Finding your dominant Enneagram Type can be straight forward, and for other folks, feel like a real challenge. Whatever your experience, I want you to know it’s normal, because no one will have the same experience you have!
Often the typing process is challenging because modern conversations around the Enneagram shapes it as nine single archetypes, instead of the 27 distinct archetypes available within the model. What online test can keep up with 27 different archetypes? 😂
Each of our Enneagram Types are made up of a variety of components:
Our dominant Enneagram Type represents our most limited, or fixated, self and is a collection of the coping strategies and habits we’ve formed out of early childhood. These habits build the basis of our personality and often take shape by the ages of 7 – 11 years old.
These habits, then, get ingrained into our subconscious as familiar patterns, which can make it hard to name them decades later if we aren’t regularly practicing self-awareness techniques. Identifying our core Enneagram Type can be hard if we are only looking through our lens of “today”, as an individual who has inevitably learned new skills and habits.
So, where should you start?
Naming the patterns and motivations under your Enneagram Type can be a really helpful step in our healing and transformational journeys.
- Erin Baute
Self-reflection and discovery is a really accessible way to connect with your dominant Enneagram Type. However, it may just take a bit of time to explore and reflect in a way that allows you to find a connection to a core motivation. There’s no timetable to this work, so take your time and go at your own pace.
You might also find that working with a professional helps you get clarity more quickly. Many enneagram professionals will take you through a structured interview process as a way to sift through the nuances of your Enneagram type. However, it is never appropriate or ethical for any Enneagram professional to “tell” you your type, although the objective guidance can be helpful and eye-opening.
Naming the patterns and motivations under your Enneagram Type can be a really helpful step in our healing and transformational journeys.
If you are ready to get started, I’ve put together a free resource to walk you through a process of elimination to help you better self-identifying your Enneagram Type
Download your Free Enneagram Self-Typing Guide Here!
And if you already know your Enneagram Type, but are looking to dive a bit deeper into your learning, below are some of my favorite resources to recommend!
Enneagram Must Read Book List
Enneagram Must Read List (Free Download) – LivingtheEnneagram
Enneagram Education
For those who want a deep dive into their Enneagram Type, but without the major time commitment.
https://livingtheenneagram.myshopify.com/collections/online-courses
Enneagram Schools
For those interested in being trained as an Enneagram practitioner:
The School for Conscious Living
School of Conscious Living – Conscious Living Center (goconscious.com)
The Narrative Enneagram
The Narrative Enneagram | Creating a more compassionate world – Reach your highest potential
Enneagram Books
For those who want to read more about the Enneagram model as a whole, as well as how it relates to their own type:
The Modern Enneagram by Kacie Berghoef & Melanie Bell
The Conscious Enneagram by Abi Robins
The Enneagram for Black Liberation by Chichi Agorom
Enneagram Podcasts
For those who want to hear about the Enneagram in practice:
Living The Enneagram | Media Features
Antiracist Enneagram
The Antiracist Enneagram Podcast with Jessica Denise Dickson on Apple Podcasts
Do It for the Gram: An Enneagram Podcast
Do It For The Gram: An Enneagram Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Just remember, wherever you are consuming your Enneagram information, make sure the teacher, coach or practitioner is actively challenging their own bias as a part of their Enneagram work.
It is unethical and inappropriate for anyone, no matter how experienced, to tell you they know more about your Enneagram experience than you do.
Erin Baute helps entrepreneurs, business owners, managers, and influential people find their way back from the personality burnout experienced when our coping strategies get overused and our intuition ignored. She is a skilled business coach and behavioral strategist with over 20 years of experience in behavior change and professional development with individuals and teams. Erin earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development, Master of Public Health and is finishing her PhD in Organizational Psychology, with a focus on personal and professional development using personality as a framework.
Erin has been studying and using the Enneagram for almost 13 years. She is a Certified Enneagram Teacher and Trainer, and an Accredited Enneagram Professional from the International Enneagram Association.
She is working toward her Somatic Experiencing practitioner certification to help her clients make lasting body-based changes and improve her ability to help them find holistic coping strategies for who they are, today.
Instagram: @livingtheenneagram
YouTube: Living the Enneagram
Medical Disclaimer: All content found on the HER Health Collective Website was created for informational purposes only and are the opinions of the HER Health Collective experts and professional contributors. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately.
© 2023 HER Health Collective. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Privacy Policy.