Know thyself…via the Enneagram

I just recently discovered the Enneagram. I am still unsure exactly what it is or what I think of it. So, naturally, I had to take the test to discover my “type.”

According to the free Enneagram test I took, I am:

• Type 8: The Challenger
• Type 7: The Enthusiast

These one-word descriptors can be expanded into four-word sets of traits. Keep in mind that these are merely highlights and do not represent the full spectrum of each type.

• Type Eight is self-confident, decisive, willful, and confrontational.
• Type Seven is spontaneous, versatile, acquisitive, and scattered.

Each type can, then, be expanded even further.

Type 8: The Challenger

Challengers are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective. Type Eights are bold, commanding, outspoken and aggressive (but sometimes they can be too domineering and overpower others).

How to get along with me:

• Stand up for yourself… and me.
• Be confident, strong, and direct.
• Don’t gossip about me or betray my trust.
• Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
• Give me space to be alone.
• Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don’t flatter me.
• I often speak in assertive ways. Don’t automatically assume it’s a personal attack.
• When I scream, curse, and stomp around try to remember that’s just the way I am.

What I like about being an Eight:

• Being independent and self-reliant.
• Being able to take charge and meet challenges head-on.
• Being courageous, straightforward, and honest.
• Getting all the enjoyment I can out of life.
• Supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me.
• Upholding just causes.

What’s hard about being an Eight:

• Overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don’t intend to.
• Being restless and impatient with others’ incompetence.
• Sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it.
• Never forgetting injuries or injustices.
• Putting too much pressure on myself.
• Getting high blood pressure when people don’t obey the rules or when things don’t go right.

Type 7: The Enthusiast 

Enthusiasts are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.

Type Sevens are adventurous, high-energy, resilient and enthusiastic (but sometimes they use fun to escape difficult feelings).

How to get along with me:

• Give me companionship, affections, and freedom.
• Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.
• Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.
• Don’t try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.
• Be responsible for yourself. I dislike clingy or needy people.
• Don’t tell me what to do.

What I like about being a Seven:

• Being optimistic and not letting life’s troubles get me down.
• Being spontaneous and free-spirited.
• Being outspoken and outrageous. It’s part of the fun.
• Being generous and trying to make the world a better place.
• Having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures.
• Having such varied interests and abilities.

What’s hard about being a Seven:

• Not having enough time to do all the things I want.
• Not completing the things I start.
• Not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career.
• Having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies.
• Feeling confined when I’m in a one-to-one relationship.

As you can see from the image above, the Enneagram forms a circle, of sorts, with interconnected points within. Each specific number/type does not exist in isolation but rather is instead interconnected with other numbers/types. Therefore, it is also important to consider your type combinations or “wings” and what those means.

What do I think about any/all of this? I think some of it is spot on. I think my husband should read it, discover his “type”, and then we should talk about it. Would make for an interesting date-night conversation.

I also think you have to know who you are in order to know how to curb some of the not-so-positive aspects of each type. Ironically, I’m working on controlling my temper while also working on being less controlling. Also, I have developed an expertise, teaching Spanish, but ironically am now interested in learning and become a master of something else for the next decade of my career. These two quests seemed to be linked to my type, so maybe there is something to the “science.”