THE ENNEAGRAM
The Enneagram is about underlying motivations. It is a tool for self-knowledge.
The 9 Enneagram personality types are 9 compulsive defense mechanisms. The problem is that most of us rely on one or two major strategies, while neglecting the rest. Your Enneagram type is both a strength, because they become "experts" in the strategy of that type, and a weakness,
because they become trapped by it.
Understanding your
enneagram personality
type can literally change
your life-not only in your
relationships with yourself
and others, but in the way
you cope with all issues
and situations.
The 9 types are:
No. 1. The Perfectionist. Motivated by the need to live life the right way, improve yourself and others, and avoid anger.
No. 2. The Helper. Motivated by the need to be loved and appreciated, to express your positive feelings toward others, and to avoid being seen as needy.
No. 3. The Achiever. Motivated by the need to be productive, to
achieve success, and to avoid failure.
No. 4. The Romantic. Motivated by the need to understand your
feelings and to be understood, to search for the meaning of life,
and to avoid being ordinary.
No. 5. The Observer. Motivated by the need to know everything and understand the universe, to be self-suff~cient and left alone, and to avoid not having the answer or looking foolish.
No. 6. The Questioner. Motivated by the need to receive
approval, to feel taken care of, and to avoid being seen as
rebellious (or the counter-phobic 6 motivated by the need to rebel against all of the former).
No. 7. The Adventurer. Motivated by the need to be happy and plan fun things, to contribute to the world, and to avoid suffering and pain.
No. 8. The Asserter. Motivated by the need to be self-reliant and
strong, to make an impact on the world, and to avoid being weak.
No. 9. The Peacemaker. Motivated by the need to keep the
peace, merge with others, and to avoid conflict.
