Which Enneagram Personality Type are You? And What Does this Mean for your Relationship?
The nine Enneagram personality types (sometimes referred to as "enneatypes") are based on a psychological typology developed by George I. Gurdjieff, Oscar Ichazo and Claudio Naranjo in the 1950s. Each type is described with distinct characteristics, motivations and ways of perceiving and responding to the world around them.
Understanding your own Enneagram type can help you understand yourself better and gain insight into how you interact with others.
When it comes to relationships, understanding your own Enneagram type and that of your partner can be beneficial for improving communication and deepening understanding between both parties. Each type has its own strengths, weaknesses, values and needs which need to be taken into account when communicating and resolving conflicts.
The nine Enneagram personality types are:
1. The Reformer – Striving for perfection and growth, this type is analytical and organized. They have strong ideals and principles, but can also be overly critical of themselves and others.
2. The Helper – This type is generous with their time, energy and emotions. Helpers are driven by a desire to serve the needs of others, but can struggle to maintain healthy boundaries in order to take care of themselves as well
3. The Achiever – This type is ambitious, competitive and motivated by success. While they value recognition from others, they can become overly focused on reaching goals at the expense of relationships or personal balance.
4. The Individualist – This type is independent and creative, seeking uniqueness and authenticity in their lives. They can be sensitive to criticism and seek approval from peers, but also have difficulty committing to relationships or making lasting connections with others.
5. The Investigator – This type is driven by curiosity and the need for knowledge, often finding themselves lost in thought or caught up in research projects and experiments. While they value intellectual pursuits, they can become overly detached or isolated from those around them.
6. The Loyalist – This type is security-oriented, looking for safety within relationships and a sense of belonging within a group or community. They are dutiful and reliable but can struggle with self-esteem issues or getting stuck in a rut.
7. The Enthusiast – This type is energetic and playful, always seeking out new experiences and often living life to the fullest. While they have intense enthusiasm and positivity, they can be impulsive or irresponsible when it comes to taking care of themselves or their commitments.
8. The Challenger – This type is bold and assertive, driven by power and control in their relationships. Challengers are often blunt with others but also possess deep loyalty and protectiveness for those close to them.
9.The Peacemaker – This type is sympathetic and accepting, looking for peace within relationships through compromise and understanding. Peacemakers tend to be compassionate listeners but can struggle with setting boundaries or speaking their own truth.
Knowing your Enneagram type, as well as that of your partner, can help you understand each other better and improve communication in your relationship.
By recognizing shared values and differences, it is possible to identify strengths and weaknesses within yourself and the other person which can be used to build a healthier, more fulfilling partnership.
If you think that individual or couples’ therapy may be a good fit for you, please contact Kairos Wellness Collective today.
