Know Thyself: Introducing The Enneagram
Who am I? Do I really know myself?
The corporeal desire to know oneself is rooted deeply in the human psyche. The need to fathom the unconscious reasons behind your actions; the ability to discern right from wrong; what you value in life; and above all, how to be true to yourself.
One way to get to know yourself better would be by taking a personality test. You could attempt the classic Myer-Briggs test — developed by American author Isabel Briggs Myers in 1980 based on the work of the psychoanalyst Carl Jung — which indicates psychological preferences and how you perceive the world around you and how you arrive at decisions. However, this test assumes that humans are wholly shaped by nature which we know is only one part of a complex, multi-faceted story.
A more updated alternative is the Enneagram, which theorises that nurture plays as crucial a role as nature in personality development and the way we respond to trauma. This school of thought empowers individuals to design specific strategies for transformative growth. It is a path to self-awareness, which uncovers the patterns of behaviour that subconsciously drive and motivate us to act in certain ways.
From a practical perspective, it can be harnessed to improve relationships and teamwork as well as to heighten spiritual awareness and consciousness.
"Everyone emerges from childhood with one of the nine types dominating their personality, with inborn temperament and other pre-natal factors being the main determinants of our type. This is one area where most all of the major Enneagram authors agree — we are born with a dominant type."
— The Enneagram Institute
Proponents of the Enneagram framework surmise that our one dominant personality is pre-programmed into our DNA. However, as we learn to survive and cope with the ups and downs life throws at us during our childhood, we develop distinct tactics to cope based on our innate talents and abilities. In doing so, we lose a little piece of ourselves each and every time, and our dominant personality lies dormant under the compounding weight of fears, problems and anxieties. Taking the test will help you untangle this web, and lead you to your authentic self.
The test acknowledges that you might see a little bit of yourself in each of the different types or even in all of them. But, it is your most basic type that is the one that is the most important to know.
Take the plunge and try the test to figure out which of the types you fall into.
Once you know your number, find out what it means by reviewing the summaries below:
TYPE ONE: THE REFORMER
Perfectionists by nature, they believe that they have to be good in order to be worthy of affection and love. Controlling, rational, resilient and principled, they expect others to act ethically and hold them to high standards. They can also be hyper-critical of themselves and others, making them seem intolerant and judgemental. Types Ones appear to be serene and calm, but they are often seething with anger which they prefer to keep under wraps, and thus, the least likely to have emotional outbursts.
TYPE TWO: THE HELPER
Type Twos are dedicated to acts of service and are known for their kindness. We’ve all come across the archetypal helper: the overworked parent, the helpful colleague and the self-sacrificing partner. They are generous with their time, money and themselves, putting everyone else’s needs above their own. Being caring, affectionate and empathetic, they make loyal and supportive friends. However, Helpers have a strong need for love and affection, and if this is not reciprocated, they might become possessive and needy.
TYPE THREE: THE ACHIEVER
Essentially, Type Threes value success above everything else. They strive to be the best, and love to prove to the world that they can rise to the top and triumph over obstacles. Highly self-confident and intelligent, they are master communicators who push themselves hard, and they have an innate desire to do good. However, these natural over-achievers can become deceitful and manipulative if they don’t get their way.
TYPE FOUR: THE INDIVIDUALIST
Outwardly perceived to be eccentric or unique, Type Fours are artistic, creative and have a sixth sense when it comes to reading other people’s emotions. Their view of the world is often idealistic and romantic, and they often have bouts of melodrama. These drama queens are extremely sensitive and don’t mind making a scene. When they feel misunderstood, they withdraw into self-pity or depression. Expressing who they really are is their life’s crusade, and they constantly look for companions who truly understand and fully accept who they are.
TYPE FIVE: THE INVESTIGATOR
The Investigator dedicates his or her life to the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge. Highly reflective and observant in nature, they are good at grasping the finer details of a situation, and making connections across seemingly disparate aspects of their lives. Type Fives are good listeners and they are highly perceptive, and will work hard to ensure that the truth will always come to light. However, they can be mistaken for being arrogant by others due to their tendency to emotionally detach themselves. Finding it difficult to trust others, they do not reveal much about themselves and prefer their own company.
TYPE SIX: THE LOYALIST
People who fall into this archetype are prepared for anything. Fundamentally cautious, responsible and committed, they rely on authority to lead and support them. However, they are not afraid to challenge authority if they detect a lack of genuineness or a weakness in leadership. Their indecisiveness is their downfall, and they often spend a lot of their time on weighing up the pros and cons when confronted with a problem, leading them to worry excessively. A Type Six is often attuned to their environment, making them distrustful of others, which only fuels their anxiety. This pessimism however, amplifies their ability to detect and resolve problems before they arise.
TYPE SEVEN: THE ENTHUSIAST
Possessing an insatiable appetite for life, Type Sevens brim with positivity and optimism. Charming and at times, comical, they can be hedonistic, pursuing excitement and adventure whilst blocking anything out they deem to be negative or which put a damper on their plans. This relentless pursuit of a good time often makes them impulsive and reckless, and they tend to shrug off responsibilities. They hate being bored or feeling restrained, so they often flit from job to job or from relationship to relationship, seeking out thrills or the next novel experience.
TYPE EIGHT: THE CHALLENGER
Craving power and dominance over others, a Type Eight can be difficult to handle. They have an innate need to control every aspect of their lives as well as the people around them. Highly confident and strong-headed, they are astute, independent and bold, and have no qualms to stand up for their convictions and beliefs, and are often first in line when it comes to fighting for justice and the underdog. But they can come into intense conflict with others due to their explosive anger, and their inability to show their vulnerability.
TYPE NINE: THE PEACEMAKER
The antithesis of Type Eight, Type Nines are agreeable, easy-going and value peace over confrontation. As natural mediators, they exude calmness and make non-judgemental, empathic counsellors. However, they often put off making a decision and like to procrastinate. Moreover, their laid back attitude often leads to passiveness, and an inability to motivate themselves to get things done.
Of course, what we’ve covered in this article merely touches the surface of the Enneagram.
To explore this subject in greater detail you might also want to read:
The Essential Enneagram: The Definitive Personality Test and Self- Discovery Guide by David N. Daniels — A great little book with valuable in-depth information regarding all the Enneagram types and their various distillations.
The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships by Suzanne Stabile — Although this is not recommended for a complete beginner to the Enneagram, it is worth adding to your collection if you know your type and the types of others in your life and you want to improve your relationships.
The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth by Christopher Heuertz - Provides a strong foundation and a beautiful, spiritual interpretation of its meaning. It also brings you through how you can use your innate talents to become a better version of yourself.
There are also a handful of Enneagram practitioners and coaches in Singapore who can provide you with deeper insights about the Enneagram.
ENNEAGRAM COACHES/WORKSHOP PROVIDERS (We’ve compiled a list but please note that they are not endorsed by us in any way):
Thanks for reading,
Linda Haden