The Enneagram of Personality

have an interest The Enneagram (meaning a figure with nine points) has its roots in the ancient Middle East. It was adapted as personality typology by Oscar Ichazo and Claudio Naranjo in the 1970s. According to the Enneagram, each of us possesses elements of all nine types but in varying degrees. One type is primary, though it might not jell all of our lives. We become proficient at viewing the world from one angle, but we can learn to become more flexible and balanced by emulating positive qualities of the other eight types. We begin the continual journey around the Enneagram by focusing on the four types we have the greatest connection to, our “wings” and “arrows”.
Wings are the neighbors on each side of our Enneagram number. For example, wings for number 9 are 8 and 1.
Arrows are the types at the end of the two lines that radiate out from each number. For example, arrows for number 9 are number 6 and 3.
Basically, the Enneagram sees individual as unique. Learning unconsciously toward our wings and moving along the arrows accounts for many of the variations within each type. For example, a Four-Romantic who learns more toward her Five-Observer wing may be introverted. On the other hand, a Four-Romantic who learns more toward her Three-Achiever may be extroverted. We can also move intentionally toward our wings and arrows to strengthen our traits and abilities. This helps to broaden our experience and to be able to respond appropriately to the circumstances we find ourselves in.

The Perfectionist Style

Do you...

• do your assignment, tasks, or obligations without being reminded?
• have a know-it-all attitude?
• try to control others, but not necessarily in a negative way?
• tell others better way to do things and scold them when they are sloppy?
• have an interest in causes and effects?
• take things, especially work, seriously and criticize those who don't?

If most of your answers are yes, you are currently behaving in the One style.

• Perfectionists are usually serious and hardworking. Their wings and arrows can modify this by helping them lighten up and be creative, for example.
• In order to know how to live ‘correctly’, perfectionists need to be self-critical.
• Some One-ish people know there is only one way to do everything.
• One-ish people have an image of an ideal world, which they try to implement by being conscientious, hardworking, and responsible.
• Since others don’t seem to worry as much as they do, they’re afraid to show their anxiety and vulnerability. With this pressure on them, they sometimes express anger just below the surface. It’s helpful for them to be lighten up, have fun, and develop the creative side of their personalities.
• Creating order is a never-ending job for perfectionists.
• Perfectionists often get stressed-out from trying to excel.
• They are often very serious and may not feel comfortable with those who are reckless or mischievous.
• One-ish people are strong-minded, have a well-developed sense of justice and ethics, and are not easily pushed around. Sometimes they hang onto their positions too rigidly.
• They usually have a lot of energy and are motivated to develop their skills and get the job done.
• Perfectionists can lock themselves into an analytical attitude that leaves little room for creative and feeling sides of their personalities.

The Helper Style
Do you …

• Often put other people desires first and rarely ask for what you need?
• Get hurt easily?
• Have an attraction to those with problems and enjoy giving them advice?
• Know how to get people to do what you want by helping or complimenting them?
• Like to be with other people more than almost anything?
• Get attention by pleasing or showing off?
• Seem to know what people want or need without being told?

If most of your answers are yes, you are currebtly behaving in the Helper Style.

• Two-ish people like to do things for others. They can be very kind and help those in need.
• They support and protect their loved ones.
• Helpers feel betrayed and rejected when they have problems with people.
• Two-ish people try to receive love and approval by performing well, giving good advice, helping people feel comfortable, and being cute.
• Most Helpers are well-behaved and polite—superficially, at least.
• Two-ish people may hide or deny their hostile feelings, even while expressing them.
• Some two-ish people are socially adapt. However, they may have a tendency to be manipulative, overly controlling, or bossy.
• Most helpers are extroverted and want to be seen in a good light. Some give in too easily, but others are spunky and can be extremely persuasive.
• They often are out of touch with their real desires; they may wait and see what everyone else is going to do, or they may do what they think will make others like them.
• Wanting to be with others usually motivates Two-ish people. They live in the world of relationships and feelings.
• They can read people well, and they may use this ability either for great good or to get their way.

The Achiever Style
Do you …

• Persevere to get things accomplished?
• Fit well into the social scene?
• Like to be clean, polished, and well-dressed?
• Have a great deal of energy yet become overly tired from too much doing?
• Have many abilities and interests?
• Have a quick and efficient mind?
• Seem optimistic and confident most of the time?

If most of your answers are yes, you are currently behaving in the Achiever style.

• Three-ish people are usually busy and active. They owe their accomplishments to being practical and persistent.
• They love It when people feel proud of them.
• They have the ability to inspire, coach, and talk people into things.
• Three-ish people set high goals for themselves. Many place great importance on looking really really good… and having friends who look good, so they keep track of what’s in style.
• Achievers see opportunities everywhere. Failure isn’t even an option.
• Achievers become stressed from working, competing, and being “on”
• They want to excel but they may take shortcuts or bite off more than they can chew. They want to be liked and seen as special by others, but occasionally they get into trouble fom behaving arrogantly or assertively.
• Achievers usually absorb good manners because they want to make a good impression.
• Achievers are usually popular leaders. They believe that others should—or want—to be like them, and they have difficulty understanding those who aren’t. They may be too devastated to persist openly.
• They often have many acquaintances.
• Three-ish people usually excel at using their verbal and social skills for self-promotion and self-presentation.
• They don’t like to waste time and are usually very decisive and self-reliant.
• Achievers are usually responsible about meeting their own goals but are sometimes too absorbed in their lives to meet other obligations.

The Romantic Style
Do you…

• Have feelings that are easily hurt?
• Want to be seen as special?
• Have, or want to have, a closet full of dress-up clothes?
• Soul-search and/or engage in fantasy play?
• Have a sense of the dramatic—both tragic and comic?
• Enjoy the arts and collect beautiful treasures?
• Look at things in a special, creative way?
• Seem depressed or melancholy at times?

If most of your answers are yes, you are currently behaving in The Romantic Style.

• Romantics find everyday life boring and tedious. They prefer the excitement of participating in or experiencing the theater, dance, art, and music. They also enjoy movies, the purity and loveliness of beautiful objects, what they can do with their imagination, and that which is enchanting, mysterious, and unpredictable.
• Even though Four-ish people are often friendly and warm, they sometimes feel shy and lonely. They are sometimes overpowered by their own emotions.
• Sometimes Romantics want whatever they don’t have, and sometimes they want what someone else has. Sometimes they think others want what they have.
• Four-ish people find special meaning where others may not.
  They have especially delicate feelings and can fill with shame when people are angry with them.
• They long to have a deep heart connection with a soul mate.
• The most introverted Romantics are shy, and have trouble being around with people for a long period of time.
• Romantic style people are often compliant and don’t want to offend. If they are not appreciated, however, they can feel resentful and become aggressive or say biting things.
• They tend to have strong likes and dislikes with regard to other people. They long to have a special soul mate with whom to share their inner world.
• While they can be very warm and giving to close friends, their envy can get the better of them and they may become hostile.
• Romantics have high principles and often want to save the world. The more outgoing of them engage in competition and like to argue their deeply held convictions.
• They usually have strong values and know what they like. When they forget themselves, however, it may be because they are trying to please someone else.
• Four-ish people, like their One-Perfectionist arrow, can be very conscientious. They are also not afraid of expressing their emotions, including the joyous and the sad.

The Observer Style
Do you…

• Have a quiet and shy personality?
• Like to be alone—get lost in reading or other interests?
• Have definite opinions about most things but show willingness to listen to other interpretations?
• Have an interest in how things work or in philosophical questions?
• Have a whimsical sense of humor?
• Tend to stay separate or hover around the edge of groups?
• Seem uninterested in social norms?
• Dislike it when people pry or lavish too much attention on you?
  

If most of your answers are yes, you are currently behaving in the Five style.

• Five-ish people are curious and have active minds.
• They have no problem entertaining themselves.
  They can be happy when alone.
• Since they watch and observe more than others, they may see things that others don’t see.
  Five-ish people don’t usually care about social conventions and don’t always interact easily. They may feel awkward or different from others.
• Loud or unpleasant sounds offend observers’ sensitive nervous systems. When noise is forced on them, they may take it as another form of someone trying to control them.
  They will do almost anything to avoid unpleasantness.
• One-to-one contact is often more comfortable than being in groups.
• Fives have strong consciences and want to do things according to their own principles. They don’t like it when others try to caretake or intrude into their business.
• Most fives don’t want to make waves, but they do want to know reasons for traditions instead of following them blindly.
• As the name, observers tend to stay on the sidelines.
• Fives love their privacy. Staying up into the late hours, when they don’t have to worry about people distracting or bothering them, can give them a magical feeling of freedom.
• Fives are curious and motivated to learn, but they don’t usually broadcast their accomplishments.
• For observers, anger and negativism can go underground and stuck there.
  They usually have the conscience, sense of fairness, and self-discipline to be responsible.

The Questioner Style
Do you…

• Worry about safety more than others?
• React in extreme, contradictory, or unpredictable way at times?
• Change mood often: nervous, brooding, enraged, comical, serious?
• Like to argue the opposite side from everybody else?
• Act insecure, suspicious, and frightened? Or cover these feelings by being overly aggressive?
• Try to entertain or please and get people to like him or her?
• Talk fast or in a stuttering kind of way?
• Have compassion for people who suffer?

If most of your answers are yes, you are currently behaving in The Six Style.

• Questioners can seem either shy and fearful or aggressive and fearless. They all want to feel more secure.
• They try to be loyal to themselves and to others.
• Six-ish people often get stuck in the thinking and worrying process and don’t come to a conclusion. They are usually on the alert for danger and may panic over little things.
• Questioners can also be brave, strong, quick tempered, rebellious, and antiauthoritarian.
  They can worry about everything which can lead to taking extra precaution.
• They hate flattery.
• Six-ish people usually love what is true, good, and beautiful. They can be fearful of the unknown, they need to be in control, and they tend to be pessimistic and paranoid.
• They like order and predictability but can be changeable themselves, and can go from one extreme to the others.
• They often have trouble making up their mind.
• They feel safer when they question things.
• Questioners want to know who the authority is. They like to be out in front themselves, but are usually nervous about it.
• Questioners vary more than perhaps any other styles and can be difficult to spot. They usually feel scared and suspicious inside, but some cover it up with tough exterior.
• Most Six-ish people want to do things “right” in order to feel secure.
• In getting along with others, questioners feel driven to control their environment, including other people. They may do it by being bossy or enraged or by being charming, ingratiating, and entertaining.
• Questioners have trouble making choices because they want to have certainty about the outcome. They can be very slow and agonizing for all involved, and the resulting finality of the decision can feel terrifying to them.
• They usually have a lot of energy, but they may be couch potato at times.
• Questioner-style people typically react to the unknown with fear, negativity, or panic.
• In terms of responsibility, they try to be conscientious and safe and are usually highly responsible.
• Emotional maturity may come slowly to them since their preoccupation with anxiety can hold them back.
  

The Adventurer Style
Do you…

• Wake up and fall asleep happy most of the time?
• Like to be the star?
• Like it when interesting people come to visit?
• Have a sunny disposition and an infectious laugh or giggle?
• Make lots of friends?
• Have great curiosity and eagerness for knowledge?
• Like to tell stories and jokes?

If most of your answers are yes, you are currently behaving in The Adventurer Style.

• As kids, sevens like to play and have fun with friends.
• Sevens like to do many different things. They like to keep going and find new excitement. They don’t want to be restrained.
• They are idealistic, love with the world has to offer and feel good about themselves.
• Sevens’ mind work overtime. They are often multitalented and they can have high ideals.
  In learning things, sevens prefer to learn what’s immediately applicable. They are very resourceful.
• Adventurers like to tease, make fun of, and be the star.
• Most sevens are free-spirited and good-natured. They get over upsets easily. They tend to skip over trouble, and they shun pain.
• They like fantasies, jokes, and keeping people entertained.
• Sevens will speak up for themselves in order to avoid serious confrontation.
• Adventurers do not make decisions easily. The are often conflicted or ambivalent. They may say yes to a new idea, then feel horrified that now their options are narrowed.
• Adventurers are usually curious and motivated. They typically start each day full of plans, but they don’t necessarily stick to them.
• They may demand freedom more than they can handle.
• Adventurers like doing jobs that are spontaneous. They get bored with daily routines.
  

The Asserter Style
Do you…

• Rule other children?
• Have a great deal of energy and strength?
• Always make your presence known?
• Show anger and dissatisfaction freely?
• Speak and act with authority?
• Behave exuberantly and enthusiastically?
• Give others a hard time by being stubborn or bullheaded?

If most of your answers are yes, you are currently behaving in The Asserter Style.

• Eight-ish people can be fiercely protective. They look out for their friends and defend those who cannot defend themselves.
• They take charge, but what they want most of all is to feel connected to life’s intensity. If their energy is not met through more and more fun, they may feel hurt and sad.
• Asserters do not hesitate to tell people what they think of them.
• They work hard and play hard, and hate it when people are phony.
• They can seek revenge and be intimidating, so people are often afraid not to go along with them. On the other hand, people often misunderstand and blame them or judge them wrongly for their natural exuberance.
• As students, asserters have difficulty in developing study habits
• In getting along with others, they have a sweet side and can be very thoughtful, loyal, and generous to their friends. However, many are not flexible enough to get along well. They can be too sure of their own agenda and may impose harsh judgments on others. Many carry chip on their shoulder and go ballistic if anyone laughs at them or touches their belongings.
  Asserters have a strong self image and excel at putting themselves forward.
• They usually have clear and definite ideas and almost never say “I don’t care” or “I don’t know”
• The asserter style is known for its ability to take action.
• Eight-ish people are often immature when it comes to controlling their anger.
• In terms of responsibility, eights are not usually sneaky and can be refreshingly honest. They can obey rules even when no one is supervising them. They are also good at taking care of younger or loved ones.
  

The Peacemaker Style
Do you…

• Like to watch TV, use the computer, or loll about the house?
• Inspire people to call you “sweet” or “accepting”?
• Have trouble with decisions and go along with others most of the time?
• Move and speak a little more slowly than most others?
• Get your feeling hurt fairly easily?

If most of your answers are yes, you are currently behaving in The Peacemaker Style.

• Nine-ish people want everything to stay pleasant.
• Clashes are very upsetting to them, so they try to live harmoniously.
• They can merge with others and take on the flavors of the other eight styles.
• They are usually wise, goodhearted, and understanding.
• While they usually have a mellow, relaxed personality, people can occasionally detect some anger in their voice or expression.
• Peacemakers are often slow to make up their minds because they see things from many angles.
• They often especially connected to nature. Others often see them as more easygoing than they feel.
• Some peacemakers get right down to business and study with enthusiasm.
• Peacemakers like to behave well to keep life pleasant.
• Nines are not often social leaders, though they have great value as mediators.
• They often like to work behind the scenes.
• They make generous and supportive friends and can be fun to play games and sports with, and they’re known as the greatest to just hang out with.
• Nines sometimes feel depressed, defeated, or discouraged because the harmony they seek is not easily achieved, however, they are resilient and get over it quickly.
• They enjoy sensual pleasures such as lying in the sun, sleeping, and eating.
• Peacemakers tend to give in. Their powerful Eight-Asserter and One-perfectionist wings can alter them considerably.
• Sometimes peacemakers are afraid people won’t love them if they have needs, so they put off decisions and wait around to see what will happen. When they do make decisions, they usually consider their options deeply and seriously and don’t shift their positions easily.
• In terms of responsibility, nines usually want to do what’s right and be responsible. A strong One-Perfectionist wing can reinforce this tendency.
• Sometimes they procrastinate, get side-tracked, or get stuck doing what they’re doing.

Reference:

• Baron, Renee and Elizabeth Wagele. 1994. The enneagram made easy. Harper-San Francisco.


• Wagele, E. 1997. The enneagram of parenting. Harper-San Francisco.