The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
by
Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system, and The Road Back to You explains how it works and applies it to the Christian life. The nine personality types are based on coping mechanisms each person develops as a child in response to wounding words or messages, which color the way a person perceives the world. The Enneagram is a tool for self-discovery and an eye opener to how others see the world. It helps us understand ourselves, empathize with others, and learn what to work on to mature spiritually. But the authors remind us that no matter what our personality, our goal is to look like Christ.
There are nine personality types, divided into:
Heart personalities – Types 2, 3, and 4
Gut personalities – Types 8, 9, and 1
Head personalities – Types 5, 6, and 7
There is too much information to cover in one podcast, so we’re breaking it down into three parts, starting with the “gut” personalities.
Type 8 – The Challenger
General characteristics:
Blunt, aggressive, doesn’t beat around the bush
Makes decisions fast and from the gut
Welcomes opposition, enjoys a good verbal skirmish
Healthy Type 8’s:
Make great friends and exceptional leaders
Champion for those who cannot fight on their own behalf
Collaborate and value the contributions of others
Average Type 8’s:
Tend to be steamrollers rather than diplomats
Unhealthy Type 8’s:
Are preoccupied with the idea that they are going to be betrayed
Tend to be suspicious and slow to trust
If wronged, will resort to revenge
Type 9 – The Peacemaker
General characteristics:
Doesn’t like conflict, goes with the flow, wants everyone to be happy
Not a self-starter, tends to procrastinate
Doesn’t like big social gatherings, but really enjoys the outdoors
Healthy Type 9’s:
Make good mediators, can harmonize an irreconcilable situation
Can see everyone’s different perspectives
Are unselfish, flexible, and inclusive of others
Average Type 9’s:
Seem sweet and easygoing, but tend to be stubborn
Are totally out of touch with their anger
Overlook themselves, feel unimportant, don’t ask for much
Unhealthy Type 9’s:
Have trouble making decisions
Become overly dependent
Tend to engage in numbing behaviors to dull negative feelings
Type 1 – The Perfectionist
General characteristics:
Driven to do what is right and wants others to do what is right
Self-disciplined, perfectionistic, detail oriented
Sees the world as black and white, right or wrong
Healthy Type 1’s are:
Committed to a life of service and integrity
Balanced and responsible
Able to forgive themselves and others for being imperfect
Average Type 1’s:
Tend to judge and compare
Struggle to accept imperfection that is inevitable
Unhealthy Type 1’s:
Fixate on small imperfections
Obsess with micromanaging
Assert control over others to relieve their own inner turmoil
This is just an abbreviated outline. Listen to the podcast for more detail, including tips for self-improvement and famous people of each personality type. Tune in next week for part two!
