The Enneagram

The fundamental premise of the Enneagram is that each of us has one dominant (not exclusive) energy that drives us in everything we do. This dominant energy is our greatest gift so we use it too much and it becomes our chief fault - or sin. This energy, like a prevailing wind that bends a tree permanently, sculpts our inner terrain and shapes our entire life.

EnneagramAn Enneagram coach - who knows this terrain - can help you navigate into new areas of personal freedom.

The Enneagram map depicts what model of the universe each of nine different kinds of people have. This map, like all maps, describes some things and leaves out others. It characterizes the thoughts we think all day, it calibrates the energy levels we have for some things and lesser energies we have for other things.

The Enneagram portrays our biggest problem in life and our greatest gift, and remarkably they are the same.

 

The Nine Styles in Business

One - The Reformer   [x]
The rational, orderly type. Principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.

ONES are concerned with maintaining quality and high standards. They focus on details and like to improve and streamline procedures. They are often good at coaching others on how to improve themselves, be more efficient, and do things correctly. Well-organized and orderly, they can also be overly critical of themselves and others. They dislike waste and sloppiness, but can deteriorate into micromanagement and constant, demoralizing criticism. At their best, they have good judgment, make wise decisions, and model ethical and responsible behavior.

Two - The Mentor   [x]
The helpful, interpersonal type. Generous, appreciative, people-pleasing, and possessive.

TWOS are sensitive to the needs of others and seek to be of service. They appreciate the talents of others and act as confidants and guides, good at networking people and services. However, they typically have trouble saying no to requests and tend to become stressed by trying to help others too much. They dislike impersonal rules and work situations and can deteriorate into favoritism and time-wasting personal overinvolvements. At their best, they are empathetic and generous and help build team interpersonal connections.

Three - The Acheiver   [x]
The adaptable, ambitious type. Focused, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.

THREES know how to work efficiently to get the job done according to customer expectations. Often attractive, charming, and energetic, they are conscious of the image they project of themselves as well as of their team and company. They like getting recognition and are attracted to success and positions of prestige. They can be competitive and workaholic, driven by the need for status and personal advancement, deteriorating into cutting corners to stay ahead. At their best, they are accomplished and admirable, often seen as inspiring role models by others.

Four - The Designer   [x]
The introspective, artistic type. Expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.

FOURS deliver personalized service and/or develop distinctive products known for their refinement and sense of style. They can be uncompromising in their pursuit of the right effect, word, or design and of gauging the personal impact of a product. They dislike tasks that they feel are not creative or give them room for their personal imprint. They may be hypersensitive to criticism and can deteriorate into moodiness and erratic work habits. At their best, they bring intuition and creativity into the workplace and enrich it with their sense of depth, style, and appreciation of the personal dimension.

Five - The Investigator   [x]
The perceptive, provocative type. Curious, innovative, secretive, and eccentric.

FIVES are tireless learners and experimenters, especially in specialized or technical matters. They like to understand in detail, spend time on research, and follow their curiosity wherever it leads. They are highly analytical and preoccupied with discovery, not paying attention to project time constraints and relationships. They can deteriorate into arrogance and noncommunication, intellectual bickering and oneupsmanship. At their best, Fives are visionary pioneers, bringing strikingly new ideas and profound depth to their work.

Six - The Troubleshooter   [x]
The engaging, loyal type. Likable, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.

SIXES are diligent and reliable workers. They build alliances and partnerships that help orient their co-workers and get things done. They are able to assess the motivations and relative merits of others and scan the business environment for potential problems. They dislike taking risks and want consensus and predictability. They can be indecisive and have difficulty taking responsibility or action without group authority and can deteriorate into evasiveness and blaming others. At their best, Sixes are self-reliant, independent, and courageous, often calling a group back to its root values.

Seven - Enthusiast   [x]
The accomplished, upbeat type. Spontaneous, versatile, impulsive, and scattered.

SEVENS thrive on change, variety, excitement, and innovation. Often articulate and humorous, they are able to get others to support their ideas. They are in touch with the latest trends and are constantly looking for new possibilities and options. They are natural multi-taskers but can also get overextended and lack follow-through. They can deteriorate into endless talk and distractions, scattering their energy and talents and leaving many projects unfinished. At their best, Sevens focus on worthwhile goals and become highly productive and accomplished.

Eight - Challenger   [x]
The powerful, decisive type. Self-confident, commanding, willful, and confrontational.

EIGHTS have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish and the willpower to make it happen. They make difficult decisions and see serious problems simply as challenges to be met, obstacles to be overcome. They want to be in control and find it difficult to delegate tasks or share leadership. They champion people, protecting and empowering them, but also can deteriorate into intimidation to get their way, making unnecessary enemies both within and outside the organization. At their best, they are magnanimous and generous, using their strength to improve others' lives.

Nine - Peacemaker   [x]
The easygoing, accommodating type. Receptive, reassuring, agreeable, and complacent.

NINES create harmony among group members by emphasizing the positive so that conflicts and tensions can be eased. They are supportive and inclusive and work with everyone, humbly allowing others to shine. They dislike conflict and division in the team and try to create harmony and stability. But, they may accommodate others and avoid self-assertion too much, becoming secretly angry as a result. They can deteriorate into ineffectual "make-work," stubborn passivity, and serious neglect. At their best, they are able to negotiate differences and bring people together in a stable but dynamic way.

 

Take the test at Enneagram Central to see how you score. When you receive those results via e-mail, please forward them to me at Deb@DebPayne.com.

And you can fill out my test below and I will return a personal profile to you.


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