The Enneagram is a powerful personality typing system that categorizes individuals into nine distinct personality types. Each type represents a core fear, desire, and worldview. By understanding the Enneagram, you can gain valuable insights into your own motivations and behaviors, as well as discover those of your colleagues to improve work culture.
The word "Enneagram" is a Greek word: 'ennea' meaning nine, and 'gram' meaning ‘drawing' or ‘figure’, referring to the nine-pointed diagram that symbolizes the system.
What do the lines mean?
The interconnected lines represent the relationships and dynamics between the types. These lines signify potential growth paths and stress responses for each type, offering further insights into personality development.
The path of integration, also known as the “growth path,” represents growth and development. When individuals move towards integration, they bring healthier aspects of another type into their personality.
The path of disintegration, also known as the “stress path” indicates a decline in mental health, emotional intelligence, and a movement towards less healthy behaviors. Under extreme stress, individuals may exhibit characteristics of their disintegration type.
Wings
The two personality types adjacent to your core type on the Enneagram diagram are referred to as your wings. These neighboring types influence your core type, adding specific traits, tendencies, and nuances to your overall personality.
Centers of Intelligence.
The Centers of Intelligence refer to the primary way a person process information and make decisions.
Each Enneagram type is predominantly associated with one of these centers, although everyone uses all three to some extent. Understanding your center of intelligence can provide valuable insights into your strengths, weaknesses, and communication style and guide you in your practice to strive for internal growth. This understanding helps you manage your time more effectively and enhances your ability to navigate personal and professional relationships.
Benefits of the Enneagram in the Workplace
Take our accurate Enneagram test to find out your core type.
Perfectionists are motivated by a need to be right and good, often striving for perfection.
Strengths: Strong sense of integrity, highly organized, and dedicated to improvement.
Weaknesses: Overly critical, inflexible.
Communication Style: Direct and clear - Values precision and accuracy in language.
Approach to Conflict: Problem-solving - Focuses on finding solutions and improving the situation.
Stress: Becomes overly critical, rigid, and controlling. The tendency to focus on perfectionism intensifies, leading to increased frustration and potential burnout.
Leadership Belief: “Lead by example through integrity and excellence.”
Common Career Paths: Lawyer, Accountant, Engineer, Teacher, Quality Control, Inspector, Policy Analyst, Social Worker, IT Auditor, Editor.
Helpers find purpose in serving others, driven by a desire to be loved and needed.
Strengths: Strong interpersonal skills, dedicated to assisting others, excellent communicator.
Weaknesses: Overly involved in others’ problems, prone to burnout due to overcommitment, struggles to set boundaries.
Communication Style: Empathetic and supportive - Focuses on understanding and meeting the needs of others.
Approach to Conflict: People-pleasing - Avoids conflict, seeks to please everyone, and often takes on too much responsibility.
Stress: Becomes overly self-sacrificing and neglects their own needs. Tendency to exhibit passive-aggressive behavior.
Leadership Belief: Serve others wholeheartedly, inspiring them to reach their full potential.
Common Career Paths: Social Worker, Counselor, Nurse, Teacher, Human Resources, Childcare Provider, Therapist, Nonprofit Manager, Customer Support.
Achievers are focused on success and recognition, fueled by a fear of failure.
Strengths: Strong leadership skills, highly adaptable, dedicated to delivering results.
Weaknesses: Overly competitive, prone to workaholism, unaware of the needs of others.
Communication Style: Goal-oriented - Focuses on results and outcomes, highly productive.
Approach to Conflict: Assertive - Focused on maintaining a positive reputation and achieving the end goal.
Stress: Becomes overly competitive, driven, and image-conscious. Tendency to neglect their health and relationships in pursuit of success.
Leadership Belief: "Success is achieved through vision, determination, and a focus on results."
Common Career Paths: Sales, Marketing, Public Relations, Management, Entrepreneurship, Consulting, Real Estate, Personal Trainer, Politics.
Individualists seek uniqueness and meaning, avoiding feelings of insignificance.
Strengths: Type Fours are creative, self-reliant, and dedicated to originality.
Weaknesses: Emotionally unpredictable, prone to self-isolation, struggles with insecurity, and feeling misunderstood.
Communication Style: Expressive and creative - Uses vivid language and metaphors.
Approach to Conflict: Emotion-Driven - Sensitive and emotionally expressive, may withdraw or become defensive.
Stress: Withdraws, becomes moody, or exhibits self-destructive behaviors. Their sense of singularity can intensify, leading to feelings of isolation.
Leadership Belief: "Inspire innovation through authenticity and a passion for creativity."
Common Career Paths: Artist, Writer, Designer, Musician, Therapist, Counselor, Social Worker, Fashion Designer, Non-Profit Director.
Investigators are driven by a thirst for knowledge, fearing incompetence.
Strengths: Highly intelligent, with strong observation skills, dedicated to problem-solving.
Weaknesses: Overly analytical, prone to hoarding resources, struggles with social interaction.
Communication Style: Analytical and objective - Uses facts and data to support points.
Approach to Conflict: Patient - seeks data and analysis.
Stress: Becomes increasingly detached, isolated, and preoccupied with their thoughts. They might neglect their responsibilities and become overly critical.
Leadership Belief: "Lead through knowledge, analysis, and strategic thinking."
Common Career Paths: Scientist, Engineer, Programmer, Writer, Researcher, Librarian, Analyst, Professor, Philosopher.
Loyalists find security in belonging, driven by a fear of being unsupported.
Strengths: Strong work ethic, excellent problem solver, dedicated to the team.
Weaknesses: Overly cautious, prone to worry, struggles with trusting others.
Communication Style: Cautious and questioning - Seeks reassurance and clarification.
Approach to Conflict: Emotion-Driven - anxious or suspicious, leading to defensiveness, but can be assertive when necessary.
Stress: Becomes anxious, fearful, and suspicious. They might exhibit counterdependent or dependent behaviors.
Leadership Belief: "Build trust and security to foster a committed and dedicated team."
Common Career Paths: Law Enforcement, Military, Security, Accountant, Engineer, Nurse, Teacher, Social Worker, Financial Analyst, Project Manager
Enthusiasts pursue happiness and fulfillment, avoiding pain and uncomfortable emotions.
Strengths: Highly creative, strong interpersonal skills, maintains a positive outlook.
Weaknesses: Easily distracted, prone to impulsiveness, struggles with follow-through.
Communication Style: Optimistic and enthusiastic - Communicates with energy and excitement.
Approach to Conflict: People-Pleasing - reframes conflict and seeks to maintain a positive atmosphere.
Stress: Becomes scattered, impulsive, and overly optimistic. They might avoid facing challenges and engage in addictive behaviors.
Leadership Belief: "Ignite passion and optimism to create a dynamic and inspiring environment."
Common Career Paths: Sales, Marketing, Public Relations, Event Planner, Actor, Writer, Entrepreneur, Travel Agent, Consultant, Chef.
Challengers are motivated by a need for control and strength, fearing harm or being controlled by others.
Strengths: Strong leadership skills, highly resilient, and dedicated to overcoming obstacles.
Weaknesses: Domineering, prone to push self and others too hard, struggles with admitting mistakes.
Communication Style: Direct - Communicates with confidence and authority.
Approach to Conflict: Emotion-Driven - Openly expresses their anger, confrontational and assertive, directly addresses the issue.
Stress: Becomes aggressive, domineering, and controlling. They might isolate themselves or become overly confrontational.
Leadership Belief: "Lead with strength, conviction, and a commitment to justice."
Common Career Paths: Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Lawyer, Military, Politician, Manager, Negotiator, Sales.
Peacemakers seek harmony and avoid conflict, driven by a fear of loss and separation.
Strengths: Excellent mediation skills, highly accommodating, dedicated to a harmonious work environment.
Weaknesses: Conflict-avoidant, prone to procrastination, struggles to prioritize.
Communication Style: Calm and supportive - Creates a harmonious atmosphere.
Approach to Conflict: People-pleasing - seeks to ensure everyone is heard and pursues harmony and compromise.
Stress: Becomes passive-aggressive, resentful, or withdrawn. They might avoid conflict at all costs, even to their detriment.
Leadership Belief: "Foster harmony and collaboration through empathy and understanding."
Common Career Paths: Mediator, Counselor, Social Worker, Teacher, Nurse, Human Resources, Therapist, Mediator.
