People love personality tests. It’s human nature to want to know yourself and at the very least be understood by others. Personality assessments often give us a sense of self-discovery with the hope that we will gain greater understanding of our strengths and maybe even what career path may or may not suit us. But have you ever wondered why someone you’re in relationship with might think, act, or respond so differently than you in a similar situation? Or how a member of your team has such difficulty making decisions or gets visibly frustrated when a task isn’t completed the “right” way?

The Enneagram helps us gain incredible accuracy around the gifts unique to our “type,” as well as the inner motivations that hinder us from growth. These hindrances are often defense strategies we unknowingly use to protect ourselves from what we fear most, which varies according to the type you most identify with.