In our work with the Enneagram personality typing system, we emphasize that what makes the real difference between various types is not behavior, but motivation. Many types may engage in the same behavior, sometimes quite intensely, but for different reasons.
Take "hard work," for example. Many of the types may be observed as being hard working and task oriented. But the Enneatype One works hard because it's the right thing to do, and he's trying to bring order and improvement to the world through his work. The Enneatype Three, on the other hand, tends to engage in hard work because of her competitiveness and drive to succeed. These differences are subtle, but help distinguish each type.
We have found, though, that some clients and students resist this approach to typing themselves. We think this happens for various reasons. Sometimes the individual is unwilling to acknowledge his own personal motivational patterns, perhaps for embarassment or fear of vulnerability. In other cases, the person can't distinguish which of their many different motivations is actually strongest.
Both of these are fairly normal and understandable responses. The truth is, we are all at least somewhat motivated by the core desires of every type. We all want to do the right thing (Type One), for example, and we also all want to be successful (Three), we all want to give and receive love (Two), etc.
At a recent training event, one of the participants suggested that we think of the core desire that motivates each type as motivating energy. Asking people, "What energizes you?" is perhaps a bit less threatening, and easier to identify, than asking them to ponder the question, "What motivates you?"
This seems like an excellent idea. We all get our “energy” from different sources. Our motivating energies help can shape how we understand our life’s purpose, and can provide both a source of strength – and a hindrance – to the work we do “on the job.” When we tap into our motivating energies, we feel more relaxed, experience a little bit (or a lot) of euphoria, and work activities tend to feel like they require less effort. When we feel deprived of our motivating energies, we feel more frustration and stress, and less fulfillment in our activities.
In response to the question, "What gives you energy?," here are some examples that might correspond to each of the nine Enneagram types
- Being organized? Perfecting and improving things? (Type One)
- Helping others? Giving love and feeling loved? (Type Two)
- Getting things done? Feeling successful? Being recognized as an achiever? (Type Three)
- Feeling different and unique? Making a deep and lasting contribution? (Type Four)
- Having the answers? Looking for and finding the answers? (Type Five)
- Looking out for others? Being proactive and prepared? (Type Six)
- Having fun? Engaging in lots of different activities? (Type Seven)
- Feeling strong and free? Being in charge? (Type Eight)
- Relaxing and being at peace? Having harmony with others and in your environment? (Type Nine)
We welcome input from readers on other questions, or revisions to these questions, that might help bring further clarity to the motivating energy for each Enneagram type.
Note: See our series of type profiles specific to the role of school leader here.
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