The Enneagram Made Easy

Discover the 9 Types of People

By Renee Baron & Elizabeth Wagele (1994)

What is the Enneagram?

“The Enneagram is a study of the 9 basic types of people.  It explains why we behave the way we do, and points to specific directions for individual growth.  It is an important tool for improving relationships with family, friends, and co-workers.

            The roots of the Enneagram go back many centuries.  Its exact origin is not known, but is believed to have been taught orally in secret Sufi Brotherhoods in the Middle East.  The Russian mystical teacher G. I. Gurdjieff introduced it to Europe in the 1920s, and it arrived in the United States in the 1960s (1).”

            “The Enneagram (pronounced ANY-a-gram) system is represented by a circle containing a 9-pointed starlike shape.  Ennea is Greek for the number nine, and gram means “a drawing.”

            The Enneagram teaches that early in life we learned to feel safe and to cope with our family situations and personal circumstances by developing a strategy based on our natural talents and abilities.

            By working with the Enneagram we develop a deeper understanding of others and learn alternatives to our own patterns of behavior.  We break free from worn-out coping strategies and begin to see life from a broader point of view (2).”

Moving Around the Enneagram

            The Enneagram is best explained with visual aids, thus I will make copies of the next section and put them in your mailboxes.  This section describes how to interpret the Enneagram drawing, how to read the arrows, and how to identify your “wings” (the personality types on either side of yours on the circle that may influence you).  See also Roberto’s information.

A Brief Description of the 9 Types

The descriptions and names of the 9 types vary slightly depending on the source.  Roberto’s information provides a more academic and thorough description, but I have provided brief descriptions from Baron & Wagele (5-6) for your reference here.

1. Perfectionists are realistic, conscientious, and principled.  They strive to live up to their high ideals.

2. Helpers are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people’s needs.

3. Achievers are energetic, optimistic, self-assured, and goal oriented.

4. Romantics have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.

5. Observers have a need for knowledge and are introverted, curious, analytical, and insightful.

6. Questioners are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes.  Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

7. Adventurers are energetic, lively, and optimistic.  They want to contribute to the world.

8. Asserters are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.

9. Peacemakers are receptive, good-natured, and supportive.  They seek union with others and the world around them.

Each chapter in the book covers a personality type and addresses how individual characteristics can affect our relationships, family, friends, leisure time, self-perceptions and careers.  While I believe all of this information is equally beneficial, I have included only those observations pertaining to career and thus our work as interpreters.

1. The Perfectionist

Careers: “Ones are efficient, organized, and always complete the task.  The more analytical and tough-minded Ones are found in management, science, and law enforcement.  The more people-oriented Ones are found in health care, education, and religious work.

            Since they do things in a professional, honest, and ethical manner, you would do well to have Ones as you car mechanic, surgeon, dentist, banker, and stockbroker (15).”

Suggestions at Work (20-21):

• Evaluate you job and make sure it is appropriate for you and fulfilling.
• Ask others to help so you don’t do more than your share.  If you are afraid they won’t do it as well as you, find another One to do the job!
• Allow yourself to do certain things quickly, although imperfectly, so you can get on to the next task or go home on time.
• Instead of mentally rehashing past mistakes, remember the accomplishments you are most proud of.
• Don’t let one flaw in your performance make you feel worthless.
• Be willing to drop down a few notches from being perfect.

2. The Helper

Career: “Twos usually prefer to work with people, often in the helping professions, as counselors, teachers, and health workers.  Extroverted Twos are sometimes found in the limelight as actors and motivational speakers.  Twos also work in sales and helping others as receptionists, secretaries, assistants, decorators, and clothing consultants (30).”

Suggestions for Work (35-36):

• Set limits so you don’t take on more than your fair share of work.
• Develop assertiveness and objectivity.
• Find work that is suited to your personality, your interests, and you training.

3. The Achiever

Career: “Threes are hardworking, goal oriented, organized, and decisive.  They are frequently in management or leadership positions in business, law, banking, the computer field, and politics.  Being in the public eye, such as broadcasters and performers, is also common.  The more helping-oriented Threes tend to go into teaching social services, or the health field.  They also become homemakers who put tremendous energy into their responsibilities (44).”

Suggestions for Work (48):

·      Realize others are probably not as efficient as you are.  Many people do not have your energy or ability to focus.

·      Beware of the negative impact that forging ahead on your own can have on others.  Have other work available to do while you wait.

·      Make a special effort to show appreciation and acknowledge others contributions.

·      Beware of being overly hasty in making decisions; take time to factor in all sides, including the human element.

·      Explore work that satisfies your inner self.  Threes sometimes choose careers that don’t nurture their deeper needs.

4. The Romantic

Career: “Fours can inspire, influence, and persuade through the arts (music, fine art, dancing) and the written or spoken word (poetry, novels, journalism, teaching).  Many like to help bring out the best in people as psychologists or counselors.  Some take pride in the small businesses they own.  Often Fours accept mundane jobs to support their creative pursuits (58).”

Suggestions for Work: The authors seem to skip suggestions for work and go straight to advice for avoiding depression!!

5. The Observer

Career: Fives are often in scientific, technical, or other intellectually demanding fields.  They have strong analytical skills and are good at problem solving.  Those with a well-developed Four wing are more likely to be counselors, musicians, artists, or writers.  Fives usually like to work alone and are independent thinkers (73-74).”

Suggestions for Work:  Again, none provided… but there is a long list of suggestions for improving relationships!

6. The Questioner

Career: “Though Sixes can be found in almost any career, they are often attracted to the justice system, the military, the corporate world, and academia.  Sixes often like being part of a team.  Many are in health care and education.  Counterphobic Sixes sometimes have jobs that involve risk.  Those who lean toward the antiauthoritarian side are usually happier when self-employed.  If Sixes are unhappy with their work situation, they are likely to become rebellious or secretive (86).”

Suggestions for Work (91): 

• Acknowledge yourself for being a hard worker.  Focus on your strengths.
• Break jobs into small parts and do them one at a time.
• If you feel overworked or overstressed because you have taken on too much work, delegate as much as you can to others.
• Be patient when other move at their own pace rather than at yours.

7. The Adventurer

Career: “Many Sevens have several careers at once or jobs where they ravel a lot (as pilots, flight attendants, or photographers, for example).  Some like using tools or machines or working outdoors.  Others prefer solving problems as entrepreneurs or troubleshooters.  Still others are in the helping professions as teachers, nurses, or counselors.  Sevens are not likely to be found in repetitive work (in assembly lines or accounting, for instance).  The like challenges and think quickly in emergencies (99).”

Suggestions for Work (105):

• Consider working for yourself.
• Don’t expect others to keep up with your fast pace.
• Concentrate on the work at hand instead of imagining other things you might be doing.
• Remember that hard work will pay off and result in satisfaction.  Sevens often feel that if it’s not pleasurable, it’s not worth doing.
• Find a career where you can put your ideals into action.

8. The Asserter

Career: “Eights are good at taking the initiative to move ahead.  They want to be in charge.  Since they want the freedom to make their own choices, they are often self-employed.  Eights have a strong need for financial security.  Many are entrepreneurs, business executive, lawyer, military and union leaders, and sports figures.  They are also in teaching and the helping and health professions.  Eights are attracted to careers in which they can demonstrate their willingness to accept responsibility and take on and resolve difficult problems (112).”

Suggestions for Work:  None…but Anger Management anyone?

9. The Peacemaker

Career: “Nines listen well, are objective, and make excellent mediators and diplomats.  They are frequently in the helping professions.  Some prefer structured situations such as the military, civil service, and other bureaucracies.  When Nines move toward points Three or Six, or their One or Eight wing is strong, they are more aggressive and competitive (124).”

Suggestions for Work (128-129):

• Since setting goals can become a procrastination in itself, make a short list each day of what you want to accomplish.  Stick to the first things first.
• Set goals with definite deadlines.  Set more after you have met the first.
• Take action now and deal with ambivalence and consequences latter on.
• Reward yourself when you complete a task.
• Learn time-management techniques to help stay focused and on track.
• Lure yourself to jobs around the house by planning time to listen to your favorite music while you work.

Quick Quiz: Based on this word document, what type of personality does Anna have??? *wink*

Roberto has provided a web link to an Enneagram diagnostic test.  I encourage you to find your type and learn more about how your coping skills and personality traits can influence your work as an interpreter