The Enneagram theory of personality or individual differences is a
typology system. It is a system
of classifying human behavioral traits
into types. Personality or human behavioral traits are
enduring (lasting, continuing)
patterns of thinking, feeling, and
behaving that are exhibited in a wide range of personal and social
contexts.
You may be one of those individuals who believe that you and/or others are just
too complex or unique to be “typed” or “put into a box.” If so, I encourage you
to at least focus on the traits
(both strengths and weaknesses/vulnerabilities) that are listed in your
narrative report. Even those who do not believe in the concept of type have told
me that they have benefited greatly from being able to identify their strengths
and weaknesses.
But now, let's begin to look at your graphs. At the top of your pictorial
analysis, you will find a graph labeled “Essence” (in blue, if you
have a color printer). Your highest score on this graph represents what I
predict would turn out to be your Essence or
genetically predisposed personality,
if there was a way to actually verify this. Since science has not reached the
point where a genetic personality type can be identified and predicted (maybe
the Genome Project will be able to do this in the future), the only way you can
validate your type at this time is by thoroughly studying all 9 types and by
obtaining feedback from those who know you well. Your narrative report will help
you in this process as will any of the more popular books that are on the market
today. If you are a beginner in the study of the Enneagram, I suggest you start
with my book, The Road to Wisdom, or any of the following:
A more thorough and fascinating way of determining your Essence is to
participate in one of our 12-hour training sessions entitled The Road to
Wisdom. For information, contact Reve’ Butler at 913-207-1467.
Over 500 individuals have
participated in our Road to Wisdom training program. Of these individuals,
approximately 90% agreed that their Essence or Core Type was accurately depicted
on the Essence (Blue) graph. Of those who did not agree that their Essence was
the highest score on the Essence graph, almost all agreed that it was their
second or third highest score. Therefore, you might find it useful to look at
the descriptions of your second and third highest scores found in my book or any
of the other suggested sources.
Individuals who did not believe in the concept of type, did concur that the
assessment accurately identified personality
traits that they had acquired or
learned as a result of interacting with significant individuals in their
environment, both positive and negative. One individual described it as “a
fascinating X-ray of the totality and complexity of who I have become as I have
adapted to what life sends my way.”
The strengths graph (in green) in the lower left corner represents
the healthy traits or qualities that you have learned from significant
representatives of each of the 9 types. The higher the score, the more you
acknowledge possessing the strengths of that type. Whether at work or in your
personal life, you should try to
capitalize on those strengths. Refer to “The Strengths/Gifts of Your
Type” and “Your Self-Acknowledged Strengths” in your narrative report. For a
more extensive list of strengths (traits across types) refer to my book,
The Road to Wisdom, Appendix E.
The vulnerabilities graph (in red) at the lower right corner
represents the unhealthy traits or qualities that you have learned
from significant representatives of each of the 9 types. The higher the
score, the more willing you are to acknowledge the possession of the weaknesses
or vulnerabilities of that type. Whether at work or in your personal life, you
should try to control, manage, or
compensate for your weaknesses or vulnerabilities. Refer to “The
Weaknesses/Potential Vulnerabilities of Your Type” and “Your Self-Acknowledged
Weaknesses or Vulnerabilities” in your narrative report. In addition, you may
wish to refer to The Road to Wisdom, Appendix E, for a more
detailed list of your vulnerabilities.
There are four additional scores at the bottom of the graph that are research
scales that are not open to interpretation at this time. These scores are:
Strengths, Vulnerabilities, Self-esteem, and Insight. After I have collected
enough samples and analyzed the data, I will some day be able to give
individuals even greater insight into their behavior.
Now, please turn to your personal report. The Overview at the beginning gives
you a snapshot of the type and is a good, high-level summary. Your Perceptual
World View section shows the motivation that drives your behavior. For example,
for Type Three, the perceptual world view is to strive to succeed, be respected
and admired. A Type Three would be motivated by success, respect and admiration
and would assume that this is what motivates others.
The Strengths/Gifts part of the report is an overview of the typical strengths
exhibited by the Type. The Self-Acknowledged Strengths in the next section
reflect statements that you endorsed as being your particular strengths, which
is unique to Butler’s Enneagram Type Assessment.
How Your Strengths, If Over-used, Can Become Your Weaknesses gives you an idea
of how strengths can work to your disadvantage if they are carried to extreme.
The Weaknesses/Potential Vulnerabilities of Your Type will tell you the
potential weaknesses your type
may exhibit if you are at the slipping or unhealthy level for your type (see
extensive descriptions of slipping and unhealthy behaviors for each type in my
book, The Road to Wisdom. Your Self-Acknowledged Weaknesses
reflect statements that you endorsed as being your particular weaknesses or
vulnerabilities.
Life Challenges will tell you the developmental issues, that when worked on, will
keep you functioning more at the healthy level of your type.
My book, The Road to Wisdom, has additional sections of
information for each type:
- How you might know you are interacting with a particular type
- Levels of functioning for the type (healthy, slipping, and unhealthy behaviors
- Tips for working effectively with the type
Please keep in mind that no theory or model of personality perfectly describes
all aspects of an individual. Each of the 9 types is not intended to be a rigid
category or stereotype. In addition, no assessment tool is ever 100% accurate.
The results of my assessment are impacted by how much effort you put into
thinking about the item before you responded, how much insight you possess into
your personality and your behavior; and how willing you were to acknowledge who
you really are rather than who you would like to be or who you think others
think that you should be. Finally, there is always some error in measurement,
particularly in the assessment of personality. Once again, when determining how
well your results fit you, you may want to:
-
Share your results with someone who knows you well and get their insight and
feedback regarding how they see you.
- Read any of the resources suggested above or refer to Appendix G in my book.
- Have your company or organization participate in our 12-hour training
program, The Road to Wisdom.
In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to learn more about yourself. Best
wishes on your journey to self-discovery!
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