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The Enneagram

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Understanding people using personality types

The enneagram describes nine personality types. These types are similar to, but not the same as the Myers-Briggs personality types. The enneagram is said to be a much older tradition.

I list the general types within the system below. There are opportunities to take on-line tests to determine your type. I suggest taking at least one of the free ones.

See what you think.

Some differences in approach

Differing takes on the Enneagram

The enneagram is a synthesis of ancient traditional personality types.

There are differing interpretations of the enneagram, with different names attached to the types.

The ones that I find that have the most research attached to their views are:

The Enneagram Institute

Enneagram.com - Grounded in the narrative tradition

The Enneagram Spectrum

I have been surprised that learning about personality types has helped me see people in different ways.  I see personality as a continuum.  We all have some of the traits.  There are different personality types.  Does the enneagram describe them for you?  Try some tests at each site and see for yourself.

Now take a look at a brief description of the different types.

Enneagram doubters

Skeptics of the enneagram

There are skeptics about the enneagram as a tool of self discovery. I have found a couple of links that raise legitimate questions. Anyone looking at the enneagram should take a look at these.

From the National Catholic Reporter an article questioning the enneagram.

Mitchell Pacwa, S.J. has even more questions about the enneagram. He studied with the same man as Don Riso, Bob Ochs. Pacwa points out some impossibilities of the enneagram being an ancient art. He then describes how the current versions of the enneagram came into being in an article, Enneagram: A Modern Myth.

He also points out in another article, enneagram teachers cannot agree on what type famous people are. Are the types real? Are they based on research? Read for yourself to see what you think about the enneagram types.

The enneagram - A Survey

What do you think about it?

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Type 1 - The Reformer/The Perfectionist

Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic - Riso

Rightness Seeker

The Perfectionist - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram

Type 2 - The Helper/The Giver

Generous, Demonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive - Riso

Love Seeker

The Giver - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram

Type 3 - The Achiever/The Performer

Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious - Riso

Image Seeker

The Performer - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram

Type 4 The Individualist/The Tragic Romantic

Expressive, Dramatic, Self-Absorbed, and Temperamental - Riso

Identity Seeker

The Tragic Romantic - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram

Type 5 The Investigator/The Observer

Perceptive, Innovative, Secretive, and Isolated - Riso

Knowledge Seeker

The Observer - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram

Type 6 The Loyalist/The Loyal Skeptic

Engaging, Responsible, Anxious, and Suspicious - Riso

Security Seeker

The Devil's Advocate - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram

Type 7 The Enthusiast/The Epicure

Spontaneous, Versatile, Acquisitive, and Scattered - Riso

Stimulation Seeker

The Epicure - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram

Type 8 The Challenger/The Protector

Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and Confrontational - Riso

Power Seeker

The Boss - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram

Type 9 The Peacemaker/The Mediator

Receptive, Reassuring Agreeable, and Complacent - Riso

Peace Seeker

The Mediator - International Enneagram Association

Enneagram books

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Personality tests

Some of these are free

Take one of the tests. See where you fit. Then read the description of the type. Does it fit you?

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Eclectic Energies Enneagram Tests (free)

A choice of two online enneagram tests (free), to learn your personality type. A longer, and a quicker enneagram test (with wing and instinctual variant).1 point

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Ennea-Graph

Ennea-Graph of Personality Type1 point

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The Triadic Enneagram Test

Free evaluation test0 points

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http://www.personalityonline.com/tests/engine.html?testid=2

A site dedicated to the subject of self discovery, find out about your personality, who you are, how you act and react in certain situations, and learn more about yourself. Use
our interactive tests to give yourself a better understanding.0 points

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Advanced Enneagram Personality Test

A longer test with high accuracy0 points

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Duniho Enneagram Test

The triadic Enneagram instrument conceived by Fergus Duniho0 points

Enneagram Bloggers

Top 100 - Taking Action
By Kristen Hampshire James River gave managers an Enneagram personality test, and that has changed the...
Business coach favours personality typing for an effective workforce
The use of the enneagram is one such theory that has gained credence in recent years. It is a system...
InsideOut Enneagram; The Game-Changing Guide for Leaders by Wendy Appel
And, Wendy Appel's first book, InsideOut Enneagram; The Game-Changing Guide for Leaders looks set...
Self-knowledge brings self-understanding, self-acceptance and more
I talk with the young man on my right about the Enneagram, an instrument for measuring type/temperament...
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Learn more about the enneagram

Wiki Enneagram
Wiki article on the Enneagram. Links to critics of the enneagram. They include the Forer effect, the tendency for people to believe a supposedly tailored description of themselves even when the description has been worded in very broad terms.
International Enneagram Association
International Association for the Enneagram
Enneagram Worldwide
This is another site with Helen Palmer. She is joined by David Daniels. This has another online test to determine your type.

What do you think?

  • SilmarwenLinwelin Oct 27, 2011 @ 2:03 am | delete
    I was amazed at the accuracy of the enneagram. Great tool.
  • Woverwijk Aug 11, 2011 @ 12:11 pm | delete
    Hi Ralph,

    Great lens. The enneagram has been so incredibly helpful to me. Knowing my type has helped me to recognize when I'm about to respond to life in my "typical" way and gives me some options to be more authentic.

    You may be interested in the book "Facets of Unity" by A.H. Almaas and the books my Sandra Maitri; they present an additional, deep dimension of the enneagram work.

    Warm regards,

    Willem
  • TepiAnne Oct 6, 2010 @ 8:49 pm | delete
    hi ralph!

    nice lens! i had been using the enneagram as a self-discovery and self-improvement tool for about five years now. had i not encountered enneagram, i guess i would still be stuck with self-destructive patterns and i might have not learned how to ACCEPT and overcome my major weaknesses..
  • spirituality Oct 20, 2008 @ 6:42 am | delete
    Good basic introduction.
  • stevenhart Jul 6, 2008 @ 7:27 pm | delete
    Hey Ralph,

    I have found the Enneagram to be a powerful tool in my own self-discovery.

    It has improved my relationships, my life style, and my personal growth.

    I have been studying it for over 8 years and I am still learning so much from the Enneagram.

    I have never seen anything like it.

    Steven Hart
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RalphK

I've been interested in personality types since I first took the Myers-Briggs test. My test showed me to be an INFP.

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