People are very complex because they are all individuals and have own personalities. We often wonder what makes a person tick, but how would we know what that is? The Enneagram of Personality attempts to categorize people through nine different personality types, which are represented by an enneagram figure. This geometric figure, surrounded by an outer circle, shows how the personality types are connected. Each enneagram type has a basic fear and a basic desire, and strengths and weaknesses, among other personality traits. They’re also connected by ‘wings’ and ‘lines’. These personality types can be understood by doing an enneagram assessment of an individual.
Wings and Lines
One way in which these personality types are connected is by the ‘wings’. These are the two personal types on either side of the outer circle. These personality types can influence a personality type.
Personality types can also be connected by ‘lines’. Like the ‘wings’, these lines connect an in individual personality type to two other enneagram personal types which can lead to ‘disintegration’ and ‘integration’.
Type 1: The Reformer
The first type is the Reformer. The basic fears of the Reformer are being immoral, corrupt, evil and imbalanced, and their basic desires are being good, balanced and having integrity. The Reformer’s wings are Type 9 and Type 2. Their Disintegration point is Type 4 and their Integration point is Type 7.
Type 2: The Helper
The second type is the Helper. The basic fears of the Helper are being unwanted and unloved, and their basic desire is to be loved. Their wings are Type 1 and Type 3. The Helper’s Disintegration point is Type 8 and their Integration point is Type 4.
Type 3: The Achiever
The third type is the Achiever. The basic fear of the Achiever is being worthless, and their basic desires are having worth and feeling valued. Their wings are Type 2 and Type 4. The Achiever’s Disintegration point is Type 9 and their Integration point is Type 6.
Type 4: The Individualist
The fourth type is the Individualist. The basic fear of the Individualist is being misunderstood and having a lack of identity, and their basic desires are to be unique, different and an individual. The Individualist’s wings are Type 3 and Type 5. Their Disintegration point is Type 2 and their Integration point is Type 1.
Type 5: The Investigator
The fifth type is the Investigator. The basic fears of the Investigator are feeling incompetent, useless and helpless, and their basic desire is having understanding and being useful and competent. The Investigator’s wings are Type 4 and Type 6. Their Disintegration point is Type 7 and their Integration point is Type 8.
Type 6: The Loyalist
The sixth type is the Individualist. The basic fears of the Loyalist are a lack of guidance and support, and their basic desires are to feel secure and be supported. Their wings are Type 5 and Type 7. The Loyalist’s Disintegration point is Type 7 and their Integration point is Type 8.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
The seventh type is the Enthusiast. The basic fears of the Enthusiast are deprivation and pain, and their basic desires are contentment and satisfaction. The Enthusiast’s wings are Type 6 and Type 8. Their Disintegration point is Type 1 and their Integration point is Type 5.
Type 8: The Challenger
The eighth type is the Challenger. The basic fears of the Challenger are being harmed and controlled, and their basic desire is to be in control and to be able to protect themselves. The Enthusiast’s wings are Type 7 and Type 9. Their Disintegration point is Type 5 and their Integration point is Type 2.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
The ninth type is the Peacemaker. The basic fears of the Peacemaker are separation and loss, and their basic desires are peace of mind and stability. The Peacemaker’s wings are Type 8 and Type 1. Their Disintegration point is Type 6 and their Integration point is Type 3.
While there are other personality assessments, Enneagram of Personality provides more specific categorization. The enneagram personality assessment is now being used by many businesses to better understand the strengths and weakness of their employees, to improve communication, and to help people work better together.
Image Credits: Jacek Dylag
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