What Is Enneagram—an Knowledgeable Shares Every little thing to Know

In latest months, I’ve discovered myself craving one thing deeper—a way of interior peace that feels regular, like a quiet confidence in who I’m and the way I transfer via the world. I needed to belief that how I present up is sufficient, not only for others, however for myself. It was throughout this private reckoning that I met Elle Pugh, a Licensed Enneagram Facilitator and Coach, at our annual Camille Types editors’ summit. Working along with her introduced a stunning readability, connecting me to a path of progress I hadn’t anticipated. Elle’s strategy to non-public improvement—rooted within the Enneagram—felt like an invite to unravel outdated patterns and uncover a extra expansive manner of being.

The expertise was transformative, illuminating locations in my life the place I used to be holding on too tightly and providing permission to launch what not served me. The Enneagram grew to become greater than a persona framework; it grew to become a mirror, reflecting each my strengths and blind spots. I knew I needed to go deeper—not just for myself however to share this knowledge with others. There’s a profound energy in understanding how we function at our core, and I noticed the potential for this software to encourage more healthy, extra significant relationships, each personally and professionally.

Featured picture from our interview with Riley Blanks Reid by Jenn Rose Smith.

What’s the Enneagram? An Knowledgeable Dives Deep

To discover the complete depth of the Enneagram’s potential, I sat down with Elle to uncover how this framework can assist individuals join extra authentically. We mentioned the methods our Enneagram sort—basically the construction of our ego—shapes how we view the world and work together with others. With Elle’s steering, we delved into how this consciousness can unlock a brand new stage of empathy, not solely serving to us nurture more healthy dynamics with the individuals round us but in addition providing a roadmap for private progress. I hope this dialog sparks the identical curiosity for you because it did for me.

Elle Pugh

Elle Pugh is a Licensed Enneagram Facilitator and Coach, Registered Nurse, and entrepreneur devoted to holistic wellness and private progress. Elle is dedicated to serving to people and organizations perceive themselves to allow them to discover therapeutic and renewed reference to each other.

How can understanding your Enneagram sort assist enhance relationships, each personally and professionally?

Your Enneagram sort is equal to your ego. All of us develop an ego in early childhood to assist us survive. The Enneagram describes 9 several types of ego we see in people. Every one is related to sure default beliefs about the way in which the world works and behaviors the sort of ego developed as a manner of making safety, gaining esteem and feeling in management. However with every ego, there are unconscious patterns that hold us from thriving known as blind spots.

Understanding your Enneagram sort is like holding a mirror as much as your self—you’re lastly capable of perceive why you do what you do, really feel what you’re feeling, and suppose what you suppose.

When you will have that stage of self-awareness, it’s simpler to grasp the way you present up in relationships, each personally and professionally. You possibly can determine patterns of communication and conduct that both strengthen or pressure your connections. It additionally helps you empathize with others by recognizing that they see the world via a special lens by studying concerning the different Enneagram sorts.

How do totally different Enneagram sorts work together?

Skilled relationships: An Enneagram Kind 1 values construction and excessive morality. In an expert setting, they may excel at creating order and making certain excessive requirements, however they will additionally come throughout as vital or overly perfectionistic. If an Enneagram Kind 1 is working with an Enneagram Kind 7, who loves spontaneity and selection, rigidity would possibly come up when the Kind 7 feels stifled by the Kind 1’s deal with guidelines and rigidity. But when each sorts perceive one another, the Kind 1 can respect the vitality and artistic concepts of the Kind 7, whereas the Kind 7 can see the worth within the Kind 1’s self-discipline and reliability. As an alternative of clashing, they will complement one another.

Private relationships: An Enneagram Kind 2 discovered they have to assist and nurture their family members to get their wants met, however oftentimes they do that to the purpose of neglecting their very own wants. In the event that they’re in a relationship with an Enneagram Kind 5, who values independence and wishes a number of privateness, there generally is a disconnect if the Kind 2 feels rejected and the Kind 5 feels overwhelmed by an excessive amount of consideration. By understanding their sorts, the Kind 2 can be taught to offer the Kind 5 area with out feeling unappreciated, and the Kind 5 can acknowledge the Kind 2’s want for connection and supply reassurance in their very own manner.

In the end, figuring out your Enneagram sort provides you a roadmap for progress. The way to navigate your strengths and challenges, and learn how to meet others the place they’re, whether or not it’s collaborating on a mission at work or constructing deeper intimacy in your private life. When each events are self-aware, it opens up an area for extra trustworthy, compassionate, and efficient communication.

What are some sensible steps somebody can take after discovering their sort to start this journey of progress?

Understanding your Enneagram sort goes past taking a check—it’s about deeply exploring who you’re and the way you’ve at all times operated. Listed here are six steps I at all times counsel individuals take. By following these steps, you’ll uncover the patterns that form your conduct and learn to use that consciousness to develop in each your private {and professional} life.

1. Study All 9 Varieties  

When you took a web-based check to find your Enneagram sort, that’s a terrific begin! However don’t cease there. Use it as an entry level. Learn up on all 9 sorts, particularly the highest three out of your check, and ask *why* you act the way in which you do.

Self-observation is vital.

2. You’re Solely One Kind  

You would possibly really feel related to a number of sorts, however you’ve at all times had one dominant sort. To search out it, take into consideration who you’ve been since your late teenagers—particularly when drained or burdened. These computerized behaviors reveal your true sort, even when you’ve discovered to handle them over time.

3. Discover the 27 Subtypes  

Sure, there’s extra! Every sort has three subtypes (self-preservation, social, or one-on-one), and understanding yours is vital. Subtypes assist make clear your dominant sort. Dig deeper—it’s price it. Take a look at my weblog for extra on this.

4. See Your Kind because the Masks You Put on

Your Enneagram sort is equal to your ego. It’s a masks you discovered to put on to maintain you secure and comfy. Because of this, our Kind reveals to us who we aren’t. Our work is to take off the masks so we are able to recuperate our complete, genuine self beneath.

5. Apply Self-Statement  

The Enneagram invitations curiosity. Begin observing your conduct. While you deliver consciousness to your unconscious patterns, you get up and cease sleepwalking via life. That is the place change begins.

6. Ask If Your Character Is Holding You Again  

When you begin observing, ask: Why did I develop this conduct? How is it holding me again or hurting others? What may I achieve by letting it go? These questions assist you to transfer from consciousness to transformation.

For extra particulars on these steps, you possibly can obtain my free “I Know My Kind, Now What?” information.

What recommendation would you give to somebody who’s struggling to pinpoint their core sort? How ought to they strategy this uncertainty?

That is utterly to be anticipated as a result of the entire map—all 9 factors—represents who we’re in our wholeness. Once we had been younger, we had free-flowing entry to all 9 factors. Over time, in early childhood, as we developed our ego, we misplaced contact with the entire different eight factors. Nonetheless, you might relate to tendencies of a number of sorts. It’s necessary to know that’s to be anticipated.

Many varieties look the identical on the floor. For instance, some sorts are extra vulnerable to people-pleasing whereas different sorts are truth-tellers, some are extra optimistic and others much less so. However every sort’s motivations for why they present up the way in which they do could be very totally different.

As I discussed above, to make use of the Enneagram framework for deep transformation, you will need to decide your one dominant sort. You possibly can try my sources web page that can assist you decide your core sort or schedule an professional typing interview with me to find your sort.

The Enneagram is typically criticized for being overly advanced. What would you say to somebody hesitant to discover the Enneagram for these causes?

That’s what makes it so lovely. It’s not a celebration trick or a fast repair to your issues. The Enneagram is a sacred framework which you could research for the remainder of your life.

In Western tradition, our consideration spans have practically disappeared—stopping us from with the ability to pause and replicate. This can be a results of our dependancy to fixed stimulation. The Enneagram is a software that can assist you decelerate, make area for reflection, and get clear on who you’re so you possibly can stay a deeply related and significant life.

It does have many layers and figuring out learn how to strategy the Enneagram generally is a bit overwhelming. That’s why I developed my 9-Week From Ego to Essence Teaching Program to information you thru the foundational rules of the Enneagram.