What's the Enneagram Test?

Plus, What to Do with Your Results

You already know you're an ESFJ and a Libra—but do you know what your Enneagram number is??
By Jennifer Nied March 30, 2020

If you spend enough time on Instagram, you'll soon realize that there's a new trend in
town: the Enneagram test. At its most basic, the Enneagram is a
personality typing tool (à la Meyers-Briggs) that distills your behaviors, thinking
patterns, and feelings into a numerical "type."
While the Enneagram's origin story is not entirely straightforward—some say it can be
traced back to ancient Greece, others say it's rooted in religion, according to the E
nneagram Institute—it's fair to assume that it's been around for a while. So, why the
sudden surge in popularity?
As self-care days ramp up and so does interest in astrology and concepts like
emotional wellbeing, it makes sense Enneagram soon follows. "The Enneagram offers
significant depth and multiple layers for personal discovery, exploration, and growth
that I have not found in other tools," says Natalie Pickering, Ph.D., psychologist and
coach at High Places Coaching & Consulting, who uses the Enneagram to create a
framework to coach her clients.

TL;DR—there seems to be a growing desire to understand yourself at an even deeper

level and, apparently, the Enneagram helps people do that. But how exactly?
Patience, young grasshopper. First, the basics...

What Is the Enneagram Test, Exactly?

First, a little translation: Enneagram means "drawing of nine" and has two Greek roots,
ennea meaning "nine" and gram meaning "drawing" or "figure." This will make more
sense in a sec—just keep reading.
Enneagram is basically a psychological system that helps explain why we do what we
do, and links together our thinking, feeling, instincts, and motivations, says
Susan Olesek, executive coach and founder of the Enneagram Prison Project, where
she works with incarcerated individuals.
"Many people have difficulty understanding what's driving their actions in the
first place," she says, and that's where the Enneagram comes in. The goal of the test
is to deliver a better understanding of your motivations, strengths, and
weaknesses or "what your fears are," according to Ginger Lapid-Bogda, Ph.D., author of
Enneagram Development Guide and The Art of Typing: Powerful Tools
for Enneagram Typing.
The Enneagram does this by giving you a "type" or number one through nine, which is
placed on a nine-point circular diagram. Each of the "types" is spread around the edge
of the circle and connected to one another via diagonal lines.
Not only does the test determine your numerical type, but it also connects you to other
types within the circle, helping to explain how your personality may shift under
different scenarios. (Related: The Best Fitness Trackers for Your Personality)
That's just the tip of the Enneagram iceberg, though, according to experts. It can also
help bring compassion and understanding to yourself and to other people, pinpoint and
get rid of unproductive habits, and gain better control over your reactions, says Olesek.

How Can You Take the Enneagram?

There are multiple tests and assessments that aim to determine your Enneagram type,
but not all are created equal. Olesek recommends the Riso-Hudson
Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) from the Enneagram Institute, which is a test
available online for $12. "That's [the one] that I use and primarily operate from," she
says.
The questions themselves include pairs of statements, and you select the one that
describes you best and best applies to most of your life. For example: "I
have tended to be hesitant and procrastinating OR bold and domineering." The exact
number of questions varies, but the popular 144-question R HETI takes about 40
minutes to complete.
Another highly-regarded option for figuring out your type is the Essential
Enneagram by David Daniels, M.D., former clinical professor of psychiatry at
Stanford University's Medical School. Unlike the RHETI, this book is not a test but
rather a self-report. "It's not so much a question and answer process," says Olesek.
"Instead, you read the nine paragraphs and see which one you resonate with."
As for the overwhelming number of Enneagram tests online? Look for info on how the
assessment is scientifically validated (i.e. research showing how individuals
match up to the types to show reliability) and who developed the specific assessment,
says Suzanne Dion, a certified Enneagram teacher. "Those with
Ph.D.s or master's degrees have training in scientific protocol and are more likely to
have been trained in how to do psychological assessments. They're more likely to have
developed a more reliable and valid assessment." Using multiple assessments and
books to learn about your type is another good strategy. "It's important to look at it
from a variety of sources," says Lapid-Bogda.

Once you've confirmed the assessment is trustworthy, you can get on to the fun part:
discovering your type.
The Nine Enneagram Types

Your resulting type relates to how you interact with and adapt to your surroundings.
The exact details of each description vary by specific test, but all cover the basics:
fear, desire, motivations, and key habits, says Olesek. For example, the descriptions
for Type 1 through Type 9 below come from the Enneagram Institute.

Type 1: "The Reformer" has a strong sense of right and wrong. They are well-
organized and striving for change and improvement, but fearful of making a mistake.
(Related: The Surprising Positive Benefits of Being a Worrier)
Type 2: "The Helper" is friendly, generous, and self-sacrificing. They mean well, but
can also be people-pleasing and have difficulty acknowledging their own needs.
Type 3: "The Achiever" is ambitious, self-assured, and charming. Their downfall can be
workaholism and competitiveness. (On the flip side, there are plenty of
pros to being competitive.)

Type 4: "The Individualist" is self-aware, sensitive, and creative. They can be moody
and self-conscious and have problems with melancholy and self-pity.
Type 5: "The Investigator" is a visionary pioneer, and often ahead of its time. They are alert,
insightful, and curious, but can get caught up in their imagination.
Type 6: "The Loyalist" is the troubleshooter because they're reliable, hard- working,
responsible, and trustworthy. They can see looming problems and get people to
cooperate but have defensive and anxious tendencies.
Type 7: "The Enthusiast" is always looking for something new and exciting to keep their
multiple talents busy. As a result, they can be impulsive and impatient.
Type 8: "The Challenger" is a strong, resourceful straight-talker. They can take it too
far and become domineering and confrontational.
Type 9: "The Peacemaker" is creative, optimistic, and supportive. They are more
often willing to go along with others to avoid conflict and can be complacent. (Psst...do
you know there's a *right* way to be optimistic?!)
Once You Know Your Type...

Now that you've now read through the Enneagram types, do you feel seen? (Cue:
resounding "yes.") It's important to note that scientific proof backing up the
Enneagram is somewhat shaky. A review of multiple studies found that some
versions of the Enneagram test (like RHETI) offer a reliable and replicable model of
personality. Buuuuut research on the topic is lacking, considering it's more so rooted in
ancient philosophy rather than evidence-based science.
Just because science doesn't completely validate the Enneagram system doesn't mean
it's worthless—it comes down to what you make of your results.
"When used with a positive intention and curiosity, systems like the Enneagram can
offer a robust roadmap of our conscious and unconscious ways of acting— it's a
starting point to help us keep growing and developing," says Felicia Lee,
Ph.D., founder of Campana Leadership Group, which provides organizations with
Enneagram-typing sessions. "Your capacity to learn and expand as a person is never-
ending."
No one is just one type, either. You will have one dominant type but you may also note
that you possess traits from one of the two adjacent types on the
circumference of the diagram, according to the Enneagram Institute. This adjacent
type, which adds more elements to your personality, is known as your "wing." For
example, if you're a Nine, you'll likely identify with some of the traits of an Eight or
One, both of which are adjacent to Nine on the diagram and considered a potential
wing.
In addition to your wing, you'll also be connected to two other types depending on
where your number falls on the Enneagram diagram, which is divided into
three "centers." Each center includes three types that have similar strengths,
weaknesses, dominant emotions, according to the Enneagram Institute.
The Instinctive Center: 1, 8, 9; anger or rage is the dominant emotion
The Thinking Center: 5, 6, 1; fear is the dominant emotion
The Feeling Center: 2, 3, 4; shame is the dominant emotion

If you look at the diagram, you'll see that your type is connected via diagonal
lines to two other numbers outside its center or wing. One line connects to a type that
represents how you behave when you're moving toward health and growth, while the
other connects to a type that represents how you likely act out when you're under
increased stress and pressure, or when you feel you're not in control of the situation,
according to the Enneagram Institute.
What Should I Do with the Results?

The Enneagram gives you a wealth of insight into your own motivations and how you
interact with those around you. Each in-depth type description shares how you act at
your best and when stressed. As a result, it can help you develop self- awareness,
boost your emotional intelligence, and navigate relationships at work and in your
personal life. In fact, a case study published in the journal Contemporary Family
Therapy showed that Enneagram results promote
awareness and can help in couples therapy. Using the Enneagram, the individuals were
able to better understand their partner as well as express their own needs and desires.
Take a look at the description of your type and note how it makes you feel (the good,
bad, and everything in between), says Olesek. It's natural to feel repelled by certain
aspects of your type—they're not all the most positive or
complimentary—but take these as opportunities. Keep running lists of what you're
thinking, feeling, and learning as you dive deeper into your Enneagram, she
recommends.
From there, Lee recommends first focusing on understanding your personal
"superpowers"—the unique strengths based on your Enneagram type—and how to use
those strengths in your professional and personal relationships, she says. "Similarly,
each type has distinctive 'blind spots' and 'watch-outs' to pay close attention to. This
is where significant growth happens because you figure out
when you're acting out and the negative impact that it has on your life as well as
others."
What's more, because it can help alert you to other people's strengths and
weaknesses—as they're similar or different to your own—it can help you "develop a
true and lasting understanding, acceptance, and reverence for yourself and
others," says Dion.

How to Put That Self-Awareness to Work

Type 1: To work on the perfectionist tendencies, Lapid-Bogda suggests paying

attention to details, like the flower in the garden. "The whole is beautiful, even though
all of the petals, for example, may not be perfect," she says. Repeating the exercise
helps teach yourself that imperfection is also good.
Type 2: Focus on getting in touch with your own feelings to avoid working yourself
ragged for others. "If you're more in touch with yourself, you can better take care of
yourself," says Lapid-Bogda. "You don't need to hover over others or feel sad or angry
or anxious if somebody doesn't want what you have to offer. Once you realize you
have needs, you start to take better care of your own needs."
Type 3: "Threes tend to think 'I'm only as good as my last accomplishment,'" says Lapid-
Bogda. Sound familiar? Then try out a new activity and pay attention to how you feel
instead of judging your performance during the activity. If you don't like it, then stop. Just
taking the time to recognize how you feel about an activity can help you put less pressure
on yourself to be perfect at something, explains Lapid-Bogda. (Related: The Many Health
Benefits of Trying New Things)
Type 4: You're likely the type of person who "takes in information about
themselves, real or perceived, and reject positive feedback," says Lapid-Bodga. Aim
for an emotional balance by tuning into the positive compliments that you'd otherwise
ignore or dismiss.
Type 5: The best thing for fivmees to do is get out of your head by getting more connected
to their body. Taking a walk is an easy way to do that, according to Lapid-Bogda.
Type 6: Sixes naturally have antenna scanning for what could go wrong. To flip the
script on the info streaming in, Lapid-Bogda recommends asking yourself
these key questions: "Is this true? How do I know it's true? What else could also be true?"
Type 7: If you're a seven, odds are "your mind work[s] very quickly," so you tend to focus
on "outside stimulation" to tune it out, she explains. Use this knowledge to your advantage
and practice going "inside" more often by meditating and focusing on the present, even if
just for a quick 5 seconds between, say, work assignments. (Before you start, check out
these best meditation apps for beginners.)

Type 8: Lapid-Bogda suggests asking yourself: "How is being vulnerable not being weak?"
Then, consider scenarios where you may feel vulnerable but it's actually a strength. For
example, she says someone may say, "I feel compassion for somebody else. I can feel it in
my heart. I felt vulnerable when feeling that way, but it makes me empathic, which makes
me stronger."
Type 9: Nines are like a TV with the volume on low, according to Lapid-Bogda. Her tip:
Start speaking up more in simple decisions, like picking a restaurant for dinner with a
friend. "They can initiate and speak their voice in very small ways," she says.

The Bottom Line:

The Enneagram offers lessons in self-reflection and self-care, which could benefit
anyone—even if you aren't necessarily the specific type the test spits out or if the
whole thing feels a little woo-woo for you. Let's face it: The world can only be
improved by everyone becoming a little more self-aware. And whatever tools you use
to work on that—Enneagram, astrology, m editation, the list goes on—that's great.

By Jennifer Nied