articolo enneagramma

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who doyou think you are? Stephen Wright and Jean Sayre-Adams explain how the Enneagram personahty test can help find greater meaning and purpose in life Personality inventories are an increasingly common tool in employment practice, though still rare In nursing. At the Sacred Space Foundation, we have found the Enneagram to be a most valuable insight technique that helps people understand what makes them tick and why they may have fallen into crisis. The Enneagram is a 'natural bridge between psychological and spiritual/transformational work. It is not only comprehensive, illustrating the full range of human potential, it isalso dynamic, indicating the ways in which each person can grow and maximise his or her spiritual and psychological potential' (Riso and Hudson 1999). In the Enneagram each of us has a personality type but we are also influenced by other aspects. Take the test at www.enneagram institute.com to discover your type and its influences in your life. Likeali spiritual tools, this technique equips us for deeper insight, to know ourselves more fully, but it is also nota one-off. Like meditation or any other spiritual practice it can be, indeed needs to be, a constant reference pointorspiritual discipline; the more we commit to and work with it the more is revealed to us. The Enneagram is especially helpful because it can guide us towards an awareness not just of who we are, like tots of psychometric tests 'WE DISCOVER HOW TO CHANGE OUR WAY OF BEING IN THE WORLD AND FULFIL OUR POTENTIAL Personality inventories are common in employment practice but the Enneagram offers nurses a way to see how they can grow and also get the best out of their colleagues. Keywords Enneagram • Personality inventory • Personality types» Human potential • Spiritual work • Working inteams» Problem solving «Interactions 20 april 18;; vol 21 no 32 "2007 do, but it can also guide us on simple things we can do to help us change to make our lives easier. With some tests there is a feeling of'well, that's me, I am stuck with it'. With the Enneagram we discover not just who we are but how to become healthier emotionally and spirituality, how to transform our way of being in the world and fulfil our potential. Understanding Tlie Enneayram is also the only tool we know that so successfully offers insight into spiritual aspects of our being. It can help us to understand our true essence - some woLild say divine essence - and how we can find our way to fulfil ourtrue path in life. Finding greater meaning and purpose in our work and relationships is the very stuff of spiritual work. It is also helpful in tracing what spiritual practices are best suited to us to gain greater insight into our deepest selves and connect with our source, whatever we perceive that to be. Each of the nine types in the Enneagram hasa particularway of looking at things, solving problems and interacting with others. Knowing our type can give us insight in to how to respond ina way that will be heard and be most effective, thus bringing us more fulfilment. The message of the Enneagram isto become more aware of how we respond under stress. Tliat allows us to make a choice to respond in a different, healthier way These are the nine personality types: Type 1: the reformer ' There is a sensible way of handling everything.' Reformers are principled and idealistic. They are conscientious, with a strong sense of right and wrong, agents for change - advocates and teachers - always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake. They are moral and ethical, critica! and perfectionist, well organised, orderly and fastidious, but can also be impersonal, rigid, and emotionally constricted. They can be angry and impatient At their best they can be wise, discerning, realistic and noble. Type 2: the helper 'Let me do that far you. ' Helpers are caring and nurturing. They are empathetic, sincere and warm-hearted. They are people- oriented, friendly, generous and

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enneagramma e personalità

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  • who do youthink you are?

    Stephen Wright and Jean Sayre-Adams explain how the Enneagrampersonahty test can help find greater meaning and purpose in lifePersonality inventories are anincreasingly common tool inemployment practice, thoughstill rare In nursing. At theSacred Space Foundation, wehave found the Enneagram to bea most valuable insighttechnique that helps peopleunderstand what makes themtick and why they may havefallen into crisis.

    The Enneagram is a 'naturalbridge between psychological andspiritual/transformational work.It is not only comprehensive,illustrating the full range of humanpotential, it isalso dynamic,indicating the ways in which eachperson can grow and maximise hisor her spiritual and psychologicalpotential' (Riso and Hudson 1999).

    In the Enneagram each of ushas a personality type but we arealso influenced by other aspects.Take the test at www.enneagraminstitute.com to discover yourtype and its influences in your life.Likeali spiritual tools, thistechnique equips us for deeperinsight, to know ourselves morefully, but it is also nota one-off.

    Like meditation or any otherspiritual practice it can be, indeedneeds to be, a constant referencepointorspiritual discipline; themore we commit to and work withit the more is revealed to us. TheEnneagram is especially helpfulbecause it can guide us towardsan awareness not just of who weare, like tots of psychometric tests

    'WE DISCOVER HOW TO CHANGEOUR WAY OF BEING IN THE WORLDAND FULFIL OUR POTENTIAL

    Personality inventories are common inemployment practice but the Enneagram offersnurses a way to see how they can grow and alsoget the best out of their colleagues.

    KeywordsEnneagram Personality inventory Personalitytypes Human potential Spiritual work Workinginteams Problem solving Interactions

    20 april 18;; vol 21 no 32 "2007

    do, but it can also guide us onsimple things we can do to help uschange to make our lives easier.With some tests there is a feelingof'well, that's me, I am stuck withit'. With the Enneagram wediscover not just who we are buthow to become healthieremotionally and spirituality, howto transform our way of being inthe world and fulfil our potential.

    UnderstandingTlie Enneayram is also the onlytool we know that so successfullyoffers insight into spiritualaspects of our being. It can help usto understand our true essence -some woLild say divine essence -and how we can find our way tofulfil ourtrue path in life. Findinggreater meaning and purpose inour work and relationships is thevery stuff of spiritual work. I t isalso helpful in tracing whatspiritual practices are best suitedto us to gain greater insight into

    our deepest selves and connectwith our source, whatever weperceive that to be.

    Each of the nine types in theEnneagram hasa particularwayof looking at things, solvingproblems and interacting withothers. Knowing our type can giveus insight in to how to respond inaway that will be heard and be mosteffective, thus bringing us morefulfilment. The message of theEnneagram isto become moreaware of how we respond understress. Tliat allows us to make achoice to respond in a different,healthier way These are the ninepersonality types:

    Type 1: the reformer' There is a sensible way ofhandling everything.'Reformers are principled andidealistic. They are conscientious,with a strong sense of right andwrong, agents for change -advocates and teachers - alwaysstriving to improve things, butafraid of making a mistake. Theyare moral and ethical, critica! andperfectionist, well organised,orderly and fastidious, but canalso be impersonal, rigid, andemotionally constricted. They canbe angry and impatient At theirbest they can be wise, discerning,realistic and noble.

    Type 2: the helper'Let me do that far you. 'Helpers are caring and nurturing.They are empathetic, sincere andwarm-hearted. They are people-oriented, friendly, generous and

  • april 18 :: vol 21 no 32 :: 2007 21

  • self-sacrificing, but can also besentimental, flattering andintrusive. They are possessiveof others, doing things to beneeded: they have hiddenagendas. Proud and self-deceptive, helpers can feelunappreciated,becomingmanipulative andcontrolling,Attheirbest they areunselfish andaltruistic and haveunconditional lovefor others.

    Type 3: theachiever'Feelings arelike speedbumps - theyjust slow youdown. 'Achievers are adaptableand success-oriented. Theyare self-assured, attractiveand charming. Ambitiousand energetic, they can alsobe competitive, image-consciousand concerned about what othersthink of them. They are pragmaticchameleons, saying and doingwhatever 'works' for them. Theyseek attention and admiration andcan be arrogant andopportunistic. At their best theyare self-accepting, authentic,everythi ng they seem to be - rolemodels who inspire others.

    Type 4: the individualist'It's amusing how many differentclimates of feeling one can gothrough in a day. 'Individualistsare romantic andintrospective. Self-aware,

    self-pitying, and have problemswith depression and self-rejection.

    At their best they are inspired andhighly creative, and are able torenew themselves, transform theirexperiences and be a catalyst forthe transformation of others.

    Type 5: the investigator'What if we try itanother way?'Investigators are perceptiveand cerebral. They are alert,insightful, curious, and ableto concentrate deeply to

    understand complexideas. They are

    independent,innovative andinventive, but

    can also bepreoccupied with

    their thoughts andmaginary constructs.They become detached,yet high-strung,intense, awkward andisolated. They lack

    interpersonal skills, andcan be cynical and

    eccentric- At their best theyare visionaries, able to see theworld in an entirely new way.

    Type 6: the loyalist' What can I believe in?'Loyalists are committed andsecu rity-oriented- They areendearing and likeable, formingstrong social and emotional bondswith others. Reliable andtrustworthy, they can also bepartisan and suspicious, creating'in' and 'out' groups even amongtheir friends and associates.Defensive, evasive and anxious,they run on stress while

    CHALLENGERS ARE POWERFUL AND SELF CONFIDENT.THEY CAN BE UNREASONABLE AND BELLIGERENT'sensitive, intuitive and gentle, theyare emotionally honest andpersonal, but can also be moodyand self-conscious. They dwell intheir fantasies, feeling different,melancholy, and exempt fromordinary ways of living. They canbe impractical, self-indulgent and

    complaining about it. Cautiousand indecisive, but also defiantand rebellious, they can spendtime talking tough and blamingothers. At their best they areopen-minded and self-reliant,courageously supporting theweak and powerless.

    Type 7: the enthusiast'I haven't figured out what I wantta be when I grow up.'Enthusiasts are busy andproductive. They are extrovert,optimistic, spontaneous, playful,high-spirited, practical andaccomplished, but can also beover-extended, superficial andundisciplined. They areacquisitive, seeking constantstimulation and distractthemselves by staying on the go.They are uninhibited, excessive,and self-centred, and can bechildish,demandingandinsensitive to others. At their bestthey focus their many talents onworthwhilegoals, becomingappreciative and joyous.

    Type 8: the challenger'lam the master of my fate. 'Challengers are powerful andaggressive. Self-confident, strong,assertive, protective, resourcefuland decisive, but alsodomineering, boastful andegocentric. They feel they mustcontrol their environment,particularly people, becomingconfrontational and intimidating- everything is a contest of wills.They can be defiant,unreasonable and openlybelligerent, Attheir best theyhave mastered the self and usetlieirstrengtli to improve others'lives, becoming heroic,magnanimousand inspiring.

    Type 9: the peacemaker7go with the flow. 'Peacemakers are easygoing andaccommodating. They areaccepting, trusting, stable,good-natured, optimistic,straightforward and supportive,but can also be too willing to goalong to keep the peace. Theytend to be complacent, tosimplify probiemsand minimiseanything upsetting. They arecreatures of lia bit, and can bepassive and unwilling to change,stubborn, inattentive andneglectful. At their best they areindomitable, all embracing andable to bring people together andheal conflicts.

    22 april 18 :: vol 21 no 32 :: 2007 NURSING STANDARD

  • The illLimination tbat comesfrom the Enneagram can be lifechanging. It bas helped us deepenour own understanding of whatmakes us tick. It can be used likeany other spiritual practice -reading about your type, forexample, at regular intervals tosee how you might be changingand wbat needs to change.

    Letting goForme. Stepben, a type 3, thestruggle has been to get awayfrom the tendency whenunhealthy to seek success at theexpense of true feelings, to let goof patterns of overgiving andworkabolism, to become moreautbentic and heart-centredrather than ambitious andattention seeking. Jean, a type A,liad to learn how to understandfeelings, to discern betweenwhat is real and unreal, toovercome a tendency towithdraw and engage more fullyand meaningfully with others.

    For both of us it lias meant aprofound shift into the discoveryof tbe essential love at the core ofour being, to use that totransform the iinbealtby aspectsof our characters and to move toa place where we can find ourpath of service in tbe world. TheEnneagram has not just beenabout placing ourselves under aself-indulgent microscope, but atool for personal reflection. I t hasbeen a source of bard work. When

    In the Insight seriOk ' Insight overviewr April 4

    Kxploratory coursesApril I 1

    EnneagratnApril IS

    Life coaching^ April 2.S

    PsychotherapyMay 2

    NURSING STANDARD

    we see clearly those bits ofourselves tbat are not wbole orare diseased, we can dosomething about healing andtransforming them.

    Looking at the nine typesoutlined, we can see the gifts eachmay bring to a team, as well as theproblems and difficulties that canarise when members of the teamare unhealthy or feeling stressed.

    One well-functioning, happyteam we worked with - a largeone of 28 - had at least one ofeach type. Tliis team bad a strongleader - a healthy type 1, who waswise, discerning, and able torecognise intuitivelytlie talents ofeach person and the kind ofsupport tbey needed to functionat a high level. Tlie team had funwith tbe Enneagram as tbeawareness of themselves and oftheir colleagues increased. Astime passed they developed astrong supportive network.

    Nursing often seems a naturalcareer for helpers andpeacemakers. Outwardly, thesetypes often behave similarly -both wanting to help. But themotivation is different. Tbe helperwants to be loved by thosethey help. Thepeacemaker wants tofind inner peace,which is impossible as longas there isdiscord

    Spiritual counsellingMay9

    around them, so they try to solvethe discord. Loyalists are alsodrawn to nursing. Wanting tosupport tbe weak and ill, tbeymay also believe nursing will givethem security.

    All types are found in thehelping professions, but 4s, 5sand7s may struggle to find a niche.Type 4s would want somethingcreative, 5s a job tbat wassomewbat solitary and 7s may notfind it stimulating enough. Type 3swould probably be doingsomething innovative and 8smight aspire to leadership.

    We can see wbat can happenwlien different types are stressedand try to interact. Type 2s canbecome victims, 9s minimise theproblem and withdraw, 6s cause'in' and 'out' groupsand blameothers. Type 3s may see a cbanceto gettothetopand8scanbebullies. Solutions could result fromone person taking overand makingthe decisions.

    Our experience has been that ittakes only one person

    who has found theirtrue type to

    transform not justthemselves but thesituation aroundthem. In becomingmore aware of

    when tbey areresponding fromaplaceof bealth

    or distress, andchanging that

    response tiirougbawareness, desire and choice,

    they can begin to make a cbangein tbeir respective teams NS

    Stephen Wright is professorat the Faculty of Health andSocial Care, St Martin's College,Carlisle, and chair of theSacred Space Foundation.Jean Sayre-Adams is director,Sacred Space Foundation

    Refer'netRiso I), Hudson R (1999] The Wisdomof the iiiietigrj"!. Bantam, New York.

    Further infoniiation fromwww.enneagraniinstitute.coni

    april 18 :: vol 21 no 32 :: 2007 23

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