We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again — the Enneagram is an extraordinarily accurate personality system that offers a powerful map for understanding the human condition through nine distinct worldviews or types. Describing core motivations, habitual patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and unique strengths, limitations, and blind spots, these types or “lenses” provide a profound understanding of people as they are to themselves and how they operate in the world. Identifying and working with your type offers the possibility for lasting transformation and growth, both personally and professionally.
There’s a lot of misinformation about types now that the Enneagram has gained in popularity. Please remember that, ultimately, only you can identify your type. Other people may be able to provide valuable input or feedback as to how you show up in the world and how you impact those with whom you interact, but you are the expert on you. You are the only one who knows what motivates you, what you pay the most attention to, and what thoughts, assumptions, attitudes, etc., drive your behavior.
Of course, there are tools and informational aids that can help you identify your type. One solid one is to have a typing interview with a certified Enneagram Trainer/Coach. There are wonderful books to read and research, podcasts — some good, some not — as well as a couple of assessments that we find credible. Our website www.transforminc.com also has valuable information and videos for each type, especially for those of you in the business space.
One important thing to remember is that the skill of self-observation is the key to identifying your Enneagram type. A great practice is to begin “observing,” noticing what’s going on for you — how you interpret your daily experiences and how you react to situations and people as you go through the day. In developing higher levels of self-awareness through self-observation, you’ll begin to understand how your type habitually drives you, how these ingrained type patterns support or hinder your personal and professional successes and well-being.
By being aware of ourselves (our thoughts, reactions, feelings) in the moment, we are on the path to choosing/transforming into a different way of being in the moment with ourselves and others. Rather than being reactive and on automatic, when we are present, then we can choose how we want to interact with the world and impact others.
If you are new to the Enneagram, we can help. If you want to know how to bring this amazing system into your workplace, we can help. If you are interested in being the best leader you can be, we can help. Reach out — let’s chat!
