What can the Enneagram Test reveal about your Personality?

One of the great challenges that every human being must face when promoting their own Personal development It is something as complex and simple at the same time as knowing oneself. And it is that knowing how to answer the question “who am I?” it is one of the fundamental ingredients of self-realization; If there are many aspects of our identity that we do not understand well, it will be difficult for us to be able to live in a satisfactory way that connects with our values, principles and real interests.

The Enneagram is one of those key elements that help us to know who that "I" is that we try to make happy through our short-term actions. and long term, because its personality classification system is very interesting and gives a global vision of the way each person is.

In this article we will see what it consists of enneagram test and how it relates to the concept of personality. But first, let's stop to learn more about the two main concepts that shape this topic.

What is personality?

Personality is a key concept in the field of psychology, and is part of the study of Individual Differences. Consists in

the description of the more general psychological characteristics that influence the way people behave, describing trends in behavior patterns that are relatively stable as the years go by. It encompasses the set of attitudes, thoughts, emotions and repertoires of actions that define people. Thus, the study of personality provides some ability to predict how individuals will behave, and helps to understand their motivations.

• Related article: "Self-knowledge: definition and 8 tips to improve it"

What is the enneagram?

The Enneagram can be described as a personality classification system used especially in the field of coaching and personal development. Although it is not a concept used in the context of clinical psychology and is not useful, for example, to detect psychopathologies or personality disorders, provides a useful tool to delve into the self knowledge.

On the other hand, the enneagram tests are based on nine main personality types, and each of which has unique characteristics and patterns of thought, emotional management, and behavioral regulation. In turn, these nine categories are based on three major concepts, which refer to three types of intelligence: mental, emotional and instinctive. Thus, this way of understanding personality traits combines elements linked to the cognition (that is, thoughts and beliefs) with elements of an emotional nature and irrational.

In short, the enneagram proposes a self-discovery tool that makes it easier when it comes to understand the motives and desires that intervene in our actions during the day to day. It is used for personal growth, improving relationships and developing social skills based on the predispositions of each individual.

The personality types according to the Enneagram are:

• The Perfectionist: is characterized by seeking perfection and having a critical attitude towards himself and others.
• The Helper: Shows concern for the needs of others and has a tendency to be generous and helpful.
• The Winner: pursues success and recognition, showing an ambitious and competitive attitude.
• The Individualist: Values ​​authenticity and uniqueness, and tends to be creative and emotionally sensitive.
• The Observer: has a constant search for knowledge and is usually analytical and reserved.
• The Loyal: seeks security and stability, and shows fidelity and caution.
• The Enthusiast: seeks fun and adventure, showing an outgoing and optimistic attitude.
• The Challenger: Values ​​power and control, and tends to be direct and commanding.
• The Peacemaker: seeks harmony and peace, and has a tendency to be calm and conciliatory.

How can the Enneagram be used to enhance personal development?

One of the characteristics of the enneagram test is that it starts from a very open and non-moralizing idea about what personality is: from this approach, there are no ways to be better than others, and the only thing that having one type of personality or another means is that when it comes to driving our growth and our self-realization, we will have certain advantages and disadvantages when relating to the world and with others.

In this sense, getting to know ourselves better through the enneagram is a good way to know what strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities we will face in our lives, and from there, we can design our personal development project adapting to our characteristics and needs. Now, remember that even though personality traits are relatively stable, that doesn't It means that they never change and that we can't do anything to make them evolve in one direction or in one direction. other. Several studies indicate that yes, it is possible to change our personality, although not in the very short term, and it takes a lot of effort.