CHAPTER 1

What Type Are You?

The Enneagram, which dates from at least 2,000 years ago and has its roots inAsia and the Middle East, derives its name from the Greek words ennea("nine") and gram ("something written or drawn"). The term refers to thenine points, or numbers, of the Enneagram system seen in the Enneagram symbol(Figure 1.1). This ancient system offers profound insights into thedifferent ways in which people think, feel, and behave, since the nine differentEnneagram styles represent distinct worldviews, with related patterns ofthinking, feeling, and taking action. Even more important, each Enneagram styleis connected to a specific high-impact development path. Thus, the accurateidentification of your Enneagram style is important if you want to grow anddevelop as a leader and as a person.

Although each of us has only one position or number on the Enneagram and ourstyle remains the same throughout our lifetime, our Enneagram style–basedcharacteristics may soften or become more pro-nounced as we grow and develop. Inaddition, there are four other Enneagram styles that may also contribute traitsto our personality. These fouradditional Enneagram styles, explained later inthis chapter, do not change our core style; they merely add to our complexity asa person and can provide us with useful development opportunities.

How to Determine Your Enneagram Style

Although there are several helpful Enneagram tests currently available, none ofthem will determine your Enneagram style with absolute certainty. Ultimately,you must rely on your own self-assessment to identify your Enneagram style.While you know yourself best, including what motivates you and drives youractions, you may be so used to thinking, feeling, or behaving in certain waysthat you may not even notice some of your customary patterns. As a result, theprocess of determining your Enneagram style can take you on a self-reflectivejourney that can be invaluable to your growth as a leader. Having to identifyyour Enneagram style yourself will not only help you in learning the Enneagramsystem, but also help you become more introspective and objective aboutyourself.

In this chapter, you will first gain information about each Ennea-gram stylethat includes the following:

• A graphic image and style description

• The core focus associated with the style

• The common labels used for the style

• The style's four basic issues

• Leadership paradigms for each style, along with related strengths and areasfor development

• Questions to ask yourself to assess whether this is your style

After you understand the nine Enneagram styles in more depth and begin toidentify your Enneagram style, additional information about the Enneagram systemwill be provided.

The Nine Enneagram Styles

As you read through the nine Enneagram style descriptions that follow, keep thisquestion in the back of your mind: Which of the Enneagram styles mostaccurately describes me?

Basic Issues for Ones

PERFECTIONISM Ones continuously compare what is to what should be. Theyappreciate something that is exceptionally well done—for example, a play,a symphony, a book, a project, or anything else that exemplifies quality tothem. Ones hold both themselves and others accountable for acting responsiblyand for measuring up to their high standards.

A RIGHT WAY Ones believe that every problem has a correct solution; theyare quick to react to a situation by offering what they believe is the rightapproach or the right answer. Even when Ones do understand that the correctanswer is rarely black and white, they will still assert that there is one"right" way by saying, "Nothing is ever black and white. It is almost alwaysgray."

RESENTMENT Because being responsible is an overarching value for Ones,they usually approach their work with diligence, demon-strating qualities suchas follow-through, timeliness, and attention to detail. When others do notdisplay these same characteristics, Ones often feel resentful and think, Whydo I work so hard, when others seem to get away with a less than stellarperformance? Resentment can build up in Ones, and they tend to express itthrough flares of anger that often take others by surprise. Most Ones need tofeel righteous or justified in their outrage in order to express the deep-seatedanger that frequently lies below the surface.

JUDGMENT AND SELF-IMPROVEMENT Ones have a highly active inner criticthat can be relentless, telling them what they have done wrong, what they shouldhave said, and how they ought to have behaved. The self-recriminating innervoice, which is usually "on" 85 percent or more of the time, has a purpose: tokeep Ones from making mistakes. This internal judge also assesses what has gonewell and what can be done for self-improvement.

Ones also tend to be judgmental of others, expressing this through explicitverbal criticism and body language. Even Ones who do not appear to be criticalmay, in fact, simply be keeping their thoughts to themselves. For example, whena One was asked why she did not seem to be overtly critical of others, sheresponded, "Oh, but you should hear what's going on inside my head!" The One'sjudgment of others may also be positive—for example, Ones can be thrilledwhen they observe excellence in someone's thinking process, behavior, or workproduct.

Ones: Leadership Paradigm and Related Characteristics

PARADIGM: A leader's job is to set clear goals and inspire others to achievethe highest quality.

Place a check next to the leadership characteristics that describe you well.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF TO DETERMINE

WHETHER YOU MIGHT BE AN ENNEAGRAM STYLE ONE

1. Do I have a voice or message in my head, like a tape recorder, thatcontinually judges me and other people in terms of what has been done wrong,what has been done well, and what needs to be improved?

2. Do the four basic issues—perfectionism, a right way, resentment, andjudgment and self-improvement—apply to me?

3. Does the Style One leadership paradigm fit my view of leadership?

4. Did I check 10 or more items in "Areas of Strength" and "Areas forDevelopment"?

Basic Issues for Twos

RELATIONSHIP ORIENTATION Most Twos believe that personal relationships arethe most important part of their lives. It is quite common for Twos to have manyclose friendships, with the Twos...