Enneagram Overview

 The term "Enneagram" comes from the Greek words "ennéa" meaning "nine" and "gramma" meaning "figure".

The Enneagram system is a personality typology system that has gained popularity in recent years. Each person has a dominant type, which describes their basic desires, fears and motivations. Understanding your dominant type can help you gain insight into your strengths and limitations, and help you grow and develop as a person.

Brief Descriptions of the 9 Enneagram Types

1 - The Perfectionist:

 Type 1's are known for their strong work ethic, integrity, and commitment to their principles. They have a keen eye for detail and are often great problem solvers. On the other hand, they can become overly critical of themselves and others, resulting in an unyielding pursuit of perfection that might hinder personal growth and relationships.

Strengths:

• Possesses a strong sense of ethics
• Highly dedicated and reliable
• Strives to help both themselves and others to reach their full potential

Faults:

• Has a tendency to be highly critical, especially towards themselves
• May view things in a rigid, black-and-white manner

Basic Fear:

• Fear of being immoral or corrupt

Basic Desire:

• Desires to be good and maintain integrity

2 - The Helper:

 2's are empathetic, compassionate, and have a genuine desire to support others. They often make great friends and partners due to their nurturing nature. However, they might struggle with setting boundaries, and their desire to help can sometimes lead to codependency or overextending themselves.

Strengths:

• Highly empathetic and compassionate
• Skilled at providing support and assistance to others
• Talented at building deep and meaningful relationships

Faults:

• May struggle to set boundaries and prioritize their own needs
• May have a tendency to seek validation or approval from others

Basic Fear:

• Fear of being unloved or unwanted

Basic Desire:

• Desires to be loved and valued by others, and to feel a sense of connection with others

3 - The Achiever:

 3's are goal-oriented, resourceful, and adaptable, which often leads to success in various aspects of life. They are natural motivators and inspire others through their achievements. At the same time, their focus on success might cause them to prioritize external validation over personal fulfillment, potentially harming their relationships and well-being.

Strengths:

• Highly driven and ambitious
• Skilled at setting goals and achieving objectives
• Natural talent for leadership and influence

Faults:

• May struggle with feelings of emptiness or a lack of fulfillment
• May prioritize their image or reputation over their own authentic feelings and desires

Basic Fear:

• Fear of being worthless or failing

Basic Desire:

• Desires to feel valuable and successful, and to be admired and respected by others

4 - The Individualist:

 Type 4's are deeply introspective, intuitive, and imaginative. They often have a unique perspective and can contribute innovative ideas to various fields. However, they might become overly preoccupied with their emotions and identity, leading to moodiness and self-absorption.

Strengths:

• Highly creative and intuitive
• Values authenticity and emotional depth
• May have a unique perspective on the world

Faults:

• May struggle with feelings of isolation or despair
• May dwell on negative emotions or experiences

Basic Fear:

• Fear of being inadequate or flawed

Basic Desire:

• Desires to find meaning and purpose in their life, and to be understood and appreciated for their unique perspective

5 - The Investigator:

 Type 5's are intellectually curious, insightful, and independent thinkers. They are often experts in their chosen fields and can provide valuable knowledge and expertise. Despite these strengths, they might struggle with social engagement and emotional connection due to their reserved nature and preference for solitude.

Strengths:

• Highly analytical and curious
• Skilled at problem-solving and finding innovative solutions
• Natural talent for research and data analysis

Faults:

• May struggle with emotional expression or connecting with others
• May withdraw or disengage from situations that they find overwhelming

Basic Fear:

• Fear of being overwhelmed or incapable

Basic Desire:

• Desires to feel competent and capable, and to possess knowledge and expertise in their chosen field

6 - The Loyalist:

 6's are trustworthy, dedicated, and provide a strong sense of stability to their relationships and communities. They are excellent team players and often act as the glue that holds groups together. However, their loyalty and responsibility might be accompanied by anxiety and indecision, causing them to rely heavily on others for reassurance.

Strengths:

• Highly responsible and dependable
• Skilled at resolving conflicts and building consensus
• Committed to their community or cause

Faults:

• May struggle with a fear of the unknown or a sense of impending danger
• May rely too heavily on others for guidance or support

Basic Fear:

• Fear of being without support or guidance

Basic Desire:

• Desires to feel secure and supported, and to find a sense of belonging in their community or organization.

7 - The Enthusiast:

 Type 7's are energetic, spontaneous, and bring a contagious zest for life to their endeavors. They are skilled at finding joy and creative solutions in challenging situations. On the flip side, they might struggle with focus, impulsiveness, and an avoidance of pain or discomfort, which can prevent them from addressing deeper issues.

Strengths:

• Highly imaginative and optimistic
• Skilled at problem-solving and finding creative solutions
• Natural talent for adapting to fast-paced or unpredictable environments

Faults:

• May struggle with a lack of follow-through or difficulty with commitment
• May avoid difficult emotions or situations

Basic Fear:

• Fear of being trapped or limited

Basic Desire:

• Desires to feel free and fulfilled, and to experience as much joy and excitement as possible.

8 - The Challenger:

 8's are natural leaders who are skilled at making tough decisions and advocating for themselves and others. They possess a strong sense of justice and the ability to inspire change. However, their assertiveness and desire for control can sometimes come across as confrontational, domineering, or aggressive.

Strengths:

• Highly confident and assertive
• Skilled at taking charge of situations and achieving their objectives
• Highly protective of those they care about

Faults:

• May struggle with a lack of empathy or a tendency towards aggression
• May push themselves and others too hard

Basic Fear:

• Fear of being weak or vulnerable

Basic Desire:

• Desires to be strong and in control, and to be seen as competent and capable by others.

9 - The Peacemaker:

 Type 9's are gifted mediators, known for their ability to find common ground and promote harmony. They are patient, accepting, and often act as a calming presence in times of strife. Despite their diplomatic skills, they might have difficulty asserting their needs, leading to indecision and passive-aggressive behavior.

Strengths:

• Highly empathetic and diplomatic
• Skilled at building relationships and promoting cooperation
• May have a talent for conflict resolution

Faults:

• May struggle with a lack of assertiveness or difficulty with decision-making
• May put the needs of others before their own

Basic Fear:

• Fear of conflict or separation

Basic Desire:

• Desires to feel at peace and connected with others, and to avoid conflict or tension in their relationships.

Enneagram Wings

Enneagram wings refer to the two personality types that are adjacent to an individual's core Enneagram type on the Enneagram diagram. These adjacent types are called wings because they flank the central type, just like a bird's wings.

For example, if an individual's core Enneagram type is Type 3, their possible wings are Type 2 (3w2) and Type 4 (3w4). These two types influence the individual's core type, providing additional traits and characteristics that can modify or enhance their personality.

The influence of the wings types on an individual's personality can vary depending on the individual's level of self-awareness and their overall development. Some people may identify more strongly with one wing than the other, while others may draw equally from both.

Understanding one's Enneagram wings can be beneficial in personal growth and self-awareness, as it provides insight into the various facets of an individual's personality. It can also help individuals better understand and relate to others, as they can gain insight into the unique perspectives and traits of people with different wing types.

It is worth noting that the concept of wings is just one aspect of the complex and multifaceted Enneagram system, which also includes the core Enneagram types, levels of development, instincts, and more.