enneagram

The Enneagram of Personality, commonly known simply as the Enneagram, is a model of human personality that posits nine interconnected types. Each type is characterized by a set of core motivations, fears, and coping styles that influence how people think, feel, and behave. The framework is primarily used for personal and professional development rather than as a clinical diagnostic tool.

Origins of the Enneagram are debated. Modern popularization traces to the work of Oscar Ichazo in the mid-20th century and later to Claudio Naranjo and the Chilean courses they ran in the United States. The system draws on various spiritual and philosophical traditions, but its scientific status remains contested and it is not generally regarded as a scientific theory.

The Enneagram arranges nine types on a circle with a central triangle and connecting lines. The nine types are: 1 Reformer, 2 Helper, 3 Achiever, 4 Individualist, 5 Investigator, 6 Loyalist, 7 Enthusiast, 8 Challenger, 9 Peacemaker. Each type has a preferred center (body for 8, 9, 1; heart for 2, 3, 4; head for 5, 6, 7), a core fear and a core desire, and two adjacent “wings” that influence development. Growth and stress paths describe how a type tends to behave when moving toward integration or disintegration.

In practice, the Enneagram is used in personal coaching, relationship work, and business settings to explore motivation, communication, and stress responses. Critics point to limited empirical support, concerns about reliability across populations, and the potential for stereotyping. Proponents emphasize its descriptive value and practical utility when used as a reflective tool rather than a fixed label.