tool to help people understand their patterns of thinking and behavior, and to develop their potential.
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