In recent years, interest in systems of studying personality has increased substantially. Many people feel the need to decipher themselves and give themselves effective reference points so that they can manage themselves and their relationships with others better. The Enneagram is one of these systems, especially attractive both because of the relevance of its theoretical model and the power of its practical applications.
But it may be asked: don't we risk trapping others and trapping ourselves in an over-simplistic box when the challenge of personal and professional development is in fact to open up perspectives and help people get out of their ruts and try out new dynamics?
This is what motivated us to look at the Enneagram again, to some extent from a new point of view. Indeed, rather than describe the nine Types – as defined in the model – based on a list of often simplistic character traits and behaviours, we have opted for a dynamic reinterpretation of the system.
Take for example the Type 7 person. He is often described as having a major tendency to flit: from one project to another seeking pleasure and avoiding constraints and limitations. It is not incorrect to say this, but it does not take account of the inner dynamics running through Type 7s. They often experience tension between “continuing to dream” and “actually doing”. It is this tension – among others – that characterises the Type rather than a description of behavioural traits.
For each of the 9 Types, we have therefore focused on the 5 tensions (or contradictions) specific to that Type. If you look at the Enneagram circle, you will see that each Type is connected to four others: to the two Types either side of it and the two Types linked to it by arrows. This leads us to five tensions: a tension linked to each Wing, a tension linked to each of the arrows and the central tension linked to the Type itself.
You could say – to use a metaphor – that this operates like a central “attractor” for each person. Just as when I drop my pen it is irresistibly attracted to the ground due to gravity. Each Type has its attractors that are specific to it. Take the Type 1 person: the impulse to correct mistakes, to adjust the picture so that it hangs perfectly straight on the wall, operates as a very powerful attractor. However, this impulse is no more inevitable than the law of gravity in as much as I can take a satellite and leave earth's gravity behind.
For Type 1, his arrow 7, "Seeking pleasure”, is one of his satellites that makes him leave his attractor of searching for perfection and take off in pursuit of pleasure and relaxation. And one of Type 1's tensions is this dilemma between “duty” and “pleasure”. Although Type 1 naturally gives priority to duty, he often experiences tension between “finishing what I must do at any cost” and “allowing myself to finally take a little well deserved pleasure”.
The evolutive Enneagram aims to allow each person to become more aware of and connect with the different aspects of his or her personality in order to bring about a real path for change. Which can require varying degrees of hard graft. Let us take the Type 9 person as an example. He naturally tends to forget himself and keep quiet about his point of view when he risks creating conflict situations. When in contact with his Wing 8 “Assertive”, he finds it easier to take a position and readier to experience a confrontation. His central attractor (his Type 9) seeks harmony above all. His Wing 8 can urge him to be decisive a little more quickly and assert himself with fewer fears in conflict situations. But, as with every Type, this requires specific, regular training.