In current months, I’ve discovered myself craving one thing deeper—a way of internal peace that feels regular, like a quiet confidence in who I’m and the way I transfer via the world. I needed to belief that how I present up is sufficient, not only for others, however for myself. It was throughout this private reckoning that I met Elle Pugh, a Licensed Enneagram Facilitator and Coach, at our annual Camille Types editors’ summit. Working along with her introduced a shocking readability, connecting me to a path of development I hadn’t anticipated. Elle’s method to private improvement—rooted within the Enneagram—felt like an invite to unravel previous patterns and uncover a extra expansive means of being.
The expertise was transformative, illuminating locations in my life the place I used to be holding on too tightly and providing permission to launch what now not served me. The Enneagram grew to become greater than a character framework; it grew to become a mirror, reflecting each my strengths and blind spots. I knew I needed to go deeper—not just for myself however to share this knowledge with others. There’s a profound energy in understanding how we function at our core, and I noticed the potential for this software to encourage more healthy, extra significant relationships, each personally and professionally.
Featured picture from our interview with Riley Blanks Reid by Jenn Rose Smith.
What’s the Enneagram? An Professional Dives Deep
To discover the total depth of the Enneagram’s potential, I sat down with Elle to uncover how this framework might help individuals join extra authentically. We mentioned the methods our Enneagram kind—basically the construction of our ego—shapes how we view the world and work together with others. With Elle’s steerage, we delved into how this consciousness can unlock a brand new degree of empathy, not solely serving to us nurture more healthy dynamics with the individuals round us but in addition providing a roadmap for private development. I hope this dialog sparks the identical curiosity for you because it did for me.
Elle Pugh
Elle Pugh is a Licensed Enneagram Facilitator and Coach, Registered Nurse, and entrepreneur devoted to holistic wellness and private development. Elle is dedicated to serving to people and organizations perceive themselves to allow them to discover therapeutic and renewed reference to each other.
How can understanding your Enneagram kind assist enhance relationships, each personally and professionally?
Your Enneagram kind is equal to your ego. All of us develop an ego in early childhood to assist us survive. The Enneagram describes 9 several types of ego we see in people. Every one is related to sure default beliefs about the way in which the world works and behaviors the sort of ego developed as a means of making safety, gaining esteem and feeling in management. However with every ego, there are unconscious patterns that preserve us from thriving known as blind spots.
Understanding your Enneagram kind is like holding a mirror as much as your self—you’re lastly capable of perceive why you do what you do, really feel what you’re feeling, and assume what you assume.
When you’ve got that degree of self-awareness, it’s simpler to know the way you present up in relationships, each personally and professionally. You’ll be able to establish patterns of communication and habits that both strengthen or pressure your connections. It additionally helps you empathize with others by recognizing that they see the world via a special lens by studying in regards to the different Enneagram varieties.
How do totally different Enneagram varieties work together?
Skilled relationships: An Enneagram Sort 1 values construction and excessive morality. In an expert setting, they could excel at creating order and guaranteeing excessive requirements, however they’ll additionally come throughout as important or overly perfectionistic. If an Enneagram Sort 1 is working with an Enneagram Sort 7, who loves spontaneity and selection, pressure may come up when the Sort 7 feels stifled by the Sort 1’s concentrate on guidelines and rigidity. But when each varieties perceive one another, the Sort 1 can recognize the vitality and artistic concepts of the Sort 7, whereas the Sort 7 can see the worth within the Sort 1’s self-discipline and reliability. As a substitute of clashing, they’ll complement one another.
Private relationships: An Enneagram Sort 2 discovered they need to help and nurture their family members to get their wants met, however oftentimes they do that to the purpose of neglecting their very own wants. In the event that they’re in a relationship with an Enneagram Sort 5, who values independence and wishes numerous privateness, there generally is a disconnect if the Sort 2 feels rejected and the Sort 5 feels overwhelmed by an excessive amount of consideration. By understanding their varieties, the Sort 2 can be taught to present the Sort 5 area with out feeling unappreciated, and the Sort 5 can acknowledge the Sort 2’s want for connection and supply reassurance in their very own means.
Finally, figuring out your Enneagram kind provides you a roadmap for development. Methods to navigate your strengths and challenges, and learn how to meet others the place they’re, whether or not it’s collaborating on a undertaking at work or constructing deeper intimacy in your private life. When each events are self-aware, it opens up an area for extra sincere, compassionate, and efficient communication.
What are some sensible steps somebody can take after discovering their kind to start this journey of development?
Understanding your Enneagram kind goes past taking a check—it’s about deeply exploring who you might be and the way you’ve all the time operated. Listed here are six steps I all the time recommend individuals take. By following these steps, you’ll uncover the patterns that form your habits and discover ways to use that consciousness to develop in each your private {and professional} life.
1. Find out about All 9 Varieties
If you happen to took a web based check to find your Enneagram kind, that’s an excellent begin! However don’t cease there. Use it as an entry level. Learn up on all 9 varieties, particularly the highest three out of your check, and ask *why* you act the way in which you do.
Self-observation is vital.
2. You’re Solely One Sort
You may really feel related to a number of varieties, however you’ve all the time had one dominant kind. To seek out it, take into consideration who you’ve been since your late teenagers—particularly when drained or burdened. These computerized behaviors reveal your true kind, even in the event you’ve discovered to handle them over time.
3. Discover the 27 Subtypes
Sure, there’s extra! Every kind has three subtypes (self-preservation, social, or one-on-one), and understanding yours is important. Subtypes assist make clear your dominant kind. Dig deeper—it’s price it. Take a look at my weblog for extra on this.
4. See Your Sort because the Masks You Put on
Your Enneagram kind is equal to your ego. It’s a masks you discovered to put on to maintain you protected and comfy. For that reason, our Sort reveals to us who we aren’t. Our work is to take off the masks so we are able to recuperate our complete, genuine self beneath.
5. Apply Self-Remark
The Enneagram invitations curiosity. Begin observing your habits. Whenever you deliver consciousness to your unconscious patterns, you get up and cease sleepwalking via life. That is the place change begins.
6. Ask If Your Persona Is Holding You Again
When you begin observing, ask: Why did I develop this habits? How is it holding me again or hurting others? What may I achieve by letting it go? These questions provide help to transfer from consciousness to transformation.
For extra particulars on these steps, you’ll be able to obtain my free “I Know My Type, Now What?” information.
What recommendation would you give to somebody who’s struggling to pinpoint their core kind? How ought to they method this uncertainty?
That is fully to be anticipated as a result of the entire map—all 9 factors—represents who we’re in our wholeness. After we have been younger, we had free-flowing entry to all 9 factors. Over time, in early childhood, as we developed our ego, we misplaced contact with all the different eight factors. Nonetheless, you might relate to tendencies of a number of varieties. It’s essential to know that’s to be anticipated.
Many sorts look the identical on the floor. For instance, some varieties are extra liable to people-pleasing whereas different varieties are truth-tellers, some are extra optimistic and others much less so. However every kind’s motivations for why they present up the way in which they do may be very totally different.
As I discussed above, to make use of the Enneagram framework for deep transformation, it is very important decide your one dominant kind. You’ll be able to take a look at my sources web page that will help you decide your core kind or schedule an skilled typing interview with me to find your kind.
The Enneagram is typically criticized for being overly advanced. What would you say to somebody hesitant to discover the Enneagram for these causes?
That’s what makes it so lovely. It’s not a celebration trick or a fast repair to your issues. The Enneagram is a sacred framework that you may examine for the remainder of your life.
In Western tradition, our consideration spans have almost disappeared—stopping us from having the ability to pause and mirror. This can be a results of our habit to fixed stimulation. The Enneagram is a software that will help you decelerate, make area for reflection, and get clear on who you might be so you’ll be able to dwell a deeply related and significant life.
It does have many layers and figuring out learn how to method the Enneagram generally is a bit overwhelming. That’s why I developed my 9-Week From Ego to Essence Teaching Program to information you thru the foundational ideas of the Enneagram.
