Neither Shield Nor Sword: Enneagram Ethics

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal development and understanding, offering deep insights into our motivations and fears. However, with great insight comes great responsibility. How we use this knowledge—in relation to ourselves and others—matters immensely. This blog explores the ethical use of the Enneagram, ensuring it serves as a catalyst for growth rather than a tool for conflict.

Using the Enneagram Responsibly

The Enneagram should not be used as a shield to hide behind our flaws. When we say things like, “That’s just because I’m a Type Three,” we might be avoiding personal responsibility and growth. The Enneagram is not an excuse for our behavior but a guide to become better versions of ourselves.

Pro Tip #1 Reflect, don't deflect. Use insights from your Enneagram type to reflect on your actions and grow, rather than deflecting criticism or responsibility.

Honoring Vulnerability

When someone shares their Enneagram type, they entrust you with a key to their inner world. This information should be treated with respect and care. Using someone’s Enneagram type against them, especially to exploit their fears, is an abuse of trust. For example, criticizing a Type One for a minor mistake by challenging their integrity can be deeply wounding because it targets their core fear of being morally flawed.

Pro Tip #2 Practice empathy, not exploitation. When you understand someone’s Enneagram type, use this knowledge to foster empathy and support, not to manipulate or wound.

The Ethics of Typing Others

While it can be tempting to type friends, family, or coworkers, assigning Enneagram types to others can be problematic. Only an individual can truly know their inner motivations and fears—the essential elements that determine one’s Enneagram type. Guessing someone’s type might seem harmless, but it risks putting them in a box and potentially misinterpreting their actions through an inaccurate lens, so we must hold our opinions with an open hand. Also, by telling someone what type we think they are, we can send them down the wrong path and postpone their self-discovery journey.

Pro Tip #3 Encourage discovery, don't impose labels. If you believe the Enneagram can help someone, encourage them to explore it themselves. Offer resources and guidance, but let them lead the journey of discovering their type.

Fostering Growth Through Ethical Use

The ethical use of the Enneagram enhances relationships and personal growth. By using the Enneagram responsibly, we can avoid the pitfalls of misapplication and instead use it to truly understand and improve ourselves and our interactions with others.

Finding Your Enneagram Type Begin the journey to understanding yourself by identifying your Enneagram type through introspection and reflection on your core motivations. Which type(s) do you find resonating with your experiences and inner life? To assist you in this exploration, consider taking this Enneagram typing quiz. It serves as a helpful starting point, guiding you toward potential types that might match your motivations. Remember, the quiz results are just the beginning; they should spark further inquiry and self-reflection, not provide definitive answers.

WHAT'S MY ENNEAGRAM TYPE QUIZ

Wrapping Up

The Enneagram is a powerful tool for understanding human behavior and motivations, but it must be used with integrity and respect. By avoiding the pitfalls of using the Enneagram as a shield to hide behind our deficiencies or as a sword to harm others, we can foster a more empathetic and understanding world. I want to invite you to commit to using the Enneagram ethically, as a means of personal growth and constructive interaction.

Looking to Go Deeper?

If you’re curious about how to apply the Enneagram in your life or need guidance on your Enneagram journey, consider Enneagram coaching. Together, we can explore how to use the Enneagram not only to understand who you are but also to improve how you relate to the world around us.