The enneagram, nine personality types, who do you think you are?

The enneagram, nine personality types, who do you think you are?

An enneagram is a tool in the field of personal growth that helps us to know our personality, values ​​, and potential.

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There is a tool as exceptional as it is interesting to self-evaluate, discover our personality, surpass or detach ourselves from a label imposed from birth. We talk about the technique of the enneagram. It should be noted, however, that the origins of this resource are still an enigma.

Wiltse and Palmer (2011), for example, point out that it could have already appeared in times as remote as in the fourth century in Alexandria. Now, as we know in the enneagram today, with its nine personality types, it would have as original source the work done by Oscar Ichazo, in Bolivia, an expert in the field of personal growth in the 50s.

The enneagram explains nine ways of thinking, feeling and acting, intimately linked with nine styles of personal development. It is essentially a resource widely used in various contexts such as business management, or in the field of spirituality, self-awareness, self-understanding, and self-development.

"The personality of man determines in advance the measure of his possible fortune."

-Arthur Schopenhauer-

Personality types according to the enneagram

Claudio Naranjo is a psychiatrist born in Chile who has studied in depth the technique of the Enneagram. Thus, in books like Character and Neurosis, it invites us to deepen in a detailed, scientific and exhaustive way of this tool. After taking a course with Oscar Achica, he began to develop and teach his own approach to the enneagram.

It was from the 80s and 90s when the use of this technique was extended by many other referents such as Helen Palmer, Don Richard Riso, Richard Rohr and Elizabeth Wagele. The goal of all these figures in the field of psychology, psychiatry and personal growth was simple as well as very high: to offer a self-knowledge tool to work on weaknesses and limitations and thus reach our maximum potential.

Let's see below the 9 typologies that make up the enneagram.

1. Perfectionist

The perfectionist builds his life and earns the affection of his surroundings by being perfect, dazzling through his almost ideal knowledge and dispositions. It is considered superior and pigeonholes to others for mistakes made. He is worried about making mistakes. He is meticulous and extremely critical of himself.

It is compulsive and methodical. Irascible, with a predisposition to resentment. The tendency to extremist thoughts: white or black/good or bad.

2. Altruistic

The altruist gets the affection of his environment by offering help. Manipulate the lives of others. It offers personal delivery in an altruistic and generous way. Avoid your own needs, sometimes confusing them with others.

You get satisfaction feeling indispensable.

It needs freedom.

Modify your personality to meet the needs of others.

It generates empathy as a strategy to win or curb the affection of others.

3. Executor

The executor gets affection, through success and its image that is essential.

Work is your main interest.

It is competitive, effective and fears failure.

His heart and feelings are protected by executing his work, (I am what I do). Assume as real the fictional image you want to give.

4. Romantic

You want the unattainable, the hard to get. Avoid the ordinary.

Your self-esteem is low.

Live life as a theatrical performance (comedy, drama).

Face life with little courage, feel an affinity with the dramatic arts and art.

They are melancholic, sensitive and emotionally deep people.

5. Observer

The observer needs privacy and does not get involved. It moves away from affection and emotions.

They need environments were to protect themselves and limit contact.

To survive, he is satisfied with having time, his space of intimacy.

Create compartments were to divide plots of life.

One of their needs is knowledge, knowing how the world works.

6. Soldier

The soldier is anxious, loyal as well as reserved.

They are skeptical and often fear being betrayed.

Its motto is: think instead of doing. Either they submit, or they rebel against authority.

They identify with the causes of the least favored. They lead the opposition. Fear of recognizing one's own anger, and fear of others' anger.

7. Epicurean

The epicurean wants to lead a wonderful life. He is dreamer, delicate, sensitive ...

Look for pleasant jobs.

They spread enthusiasm.

They avoid suffering and conflict. His defense is to attack with charm and optimism.

8. Boss

Bosses are impulsive controllers. It is one of the most striking enneagram profiles.

They protect themselves with protection and power.

They demand contact and defense of their own.

They establish rules in their work and personal life.

He is disturbed by justice and avoid weakness.

They need to set limits.

In their actions, there is no middle ground.

9. Mediator

The mediator has the exquisite ability to interact with everyone.

They seek neutrality and avoid conflicts. They act by routine.

They feel uncomfortable with the changes and are reluctant to »say no».

They are patient, stubborn profiles, do not like discrepancies and hence, often choose to avoid problems or even give the reason for things not to get complicated.

To conclude, as we see the enneagram stands as a very interesting tool. Although it has no solid scientific evidence, it is a widely used resource in the field of personal growth. It helps us to get to know each other and become aware of aspects and nuances that perhaps we should improve.