What’s your number? And no, we’re not talking about your phone number, but rather your Enneagram number. If you’re not familiar with the Enneagram, let us explain it to you!
The Enneagram is a model that identifies and explains the nine different personality types that exist on a circular diagram. It was created in 1915 by philosopher George Gurdjieff with the purpose of developing a deeper understanding of human psychology in modern society.
At the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) event, Allison Clark introduced to students the nine different Enneagram types and the unique personality traits and elements that each one possesses. After learning what their type was, students were divided into teams and challenged to an interactive game of
guessing different movie characters’
Enneagram types. This exciting workshop helped students gain a deeper understanding of themselves, learn the unique dynamics that exist in their relationships, and hone their skill of identifying the different Enneagram types in others.
Knowing your Enneagram type can help you to gain a deeper understanding of yourself and how you present and move through the world. In addition, it can push you toward discovering your passions in life and finding out what career path would be the best choice for you. Studying the nine Enneagram types can also help you start to understand others better and cultivate healthier and more harmonious relationships in both your personal and professional life.
Below we have listed the nine Enneagram types and their brief descriptions to help you gain a basic understanding of each one:
1. The Reformer
The Reformer is the first Enneagram type and is known for being the rational and idealistic type. Type ones often value being principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.
2. The Helper
The Helper is the second Enneagram type and is characterized as being the caring and interpersonal type. Type twos naturally put a heavy focus on being demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing, and possessive.
3. The Achiever
The Achiever is the third Enneagram type and is noted for being the success-oriented and pragmatic type. Type threes are often adaptive, excelling, driven, and image-conscious.
4. The Individualist
The Individualist is the fourth Enneagram type and is identified as the sensitive and withdrawn type. Type fours are expressive, dramatic, self-absorbed, and temperamental.
5. The Investigator
The Investigator is the fifth Enneagram type and is recognized as the intense and cerebral type. Type fives are perceptive, innovative, secretive, and isolated.
6. The Loyalist
The Loyalist is the sixth Enneagram type and is categorized as the committed and security-oriented type. Type sixes are engaging, responsible, anxious, and suspicious.
7. The Enthusiast
The Enthusiast is the seventh Enneagram type and is noticed for being the busy and fun-loving type. Type sevens are spontaneous, versatile, distractible, and scattered.
8. The Challenger
The Challenger is the eighth Enneagram type and is known for being the powerful and dominating type. Type eights are self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational.
9. The Peacemaker
The Peacemaker is the ninth Enneagram type and is identified as the easygoing and self-effacing type. Type nines are receptive, reassuring, agreeable, and complacent.
With knowledge comes power, and the Enneagram is an effective tool that you can use to empower yourself and elevate your life. Once you know your Enneagram type, you can start to dive deeper into the psychology behind your unique personality and gain a better understanding of yourself. In addition, you can also learn how to identify other people’s Enneagram types which can help you to build healthier interpersonal relationships in both your personal and professional life.
If you’re feeling up for the challenge, we encourage you to take the Enneagram personality test and discover how your personality matches up with one of the nine types!
Written by Hannah Harden