essential questions are

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The Cothran Center’s three essential questions are:

Who am I – most authentically?

What do I believe – most deeply?

What does the world need – from me?

How does the Enneagram work?

The Enneagram is based on an individual’s:

• Inner Motivation (WHY do I do what I do?)

• Habits; automatic responses; patterns

• Neurobiological development (temperament as a child; learned reinforcements)

The Enneagram is more than just a personality test.

Important: The Enneagram is not to be used to stereotype people. It is DESCRIPTIVE, not PREDICTIVE.

The nine personality types1 – the perfectionist

2 – the giver

3 – the performer

4 – the romantic

5 – the observer

6 – the loyal skeptic

7 – the epicure

8 – the protector

9 – the mediator

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The Heart Center

Types 2, 3, 4 form the “heart” center. These types filter the world through mood and feelings. They tend to be very emotional.

9Essential Enneagram pp. 74-75 The Heart “center of intelligence”

Types 2, 3, & 4

Relationship-oriented

Instinctual Energy: SHAME

2’s attempt to control shame by getting people to like them

3’s try to deny their shame

4’s attempt to manage their shame by highlighting their uniqueness

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TYPE 2 - the giver/the helper

Strengths:

empathetic; sincere

warm-hearted; friendly

generous; self-sacrificing; helpful; the first to come to someone else’s needs

well-meaning and driven to be close to others

Challenges:

can be prideful, flattering, and people-pleasing

can slip into doing things for others in order to be needed

may have problems with intrusiveness and possessiveness

may not acknowledge their own needs

Essential Enneagram pp. 24-27 Motivation for Type 2

To feel needed

TYPE 3 - the performer/the achiever

Strengths:

self-assured and charming

ambitious; competent; goal-focused; highly driven

diplomatic and poised; confident

efficient; enthusiastic

Challenges:

can be status-conscious

may be overly concerned with their image as well as a need for recognition

may have problems with workaholism and competitiveness

often known as the “chameleon” for changing their persona based on their environment

Essential Enneagram pp. 28-31Motivation for Type 3

To receive recognition

TYPE 4 - the romantic/the individualist

Strengths:

self-aware; sensitive

authentic; emotionally honest; willing to be personal and vulnerable

inspired; highly creative; unique

deeply feeling and caring

Challenges:

can be moody, intense, and self-conscious

may withhold themselves from others due to feeling different

may have problems with melancholy and self-pity

want to feel special; always feel like something is missing


To continue longing

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The Head Center

Types 5, 6, 7 form the “head” center. These types filter the world through reason, logic, and analysis. They tend to overthink things.

EssentialEnneagram pp. 74-75 The Head “center of intelligence”

Types 5, 6, & 7

Information-oriented

Instinctual Energy: FEAR

5’s fear their capacity to cope with the outer world

6’s exhibit fear externally through anxiety, doubt, etc.

7’s fear their inner world and painful feelings

TYPE 5 - the observer/the investigator

Strengths:

objective; insightful; curious

able to concentrate and focus on developing complex ideas and skills

independent

innovative; analytical; logical

Challenges:

can become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs

can be detached, high-strung, and intense

can have problems with sharing their feelings

may isolate themselves; can be overly private


To protect energy and resources

TYPE 6 - the skeptic/the questioner

Strengths:

reliable; hard-working; responsible

loyal; loving; engaged with others

always prepared; great at foreseeing problems

thoughtful; protective; pull for the “underdog”

Challenges:

can be overly-cautious and anxious

may come across as negative and worrisome to others

can be reactive, defiant, and fearful

may have problems with self-doubt and suspicion


To anticipate possible harm

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TYPE 7 - the epicure/the adventurer

Strengths:

optimistic; high-spirited; upbeat; want to create an atmosphere of happiness

adventurous; spontaneous; playful

constantly seek new and exciting experiences

energetic; fun-loving

Challenges:

may have difficulty acknowledging painful feelings or problems

can easily become distracted, exhausted, and overextended by staying on the go

may be impatient and impulsive; don’t like to feel limited

often start things, but may have trouble completing them


To be stimulated

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The Body Center

Types 8, 9, 1 form the “body” or “gut” center. These types filter the world through physical sensations and gut instincts. They tend to act before thinking.

EssentialEnneagram pp. 74-75 The Body “center of intelligence”

Types 8, 9, & 1

Fairness-oriented

Instinctual Energy: ANGER

8’s act out their anger

9’s deny their anger

1’s try to control or repress their anger

TYPE 8 - the protector/the challenger

Strengths:

self-confident; strong; assertive

direct; straight-talking; powerful

decisive; appreciated for their take-charge attitude; independent

highly protective; justice-seeking

Challenges:

can be ego-centric and domineering

often feel that they must control their environment, especially people

may become confrontational and intimidating; can be a bit of a bully

may have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable


To protect self and others from vulnerability

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TYPE 9 - the mediator/the peacemaker

Strengths:

accepting; trusting

empathetic; intuitive

supportive; non-judgmental; value all perspectives

want everything to go smoothly and be without conflict

Challenges:

can be too willing to go along with others in order to keep the peace; indecisive; self-forgetting

can be passive-aggressive and stubborn

may simplify problems and ignore or avoid anything upsetting

may struggle with inertia and motivation


To keep the peace

TYPE 1 - the perfectionist/the reformer

Strengths:

conscientious and ethical; committed to fairness and reform

have a strong sense of right and wrong

well-organized; orderly; detail-oriented

honest; try to maintain high standards; self-disciplined

Challenges:

afraid of making a mistake or giving up control; have a strong inner critic

can slip into being critical and judgmental; highly opinionated

may have problems with resentment and flexibility

may not see gray areas because they tend to see things in black and white


To reform and improve

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Each person’s personality is mainly one type, but may share characteristics of one or both of its adjacent (“wing”) types.

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Essential Enneagram p. 13

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Notice the arrows on the Enneagram. They connect each type to its associated “stress” (arrow points towards stress) and “security” types.

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Essential Enneagram p. 14

Stress

1 to 42 to 83 to 94 to 25 to 76 to 37 to 18 to 59 to 6

Security

1 to 72 to 43 to 64 to 15 to 86 to 97 to 58 to 29 to 3

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What now?Use the book to review the types and think about your type.

• Become present and aware of your habits as much as possible throughout the day.

• Don’t always act on your impulses.

• Understand and respect the different personalities of others.

*Important: Do not use the Enneagram to justify your behavior, particularly your unhealthy behavior.

Recommended resources: Books:

The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Riso and Russ Hudson

The Enneagram Made Easy by Renee Baron and Elizabeth Wagele

The Road Back to You by Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile

Podcasts: Heart of the Enneagram

The Road Back to You

Websites: https://www.narrativeenneagram.org/

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

https://www.narrativeenneagram.org/

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/

Documents

essential questions are