What Is Enneagram—an Skilled Shares All the pieces to Know

In current months, I’ve discovered myself craving one thing deeper—a way of inside peace that feels regular, like a quiet confidence in who I’m and the way I transfer by means of the world. I wished to belief that how I present up is sufficient, not only for others, however for myself. It was throughout this private reckoning that I met Elle Pugh, a Licensed Enneagram Facilitator and Coach, at our annual Camille Types editors’ summit. Working along with her introduced a stunning readability, connecting me to a path of development I hadn’t anticipated. Elle’s strategy to private improvement—rooted within the Enneagram—felt like an invite to unravel previous patterns and uncover a extra expansive means of being.

The expertise was transformative, illuminating locations in my life the place I used to be holding on too tightly and providing permission to launch what not served me. The Enneagram grew to become greater than a character framework; it grew to become a mirror, reflecting each my strengths and blind spots. I knew I wished to go deeper—not just for myself however to share this knowledge with others. There’s a profound energy in understanding how we function at our core, and I noticed the potential for this instrument to encourage more healthy, extra significant relationships, each personally and professionally.

Featured picture from our interview with Riley Blanks Reid by Jenn Rose Smith.

What’s the Enneagram? An Skilled Dives Deep

To discover the total depth of the Enneagram’s potential, I sat down with Elle to uncover how this framework can assist individuals join extra authentically. We mentioned the methods our Enneagram sort—primarily the construction of our ego—shapes how we view the world and work together with others. With Elle’s steerage, we delved into how this consciousness can unlock a brand new degree of empathy, not solely serving to us nurture more healthy dynamics with the individuals round us but additionally providing a roadmap for private development. I hope this dialog sparks the identical curiosity for you because it did for me.

How can understanding your Enneagram sort assist enhance relationships, each personally and professionally?

Your Enneagram sort is equal to your ego. All of us develop an ego in early childhood to assist us survive. The Enneagram describes 9 various kinds of ego we see in people. Every one is related to sure default beliefs about the way in which the world works and behaviors such a ego developed as a means of making safety, gaining esteem and feeling in management. However with every ego, there are unconscious patterns that maintain us from thriving referred to as blind spots.

Understanding your Enneagram sort is like holding a mirror as much as your self—you’re lastly capable of perceive why you do what you do, really feel what you are feeling, and suppose what you suppose.

When you might have that degree of self-awareness, it’s simpler to know the way you present up in relationships, each personally and professionally. You possibly can establish patterns of communication and habits that both strengthen or pressure your connections. It additionally helps you empathize with others by recognizing that they see the world by means of a distinct lens by studying concerning the different Enneagram sorts.

How do totally different Enneagram sorts work together?

Skilled relationships: An Enneagram Kind 1 values construction and excessive morality. In knowledgeable setting, they may excel at creating order and making certain excessive requirements, however they will additionally come throughout as important or overly perfectionistic. If an Enneagram Kind 1 is working with an Enneagram Kind 7, who loves spontaneity and selection, rigidity may come up when the Kind 7 feels stifled by the Kind 1’s concentrate on guidelines and rigidity. But when each sorts perceive one another, the Kind 1 can admire the vitality and inventive concepts of the Kind 7, whereas the Kind 7 can see the worth within the Kind 1’s self-discipline and reliability. As a substitute of clashing, they will complement one another.

Private relationships: An Enneagram Kind 2 realized they need to assist and nurture their family members to get their wants met, however oftentimes they do that to the purpose of neglecting their very own wants. In the event that they’re in a relationship with an Enneagram Kind 5, who values independence and desires numerous privateness, there could be a disconnect if the Kind 2 feels rejected and the Kind 5 feels overwhelmed by an excessive amount of consideration. By understanding their sorts, the Kind 2 can be taught to present the Kind 5 house with out feeling unappreciated, and the Kind 5 can acknowledge the Kind 2’s want for connection and supply reassurance in their very own means.

In the end, realizing your Enneagram sort provides you a roadmap for development. The way to navigate your strengths and challenges, and tips on how to meet others the place they’re, whether or not it’s collaborating on a mission at work or constructing deeper intimacy in your private life. When each events are self-aware, it opens up an area for extra trustworthy, compassionate, and efficient communication.

What are some sensible steps somebody can take after discovering their sort to start this journey of development?

Understanding your Enneagram sort goes past taking a check—it’s about deeply exploring who you might be and the way you’ve at all times operated. Listed below are six steps I at all times recommend individuals take. By following these steps, you’ll uncover the patterns that form your habits and learn to use that consciousness to develop in each your private {and professional} life.

1. Study All 9 Varieties  

If you happen to took a web based check to find your Enneagram sort, that’s an amazing begin! However don’t cease there. Use it as an entry level. Learn up on all 9 sorts, particularly the highest three out of your check, and ask *why* you act the way in which you do.

Self-observation is essential.

2. You’re Solely One Kind  

You may really feel related to a number of sorts, however you’ve at all times had one dominant sort. To search out it, take into consideration who you’ve been since your late teenagers—particularly when drained or burdened. These computerized behaviors reveal your true sort, even in case you’ve realized to handle them over time.

3. Discover the 27 Subtypes  

Sure, there’s extra! Every sort has three subtypes (self-preservation, social, or one-on-one), and understanding yours is important. Subtypes assist make clear your dominant sort. Dig deeper—it’s price it. Check out my blog for more on this.

4. See Your Kind because the Masks You Put on

Your Enneagram sort is equal to your ego. It’s a masks you realized to put on to maintain you protected and cozy. For that reason, our Kind reveals to us who we’re not. Our work is to take off the masks so we are able to recuperate our complete, genuine self beneath.

5. Observe Self-Commentary  

The Enneagram invitations curiosity. Begin observing your habits. Once you convey consciousness to your unconscious patterns, you get up and cease sleepwalking by means of life. That is the place change begins.

6. Ask If Your Character Is Holding You Again  

When you begin observing, ask: Why did I develop this habits? How is it holding me again or hurting others? What might I achieve by letting it go? These questions allow you to transfer from consciousness to transformation.

For extra particulars on these steps, you possibly can obtain my free “I Know My Type, Now What?” guide.

What recommendation would you give to somebody who’s struggling to pinpoint their core sort? How ought to they strategy this uncertainty?

That is utterly to be anticipated as a result of the entire map—all 9 factors—represents who we’re in our wholeness. Once we had been younger, we had free-flowing entry to all 9 factors. Over time, in early childhood, as we developed our ego, we misplaced contact with the entire different eight factors. Nonetheless, you might relate to tendencies of a number of sorts. It’s vital to know that’s to be anticipated.

Many varieties look the identical on the floor. For instance, some sorts are extra susceptible to people-pleasing whereas different sorts are truth-tellers, some are extra optimistic and others much less so. However every sort’s motivations for why they present up the way in which they do may be very totally different.

As I discussed above, to make use of the Enneagram framework for deep transformation, it is very important decide your one dominant sort. You possibly can take a look at my resources page that will help you decide your core sort or schedule an expert typing interview with me to find your sort.

The Enneagram is typically criticized for being overly advanced. What would you say to somebody hesitant to discover the Enneagram for these causes?

That’s what makes it so stunning. It’s not a celebration trick or a fast repair to your issues. The Enneagram is a sacred framework which you can research for the remainder of your life.

In Western tradition, our consideration spans have practically disappeared—stopping us from with the ability to pause and replicate. This can be a results of our habit to fixed stimulation. The Enneagram is a instrument that will help you decelerate, make house for reflection, and get clear on who you might be so you possibly can reside a deeply related and significant life.

It does have many layers and realizing tips on how to strategy the Enneagram could be a bit overwhelming. That’s why I developed my 9-Week From Ego to Essence Coaching Program to information you thru the foundational ideas of the Enneagram.