The Enneagram teaches there are 3 distinct conflict styles.

These styles describe the ways we respond to conflict, difficulties, or disappointments.

In Enneagram speak, the name of these styles is the Harmonic Groups. The three styles are Optimistic, Logical, and Reactive. 

In episode 23 of the Towards Eden Podcast, I chat with Blake Boardman about how he uses the Enneagram in his role as an HR trainer. He introduced the Enneagram to his workplace to help solve the communication issues that everyone kept bringing up. Months later, he’s mapped out 50 of his coworkers on the Enneagram, and they use it to understand each other and communicate more effectively. Blake is an Enneagram type 6.

Max Partain, freelance video editor, jumps into the Enneagram headfirst. In this episode we explore several types to try to try to find out which Enneagram number best fits Max. He’s been mistyped by other people over the years. So how do you actually figure out your type?

Type 6 is sometimes nicknamed The Loyalist. Sixes have a core desire for stability, safety, and certainty, while they fear being abandoned and left without guidance. Sixes take this desire for stability in relationships and reflect it back onto others - they are committed to being loyal, stable, and trustworthy. They provide stability to their people.

This passion for learning and knowledge makes sense, as Type Five is a Head Type along with Types 6 and 7. Thinking is always first for Fives, before feeling and doing. Their challenge in relationships is to connect with others on a heart level. This isn’t natural for Fives so it does take intention.  When a Five does try to connect with you personally, know that it means they trust you, and they’re giving you something rare.

Type Fours value authenticity. What’s the point if we’re not being real? This is the gift they offer relationships - and what they hope for from others. This means bringing their authentic emotions and experiences to the table, without a lot of the filtering that other types may do. 

Threes bring their deep attunement to others to relationships. They can easily deduce what the  other person, or people, want and need. Since Threes are so incredibly adaptable, they can morph into what they think is needed in the relationship. Similar to how a Type Nine struggles to know what they want and instead easily merges with the other person, a Type Three struggles to  know what they truly want because they spend so much energy turning themselves into the person they think the other wants.

Twos see the world in terms of their relationships. When they make decisions, they first consider how it will affect all the other people involved. In organizations, Twos help make sure all the relationships at stake are considered in big decisions. Twos prioritize thinking of others and are gifted at understanding how each action a will affect other people.

Remember that the Enneagram shows us one of nine lenses. We tend to assume that other people see the world how we do. So, Ones assume this: everybody else  wants to follow the rules, be good, do things the right way, and follow a strong moral compass… right??!!!

Brielle, Enneagram 9, has a lot to say about learning to lead in her various jobs.
She takes us from her recent college graduation to her impactful role as a discharge planner at an adolescent mental health facility. Leadership at work has empowered her in all areas of her life - and now she’s starting grad school to become a Clinical Mental Health Counselor.

Emily, an Enneagram 7, offers a deep dive into her personal journey, especially how she’s embraced all the emotions as a 7-  and that’s not easy! 

Are there onnnlllly 9 types of people in the world???? 🤔

This is me, child Awana quizzing champion 😂

As a kid I had noooo idea that everybody else DIDN’T have the same drive for ✨perfection✨ as I did… and I was the know-it-all kid who got mad at the ‘bad kids’ breaking the rules!!