Have you heard of an enneagram before? I know I hadn’t. It’s an explanation of human personalities that’s used by psychologists. It’s based on a model of nine interconnected personality types and consists of three parts, namely a circle, an inner circle and a hexagon.
The circle represents the unity of personalities, whereas the triangle represents the interconnectedness of the personalities in groups of three. The hexagon, on the other hand, represents how the personalities relate along seven lines.
Those who use enneagrams say that a personality type can be influenced by other personality types adjacent to it. These influencing or modifying personalities are known as wings. In other words, if you are a Reformer, your personality is a dominant one, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t possess minor traits from the two personalities closest to you.
While wings are widely accepted as contributing to a personality, the connecting lines between personalities remain somewhat of a bone of contention. Some enneagram theorists think that they’re stress points that add to a person’s characters, while others entirely refute that notion.
The enneagram is promoted as a self-development method that benefits your personal relationships. For instance, understanding your friends’ personalities will give you a better indication of what to talk about with them.
It is a well-received spiritual tool because it promotes a deeper understanding of the self, lifting you to a higher state of being. Furthermore, it’s also popular with organizations due to its ability to encourage healthy workplace relationships.
The Nine Enneagram Personality Types
1. Reformers
Reformers are perfectionists, and seeing as the world is rather imperfect, they tend to lean toward resentment and anger due to their desire to change everything for the better. They are strongly inclined towards high moral values, have a strong sense of purpose, and are often unabashedly critical of things they don’t agree with.
2. Helpers
Helpers seek love from everyone around them, so they often flatter people to ensure they get what they seek. With that being said, helpers count self-sacrifice as one of their greatest virtues. In such instances, they tend to put the needs of others before their own.
3. Achievers
Achievers are success-oriented people, as their name suggests. They have a tendency to fuss over how to present themselves to others due to wanting to make the first impression count. Their pragmatism makes them wish to look good so that they can get ahead.
4. Individualists
Individualists are constantly questioning their identity, which in turn can lead to them experiencing bouts of depression. They often feel like they don’t have a platform to air their views, and this results in them becoming temperamental and dramatic.
5. Investigators
Investigators are very intense types, and lean toward moments of quietness. This trait, however, should not be mistaken for being reserved – they’re usually just contemplating and reflecting. Sometimes, they get carried away in their solitude, and can also be a little stingy when it comes to giving gifts.
6. Loyalists
Loyalists have a strong need for support and guidance, thus they have a tendency to seek advice regarding a decision they need to make. They are often beholden to strong fears and self-doubt.
7. Enthusiasts
Enthusiasts are probably the most likeable personality type to be found on an enneagram. They’re fun, loving and spontaneous. Their talents are numerous, being particularly good at motivating others. The sheer amount of different things they’re interested in can lead to distraction.
8. Challengers
Challengers are domineering souls that are markedly self-confident and make decisions quickly. The chink in their armor is a tendency toward overt self-belief, which in turn leads to them becoming confrontational with those who question them.
9. Peacemakers
Peacemakers tend to avoid conflict due to their intense dislike of it, but the downside to that is that they can be submissive. They desire to have peace of mind above all else.
Connecting With Different Enneagram Personality Types
Understanding what makes the different enneagram personality types tick will put you at an advantage, because you will know how to connect with them.
You can connect with Reformers by helping them to set goals. If they’re clear on what you intend to achieve, then they’ll work with you. Just make sure that you’re thoroughly prepared for every discussion you have with them, because they are hypercritical individuals.
In contrast, Helpers get a kick out of opportunities to bond with others. Afford them these opportunities by allowing them to organize office or family events. Their nurturing nature makes them ideal for such scenarios.
Achievers simply want to get ahead, so steer them toward activities that will help them advance in their careers. Examples of such activities include organizing talks or events that will facilitate their learning and growth.
Individualists need to be brought out of their shell, and this can be achieved by chatting with them about life and providing them with a platform to air their views. Once you’ve got them talking and sharing, the perspectives these people offer can prove invaluable.
Investigators are wholly cerebral individuals, so delve into an intellectual topic with them, such as politics or theology. With that being said, always ensure that the discussion never becomes too intense.
Loyalists benefit from being put in situations where they have to make decisions all by themselves. They will seek assurance from you that they’re on the right path, but once they have that, they’ll see their decisions through responsibly.
Enthusiasts love to have fun, so if there’s a party coming up, let them take the reins and organize it! These individuals need to be given focused tasks for them to perform at their best, because they do tend to be a little all over the place.
Challengers are domineering people, so they need to be reminded to give others a turn to say their piece. This can be done in group discussion situations, with emphasis on the fact that everyone has an equal turn to express their views.
Peacemakers are complacent and not very adaptable to change, so their progress needs to be encouraged. They flourish when they try new activities that they discover they really like.
Content Source: Learning Mind
Images by Deposit Photos.
