“I don’t like boxing people” says a friend of mine when we finally meet in person after a very long time of online meetings and trainings. We are talking about the Enneagram and what it is that we are currently engaging with in life.
I want to reply that the point of the assessment is NOT to box people and that your Enneagram type is exactly who you are NOT. Rather, the point is for you to see your box and to set yourself free. You are so much more than your conditioning.
I don’t say any of that to my friend, who by the way is an Enneagram type 8, Active Controller or Intimidator. I am too intimidated. Her egoic mind is made up and she’s stuck in her box. So, I decided to write this blog instead.
The ancient Enneagram is a personality assessment tool and a great starting point for self-development. Each of the nine Enneagram types has a line of growth and release. When we know how to access healthy attributes of our lines for personal and professional growth, we use our psychology in our favour.
So, here we go. Read here how each Enneagram type may access personal or professional growth through the lines:
1. Strict Perfectionist → Stretch Line 4: Intense Creative
Move from what you “should” be doing to what you “want” to be doing. This may give you a new sense of freedom and spontaneity. Let go of constant self-monitoring and self-judgment to move you forward in life. “Balance issues of principle with issues of purpose,” recommends Dirk Cloete, Integrative Enneagram for Practitioners.
2. Considerate Helper → Stretch Line 8: Active Controller
“Develop your personal power and assert your opinions and needs,” recommends Dirk Cloete. Let go of people-pleasing, express yourself freely and assert yourself. You matter and it’s time for you to follow your own dreams.
3. Competitive Achiever → Stretch Line 9: Adaptive Peacemaker
Life is not a competition. “Slow down to allow your real feelings and preferences to arise,” recommends Jerome Wagner, The Enneagram Spectrum. Learn to collaborate and consciously connect to the perspective of others. There is strength in teamwork. Wonderful (even I’m-possible) things can be achieved when you relax and trust others.
4. Intense Creative → Stretch Line 2: Considerate Helper
Genuinely start to care and to serve people. “Invite others to co-create, and be aware of their needs,” recommends Dirk Cloete. When your natural talents meet with what others need, you may experience deeper levels of fulfilment and be less self-absorbed.
5. Quiet Specialist → Stretch Line 7: Enthusiastic Visionary
With wisdom comes great opportunity. “Connect and put your expertise out into the world,” says Dirk Cloete. All that is required is for you to share it with others. Get out of your head and step into action. Use your sense of humour, be more flexible and focus on what brings joy to your life.
6. Loyal Sceptic → Stretch Line 3: Competitive Achiever
“Make clear decisions and build efficiency into your approach,” states Dirk Cloete. Action alleviates anxiety and will make you feel better instantly. Let go of worst-case scenarios and focus on your next step. Keep your eyes on results and take credit where it’s due to you.
7. Enthusiastic Visionary → Stretch Line 1: Strict Perfectionist
There is freedom to be found in structure and discipline. “Stick with it, be still and go deeper to reflect,” suggests Dirk Cloete. Focus gets us forward and to reach our goals. “Become more disciplined and follow through on your plans and projects, bringing them to completion,” adds Jerome Wagner, The Enneagram Spectrum.
8. Active Controller → Stretch Line 5: Quiet Specialist
“Take a step back, control your impulses and conserve energy,” says Dirk Cloete. In other words, think before you act. Take your time to reflect back and use your energy to learn something new. This will make you even more powerful.
9. Adaptive Peacemaker → Stretch Line 6: Loyal Sceptic
Trust that you have done your homework. “Analyze the risk of inaction and express your concerns to others,” says Dirk Cloete. It is time to step into action. Be courageous, express yourself and stop procrastinating in order to create the life you love to live.
“Should I add another Yoga certification?” I ask my friend before we part ways. “Rather become an expert in what you are already doing,” answers my friend. “It’s enough. You don’t need to add anything more.” Great examples of my friend’s growth line – Enneagram 5: Quiet Specialist. Using energy to deepen knowledge. Except she’s not aware of it.
My release line immediately agrees, and I cancel all my frantic plans. Instead, I continue steadfast on my path of becoming an expert in Conscious Thinking, The Enneagram, Yin Yoga and focus on my first South African retreat instead.
To find out your Enneagram type, send an email to enneagram@sibylle.co.za for an assessment link. I offer Enneagram assessments, debriefs for individuals, couples, and teams.
Read more here about finding peace and calm with the Enneagram and finding your point of release with the Enneagram.
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