The Enneagram is a profound, elegant, and very pragmatic approach to
understanding people and their relationships. Based on classical sources, it
describes nine basic world views, nine different ways of doing business in
the world. Each of the nine styles has its own natural gifts, limitations
and blind spots; each has its own distinctive ways of thinking, acting and
being.
The Enneagram teaches us in practical ways to see the world as others see
it. You can then appreciate what others value and what they do not, and why
they think, feel and act the way they do. When you know the enneagram style
of the people in your life, you can respond to their intent, instead of
getting caught in their sometimes difficult or confounding behavior. You can
nurture their fundamental strengths, and know in what situations they are
likely to be rigid or unskillful. You can serve up your words and wisdom in
a way that it can be heard, and you can inspire them from the inside out.
When you know your own enneagram style you can get out of your own way. You
can make conscious choices instead of acting on automatic. You can draw from
each of the nine styles as appropriate. Most importantly, you can act with
passion, compassion and clear intent.
THE NINE TYPES
"Every man, wherever he goes, is encompassed by a cloud of comforting
convictions," said the philosopher Betrand Russell, "which move with him
like flies on a summer's day." When you know your Enneagram number, your
game becomes transparent, even to yourself. The Enneagram lays bare the
unconscious assumptions that drive the way you see yourself, do your work,
relate to your colleagues, and make decisions. Instead of operating on
automatic, from "comforting convictions," you can, with clear intent, invoke
your reservoir of talents and skills.
The Enneagram teaches that we are different in important ways (For a fuller
description of each type, click the number):
Ones want to get things right and teach you how to do it
Twos want to help others and be the sine qua non
Threes want to work hard, accomplish much, succeed and be admired
Fours want to explore their true feelings and creativity
Fives want the information they need to be masters of their universe
Sixes worry about what can go wrong, who can be trusted and who will do them
in
Sevens want the full range of upbeat possibilites, plans and experiences
Eights want to exercise full dominion and protect those in their charge
Nines want to empathize with all the players and be part of the whole
picture
Though none of the types is bad in itself, being unconsciously wedded to an
Enneagram style limits flexibility, imagination and choices. Caught up in
habitual ways of perceiving, you miss important pieces of the whole. Knowing
your vantage point and the vantage point of those you work with builds more
than perspective: It clears the mind so that discernment is possible. It
loosens the heart to the experience of others. It focuses the will, so that
you can get out of your own way and act with concentrated intention, power
and effectiveness.
Here is the briefest description of each of the nine styles offered with the
caution that they are only brief digests of rich material and that people
are NOT types.
One: THE PERFECTIONIST. Ones want to get things right. Critical, idealistic,
judgmental Ones make decisions with an internalized "single correct way" in
mind. They want their work to reflect their extremely high standards. Though
their continual sermonizing, teaching and monitoring of others may make
people feel nit-picked and rejected, their fiercest anger is turned inward
on themselves. At their best, these upright, fastidious, high-energy
paragons are honest and idealistic, with superb powers of criticism and a
clear vision of what should be.
Two: THE GIVER. Twos want to be appreciated for all they do for you. Sweet,
seductive, and manipulative, relationship-oriented Twos make themselves
indispensable to and adored by important others as a path to power and
influence. Twos are the powers behind the throne, with exquisite radar for
the moods and preferences of others. They excel at customer service. The
Jewish Mother, the Italian Mother and the Boss's Secretary Who Really Runs
the Company are archetypes. Others may see Twos as prideful and power-hungry
apple polishers. However, at their best Twos can be genuinely sensitive,
helpful and humble givers, who inspire and bring out the best in others.
Three: THE PRODUCER. Threes want to be lauded for getting the job done.
Enthusiastic, efficient, high-performing, competitive Type A's, Threes keep
their eyes on the prize (the bottom line) and seek to be loved for their
accomplishments. Others may see Threes, concerned as they are with image and
approval, as expedient, artificial, superficial and insensitive, and they do
run the risk of becoming their "resume" or their long list of
accomplishments. But at their best, Threes are charismatic leaders,
efficient, practical problem solvers, and accomplished team players and
motivators. Threes know how the world works and what to do about it.
Four: THE CONNOISSEUR. Fours gravitate to the authentic, the beautiful, the
true (which is always just out of reach) or the unusual. Melancholic,
romantic, elitist Fours look under the surface for the deeper meaning, and
manifest impeccable taste in all things. They make decisions based on the
vicissitudes of feeling. As they see it, they're easily satisfied with the
best. Others may see them as intense and flamboyant tragedians or snooty,
acerbic critics. At their best, Fours are doyens of the creative and the
beautiful who live the passionate life filled with panache, elegance and
good taste.
Five: THE OBSERVER. Fives want mastery over their personal domain.
Emotionally detached, penurious Fives seek to observe life from a safe and
protected distance while stockpiling facts, theories and information. They
camouflage themselves and minimize needs, preferring not to rely on their
relationships. Others may see Fives as emotionally detached, scientific
observers of life who hide in their office or behind a wall of data or
expertise. They can also be wizards, cool decision makers, perspicacious
analysts, theorists and consultants.
Six: THE TROUBLESHOOTER. Sixes are preoccupied with worst-case scenarios.
They stew over who can be trusted, whether the boss is on the level, and
what could possibly go wrong. The pugnacious, counter-phobic version
actively confronts these concerns. Others may be frustrated by Sixes'
over-preparedness, procrastination and paranoia. At their best, Sixes can be
original thinkers, imaginative, faithful, sensitive, intuitive, committed
and ultimately courageous partisans, especially in defense of the underdog;
they are terrific at ferreting out hidden motives and pitfalls along the
way.
Seven: THE VISIONARY. Sevens want to keep all positive options open and
active. Engaging, high-energy romancers, innovative and upbeat planners,
Sevens are also the classic superficial Peter Pans who won't grow up. So
wedded are they to the glorious possibilities of the vision they are
spinning, they have a hard time perceiving the downside and so avoid
closure, pain, conflict, ordinary commitments and routine work. Enthusiastic
initiators of projects, they may fail to follow through. Others may
experience them as narcissistic, quixotic and irresponsible. The best Sevens
are gifted, perceptive and witty idealists, inspirational and charming
amalgamators of ideas and enthusiastic networkers of people.
Eight: THE TOP DOG. Eights want power and control. Expansive, blunt, and
domineering, Eights lack restraint and express anger and loud feelings
easily. Contentious, they seek out confrontations (often without realizing
it), believing the truth comes out in a fight, and focus on their own
strength and the other's weakness. Others may be repelled by their bullying,
excess, and lack of scruples. At their best, Eights can be excellent, bold
kingpins, entrepreneurs and empire builders, untroubled by obstacles or
propriety. Natural paladins, top dog Eights are often genuinely protective
of the underdogs in their charge.
Nine: THE MEDIATOR. Nines want to include all people and points of view and
avoid discord. Nines are calming and compromise easily; they see clearly and
identify strongly with the needs, enthusiasms and points of view of their
fellows that others' wants seem like their own desires. Others may see Nines
as spacey and neglectful, as pluggers and plodders, as bureaucrats no matter
where they are found, and may be put off by Nine's obsessive being of two
minds, their tendency to embrace ambiguity and their deliberate pursuit of
seeming irrelevancies. At their best, Nines reflect and identify (with
extraordinary clarity) people's positions without their own agenda
intruding. They therefore can be excellent counselors, intermediaries,
teambuilders and peacemakers.
understanding people and their relationships. Based on classical sources, it
describes nine basic world views, nine different ways of doing business in
the world. Each of the nine styles has its own natural gifts, limitations
and blind spots; each has its own distinctive ways of thinking, acting and
being.
The Enneagram teaches us in practical ways to see the world as others see
it. You can then appreciate what others value and what they do not, and why
they think, feel and act the way they do. When you know the enneagram style
of the people in your life, you can respond to their intent, instead of
getting caught in their sometimes difficult or confounding behavior. You can
nurture their fundamental strengths, and know in what situations they are
likely to be rigid or unskillful. You can serve up your words and wisdom in
a way that it can be heard, and you can inspire them from the inside out.
When you know your own enneagram style you can get out of your own way. You
can make conscious choices instead of acting on automatic. You can draw from
each of the nine styles as appropriate. Most importantly, you can act with
passion, compassion and clear intent.
THE NINE TYPES
"Every man, wherever he goes, is encompassed by a cloud of comforting
convictions," said the philosopher Betrand Russell, "which move with him
like flies on a summer's day." When you know your Enneagram number, your
game becomes transparent, even to yourself. The Enneagram lays bare the
unconscious assumptions that drive the way you see yourself, do your work,
relate to your colleagues, and make decisions. Instead of operating on
automatic, from "comforting convictions," you can, with clear intent, invoke
your reservoir of talents and skills.
The Enneagram teaches that we are different in important ways (For a fuller
description of each type, click the number):
Ones want to get things right and teach you how to do it
Twos want to help others and be the sine qua non
Threes want to work hard, accomplish much, succeed and be admired
Fours want to explore their true feelings and creativity
Fives want the information they need to be masters of their universe
Sixes worry about what can go wrong, who can be trusted and who will do them
in
Sevens want the full range of upbeat possibilites, plans and experiences
Eights want to exercise full dominion and protect those in their charge
Nines want to empathize with all the players and be part of the whole
picture
Though none of the types is bad in itself, being unconsciously wedded to an
Enneagram style limits flexibility, imagination and choices. Caught up in
habitual ways of perceiving, you miss important pieces of the whole. Knowing
your vantage point and the vantage point of those you work with builds more
than perspective: It clears the mind so that discernment is possible. It
loosens the heart to the experience of others. It focuses the will, so that
you can get out of your own way and act with concentrated intention, power
and effectiveness.
Here is the briefest description of each of the nine styles offered with the
caution that they are only brief digests of rich material and that people
are NOT types.
One: THE PERFECTIONIST. Ones want to get things right. Critical, idealistic,
judgmental Ones make decisions with an internalized "single correct way" in
mind. They want their work to reflect their extremely high standards. Though
their continual sermonizing, teaching and monitoring of others may make
people feel nit-picked and rejected, their fiercest anger is turned inward
on themselves. At their best, these upright, fastidious, high-energy
paragons are honest and idealistic, with superb powers of criticism and a
clear vision of what should be.
Two: THE GIVER. Twos want to be appreciated for all they do for you. Sweet,
seductive, and manipulative, relationship-oriented Twos make themselves
indispensable to and adored by important others as a path to power and
influence. Twos are the powers behind the throne, with exquisite radar for
the moods and preferences of others. They excel at customer service. The
Jewish Mother, the Italian Mother and the Boss's Secretary Who Really Runs
the Company are archetypes. Others may see Twos as prideful and power-hungry
apple polishers. However, at their best Twos can be genuinely sensitive,
helpful and humble givers, who inspire and bring out the best in others.
Three: THE PRODUCER. Threes want to be lauded for getting the job done.
Enthusiastic, efficient, high-performing, competitive Type A's, Threes keep
their eyes on the prize (the bottom line) and seek to be loved for their
accomplishments. Others may see Threes, concerned as they are with image and
approval, as expedient, artificial, superficial and insensitive, and they do
run the risk of becoming their "resume" or their long list of
accomplishments. But at their best, Threes are charismatic leaders,
efficient, practical problem solvers, and accomplished team players and
motivators. Threes know how the world works and what to do about it.
Four: THE CONNOISSEUR. Fours gravitate to the authentic, the beautiful, the
true (which is always just out of reach) or the unusual. Melancholic,
romantic, elitist Fours look under the surface for the deeper meaning, and
manifest impeccable taste in all things. They make decisions based on the
vicissitudes of feeling. As they see it, they're easily satisfied with the
best. Others may see them as intense and flamboyant tragedians or snooty,
acerbic critics. At their best, Fours are doyens of the creative and the
beautiful who live the passionate life filled with panache, elegance and
good taste.
Five: THE OBSERVER. Fives want mastery over their personal domain.
Emotionally detached, penurious Fives seek to observe life from a safe and
protected distance while stockpiling facts, theories and information. They
camouflage themselves and minimize needs, preferring not to rely on their
relationships. Others may see Fives as emotionally detached, scientific
observers of life who hide in their office or behind a wall of data or
expertise. They can also be wizards, cool decision makers, perspicacious
analysts, theorists and consultants.
Six: THE TROUBLESHOOTER. Sixes are preoccupied with worst-case scenarios.
They stew over who can be trusted, whether the boss is on the level, and
what could possibly go wrong. The pugnacious, counter-phobic version
actively confronts these concerns. Others may be frustrated by Sixes'
over-preparedness, procrastination and paranoia. At their best, Sixes can be
original thinkers, imaginative, faithful, sensitive, intuitive, committed
and ultimately courageous partisans, especially in defense of the underdog;
they are terrific at ferreting out hidden motives and pitfalls along the
way.
Seven: THE VISIONARY. Sevens want to keep all positive options open and
active. Engaging, high-energy romancers, innovative and upbeat planners,
Sevens are also the classic superficial Peter Pans who won't grow up. So
wedded are they to the glorious possibilities of the vision they are
spinning, they have a hard time perceiving the downside and so avoid
closure, pain, conflict, ordinary commitments and routine work. Enthusiastic
initiators of projects, they may fail to follow through. Others may
experience them as narcissistic, quixotic and irresponsible. The best Sevens
are gifted, perceptive and witty idealists, inspirational and charming
amalgamators of ideas and enthusiastic networkers of people.
Eight: THE TOP DOG. Eights want power and control. Expansive, blunt, and
domineering, Eights lack restraint and express anger and loud feelings
easily. Contentious, they seek out confrontations (often without realizing
it), believing the truth comes out in a fight, and focus on their own
strength and the other's weakness. Others may be repelled by their bullying,
excess, and lack of scruples. At their best, Eights can be excellent, bold
kingpins, entrepreneurs and empire builders, untroubled by obstacles or
propriety. Natural paladins, top dog Eights are often genuinely protective
of the underdogs in their charge.
Nine: THE MEDIATOR. Nines want to include all people and points of view and
avoid discord. Nines are calming and compromise easily; they see clearly and
identify strongly with the needs, enthusiasms and points of view of their
fellows that others' wants seem like their own desires. Others may see Nines
as spacey and neglectful, as pluggers and plodders, as bureaucrats no matter
where they are found, and may be put off by Nine's obsessive being of two
minds, their tendency to embrace ambiguity and their deliberate pursuit of
seeming irrelevancies. At their best, Nines reflect and identify (with
extraordinary clarity) people's positions without their own agenda
intruding. They therefore can be excellent counselors, intermediaries,
teambuilders and peacemakers.