Recently, a friend mentioned the Enneagram personality test to me which I had never heard of before. Apparently, this test has been gaining traction in recent years and is a great way to learn more about yourself including the patterns in how you interpret the world and manage your emotions. The Enneagram test describes nine personality types which are each defined by a core belief about how the world works. This core belief drives your deepest motivations and fears and shapes your perspective of the world.
The picture above highlights the nine different personality traits of the Enneagram test. As you can see, each one is connected to two other types. One represents the person you have left behind and the other represents the person you could develop into. The types listed next to each other represent “wings” which are related personality traits that we may also identify with. Check out this website to learn more about the structure, history and meaning of the Enneagram.
After my friend and I discussed this test, she told me that I most identify with nine and one. I trust her judgement because she knows me really well. I went to read up on each of these personality traits and they seemed to fit me perfectly. I decided to take the actual test just to see if I would get the same results. Turns out, the test determined that I most identify with a three, but one and nine were close runners-up.
The Peacemaker is most defined by their desire to maintain an inner sense of peace and harmony and to avoid conflict or emotional disturbances. They are typically agreeable, calm and easy to be around. Nines deepest fears are being too needy and pushing others away. They cope with this fear by being agreeable in order to be included. Peacemakers are skilled mediators and counsellors in a group of friends and coworkers. Nines are part of the “body-based” triad because they resist their anger and focus on self-control. Peacemakers grow when they learn to connect with their authentic self, prioritize their own desires and express their wants and needs to people. Some famous nines are Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II, Zooey Deschanel, and Whoopie Goldberg (who happens to have the same birthday as me!).
Type one is the perfectionist and is a wing to a type nine. Ones like to do things correctly and to the highest moral standards. They are sticklers for rules and pay close attention to detail. Ones fear being bad people, morally flawed or not being perfect. They cope with this by being extra hard on themselves. Ones strive to be good and honorable and want to live life with a purpose. The Perfectionist feels that if everything is organized and under control, they will not have to worry about negative emotional experiences like anger and frustration. Some famous ones are Michelle Obama, Nelson Mandela, Tina Fey and Steve Jobs.
If any of you know me really well, you know that these two personality traits sound spot-on for me. I exhibit all of these traits in both my personal and work life. Some growth tips for the nine and one personality traits are to be kinder to yourself, establish a healthy work/life balance, lighten up, listen to your body, and lean into adventure. All of these tips are things I am actively working on to improve myself. I do tend to be super hard on myself if I don’t get something right and it can be detrimental to my self-confidence. I also need to convince myself that when I work hard, I should play hard too. Nothing wrong with a little fun, Christie!
While I do not think everything described in the Enneagram personality test is completely true to who I am, I do think there are things I can relate to and use to make myself better. Personality tests are always a fun way to see how compatible you are with friends, spouses, significant others and coworkers. It’s good to surround yourself with people who are the complete opposite of you to allow for some balance. I will definitely being using the knowledge I gained from this test to my advantage.
Click here to take the test! I hope you learn something new about yourself and apply it to your daily life.
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