The Enneagram of Personality (simply the Enneagram) is a typology of human personality developed by Oscar Ichazo and Claudio Naranjo, it is also partly based on earlier teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff. The typology defines nine personality types (also called "enneatypes"), which are also indicated by the points of a geometric figure, which also indicate some of the connections between the types.
Type One
The One's attention goes to appreciating the excellence and elegance in anything such as a shape, musical score etc. ; to noticing and correcting errors; to identifying and adhering to standards of perfection in thought, feeling and behavior.Major traits include a strong internal critic, a tendency to criticize or judge others, a concern with ethics and correct behavior, and the adherence to rules and standards. Ones also tend to be perfectionists and idealists. In terms ofstrengths, Ones are typically reliable, analytical, and moral. They often demonstrate integrity and a desire to improve things for the good of all. Challenges for Ones include dealing with their own anger, managing their perfectionism, and being overly critical of self and others.
Type TwoAs a heart-based type, the Two's attention goes to interpersonal relationships and paying attention to important people, to giving to others, and to gaining approval. Major traits: Twos can be upbeat and cheerful, and they pride themselves on intuitively knowing what others need, often believing that they know what is best for others. However, this outward focus on others may mask a less confident inner self, Twos often have difficulty identifying their own needs or getting them met directly. Twos can be very empathic, friendly, and giving, and yet may become resentful if their generosity is not appreciated or reciprocated. Strengths: Twos often make friends easily, can be thoughtful, attentive and fun-loving, and they also tend to be competent and driven. Challenges: Twos often neglect their own needs, try to indirectly orchestrate the behavior of other people, and can be fearful of real intimacy with others.
Type Three The Three's attention goes to setting goals and hitting their targets, to success and creating the "right" image in the eyes of others, and to doing rather than being. Type Three is the prototype of being identified with a persona. Major traits include an excessive focus on work and tasks, concern with image and the approval of others, and a competitive striving for status and recog-nition. Strengths: Threes can be industrious, energetic, and attractive. Challenges: They can be workaholics, unaware of their real feelings, and unable to slow down and simply be.
Type Four The attention of Fours goes to what is missing and desired, to loss, to emotions, to drama, and to longing for the ideal and distant, thus, the sense that the heart is broken or damaged in some way. Major traits include a desire to feel special or unique, a concern with authenticity, a preoccupation with the search for the ideal forms of love or connection, and a wistful pleasure with melancholy. Unlike some other types, Fours tend to be comfortable with emotions and can be sensitive to the emotional tone of situations and relationships. Strengths: Fours can be emotionally strong, authentic, artistic, and sensitive. Challenges: Fours can be entitled, dramatic, dissatisfied in relationships, and depressed.
Type Five The Five's attention goes to gathering knowledge and wisdom (akin to the symbol of the owl), to thinking and observing, to protecting inner resources and to warding off intrusions from the outside.Major traits: Fives describe an inner experience of scarcity or lack, especially in terms of time and energy. They typically feel a strong need to hoard these resources and may become resentful when others threaten to impose on them, especially emotionally. Fives tend to be knowledgeable, emotionally detached, analytical, and objective observers. Strengths: Fives are often objective, calm in a crisis, knowledgeable, and analytical.Challenges: They may also be too emotionally detached, and their sense of inner lack often leads to withdrawing from others, creating excessive boundaries, and to the illusion that energy is limited and must be (over)protected.
Type Six The attention of Sixes goes to questioning and doubting, to scanning their environment for signs of threat and danger, to searching for proof to confirm an inner sense of threat, and to creating worst-case scenarios. Major traits: Most Sixes have a complex relationship to authority. They want authority figures to protect them, while simultaneously doubting the authority figure's willingness or ability to do so. They may also be fearful and anxious (phobic), or challenging and rebellious (counter-phobic). Sixes tend to suspect people's motives, and their concern with what can go wrong in situations can lead to procrastination. They can also be good troubleshooters and loyal supporters.Strengths: Sixes are often intuitive, loyal, analytical, and have the ability to challenge authority (counter-phobic) or see through false pretenses. Challenges: They may be overly suspicious or paranoid may project their own thoughts feelings and motives onto others, often have issues with trust, and may get stuck in self-doubt or excessive questioning.
Type Seven The Seven's attention goes to options and possibilities, to seeking pleasure, to avoiding pain and discomfort, and their minds typically shift quickly from idea to idea, akin to a monkey's arms moving from one tree branch to another in rapid succession. Sevens like to keep the mood upbeat, and so engage in elaborate future planning, playful interactions, and enjoyable activities. They typically have many interests and active imaginations. Major traits: Sevens can be fast-paced, fun loving, imaginative, and afraid of commitment. They often become enamored with their own associational thinking style, enjoy adventure and stimulation, and believe in keeping the mood positive and forward moving.Strengths: Sevens are usually adventurous, fun, positive, upbeat, and optimistic.Challenges: It can be difficult for many Sevens to make and keep commitments or deal with pain: They often believe the following: Why feel bad or suffer when there is the choice to be happy? Sevens also have difficulty staying focused or dealing with emotionally charged interactions.
Type Eight The Eight's attention goes to issues of power and control, to making things happen, to protecting the weak, and to fighting injustice. With an intense, authoritative, and sometimes explosive energy, they are usually ready to face any challenge. Major traits: Eights can be impulsive, excessive, dominant, and protective of others. They often move into action before thinking things through, express their anger more easily than the other types, and confront situations more readily than others. They seek the truth, but may confuse objective reality or truth with their own personal reality or beliefs. Strengths: Eights tend to be strong, powerful, commanding, energetic, and intense.Challenges: They can also have difficulty containing their own energy and anger, be controlling, and be unaware of their own vulnerabilities.
Type Nine
The Nine's attention goes to connecting with others, maintaining harmony, peace, and comfort, and avoiding conflict. They typically enjoy the feeling of ease, harmony, and peace that they experience in nature. Major traits: Nines merge with others energetically, taking on the feel and positions of others, thus losing touch with their own internal experience and priorities. As one of the three anger types, Nines can be very out of contact with their own anger, which can leak out in the form of passive-aggression, stubbornness, and passive resistance. Typically they are more focused on others than on themselves.Strengths: Nines can be skilled mediators and loyal, steadfast partners and friends. They can also be warm, understanding and caring. Challenges: They can also have difficulty feeling and expressing anger, dealing with conflict, knowing what they want, and differentiating their expe-rience from others in their lives.
