Find Your “Flavor”: The Enneagram Guide to Self-Discovery

Have you ever wondered why you act the way you do? Why you react to situations in a certain way, or what motivates you deep down?

It’s fascinating how people react differently, even identical twins can be different, even though they look alike! What makes you, YOU? The Enneagram might be the key to unlocking these self-discovery secrets!

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding personality types, individual differences and human behavior.

Whether you’re new to the concept or looking to deepen your understanding, this guide will break down the basics of the Enneagram in a way you will understand better.

What is the Enneagram?

At its core, the Enneagram is a personality type system that identifies nine basic personality types, each with its own motivations, fears, and desires.

These nine types are interconnected and dynamic, representing different facets of the human experience.

Why Should You Care About Your Enneagram Type?

Understanding your Enneagram type isn’t about putting yourself in a box. It’s a tool for self-awareness.

By recognizing your core motivations and potential blind spots, you can:

• Boost Your Relationships: Knowing your communication style and triggers can help you build stronger connections with others.
• Navigate Challenges: Understanding your fears can help you face them head-on and overcome obstacles.
• Exploring Growth and Integration: The Enneagram isn’t just about personality types, it’s about becoming the best you can be! Each type has its own unique path to growth, helping you overcome challenges and unlock your full potential.

Applying the Enneagram in Daily Life:

Knowing your Enneagram type is like having a personal superpower! It can help you improve your relationships, communication skills, and overall self-awareness.

By understanding how you and others naturally behave, you can navigate life with more empathy and understanding.

The 9 Personality Types:

Here’s a brief overview of the nine Enneagram types:

1. The Perfectionist: Aims for a perfect world, can be hard on themselves and others.
2. The Helper: Puts others first, might have trouble saying no because they want to be loved and appreciated.
3. The Achiever: All about achieving goals and getting ahead, might work too much.
4. The Individualist: Creative and independent, marches to their own beat.
5. The Investigator: Asks lots of questions and loves to learn new things, might overthink situations.
6. The Loyalist: Reliable and responsible, can be suspicious of new things.
7. The Enthusiast: Optimistic and loves adventure, might have trouble settling down.
8. The Challenger: Takes charge and knows what they want, might come across as bossy.
9. The Peacemaker: Easygoing and avoids fights, might struggle to deal with conflict.

3 Sides to Your Story: Understanding Yourself with The Enneagram

Imagine yourself with three inner voices. One is all about thinking things through (Head), another craves connection and emotions (Heart), and the last one is driven by gut instinct and action (Body).

The Enneagram says we all have these three centers, but one tends to be stronger, shaping our personality, that is, who are are.

1. The Thinking Center (Head): These folks are all about logic, figuring things out, and making sense of the world. They might analyze situations before taking action. (Think types 5, 6, and 7)
2. The Feeling Center (Heart): This center revolves around emotions and relationships. People strong here value empathy, connection, and navigating social situations. (Think types 2, 3, and 4)
3. The Action Center (Body): Intuition and taking charge are key here! These folks trust their gut feelings, prioritize being present, and aren’t afraid to act. (Think types 8, 9, and 1)

How to Find Your Enneagram Type:

1. Take an Enneagram Test: There are many free Enneagram tests available online. While not definitive, they offer a good starting point.
2. Explore the Enneagram Types: Each Enneagram type has a unique set of core motivations, fears, strengths, and weaknesses. Read descriptions of all nine types to see which one resonates most with you.
3. Consider Your Stress and Growth Points: The Enneagram describes how each type reacts under stress (moving to a different type) and how they can achieve growth (moving to a healthier version of themselves).
4. Reflect on Your Wings: Each type has two “wing” types they connect to on the Enneagram diagram.These can influence your personality and how you express your core type. Learning about wings can add another layer of understanding.
5. Get Outside Opinions: Ask trusted friends or family members which Enneagram type they see in you. Their insights can be valuable.

There’s no single “right” answer. The Enneagram is a tool for self-discovery, so take your time and explore the types that resonate with you.

The Enneagram: Your Secret Weapon for Work Success

Here’s how the Enneagram can help boost your productivity at work

1. Understanding Your Work Style: The Enneagram helps you identify your natural work style. Do you thrive on deadlines (The Achiever) or prefer a collaborative approach (The Helper)? Recognizing your strengths helps you find tasks you excel at and enjoy.
2. Improved Communication: The Enneagram sheds light on different communication styles. Once you understand how colleagues like to receive information (The Investigator) or express themselves (The Enthusiast), you can communicate more effectively, leading to smoother teamwork and fewer misunderstandings.
3. Motivation Matters: The Enneagram reveals your core motivations. Are you driven by a desire for recognition (The Achiever) or a need for harmony (The Peacemaker)? Understanding what truly motivates you helps you find work that feels meaningful and keeps you engaged.
4. Building Stronger Relationships: The Enneagram can help you appreciate the unique strengths and perspectives of your colleagues (The Individualist, The Loyalist). This fosters empathy and strengthens relationships, leading to a more positive and supportive work environment.
5. Managing Stress: The Enneagram can help you identify your stress triggers (The Perfectionist) and develop healthy coping mechanisms. This can lead to better emotional management and increased productivity.

Finding Your Flow:

By understanding your natural work style and motivations, you can create a work environment that feels comfortable and productive. This “flow state” allows you to focus better, complete tasks efficiently, and achieve your goals.

Conclusion

The Enneagram is a valuable tool for gaining insight into yourself and others, fostering personal growth, and deepening your understanding of human behavior. It empowers you to work on your weaknesses, embrace your strengths, and navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and purpose.

But the Enneagram isn’t just about you! It can also be a powerful tool for understanding the people in your life. Once you grasp the motivations and needs of different types, you can develop stronger, more empathetic relationships with friends, family, and colleagues.

The Enneagram offers a unique lens through which to view human behavior. By understanding the nine core types, you can appreciate the diversity of human experience and approach interactions with greater compassion and understanding.