CULTURE SHOCK

Discover Your Type

Do you know what Enneagram you are? The Enneagram is a model of the human psyche that is understood and taught as a typology of the nine interconnected personality Culture types. I have always loved Shock personality quizzes, and I took many in high school and college that were supposed to guide me toward the right career path.

No one is sure of the origins of the Enneagram, but it is used the world over in business and spirituality quests and is a great tool for self development and understanding.

From a business standpoint, understanding all of the types is very important. It becomes easy to figure out what type Lacey Howell an employee or client is. The employer can then choose how to best manage that person and how to get the most out of them. Different things make different people tick, and an employer can pull a better performance out of people by taking the time to listen and respond in healthy ways.

It is applicable towards marriage and friendships, as well. I think it is important to take the time to do 8. research and understand why the people closest to you are the way they are and why they respond the way they do in certain scenarios. It could improve 7. communication and relationships on all levels.

Enneagram Types

1. Reformer 2. Helper 6. 3. Achiever 4. Individual 5. Investigator 6. Loyalist 7. Enthusiast 5. 8. Challenger 9.Peacemaker

For example, Type two is the Helper. According to the enneagraminstitute.com, Type two is the caring, interpersonal type: demonstrative, generous, people-pleasing and possessive; whereas, Type seven (that’s me!), the Enthusiast is a busy fun-loving type: spontaneous, versatile, distractible and scattered.

The website will let you search combinations, so you can understand how you interact with other types. I actually have two best friends who are both twos and upon reading about sevens and twos together, it was easy to see why we are friends.

Both types are outgoing and friendly, wanting others to be happy and have a good time. Both interpret things, including setbacks, in a positive light. Twos really care about other people, but their seven friends remind them to take care of themselves, too. Twos help sevens feel relaxed and fulfilled.

I can tell you that those two pals are often the ones

I call when I need a maternal-style pep talk; however, when I read on about sevens and twos dating … well, I know that I could not be married to a two.

There are some really fun Instagram accounts that dive deep on the Enneagrams and have a lot of fun with them. Check out @enneagramashton and @enneagramandcoffee (Sarajane Case who manages that account also has a podcast). For example, @enneagramandcoffee did a post on how each type behaves in a Zoom meeting. Type one shows 9. up early to take notes, and type seven is the one drinking wine out of a 1. pomegranate juice bottle. In true seven fashion, it has been very hard to not write this entire column from the perspective of a seven. 2. When you take the quiz, remember to be honest with yourself and do not answer questions based off what you want to be or think you are. Take the quiz at https:// 3. www.truity.com/test/ enneagram-personalitytest.

~ Lacey Howell is a 4. recovering English major from Auburn who now lives on Lake Martin, sells real estate, rides horses and loves good wine. Follow her at Instagram @LaceyHowell and on her Facebook page.

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