The Enneagram is a powerful tool that can be used to further
self-knowledge, as well as your understanding and compassion of others. This
system can be applied for analyzing and anticipating the motivations and
behaviour of people, organizations and cultures. It consists of a framework that categorises people into nine basic
personalities, each represented by a number.
The structure of the Enneagram is represented as a “enneagon”, a circle
enclosing a triangle and a star, creating a nine-pointed figure. The triangle
represents the Trinity, the creative, preserving and destructive forces
necessary for creation. The inner figure of the Enneagram contacts the circle
at nine equidistant points, each of which represents the nine basic personality
types. Although it is common to find a little
of yourself in all nine of the types, one of them – your basic personality type
- will stand out as being the dominant one.
In the Enneagram system, each personality type has three sub-types
indicating three primary areas of relationship, one of which is our weak point.
These areas are sexual, social and self-preservation. Each number is influenced
by the number on either side of it, referred to as “wings”. For example, although a type 5 may be influenced by a type
4, while retaining the core traits of a type 5.
Each person can only have one place/number on
the Enneagram, which will not change with time. What will happen as a person
ages is their characteristics may soften or become more pronounced as they grow
and develop. No one personality type is better or worse than the other. Each
has their own assets and liabilities, as well as their limitations. The ideal
aim is a best self, rather than trying to imitate the assets of another type.
