The Enneagram is a model of nine distinct personality types. This may sound like something that could offer an simpler model than the MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator). Nine types compared to sixteen of the MBTI – right?
My experience is that the Enneagram provides richness and depth and that, in fact, it demands a deeper commitment than the MBTI. So why bother?
Somewhere along the career path some folks run into territory where a mechanistic or tactical approach simply won’t provide any answers. What to do next becomes a spiritual journey. When that happens the Enneagram offers a window to an uncannily accurate look at who you are and how your worldview shapes your reality.
It requires some work to have this kind of conversation – even if it’s with yourself.
In case I have scared you off completely, the Enneagram can also be viewed on a simple practical level and can work well in conjunction with the MBTI. For example, my Enneagram type six is sometimes referred to as the Loyal Skeptic. My worldview is that the world isn’t always what it seems on the surface. The quest of the six is searching for certainty. The point of growth is in recognizing that certainty doesn’t exist. The other part of the path of growth for the six is to learn to trust that no matter what the circumstances they will be able to handle what comes their way.
In a real work situation my style is to “be prepared” beyond what might be required so that I can have the flexibility in the moment to throw it all away and respond to the needs of the people in the room.
I also have a strong influence from the Enneagram type seven that is aligned with the optimistic, cheerleader aspects of my MBTI ENFP preferences. The Enneagram helped me to understand the fear and doubt that often runs silently below the surface of my enthusiasm.
Curious about yourself? Want to see more of the model?
Here is a mini- quiz that has 38 0f the 144 questions on the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI). As with any quiz it is also important to confirm your type in addition to the results of the assessment tool.
I can help you to clarify your results and to apply what you understand about your type to your work/life situation. Send me a message.