The Enneagram in Education + TEST

The term enneagram and its description of nine personality types are being heard more and more often across various information channels. It is a widely recognised model of personality theory whose origins can be traced to various theories of spiritual development as well as to ancient traditions of mathematics and philosophy. It is estimated to have emerged more than 2000 years ago, but in its present form it has been referred to since the middle of the last century. Today this personality typology method is used to foster both spiritual growth and business development, but it can certainly also be applied successfully in education.

UNDERSTANDING THE ENNEAGRAM

Although the enneagram is not an absolute answer to every question facing the education sector, it can significantly improve both the quality of training and its results. However, in order to apply it, one needs to understand its essence, which, put simply, can be explained as a system of interrelated personality types consisting of a nine-point diagram. Each point represents one of the characteristic patterns of a person’s behaviour, or types: the Perfectionist, the Helper, the Achiever, the Individualist, the Observer, the Loyal Sceptic, the Enthusiast, the Peacemaker and the Challenger. Each of them has a specific drive formed early in life, or a way of perceiving the world around them. They are characterised by dominant behavioural patterns, motivation and also fears. Building on these nine types, the enneagram also provides knowledge about 27 subtypes, which makes it a very comprehensive typology method that can be used to obtain thorough information about the individual facets of a personality.

ONE APPROACH DOES NOT SUIT EVERYONE

This system was created not only to understand the individual facets of each person’s personality, but also to apply this understanding in relationships with other people. By gaining knowledge of one’s strongest character traits and weaknesses, it is possible to find ways to improve communication in personal relationships as well as in professional life and in education. It is in education that it is most evident that one approach certainly does not suit everyone, which is why the enneagram can become an excellent tool for delivering a successful learning process. Educators with knowledge in this area find it much easier to organise a productive learning process and to develop the skills of pupils and students to a new level. One could even say that the enneagram is a way of addressing an audience effectively, taking into account the different personality types within it.

For example, if a student shows traits such as perseverance and is focused on future achievements, this personality type can be motivated by informing them about what is planned next in the curriculum. However, people who are more focused on evaluating the present sometimes simply need time to work out whether everything necessary for a successful result is available before they even start the task. This shows that an understanding of the enneagram can be applied both in curriculum development and in maintaining a healthy atmosphere between the educator and the learners.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN PRACTICE?

Two of the most popular methods have been put forward for incorporating the knowledge represented in the enneagram into the acquisition of new skills. One of them is organising training in a workshop format. These are most often one-day or multi-day sessions in which the educational content is first presented in the form of presentations, followed by various tasks and discussions that help participants apply their newly acquired knowledge in practice in a way that is relevant to them. It has also been shown that successful results can be achieved in so-called coaching sessions. This method helps develop certain skills over the long term, as the sessions usually take place in several rounds. In each coaching session the educational content is presented and discussed, while between sessions the participants work independently on developing their conceptual projects. Each of these approaches provides an individually tailored learning process, which is an essential component of successful training.

Although in today’s education system it is usually not possible to work using only workshops or private coaching sessions, it is advisable to repeat such activities several times during the learning process. Every time knowledge of the enneagram is applied in learning the subject matter, both the educator and the learner gain a greater understanding of people’s personality types and, ultimately, of their own inner world. This promotes awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, which helps to identify the areas where the greatest growth is possible and to focus attention precisely on them. Awareness of this information also creates a more inclusive and pleasant learning environment in which everyone has the opportunity to share their views and personal experience and thereby add extra value to the educational content.

EDUCATION FOR GREATER PRODUCTIVITY

As a tool that explains the stimuli that activate different personalities, as well as individual coping mechanisms, the enneagram helps to put this knowledge into practice. Author Keitlīna Maclaski notes that “personalised learning is not about mediated learning. It is about helping each learner identify and develop the skills they need to develop and improve their own learning process.” As a result, a deeper emotional intelligence develops both individually and within the community, making it possible to understand why we see the world differently. Empathy, compassion and greater acceptance of others are fostered, which inevitably leads to higher productivity when learning as a team.

The enneagram is more than a diagram drawn on paper. It is a path of self-development and an ongoing process that results not only in valuable knowledge about each person’s individual characteristics, but also in an understanding of the system of society and why it has developed the way it has. One could say that the enneagram stimulates thinking and a general understanding of the world, and in this respect few systems can deliver similar results.

What is my enneatype?

If you would like to find out your enneatype and discover your strengths and talents, take the test and find out your enneatype. The test is available here.

Sources:

• https://www.integrative9.com/media/articles/27/The-Enneagram-in-Learning-and-Development
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enneagram_of_Personality
• https://www.integrative9.com/enneagram/history/
• https://www.verywellmind.com/the-enneagram-of-personality-4691757
• https://compassionatelearning.org/enneagram-personalities-students-copingstrategies-emotionalintelligence-compassion/