THE ENNEAGRAM
It describes the characteristics of nine dominant personality types and their relationships. Each of the nine types has his own natural gifts, his own weak points, his blind spots and his ways of interacting with other people. Each personality has aspects of every one of those 9 types, but normally one type is dominant. This classification in types hands us tools to understand ourselves and the others better.
The Enneagram helps turn the light of awareness onto those features of our personality that operate automatically, not only keeping us "asleep," but so often getting us into more trouble, more conflicts, and increasing our suffering and that of others. - Don Riso
At a young age you discovered that the world did not always react the way you liked. At that time, in order to survive, you developed a certain behavior and certain patterns. Those grew to be part of your personality.
Grown-ups have discarded a lot of behavioral patterns from childhood, but a lot of these ingrained patterns are still present. In between they have become such a part of your personality that you are not aware of their existence, let alone that you will be able to change them. These patterns can become a formidable barrier in your development.
The Enneagram can bring these ingrained patterns to the surface.
In the first place, the model shows how each type perceives the world and what the priorities are of each type. It specifically tells us what it means to be a certain type. Everybody is born with a number of characteristics and has a perception of reality. Since early youth you got used to the way you look, the way you behave and the way you think (this is your idea of the truth). Fact is that you look at life from the limitations of your type, which is only one ninth of the truth.
We see the world the way we are or the way we are conditioned – not the way it is
(Covey, the Seven Habits of highly effective People)
Through the Enneagram we also get a better insight in other people’s patterns. It clearly states how and why different types have different points of view, communicate and solve problems differently. In all types, however, we find something of ourselves.
Our software…
One of the most interesting aspects of the Enneagram is that it clearly shows us what the most important drive of a type is:
Ones e.g. are focused on perfection; in their eyes everything can improve and they immediately notice what is not correct.
Twos know exactly the wishes and needs of other people and want to be rewarded for their actions. They also know how they can make other people like them.
Threes love status and success and always want to be the best. They are extremely goal oriented and want to be rewarded for what they do.
Fours want to be unique and out of the ordinary and they are always in search of something that is missing. They can be very ’theatrical’.
Fives are solely interested in knowledge and need privacy. They are always doing research why things are the way they are.
Sixes want safety and security. Trust is an important issue for them.
Sevens are focused on making plans and are always looking for options to have fun, challenges, excitement (looking for an adrenalin high)
Eights are focused on power and want control of the situation. As soon as they enter a room they clearly show who is boss.
Nines want peace of mind and harmony with their surroundings and think that others' needs are more important than theirs.
A person who is focused on safety and security is always alert for lurking danger and always wonders if he can trust another person. Twos, on the other hand, are always looking for something other people need.
All types are always trying to realize their ‘focus’. This is what we people are really doing all day long without being aware of it. It is like we are programmed but we are not aware of the software we use.
The Enneagram informs us about this software and gives us detailed information about the way this software is responsible for our behavior, for the way we interact and the impact we have on each other.
If people grasp this, if they begin to understand their software, suddenly things fall into place.
This way the Enneagram becomes an eye-opener: you suddenly understand you could not help the way you used to do things. Once you understand your type you will become aware that there are other options to tackle problems and can break free of ingrained patterns of behavior. This opens new horizons, exciting, and certainly worthwhile.
The nine types of the Enneagram, according to Riso-Hudson:
Testimonial:
I was introduced to the Enneagram during one of Titia Ho Coaching programs. She taught us about the Enneagram with her enthusiasm and with all her passion that she feels for the Enneagram. And what a blessings this was and how it changed my life, I will share with you now:
We started with the *8*, a very recognizable personality... and that was such a awakening for me. I understood in an instant what this was about! Understanding the behavioural pattern of people around me, and of course of myself! As we were lucky to start with the *8*, I immediately saw the exact reflection of a person I had a "rocky" relationship with. The light bulbs went off every minute she continued her explanations and examples giving me a great insight to the motivations of this particular person. Based on this deep knowledge, I learned over time to even smile and laugh about behaviours that had previously upset me! Not only that, I was now able to react more appropriately and even better... to act in a way that would avoid upsetting reactions from this person in the first place. Our relationship has since turned 180 degrees and I am feeling much better! Sure, there are still moments when things are not so smooth, but the knowledge of the Enneagram and the type *8* helped me base this relationship on a deep understanding of this particular personality, my own personality and the interaction of the two.
Ariane R.
