Each person is born with a unique personality. A great deal is
learned through circumstances and other people, but our specific preferences
are believed to be inherent in us by the time we are born. By categorising
people into personality types, we are able to predict learning styles,
motivations, behaviour and character traits – information which has enormous
implications in terms of marketing and other business practices.
The Enneagram is one
such means of categorising personality types. It is a framework that
categorises people into nine basic personality types, each represented by a
number. Its origins are unclear, although some say it has its roots in Sufi
Mysticism. Ennea means "nine" in Greek,
and gram refers to "model"
The numbers used to designate each personality type are
intended to provide an unbiased shorthand way of indicating a person’s traits
without being pejorative. The numerical ranking is of no significance. .No one
personality type is better or worst than the other, with each having its own
assets and limitations. However, interestingly, some types are often more
desirable than others in any given culture or group, not because of the
superior value of a particular type but rather because it has the qualities
which that particular society rewards.
It is widely believed that a 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. It is also believed that we are strongly
influenced by the numbers on either side of our core personality type. For
example, although my core traits are that of a type 5, I may be heavily
influenced by type 4.
Having first determined your weaknesses
and strengths to find out which personality type you are, you will need to look
into the descriptions of each personality type in detail to find out more about
your motivations and character.
