Personality Type 1 - The Enhancer
Personality Type 1 - The Enhancer
The Enneagram Life
Finding your Enneagram type
To start your Enneagram journey you need to find your own Enneagram type, that is, "I live my life with strategies like an Etta", Four or Six, and so on. Once you have arrived at your number, the real journey begins. In many other personality models, the goal is to find your personality type and place yourself in a box. The Enneagram is like the key to open the box you live in, and the model describes how you can get out of the box and live a freer and more meaningful life.
It is so exciting to be able to delve into the knowledge of its Enneagram type. But the journey to find your type looks different for different people. It usually takes a while before you fully feel that you have found "home". The most important thing in this process is to be completely open and honest with yourself, and it requires you to be brave to look into your struggles and fears.
There are several online tests that you can do to start the process of finding what type of personality you lead your life according to. However, I would like to point out that it is a complicated process. Since we are all unique, complex individuals, there is no test that provides a simple answer. You can definitely do a test or even several which I recommend that you start with if you are new to the Enneagram. But I want to emphasize that this is only an indication of what personality types you might lead your life with, you most definitely need to explore further to find the right one. Don't force a number, but let it take time. You will be sure the day you found it right. Read, attend courses, meet others to listen to and talk to, and be patient with the journey to find your Enneagram type. This tool is so much more powerful and larger than other personality models, that it must take time to understand the model and explore the different possibilities.
The results of these tests depend entirely on how well you actually know yourself and how honest you dare to be. Many times we answer questions based on who we want to be, rather than who we actually are.
I highly recommend Don Riso and Russ Hudson's more extensive test in English, the so-called RHEIT test (Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator). But there are also other, shorter variants to start with, and there are also a few tests in Swedish. Well worth trying several of them.
"No test, neither within the Enneagram nor any other model in personal development, can be more accurate than your own self-awareness"
RHETI - Riso Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator
The complete RHETI test is in English and takes about 40 minutes to complete and is available on the Enneagram Institute website Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI v2.5).
This test is the most comprehensive and was created by Ross Hudson and Don Riso, authors and founders of The Enneagram Institute.
IVQ - Instinctual Variant Questionnaire
There is also a test that gives you insight into our three instinctive drivers: self-preservation, social and intimate. These driving forces, or instinctive subtypes, contribute to three variants of each personality type, which can be helpful to know if you feel the description of a specific type does not entirely resonates with you. You can read more about the instinctive forces under the pages of the Enneagram.
This test is available in English and can be purchased from The Enneagram Institute.
The Instinctual Variant Questionnaire (IVQ v2.0)
Swedish tests
There are also two Swedish free tests by Eclectric Energies, which gives a good indication of what personality types may be relevant for you to explore more. The first test gives you suggestions on Enneagram type and wing, the second test also takes into account your instinctive subtype.
There is also a shorter, free version of RHETI, the so-called QUEST test. Also developed by Don Riso and Ross Hudson. This is available in English and also translated into Swedish. As it is an abbreviated variant of the comprehensive RHEIT, the test is very limited, and the results should be interpreted with some ease. This test takes about 10 minutes to complete.
QUEST - Quick Enneagram Sorting Test
Below you will find Don Risos and Russ Hudson's QUEST (QUick Enneagram Sorting Test), translated from the original published in Riso-Hudson's book The Wisdom of the Enenagram, © 1999. Since this is an abbreviation and simplification of the original, more comprehensive test, it should You should consider finding your personality type among the three highest ranked types in your test result. Unlike many question-based tests, this test gives a slightly clearer sense of the driving force and energy of each type. Welcome to try below.
QUEST - Quick Enneagram Sorting Test
The test is based on selecting a section in group1 and a section in group2. These together give you an Enneagram type. If you feel uncertain about any choice, you can rank your results into most and less probably. In the end, this gives you a list of a few different Enneagram types. Do not over-analyze the content of the text - you do not have to agree with every word of the paragraph you choose. The main thing is that you recognize the descriptive paragraph. Read through the three paragraphs in the first group and select the one that is and has been most like you. Think about it as you have been during most of your adult life. Sometimes, if you are doubtful, it can help to think about how you were in your 20s.
The results in this test give a clue as to your type affiliation, but like any other personality test, you do not get a 100% guarantee. It is only when you get to know the system a little more in-depth that you can confirm your type.
Group 1
Paragraph A:
I have always been quite independent and taken care of myself. To me, it feels like life works best when you go straight to the point. I set goals, get involved, and want something to happen. I do not like to sit and wait - I want to achieve something big and affect my surroundings. I'm not necessarily looking for confrontations, but I'm not letting anyone ignore me either. For the most part, I know what I want and get what I want. I engage fully both in work and in fun.
Paragraph B:
I've always been pretty quiet, and I'm used to being alone. I don't usually pay much attention to myself socially, and I am rarely shy or assertive. I don't like taking the lead or competing with others. Many would probably say that I am something of a dreamer; a lot of my activities go on in my head. I can be quite content without feeling that I have to do something all the time.
Paragraph C:
I have always been very responsible and dedicated. I feel horrible if I do not keep what I promise and do what is expected of me. I want people to know that I am there for them and that I do what I think is best for them. I have often made great sacrifices for others, whether they know it or not. I am not good at off taking care of myself - I do what needs to be done, and relax (and do what I want) if there is time left for that.
Group 2
Paragraph X:
I have generally had a positive outlook on life and believe that everything should work out for the best. I can usually find something to be enthusiastic about and different ways to employ myself. I like being with people and helping others feel good - I appreciate being able to share my well-being with them. (I don't always feel top-notch, but I usually try not to show it.) However, this positive attitude has sometimes meant that I have postponed my own problems for too long.
Paragraph Y:
I feel strongly about things - most people can decide if I'm upset about something. I can be on my guard with other people, but I am more sensitive than I pretend. I want to know where I stand in relation to others and who and what I can count on. It's pretty clear to most where they stand when it comes to me. When I am upset about something, I want feedback from others and that they should be as engaged as I am. I know the rules, but I don't want anyone to tell me what to do. I want to decide for myself.
Paragraph Z:
I am controlled and logical - I do not like to reveal my feelings or delve too deeply into them. I am effective - even perfectionist - when it comes to my work, and I prefer to work for myself. For personal problems or conflicts, I try not to let my actions be affected by my feelings. Some say I'm too chilly and distant, but I don't want private reactions to take my attention away from what's really important. I'm glad I don't usually show my reaction when others get on my nerves.
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Evaluation
Now put together the letters for the two pieces that best matched your personality. Let's say you chose paragraph A in group 1 and paragraph Z in group 2. It generates the combination of AZ and represents the personality type that you are most likely to belong to.
If you found it difficult to choose between two pieces in one of the groups - for example, if you wanted to go back and forth between X and Z in group 2 - you could also try to put together your second choice combination, ie A and X, into one "secondplacetype".
Then, when you read the descriptions of each type, the image is likely to clear. Below you can see what the combinations stand for.
AX - 7 - The Enthusiast / The Epicure - spontaneous, versatile, easily distracted and divided
AY - 8 - The Protector / The Boss - Confident, Decisive, Willing and Confronting
AZ - 3 - The Performer / The Supplier - customizable, best, driven and imaginative
BX - 9 - The Peacemaker / The Mediator - receptive, calming, comfortable and complacent
BY - 4 - The Individualist / The Romantic - expressive, dramatic, self-centered and moody
BZ - 5 - The Investigator / The Observer - attentive, inventive, secretive and isolated
CX - 2 - The helper / The Giver - open-hearted, generous, gentle and accommodating
CY - 6 - Loyal Skeptic / Loyal Trooper - committed, responsible, anxious and suspicious
CZ - 1 - The Reformer / The Perfectionist - principled, purposeful, controlled and perfectionistic
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* The Swedish translation is taken from Levande Kraft, www.enneagrammet.se