In current months, I’ve discovered myself craving one thing deeper—a way of internal peace that feels regular, like a quiet confidence in who I’m and the way I transfer by means of the world. I needed to belief that how I present up is sufficient, not only for others, however for myself. It was throughout this private reckoning that I met Elle Pugh, a Licensed Enneagram Facilitator and Coach, at our annual Camille Types editors’ summit. Working together with her introduced a stunning readability, connecting me to a path of development I hadn’t anticipated. Elle’s method to non-public growth—rooted within the Enneagram—felt like an invite to unravel outdated patterns and uncover a extra expansive manner of being.
The expertise was transformative, illuminating locations in my life the place I used to be holding on too tightly and providing permission to launch what not served me. The Enneagram turned greater than a persona framework; it turned a mirror, reflecting each my strengths and blind spots. I knew I needed to go deeper—not just for myself however to share this knowledge with others. There’s a profound energy in understanding how we function at our core, and I noticed the potential for this instrument to encourage more healthy, extra significant relationships, each personally and professionally.
Featured picture from our interview with Riley Blanks Reid by Jenn Rose Smith.
What’s the Enneagram? An Knowledgeable Dives Deep
To discover the total depth of the Enneagram’s potential, I sat down with Elle to uncover how this framework might help individuals join extra authentically. We mentioned the methods our Enneagram kind—primarily the construction of our ego—shapes how we view the world and work together with others. With Elle’s steering, we delved into how this consciousness can unlock a brand new stage of empathy, not solely serving to us nurture more healthy dynamics with the individuals round us but additionally providing a roadmap for private development. I hope this dialog sparks the identical curiosity for you because it did for me.
Elle Pugh
Elle Pugh is a Licensed Enneagram Facilitator and Coach, Registered Nurse, and entrepreneur devoted to holistic wellness and private development. Elle is dedicated to serving to people and organizations perceive themselves to allow them to discover therapeutic and renewed reference to each other.
How can understanding your Enneagram kind assist enhance relationships, each personally and professionally?
Your Enneagram kind is equal to your ego. All of us develop an ego in early childhood to assist us survive. The Enneagram describes 9 various kinds of ego we see in people. Each is related to sure default beliefs about the best way the world works and behaviors this kind of ego developed as a manner of making safety, gaining esteem and feeling in management. However with every ego, there are unconscious patterns that maintain us from thriving known as blind spots.
Understanding your Enneagram kind is like holding a mirror as much as your self—you’re lastly in a position to perceive why you do what you do, really feel what you’re feeling, and assume what you assume.
When you will have that stage of self-awareness, it’s simpler to grasp the way you present up in relationships, each personally and professionally. You’ll be able to determine patterns of communication and habits that both strengthen or pressure your connections. It additionally helps you empathize with others by recognizing that they see the world by means of a unique lens by studying concerning the different Enneagram sorts.
How do totally different Enneagram sorts work together?
Skilled relationships: An Enneagram Kind 1 values construction and excessive morality. In knowledgeable setting, they may excel at creating order and making certain excessive requirements, however they will additionally come throughout as essential or overly perfectionistic. If an Enneagram Kind 1 is working with an Enneagram Kind 7, who loves spontaneity and selection, rigidity may come up when the Kind 7 feels stifled by the Kind 1’s concentrate on guidelines and rigidity. But when each sorts perceive one another, the Kind 1 can recognize the power and inventive concepts of the Kind 7, whereas the Kind 7 can see the worth within the Kind 1’s self-discipline and reliability. As a substitute of clashing, they will complement one another.
Private relationships: An Enneagram Kind 2 discovered they need to assist and nurture their family members to get their wants met, however oftentimes they do that to the purpose of neglecting their very own wants. In the event that they’re in a relationship with an Enneagram Kind 5, who values independence and desires a number of privateness, there could be a disconnect if the Kind 2 feels rejected and the Kind 5 feels overwhelmed by an excessive amount of consideration. By understanding their sorts, the Kind 2 can be taught to present the Kind 5 house with out feeling unappreciated, and the Kind 5 can acknowledge the Kind 2’s want for connection and supply reassurance in their very own manner.
Finally, understanding your Enneagram kind offers you a roadmap for development. The right way to navigate your strengths and challenges, and find out how to meet others the place they’re, whether or not it’s collaborating on a challenge at work or constructing deeper intimacy in your private life. When each events are self-aware, it opens up an area for extra trustworthy, compassionate, and efficient communication.
What are some sensible steps somebody can take after discovering their kind to start this journey of development?
Understanding your Enneagram kind goes past taking a take a look at—it’s about deeply exploring who you’re and the way you’ve all the time operated. Listed here are six steps I all the time recommend individuals take. By following these steps, you’ll uncover the patterns that form your habits and learn to use that consciousness to develop in each your private {and professional} life.
1. Find out about All 9 Sorts
When you took an internet take a look at to find your Enneagram kind, that’s an amazing begin! However don’t cease there. Use it as an entry level. Learn up on all 9 sorts, particularly the highest three out of your take a look at, and ask *why* you act the best way you do.
Self-observation is essential.
2. You’re Solely One Kind
You may really feel related to a number of sorts, however you’ve all the time had one dominant kind. To search out it, take into consideration who you’ve been since your late teenagers—particularly when drained or pressured. These automated behaviors reveal your true kind, even in the event you’ve discovered to handle them over time.
3. Discover the 27 Subtypes
Sure, there’s extra! Every kind has three subtypes (self-preservation, social, or one-on-one), and understanding yours is essential. Subtypes assist make clear your dominant kind. Dig deeper—it’s price it. Take a look at my weblog for extra on this.
4. See Your Kind because the Masks You Put on
Your Enneagram kind is equal to your ego. It’s a masks you discovered to put on to maintain you protected and comfy. Because of this, our Kind reveals to us who we aren’t. Our work is to take off the masks so we will recuperate our complete, genuine self beneath.
5. Observe Self-Remark
The Enneagram invitations curiosity. Begin observing your habits. Once you convey consciousness to your unconscious patterns, you get up and cease sleepwalking by means of life. That is the place change begins.
6. Ask If Your Persona Is Holding You Again
When you begin observing, ask: Why did I develop this habits? How is it holding me again or hurting others? What may I achieve by letting it go? These questions show you how to transfer from consciousness to transformation.
For extra particulars on these steps, you’ll be able to obtain my free “I Know My Kind, Now What?” information.
What recommendation would you give to somebody who’s struggling to pinpoint their core kind? How ought to they method this uncertainty?
That is utterly to be anticipated as a result of the entire map—all 9 factors—represents who we’re in our wholeness. After we have been younger, we had free-flowing entry to all 9 factors. Over time, in early childhood, as we developed our ego, we misplaced contact with the entire different eight factors. Nevertheless, you could relate to tendencies of a number of sorts. It’s necessary to know that’s to be anticipated.
Many sorts look the identical on the floor. For instance, some sorts are extra susceptible to people-pleasing whereas different sorts are truth-tellers, some are extra optimistic and others much less so. However every kind’s motivations for why they present up the best way they do could be very totally different.
As I discussed above, to make use of the Enneagram framework for deep transformation, you will need to decide your one dominant kind. You’ll be able to take a look at my sources web page that can assist you decide your core kind or schedule an skilled typing interview with me to find your kind.
The Enneagram is typically criticized for being overly advanced. What would you say to somebody hesitant to discover the Enneagram for these causes?
That’s what makes it so stunning. It’s not a celebration trick or a fast repair to your issues. The Enneagram is a sacred framework which you can research for the remainder of your life.
In Western tradition, our consideration spans have almost disappeared—stopping us from with the ability to pause and mirror. This can be a results of our dependancy to fixed stimulation. The Enneagram is a instrument that can assist you decelerate, make house for reflection, and get clear on who you’re so you’ll be able to dwell a deeply related and significant life.
It does have many layers and understanding find out how to method the Enneagram could be a bit overwhelming. That’s why I developed my 9-Week From Ego to Essence Teaching Program to information you thru the foundational rules of the Enneagram.
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