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Out of
the Box Coaching and
Breakthroughs with the Enneagram,
Mary R. Bast, Ph.D.
Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved. Revised:
January 21, 2012
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Discovering Enneagram Style: The Short Version
I'm a #7. I've read many books to come to this conclusion and my parents (who know the Enneagram
well) both agree. But I think it takes time to figure out exactly which number you are
since many have characteristics of others. What's the best/easiest way to learn your
number?
This reader has hit on
an important point,
that Enneagram styles
may share external characteristics with others. The only way to
confirm yours accurately is through discovery: through reading, conversation,
coaching or spiritual direction and, particularly, through observing a variety of
exemplars of a given style. Sevens and
Threes, for example, have a similar kind of
aggressive energy. Sevens and Nines are both optimistic. But if you observed several
Threes, Sevens, and Nines in the same room you would
never mistake a Seven for a
Three or a Nine!
It's the internal motivations that
distinguish among
Enneagram styles, particularly the
passion (or compulsion, or driving force). This passion then leads
to a fixation which shows up in a constellation of external behaviors. For
each style there's a key development need or virtue. For Sevens the passion is gluttony which leads to a fixation on
enthusiasm. The virtue of temperance is a counter to the Seven's intemperate activity and lack of
moderation. There's also a characteristic
stress
response and characteristic talk style
for each: under stress the
Seven's activity can become frantic or uneasy. In general it's typical of
Sevens to be storytellers (hence the anecdotal talk style).
Here's the summary version of these underlying forces
for a Seven, with the Three and Nine for comparison (pay special attention to the words in
bold: the passion, fixation, key stress response, talk style, and virtue -- not necessarily in that order):
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Charming and easy to talk to, highly evolved
Sevens
are the cheerleaders of any group because of their natural optimism. They focus on
long-term perspective and possibilities. Equality is important to them, so Sevens
sometimes have to work around rules and regulations. Less developed Sevens can seem
egotistical because they love to tell anecdotes and may forget to invite others to
talk. They're sometimes perceived as lacking analytical ability because of skating over
the surface. The Seven's
passion is
gluttony
(seeking of pleasure in order to avoid pain); consequently they are fixated
on enthusiasm. Under stress they're prone to uneasy activity. Their
virtue is
temperance.
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Threes are expansive, risk-taking go-getters who are
highly productive. Ambitious and supremely goal-oriented, they tend to rise to the top in
their chosen careers and/or seek to be the ideal parent/spouse. While Threes are
formidable models of success, they are often perceived as showcasing themselves at the
expense of others. What under-developed Threes personify for all of us is our
image-making
(particularly true for Threes under stress). They're good at self-promotion,
tending to look outward for their reflection in the eyes of others -- and their
inner life can be lacking. Their
passion is vanity, with a fixation of self-deception. Their
virtue is
authenticity.
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Serene and centered, well-developed
Nines
are cooperative and highly capable of dealing with others' problems. They appreciate
diversity, are good consensus-builders, and can get along with almost anyone. Unexamined
Nines tend to merge with others' preferences and to forget their own. Taking a strong
position is particularly difficult because they see all sides of an issue and are
essentially non-aggressive, particularly under stress. Their
passion is indolence--being
out of touch with their own wishes, thus their fixation of self-forgetting. Though quiet, once started Nines tell epic tales (they find it hard to focus).
Their virtue is
active engagement.
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