INTRODUCTION TO THE ENNEAGRAM

The Enneagram is a system of personality development with ancient roots, based on what we can observe about how people think, feel, and behave. The word Enneagram comes from the Greek. 'Ennea' means nine and 'gram' means something written or drawn. The Enneagram is a nine-pointed figure drawn to represent the nine types of people and their relationship to one another.

As a result of our inherited nature and our childhood experiences, each of us develops a limited view of the world to help us survive and cope. This worldview becomes our personality type. As a consequence, each Enneagram type sees the world through a very different filter. While studying the Enneagram will assist people in recognizing their own and others' points of view, ultimately we must all determine our own type based on our individual process of self-observation and self-discovery.

BASICS

The Enneagram recognizes three different and equally important kinds of intelligence -- an intelligence of the heart or emotions (types 2, 3, 4), of the head or thinking (types 5, 6, 7), and of the body or kinesthetics, sensations, and vital instincts (types 8, 9, 1). The inner triangle of types Three, Six, and Nine are the core types of these three centers of intelligence. Each core type has two adjacent wing types, making a triad, which represents variations on the theme of the respective core types. While all types use all three centers of intelligence, each of the triads relies especially on one over the others -- either the heart, head, or body center.

• The Heart triad types of Two, Three and Four perceive the world through a filter of emotional intelligence, attuned to feelings, mood, and image in order to assure connection to others, gain approval and acceptance, or feel special. Emotional intelligence also assists in developing empathy, compassion, and kindness.
• The Head triad types of Five, Six and Seven filter the world through mental faculties of analysis, imagination, and planning in order to manage painful situations, minimize anxiety, or gain the security of certainty. Mental intelligence also assists in developing thoughtfulness, insight, wisdom, and inner vision.
• The Body triad types of Eight, Nine, and One perceive or filter the world through an intelligence of kinesthetics, sensations and vital instincts in order to assure personal position or place in the world, gain comfort, or know that life is the way it "should be." Body intelligence also assists in developing an awareness of how much force or power to use, the will to take effective action, and a sense of grounded stability.

VALUE OF THE ENNEAGRAM

The Enneagram provides a sense of who you are, how you fit into the scheme of things, and how you interact with other people. It helps you understand other people, their points of view, and their motivations.

The Enneagram helps you understand how you are boxed in by your habit of mind so that you have a chance to get out of your particular box.

It promotes effective relationships, successful adaptation to change, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of yourself and others, and appreciation of differences among us. It helps you to take things less personally and avoid blame when you are under stress.

VALUE OF THE ENNEAGRAM IN THE WORKPLACE

All the general values of the Enneagram apply equally to the workplace. Furthermore, there are specific benefits through all levels of a work environment: Individually to leadership skills, coaching, and self-management; Interpersonally to communications, supervision, teaching/learning styles, and reduced reactivity; Collectively to team building, risk management, and conflict resolution; and Organizationally to corporate culture, purpose and vision.

There is virtually no limit to the applications of Enneagram in the workplace environment, for modern management and the Enneagram share the same fundamental principles. Their ultimate purpose is to create the best possible system/person; to cultivate joy in work; and to become a whole and healthy organization/human being. Moreover, both support and foster continual improvement, self-responsibility, conscious conduct, eliminating barriers to change, and the understanding that both work and life take place in a dynamic system of interrelationships.

What type are you?

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