In latest 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 the world. I wished 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 Kinds editors’ summit. Working along with her introduced a shocking readability, connecting me to a path of development I hadn’t anticipated. Elle’s method to private improvement—rooted within the Enneagram—felt like an invite to unravel previous patterns and uncover a extra expansive method 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 now 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 wished 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 Skilled Dives Deep
To discover the total depth of the Enneagram’s potential, I sat down with Elle to uncover how this framework may also help folks 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 degree of empathy, not solely serving to us nurture more healthy dynamics with the folks 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 several types of ego we see in people. Each is related to sure default beliefs about the best way the world works and behaviors such a ego developed as a method of making safety, gaining esteem and feeling in management. However with every ego, there are unconscious patterns that hold us from thriving referred to as blind spots.
Understanding your Enneagram kind is like holding a mirror as much as your self—you’re lastly capable of perceive why you do what you do, really feel what you are feeling, and suppose what you suppose.
When you might have that degree of self-awareness, it’s simpler to know the way you present up in relationships, each personally and professionally. You possibly can establish 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 a special lens by studying in regards to the different Enneagram varieties.
How do completely different Enneagram varieties work together?
Skilled relationships: An Enneagram Kind 1 values construction and excessive morality. In an expert setting, they could excel at creating order and making certain excessive requirements, however they will additionally come throughout as crucial or overly perfectionistic. If an Enneagram Kind 1 is working with an Enneagram Kind 7, who loves spontaneity and selection, stress may come up when the Kind 7 feels stifled by the Kind 1’s concentrate on guidelines and rigidity. But when each varieties perceive one another, the Kind 1 can admire the power and artistic concepts of the Kind 7, whereas the Kind 7 can see the worth within the Kind 1’s self-discipline and reliability. As an alternative of clashing, they will complement one another.
Private relationships: An Enneagram Kind 2 realized 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 wishes a lot of privateness, there is usually a disconnect if the Kind 2 feels rejected and the Kind 5 feels overwhelmed by an excessive amount of consideration. By understanding their varieties, the Kind 2 can be taught to present the Kind 5 area with out feeling unappreciated, and the Kind 5 can acknowledge the Kind 2’s want for connection and supply reassurance in their very own method.
Finally, understanding your Enneagram kind offers you a roadmap for development. How one can navigate your strengths and challenges, and find out how to meet others the place they’re, whether or not it’s collaborating on a venture at work or constructing deeper intimacy in your private life. When each events are self-aware, it opens up an area for extra sincere, 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 might be and the way you’ve at all times operated. Listed here are six steps I at all times counsel folks 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 important begin! However don’t cease there. Use it as an entry level. Learn up on all 9 varieties, particularly the highest three out of your take a look at, and ask *why* you act the best way you do.
Self-observation is vital.
2. You’re Solely One Kind
You may really feel linked to a number of varieties, however you’ve at all times had one dominant kind. To seek out it, take into consideration who you’ve been since your late teenagers—particularly when drained or harassed. These computerized behaviors reveal your true kind, even in the event you’ve realized 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 crucial. Subtypes assist make clear your dominant kind. Dig deeper—it’s value it. Check out my blog for more 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 realized to put on to maintain you protected and cozy. For that reason, our Kind reveals to us who we aren’t. Our work is to take off the masks so we will get well our complete, genuine self beneath.
5. Apply Self-Commentary
The Enneagram invitations curiosity. Begin observing your habits. Once you deliver consciousness to your unconscious patterns, you get up and cease sleepwalking by life. That is the place change begins.
6. Ask If Your Character 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 acquire 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 Type, Now What?” guide.
What recommendation would you give to somebody who’s struggling to pinpoint their core kind? How ought to they method this uncertainty?
That is fully 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 all the different eight factors. Nonetheless, chances are you’ll relate to tendencies of a number of varieties. It’s vital to know that’s to be anticipated.
Many sorts look the identical on the floor. For instance, some varieties are extra susceptible to people-pleasing whereas different varieties 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 may be very completely different.
As I discussed above, to make use of the Enneagram framework for deep transformation, it is very important decide your one dominant kind. You possibly can take a look at my resources page that will help you decide your core kind or schedule an expert 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 that you would be able to examine for the remainder of your life.
In Western tradition, our consideration spans have almost disappeared—stopping us from with the ability to pause and replicate. It is a results of our habit to fixed stimulation. The Enneagram is a instrument that will help you decelerate, make area for reflection, and get clear on who you might be so you’ll be able to dwell a deeply linked and significant life.
It does have many layers and understanding find out how to method the Enneagram is usually a bit overwhelming. That’s why I developed my 9-Week From Ego to Essence Coaching Program to information you thru the foundational ideas of the Enneagram.
