Instantly Identifying Enneagram Types: Key Traits
We watch people and try to figure them out all the time, most of the time we don’t even realize that we are doing it. A lot of time we consciously try to figure out who they are, where they came from, and what their story is. Essentially what we are doing is trying to figure out their enneagram type. Let’s see how we can accurately recognize their enneagram type.
What is an Enneagram?
An enneagram is the theory of basic personality types. Theorist have developed a list of 9 basic personality types, along with these types are defined characteristics of each type. In reality the enneagram is actually a figure made of 3 components that point to the main personality type of a person.
Three Components of the Enneagram Figure
Part 1: A circle
The symbol of unity. This brings the points of the enneagram together as one figure.
Part 2: Inner Triangle
This symbolizes the law of 3. This inner triangle connects points 3, 6 and 9.
Part3: Irregular Hexagonal Figure
This figure represents the law of 7. This figure connects points 1, 4, 2, 8, 5 and 7.
The enneagram figure in a whole contains 9 points that are all brough together as a whole by a circle. The points in the circle are representations of the 9 basic personality types. With effort and memorization, a person can quickly test a person and find their enneagram. With that being said, not everyone is going to quickly memorize the theory behind the enneagram figure and how it works. However, each personality type is characterized by individual traits. Understanding these traits will help you understand the type. So now it’s time to put all this information together and look at how we can someone's enneagram immediately.
How to Immediately Recognize Someone’s Enneagram
We have already learned that there are 9 basic personality types, we need to keep in mind that people may at various points display characteristics of several personality types. However, they will have a dominate personality type and that will not change over the course of their life. So what are the 9 basic personality types?
9 Basic Personality Types
1- Performer / Perfectionist
2- Helper / Giver
3- Achiever / Performer
4- Individualist / Romantic
5- Investigator / Observer
6- Loyalist / Loyal Skeptic
7- Enthusiast / Epicure
8- Challenger / Protector
9- Peacemaker / Mediator
It is going to be helpful to have a full understanding of each personality type. Understanding them will tell you their fears, desires, temptations, passions and more. Understanding them fully will aid in the quick recognition of some one's enneagram.
Another thing that will help you, is to not second guess yourself. Trust your gut or intuition, most of the time it will not let you down. Generally, you will have a fairly stable idea of a person's personality type after observing them for just a few quick moments. When you see their behavior, their body language, the way they talk, and their mannerisms you will have a window into their personality. This personality type won’t change over time, it will follow them through life and remain their personality type. Being able to read these things in a person will help with quick recognition.
Ultimately it takes time to be able to make these quick recognitions because you have to understand and know each of the 9 types. Unfortunately, immediate recognition may never happen as there has to be an observation of a person's actions and behavior. In order to analyze those actions and behaviors you have to take the time to witness them, as well as understand the traits of the personality type.
In the End
I am sad to say that in the end, there really isn’t an immediate recognition. It takes time to research and understand the theories of personality types. It will take time to memorize the personality and their identifying traits. Then it takes time to observe a person's actions, even if it is just for a few minutes. Given that it takes time to even understand the different components of an enneagram let alone memorize all 9 personality types and their traits it’s safe to say that you simply cannot immediately recognize someone’s enneagram type.