Originally Published April 5, 2020.
The Enneagram was created in 1997 by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson as a means to understand ourselves and others on a deeper level.
Personality Assessments
Let me start by saying I am a big proponent of personality assessements. I enjoy the process of taking the test and finding out my results to putting those results into action. Some of the more common scientific tests that I have completed include the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (I am an ESFJ), CliftonStrengths Assessment, and Strong Interest Inventory. But don’t get me wrong, I also enjoy your casual BuzzFeed quizzes as well!
The Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator
So what made me decide to take the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator quiz from the Enneagram Institute? Well… I saw a couple of Bachelorette ladies post their results on Instagram, and I thought, why not give this a go myself? I think self-exploration and developing a deeper understanding of one’s behavioral and attitudinal attributes is key to heightening self-growth (and even relational growth).
This brings me to my results- I am a type 3 wing 2. What does this mean exactly? My highest score was a three, otherwise known as The Achiever. The dominant wing is the higher score out of the numbers on either side of the basic type (If I am a three, then my wing would be either two or four). Lucky for me, my second highest score was a two (The Helper), and this score is adjacent to three. This just goes to show I am clearly a 3w2.
My Results Analyzed
I was not surprised The Acheiver was my dominant type considering that I tend to be naturally perfectionistic, ambitious and driven. Achievers are goal-oriented, effective/competent, organized, adaptive, competitive, expedient, image-conscious, and authentic. Essentially, Achievers like to excel in whatever they do and will put in the effort to do so. This might mean going to the gym to make sure their physic is up to par, brushing feelings aside to get work done, putting in extra hours/being meticulous at work or school, dressing to impress, and being diplomatic and wanting to be approved by their peers. They “fake it until they make it” and try to avoid feelings of shame/failure, which may result in withdrawing/putting walls up out of fear of rejection. At their best, Achievers can be good communicators and team players, and they will devote their time to offering guidance and support. This seems to fit well with my personal career endeavors in becoming a Therapist turned Advisor (with the ambition of perhaps one day becoming a Mental Health Coordinator). Specifically, it makes sense as to why my second highest score and dominant wing is a two, as threes tend to project a certain image into their careers. Twos, or Helpers, tend to be caring, empathetic, and other-directed. This nurturing aspect can be inherent in women who have been socialized to care for family and children, but also in individuals who gravitate towards helping professions.
Of course, it is important to recognize that as nice as it sounds to be goal and other-directed, this might lead to burn-out as I put other’s needs above my own. As I’ve learned from my clinical masters program and significant others, the need for self-care is invaluable. It’s okay to take lunch breaks and stop doing work at 5 o’clock. It’s okay to skip the gym once/twice a week to indulge in an ice cream sandwich. And it is okay to tell others no and do what sets your soul on fire.
What type and wing are you?!?! Take the assessment and comment below to let me know!
