THE ENNEAGRAM
At Wit and Wisdom, the Enneagram is a tool to support increased awareness, empathy, and meaningful connection, for self and others. By exploring core motivations, fears, and behavioral patterns, the Enneagram helps individuals and teams develop the vocabulary and tools needed for authentic leadership and collaboration.
Transformation occurs when we open ourselves to change, embrace discomfort, explore with curiosity, and examine our patterns and blind spots. The Enneagram offers a set of lenses for us to view ourselves and others.
Encourages authenticity – Recognizing our core fears and habitual defenses, we learn to show up more authentically in our relationships and leadership.
Deepens empathy – When we understand our motivations and struggles, and those of others, we foster greater empathy and compassion, while reducing conflict.
Increases self-awareness – The Enneagram offers lenses to see our patterns of behavior, habitual reactions, and blind spots. It supports greater awareness and conscious and aligned decision-making.
Understanding identity, privilege, and systemic challenges is critical in personal and team development. At Wit and Wisdom, we create spaces for individuals and teams—particularly those representing historically marginalized communities—to explore their unique experiences and strengths in a way that honors their stories and realities.
By integrating the Enneagram with a commitment to equity and justice, we guide individuals and teams toward deeper connection, greater alignment, and enduring transformation.
My Enneagram Journey
Several years ago, I was wrestling with a complicated and complex question, “How can I be myself, and work in ways that enable me to move things forward and improve systems, without alienating people, and being perceived as approachable and supportive? After feeling like I was making progress professionally, but never fully understood, my coach suggested I take the Enneagram.
Admittedly my first response was to cringe, I am an Enneagram 8, and was very uncomfortable with the label, Active Controller. I certainly did not view myself as someone attempting to control other people. As I continued reading the report, I was nearly floored when I read characteristics of 8s, such as “easy access to anger” or “high energy and intensity” and “tight inner circle of friends.” To each of these I reacted, “yep, true.” I went further and asked colleagues and friends about other descriptions. I liken this practice to asking friends how you look when you purchase a new outfit, shoes, or change your hair. Your trust they will tell you the “real.” I asked close colleagues and friends about descriptions such as “friendship is trust extended to those you protect and by whom you feel protected” or “outstanding leader; holds the community together, can be hostile to threatening outsiders” and how they reflected their experience with me. Their reactions validated the Enneagram description of me holding dominant 8 energy.
Discovering the Enneagram was a turning point in my personal and professional growth. As an Enneagram 8, I obviously struggled with being “told” I was anything, let alone one number, but I quickly appreciated the vocabulary it offered for things I had only felt but lacked words to describe. Initially I was drawn to how it helped me understand my own behaviors, and soon realized it was a pair of glasses for seeing others as well. The Enneagram allowed me to see myself and others with more clarity and compassion. Over the years, I’ve deepened my knowledge through study, training, and working with individuals and teams. Now, I help leaders and groups use the Enneagram to foster self-awareness, improve communication, and create more meaningful connections. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to go deeper, I’m excited to share what I’ve learned and help you along your journey.
Getting Started With The Enneagram
Introductory Resources:
The Enneagram Institute – A resource with descriptions of all nine types, growth paths, and a type test.
The Narrative Enneagram – Offers in-depth training, courses, and a unique panel-based approach to learning the Enneagram.
Truity Enneagram Test – An affordable Enneagram test to help you explore your type.
Integrative 9 Enneagram Solutions A comprehensive Enneagram test, offering a detailed report. Can be combined with otherIEQ9 test takers to produce team report.
9types.com – A collection of descriptions, message boards, and type-related discussions.
Deepening Your Understanding
Beatrice Chestnut & Uranio Paes – A deep dive into subtypes and advanced Enneagram study.
The Art of Growth Podcast – Thoughtful conversations on how the Enneagram applies to personal and professional development.
Books
Know Justice, Know Peace by Deborah Edgerton
The Enneagram for Black Liberation by Chi Chi Agorom
The Road Back to You by Ian Cron.
The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut – A deep dive into subtypes.
Applying the Enneagram
Ginger Lapid-Bogda’s Resources – Enneagram applications for leadership, teams, and organizations.
Typology Podcast – Hosted by Ian Morgan Cron, featuring conversations on how different types show up in life and work.
Enneagram Prison Project – A nonprofit using the Enneagram for personal transformation in prison populations.