I am the person who is not only intrigued by personality tests but also loves to take them. Now before you get the wrong idea this is not something I do often. I have found from the several tests I’ve taken that there are many parts that describe me very well. In the last several years, I discovered the Enneagram and haven’t looked back since. I love digging into the question of “who am I”?
Several years ago my son and daughter-in-law began reading The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile. Since they were living with me at the time, discussions sprung up over the content they were learning. This was my introduction into the Enneagram and the more we talked the more intrigued I became. Of course, if they knew what number they were then I wanted the same for myself.
What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a newer phenomenon for many of us, but history shows it has been around since 1915 when philosopher, George Gurdjieff, used it in his human development program. In the 1960s, Oscar Ichazo placed nine personality types on the Enneagram. While the Enneagram is used in the secular as well as the spiritual world, it is not affiliated with any particular denomination. At this point, you’re either shaking your head in an awareness of what I am talking about or you might wonder if I have lost my mind. Hopefully, you will follow along as I begin with a short definition of what the Enneagram is.
The Enneagram offers a way to manage personality through the practice of self-awareness. It supports us in becoming more effective in our lives, and it offers a path of opening our hearts and developing personal presence. www.enneagramatwork.com
The Enneagram Institute provides a comprehensive understanding of the Enneagram personality types as well as a test you can take to determine your own number. There are nine personality types and the belief is that we are all born with a dominant personality type. Our dominant type determines how we adapt to our environment. It is important to note that we do not fluctuate from type to another; one type isn’t better or worse than another, and if you dig deeper into your own Enneagram number you will find that not everything in your description applies to you at all times.
The Nine Personality Types
Ones – The Reformer or the Perfectionist – “Ones are conscientious and ethical, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They are teachers, crusaders, and advocates for change: always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake.”
Twos – The Helper – The Caring, Interpersonal Type – “Twos are empathetic, sincere, and warm-hearted. They are friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing, but can also be sentimental, flattering, and people-pleasing.”
Threes – The Achiever – Success-Oriented – “Threes are self-assured, attractive, and charming. Ambitious, competent, and energetic, they can also be status-conscious and highly driven for advancement.”
Fours – The Individualist – Sensitive, Introspective Type – “Fours are self-aware, sensitive, and reserved. They are emotionally honest, creative, and personal, but can also be moody and self-conscious.”
Fives – The Investigator – Intense, Cerebral Type – “Fives are alert, insightful, and curious. They are able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills.”
Sixes – The Loyalist – Committed, Security-Driven Type – “The committed, security-oriented type. Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy.”
Sevens – The Enthusiast – Busy, Fun-Loving Type – “Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered, and undisciplined.”
Eights – The Challenger – Powerful, Dominating Type – “Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering.”
Nines – The Peacemaker – Easy-going, Self-effacing Type – “Nines are accepting, trusting, and stable. They are usually creative, optimistic, and supportive, but can also be too willing to go along with others to keep the peace.”
Why the Enneagram and Why now?
The Enneagram is a tool that can teach you more about yourself -your identity. It is not meant to put who you are into a box, but instead, provide a way to grow in self-awareness. My own self-awareness journey is one that God has led me on ever since I retired from teaching. Understanding the Enneagram has helped me to gain a deeper knowledge of who I am and who God says I am. Knowing your personality type as well as those of your loved ones assists in growing those relationships. The difference it has made in my relationships with my sons and daughters-in-law is a blessing I thank God for every day.
The Enneagram is relevant, people are curious, and when we dive deeper into self-awareness we allow ourselves to see ourselves and the world differently. Beth McCord, Your Enneagram Coach, also shares,
The gift of the Enneagram is that through self-discovery, one can create and sustain meaningful and lasting relationships with others, God and themselves.
I love knowing that the Enneagram is not just a personality assessment but also a chance to deepen in our relationships with God and others.
I am praying for each of you in your own journeys to understanding who you are. The world shouts volumes of information at us daily. It is easy to get lost in the noise. The Enneagram is one way to bring greater clarity to the noise. I hope you will join me here for the next nine or ten weeks as we hear from some amazing writers as they describe what they know about themselves through the lens of their Enneagram numbers. It’s a series that you don’t want to miss.
EnneaWhat?? There's a lot of buzz going on about the Enneagram these days. Do you know what it is? Come join me for a series showcasing each number of the Enneagram written by some amazing writers.#EnneaWhat #newpost #TellHisStory Click To TweetBlessings,
Resources
Books
The Road Back to You – by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile
The Path Between Us – by Suzanne Stabile
The Sacred Enneagram – by Christopher L. Heuertz
Self to Lose – Self to Find: A Biblical Approach to the 9 Enneagram Types – by Marilyn Vancil
Author Beth McCord – Click HERE to a link to her Amazon author page. She has just published a separate book for each Enneagram number and book on using the Enneagram in your marriage.
Podcasts
That Sounds Fun – Annie F. Downs – She had an Enneagram series on her podcast last summer. Click HERE to begin. #Enneasummer2019
The Enneagram Journey – Suzanne Stabile
Typology – Ian Cron
Sleeping at Last – Songs for each Enneagram number – Ryan O’Neal
**Affiliate links are being used. Thank you for supporting my blog.
I’m also a little obsessed by personality tests. Even the stupid FB quizzes like “What car are you” catch my curiosity! But I did one as part of a ministry coaching program last year and it really helped me understand myself and see my “weaknesses” as strengths. Thank you for introducing the Enneagram to me. I look forward to learning more.
I try not to get sucked in by the FB quizzes. I’m glad you found this community and I hope you continue to join us for the whole Enneagram series.
I am looking forward to reading from authors of each Ennegram type, Mary! I really like how the Ennegram is represented in a circle so each type is connected to the other. If anyone is not there than the circle would be broken! So we all have a purpose in this world God created and equally important.
You say it so well. The fact that the Enneagram is a circle is just one more reason for me to love it. We are each part of a whole and our gifts are needed to keep the circle complete. I can’t wait for you to share as part of this series.
In an Enneagram discussion once I asked, “What number is obsessed with the Enneagram? That might be mine!” Ha!
Ha ha! Now I am very curious to know what number you are. Hope to see you here for the series.
I’m so excited to see this series launch, Mary! I’m praying for how God will use it to help us glorify him by understanding ourselves and those around us!
Thank you for agreeing to be part of this series. I am praying and believing that together we can celebrate who we are and learn from each other.
Thank you Mary, it’s always helpful to understand where we are at & how we are made with our temperaments in how we relate to the world & people around us.
Bless you,
Jennifer
God created us each uniquely and we have the choice daily to celebrate those differences. I know this Enneagram series will be a way to learn about our uniqueness and how we can relate well to each other.
I just finished the book. I always thought a I was a two but more and more I read I’m sure I’m a 9!
Hmmm! Sometimes it takes more digging to know for sure what Enneagram number we are. I hope you will come around for the series.
Mary,
Sounds like an awesome series! It is interesting to explore just what makes us tick and what makes us unique. Looking forward to reading the writers you have lined up!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Good to see you here, Bev. The series certainly will showcase some of my favorite writers and we can learn together how the Enneagram has shaped their lives.
I’m also looking forward to the series, Mary. By just reading your summary, I’m torn whether I’m a 1, 2, or 9. I need to take the test!
Yes, please take the test. I am interested to know what number you are. I hope you find out more about yourself during this series on the Enneagram.
Yay, I’m glad this series has begun, Mary! I’m so looking forward to hearing what others will share about the Enneagram. I’ve been preparing for my own series in February about it. There is so much good to be gained from the Enneagram, especially for those of us approaching it through the lens of our Christian faith.
I am hoping for some great discussion too. It’s interesting to hear what people know or don’t know about the Enneagram. I agree that the good of the Enneagram especially comes when looking through the lens of the Gospel. Glad to have you along for this series.
I am really looking forward to this series also, Mary! I have close friends who are Spiritual Directors and have shared much about the Enneagram with me. In fact, recently they pointed me in the direction of one of the links you shared: “Sleeping At Last.” I was very blessed by the songs that he shares!
I am so glad you have listened to the Enneagram songs. They really blessed me too. I am praying this series on the Enneagram opens up some great discussion and a chance for each person to learn a little more about themselves.
Looking forward to this series! I do not know much about the enneagram, but I did read some of The Road Back to You, and I took the test. Appreciate reading your short summary of each type
I love knowing you will join me for the series. I’m excited to read the perspectives of some of my favorite writers and how the Enneagram has shaped them.
This is a fascinating topic, Mary. I took the Enneagram test a year or so ago and learned some things about myself. The results helped me to understand why I have done some things in my life. I also like the Myers-Briggs personality test, which the faculty took at an in-service once when I was a teacher.
I have also taken the Meyer-Briggs assessment. That was the only personality test I had heard of until the Enneagram. I would love to know what your Enneagram number is.
I can’t wait to read these! I took the test, but now it’s time I learned more :). I hope to convince my family to take the test, too.
It will be great to have you along for the journey. I hope everyone learns something new about themselves but also how it can help them in relationships with family and friends.
This is a big thing for some of my clients … looking forward to learning more!
Are you familiar with the Enneagram too?? Do you know what your number is? I am excited to have you along for the ride. We can learn some new things together.
Yes, Ennea-what? was definitely my first response to this amazing personality assessment, but it has changed the way I think about myself and others. Really looking forward to this series, Mary!
That was my response too. My son and DIL introduced me to the Enneagram and I knew I wanted to know more because they were so excited about it. I know this is going to be a great series.
I look forward to reading this series! I’d heard of the Enneagram, but last summer, I actually took a test and I found it fascinating. I look forward to learning more about my number. It’s been interesting to look back on choices I’ve made, mindsets I’ve held and see how they’ve lined up with the Enneagram. 🙂
I’m excited about this series. I have learned so much about myself and interacting with my kids and their wives through the Enneagram. I’m curious what number you are??? You will have to share. I can’t wait to have you along for the series.