How to Know Thyself (and Others) With the Enneagram
The Enneagram helps us with self awareness AND others’ awareness so that we can have personal and relational growth.
The enneagram is most helpful when used to understand not only ourselves, but also others~especially “our people.”
The Enneagram IS About Me
The enneagram is a tool that we can use to discover our deepest fears. Our greatest strengths. Our biggest weaknesses. It can help us understand what drives us, motivates us, and why we interact with the world the way we do. It provides insight and tools to help us embark upon a journey to be a “healthy version” of our type.
The Enneagram Is ALSO About Others
The first step to wholeness often starts with “know thyself.” Close behind is “know others.” Digging deep into the Enneagram types can help us become better friends, spouses, parents, and leaders. Understanding the types helps us to recognize that others are different from us and to seek to understand them better.
The Enneagram Is Good For Relationships
Several Christmas’s ago, Zane’s mom (aka Mimi to us) gave everyone in the family a copy of Ian Cron’s book, The Road Back to You. Everyone read it, and eventually we all discovered our types. Better yet, we had weekends spent learning each others’ types and discussing all the differences we shared. It was deeply impactful and eye opening to say the least. Although we had the benefit of having Jordan Jones “at the helm” coaching us along, any dialogue or conversation seeking to understand others can be helpful.
RELATED RESOURCES AND HELPFUL LINKS
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
Enneagram test: https://www.9types.com/rheti/index.php
Myers-Briggs free test: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
- You can follow Jordan on Twitter @fifthletterllc
- or contact him at fifthletterllc@gmail.com for seminars, retreats, and events.
Hi Alice, I totally believe that understanding the enneagram and having relationship coaching from that vantage point can be hugely beneficial for couples. When Zane and I got educated about our enneagram types later in our marriage, we both realized that many of our problems stemmed from our vastly different enneagram types and motives for behavior.
Wow, I didn’t know before that enneagram coaching services can also be good for establishing relationships. A friend of mine is thinking about dating once again five years after her last heartbreak. Perhaps knowing more about enneagram will help her establish a connection more easily.