What is the Enneagram + Why Does it Matter?

Here is what some industry leaders have to say about the Enneagram from the decades of work they’ve done with it:

“The Enneagram is an ancient Sufi teaching that describes nine different personality types and their interrelationships. The teaching can help us to recognize our own type and how to cope with our issues; understand our work associates, lovers, family, and friends; and to appreciate the predisposition that each type ahs for higher human capacities such as empathy, omniscience, and love.” ---Helen Palmer, The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life 

“The Enneagram takes us places (and makes real progress possible) because it starts working from where we are. As much as it reveals the spiritual heights we are capable of attaining, it also sheds light clearly and nonjudgmentally on the aspects of our lives that are dark and unfree. If we are going to live as spiritual beings in the material world, then these are the areas we most need to explore.” ---Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson, The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types 

I geek out on all this stuff and maybe you do too. Amazingly, we are the only creatures on earth able to learn about ourselves and the world around us with such detail. And we’re animals---I find that fascinating! 

Okay, so why does it matter? It matters because with great power comes great responsibility. 

We have the gift of being able to learn about ourselves; the good, bad, and in between to make changes that will bring about positive effects for ourselves and the people we’re closest to (and beyond really). In today’s technological age, we are at a great advantage to have information downloaded right to our phones in a matter of nanoseconds. We have the world in the palm of our hand. That both excites and terrifies me because it’s all about intention. What will we do with the power that’s been given to us? 

Now I know that all the information in the world is scary because there’s so much and we don’t know what to do with it… or at least that’s how I feel. Maybe you do too. What do we do with it all? Reading all the books on the subject is one path to take, but some folks are readers and some are not. Some people carve out time during the day to read and others listen to audiobooks on the treadmill because they are trying to save time. Whatever camp you may fall in, doesn’t mean you’re any less interested in self-awareness and growth---it’s just all in how you go about discovering it for yourself. 

Just like Gandalf guided Frodo on his journey to Mordor, Enneagram Coaches help guide the travelers on their journey. We help make sense of the world of the Enneagram because it is deep and complex, in the best way possible. But it is a lot. And not for the faint of heart. That’s why it’s important to have a guide to show you the way, to help make sense of the language, and how it can be applied to your life. I think we’re all looking for help in getting to the next part of our journey. Whether it’s career advice, financial help, or what to make for dinner, we’re all searching for help in how to make life easier, better, bearable, and successful. I truly believe the Enneagram can help. It can take you from where you are to where you want to be. It will lay out the parts of your life you knew were there and the parts you didn’t want to admit existed. It’s nonjudgmental but eye-opening. It’s like the ocean, vast and everchanging. But underneath the surface is an unexplored world waiting to be discovered. 

So when it comes to stories, imagine you’ve been given a great task. You are on the road to enlightenment but have no idea how to get there. The Enneagram can be the map to guide you on the path instead of getting lost in the forest. There may be a troll of two who are looking to take you down (and they can represent the parts of us that are a bit ugly). 

In every adventure, there is a trusty steed or a companion along for the ride. You can choose between horse, raven, wolf, or whatever you’d like to bring out the best and worst parts of you because comrades stick closer than a brother. There might be a band of merry gents who provide laughter and sarcasm—and hopefully, snacks because that’s important… 

There’s probably a good witch who comes and steers you in the right direction of the yellow brick road to make sure you arrive when you need to. The beauty is, that we don’t need to wait for anyone to rescue us, though the idea has always sounded romantic to me and I just can’t let it rest. 

With the Enneagram, we have the power to change our story, fight the bad guys, and conquer our worst fear to save the kingdom (and ourselves).