John Glanvill • Anxiety Specialist & Researcher • Anxiety • OCD • Bipolar • ADHD • Energy • Online Treatment Course • Sensible Spirituality

The Enneagram Personality Profiling Process

Enneagram Variations

I have found the Enneagram personality profiling method to be a very useful tool to use as part of becoming a new person who has less anxiety. It helps individuals recognise whether their innate operating system is more inclined toward thinking, feeling, or intuition—or any combination of these aspects.

Additionally, the Enneagram maps a person’s emotional deterioration (or growth), allowing them to be aware of what may happen to them as they emotionally progress or regress. When combined with the MBTI profiling tool, it can lead to interesting realisations about one’s true self.

The Enneagram is a psychological and spiritual framework that identifies nine distinct personality types, each with its own core motivations, fears, and desires. These types are interconnected, reflecting a dynamic system rather than rigid categories. The model is used for personal growth, improving relationships, and fostering understanding of others. Below is an outline and explanation of the Enneagram:

Overview of the Nine Types

  1. Type One: The Perfectionist (or Reformer)

    • Core Motivation: A desire to live with integrity and improve the world.
    • Core Fear: Being flawed, corrupt, or morally defective.
    • Key Traits: High standards, a sense of responsibility, and a focus on what’s right.
    • Growth Path: Embracing flexibility and self-compassion.
  2. Type Two: The Helper

    • Core Motivation: A need to feel loved and valued by helping others.
    • Core Fear: Being unloved or unwanted.
    • Key Traits: Empathy, generosity, and attentiveness to others’ needs.
    • Growth Path: Balancing self-care with care for others.
  3. Type Three: The Achiever

    • Core Motivation: A drive to be successful and admired.
    • Core Fear: Failure or being seen as worthless.
    • Key Traits: Ambition, adaptability, and focus on goals.
    • Growth Path: Valuing authenticity over appearances.
  4. Type Four: The Individualist (or Romantic)

    • Core Motivation: A desire to express their uniqueness and be understood.
    • Core Fear: Being ordinary or without identity.
    • Key Traits: Depth of emotion, creativity, and introspection.
    • Growth Path: Cultivating gratitude and emotional stability.
  5. Type Five: The Investigator

    • Core Motivation: A need to understand and conserve energy.
    • Core Fear: Being overwhelmed or incapable.
    • Key Traits: Curiosity, independence, and analytical thinking.
    • Growth Path: Engaging more fully in life and relationships.
  6. Type Six: The Loyalist

    • Core Motivation: A need for security and support.
    • Core Fear: Being without guidance or safety.
    • Key Traits: Loyalty, skepticism, and vigilance.
    • Growth Path: Building trust in themselves and others.
  7. Type Seven: The Enthusiast

    • Core Motivation: A desire for freedom and enjoyable experiences.
    • Core Fear: Being trapped in pain or boredom.
    • Key Traits: Optimism, spontaneity, and creativity.
    • Growth Path: Learning to embrace stillness and focus.
  8. Type Eight: The Challenger

    • Core Motivation: A need to protect themselves and assert control.
    • Core Fear: Being controlled or vulnerable.
    • Key Traits: Strength, decisiveness, and protective instincts.
    • Growth Path: Softening to vulnerability and fostering collaboration.
  9. Type Nine: The Peacemaker

    • Core Motivation: A desire for harmony and inner peace.
    • Core Fear: Conflict or disconnection.
    • Key Traits: Agreeability, adaptability, and calm demeanour.
    • Growth Path: Asserting themselves and embracing active engagement.

Key Components of the Enneagram

  • Wings: Each type is influenced by the numbers on either side, adding nuances to the personality. For example, a Type 3 might lean towards 2 (The Helper) or 4 (The Individualist).
  • Stress and Growth Lines: Types connect to other numbers under stress or growth. For instance, Type 1 moves toward 4 under stress and toward 7 when growing.
  • Core Triads: The Enneagram groups types into three triads based on dominant centres of intelligence:
    • Gut (Instinctive) Triad (Types 8, 9, 1): Focus on control, with underlying anger.
    • Heart (Feeling) Triad (Types 2, 3, 4): Concerned with image and emotions.
    • Head (Thinking) Triad (Types 5, 6, 7): Centered on fear and security.

Applications of the Enneagram

  1. Personal Growth: Encourages self-awareness, highlights patterns, and identifies growth opportunities.
  2. Relationships: Fosters empathy and communication by understanding others’ motivations and fears.
  3. Leadership and Teams: Improves collaboration by appreciating diverse perspectives and strengths.

A Dynamic Model

The Enneagram isn’t static. It reflects how people behave under different circumstances, offering a dynamic view of personality. Through self-reflection and practice, individuals can transcend automatic behaviors and access higher levels of growth and understanding.