What is the Enneagram anyway?
The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing tool that includes nine basic personality types. Each person has a dominant type, numbered 1-9.
Here’s the thing: the Enneagram is different from other personality tests. We each see the world from nine different core motivations, and whether they are conscious or unconscious, they greatly affect how we think, feel and act. The Enneagram allows us to dig deep into those core motivations to bring a whole new understanding of ourselves and how we relate to others. It helps us bring out the very best of our personalities and move out of our weakness.
“The Enneagram doesn’t put you in a box. It shows you the box you’re already in and how to get out of it.”
— Ian Morgan Cron, The Road Back to You
The Nine Enneagram Personality Types
Below are very brief descriptions of each Enneagram type. To clearly discover your type, I suggest taking an Enneagram typing test and then working with a coach.
1: The Reformer
Reformers see the world through the lens of how it can be improved. They value structure, integrity and productivity. Reformers believe that there is a right and wrong way to do things. Sometimes called perfectionists, they seek to do their very best and can hold impossible or unrealistic standards.
2: The Helper
Helpers see the world through the lens of how they can help. They value relationships and find value in being needed. Helpers are uniquely attuned to the needs of other people and think of how situations or actions will affect others. They can use helping as a way to seek appreciation or to ignore their own needs.
3. The Achiever
Achievers see the world through the lens of how they can get success and respect. They are motivated by organization, to-do lists and goals. They are very future motivated and can move quickly. They can feel a deep need to avoid failure and can place an importance on how things look.
4. The Individualist
Individualists see the world through the lens of being authentic and deep. They value meaning, living purposefully and enjoy the aesthetics of the world around them. They have a unique gift of feeling comfortable in deep feelings and connections. They often struggle in feeling different than others or not fitting in.
5. The Investigator
Investigators see the world through the lens of knowledge as being a great source of power and importance. They are very logical and like analyzing data and facts. Investigators can have a hard time being subjective and making quick decisions. They often retreat into solitude to recharge their energy.
6. The Loyalist
Loyalists see the world through the lens of anticipating everything. They value being prepared and giving thought to all scenarios. They are loyal, dependable and seek stability. Loyalists can struggle with uncertainty, anxiety and fully trusting themselves in decision making.
7: The Optimist
Optimists see the world through the lens of never ending possibilities. They value experiences that are exciting and pleasurable, and do not want to be restrained. They avoid boredom at all costs. They do not like to acknowledge or feel emotional pain and constantly seek out ways to feel satisfied.
8: The Challenger
Challengers see the world through the lens of “go big or go home.” They value control, justice and are not afraid to take risks. They are always moving forward with intensity and often paving the path for others. Challengers often avoid being seen as weak or vulnerable, and can be unaware of how their intensity affects others.
9: The Peacekeeper
Peacekeepers see the world through the lens of desiring peace and harmony. They value hearing multiple perspectives and relate well with all personality types. They seek comfort and will often “go along to get along.” Peacekeepers can have a hard time finding or expressing their own opinions or desires.
