Enneagram of Personality: The Beginner’s Guide to Self Discovery

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Why do some people seem so confident and in control of their lives while others constantly feel lost, stuck and perhaps, even unsettled? Well, we all feel that way once in a while, and one reason could be a lack of self understanding.

Enneagram could be a solution to gain greater self insights and also, better understand the people that we interact with. As the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates observed, “know thyself” (knowing yourself) is literally the key to a meaningful life. So, read on to learn more about Enneagram and its 9 personality types, and embark on your journey of self-discovery!

Enneagram: What is it?

The Enneagram is a personality system that identifies 9 different personality types, each with its own set of motivations, fears, and patterns of behavior – defined by a particular core belief on how the world works.

According to Socrates, true wisdom is knowing what you do not know. So an essential part of knowing yourself must be recognising the limits of your own wisdom and understanding — knowing what you do genuinely know and knowing what you have yet to learn. We all have our particular way of interpreting the world and the people around them. Yet, our core beliefs can be limiting, and sometimes blind our perspectives.

With the Enneagram of Personality, we can gain greater self understanding and broaden our perspective, which will in turn allow us to make better decisions and deal with situations more effectively. The Enneagram can also help us to understand how people react to stress, which is certainly helpful for stressful Singaporeans. With this knowledge, all of us can learn to have greater empathy for ourselves and others.

F.Y.I. The Enneagram is not your run-of-the-mill personality test that labels you as an introvert or extrovert. It delves deeper into who we are as a person, exploring the root causes of our behavior and thought patterns. By identifying our dominant Enneagram type, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

How does Enneagram work?

Interestingly, the answer lies in the name of Enneagram. The word “enneagram” comes from the Greek words “ennea” (meaning “nine”) and “gramma” (meaning “figure” or “drawing”). This personality typology describes nine personality types and maps each of these types on a nine-pointed diagram which helps to illustrate how the types relate to one another.

Each type is further divided into three subtypes, based on the dominant instinctual drive: self-preservation, social, and sexual (also called “intimacy” or “one-to-one”).

The Enneagram is a system that’s gained popularity in recent years, and for good reason. You can easily identify your Enneagram type by answering a set of questions listed in an Enneagram test.

What are the 9 Enneagram personality types?

Each of the 9 personality types has its own set of characteristics and a core motivation that drives your behavior and decisions. For example, the core motivation of Type 1 is to be good, right, and moral, while the core motivation of Type 2 is to be needed and loved.

Each Enneagram type can also be influenced by one or both of its neighboring types, known as “wings.” For example, a Type 2 might have a wing of Type 1 (making them more perfectionistic) or a wing of Type 3 (making them more achievement-oriented).

Here’s a quick rundown of the 9 Enneagram personality types:

Type 1: The Perfectionist

People who have high standards for themselves and others, and are often critical of themselves and others when those standards are not met. Nonetheless, they do have very good self-discipline.

Type 2: The Helper

People who are caring and kind, and often put the needs of others before their own. These empathetic beings enjoy helping others, and can struggle with setting boundaries.

Type 3: The Achiever

People who are driven to succeed and excel in their careers and personal lives. They are ambitious and goal-oriented, and sometimes, they can become overly focused on their achievements.

Type 4: The Individualist

People who value their uniqueness and creativity, and often feel a sense of longing or melancholy. The Individualist tends to constantly search for meaning and authenticity in their lives.

Type 5: The Investigator

People who are analytical and curious, and often seek out knowledge and understanding. They can be introverted and may struggle with social interactions at times.

Type 6: The Loyalist

People who are loyal and dependable, and often seek security and stability. On the other hand, they can appear to be anxious, and require support and guidance from authority figures.

Type 7: The Enthusiast

People who are adventurous and spontaneous, and often seek out new experiences and pleasures. Most likely to avoid uncomfortable emotions, these are people who need to learn how to follow-through all that they undertake.

Type 8: The Challenger

People who are assertive and decisive, and often take charge in situations. If this is your personality type, you are someone who values justice and fairness. You can become confrontational when you feel threatened.

Type 9: The Peacemaker

People who are easygoing, accommodating, and value harmony. If you are a peacemaker, you would go out of your way to avoid conflicts and tensions. You are also likely to struggle with asserting your own needs and desires. Peacemakers must be mindful to avoid becoming complacent.

Wondering if the Enneagram is accurate?

The Enneagram is not without controversy, as some critics argue that it lacks scientific evidence and is based on subjective interpretations of personality traits.

However, the Enneagram can be a helpful tool for self-awareness, personal growth, and relationship-building. Some people find that the Enneagram descriptions resonate with their experiences and help them understand themselves and others better.

By understanding your dominant Enneagram type and the patterns of behavior associated with it, you can identify areas for personal development and work on breaking free from negative patterns. The Enneagram has also been used in therapy as a way to understand and address unconscious patterns of behavior.

Discover your Enneagram personality type

The Enneagram is a unique and insightful way to explore your personality and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others. So why not give it a try? You might just learn something new about yourself at Way Academy’s upcoming Enneagram Workshop 2023 for just $188 (excludes GST). Enquire now to find out more!