You are you, not a special kind. You have a pattern. And you can develop it.

People are people

We're on the move. We accommodate nuance, complexity and contrasts - and we are never just one thing.

Yet we tend to make it both complicated and too easy, when we talk about personality types in the world of work - almost like singling out and competition:

“You are a red type, then you are someone who leaves no room for others.” “He's a 3-er, so he's always concerned with just performing.”

But that's not how it works. Not really. Not when we take development seriously and go a little deeper.

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From test results to self-knowledge

As Certified Enneagram Coach, as a leader through decades, and now as an advisor in Eager, I myself have taken countless tests. Today I use such as a gateway to reflection, awareness and development — both yourself, and in individual coaching and in teamwork.

The Enneagram, as an example, is not a “test” that tells you who you are. It's a map that points to your intrinsic motivation, fear, drive and defense mechanisms.

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It describes nine different patterns - and how they are expressed, also in balance (harmony) and imbalance (pressure).

It doesn't say “that's how you are”, but:

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“these are patterns you often fall into - and herein lies your potential for development.”

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My Pattern: Front Fighter (Type 8)

I strongly recognize myself in the pattern that is often called The Front Fighter. It's about strength, control, justice and action - but also about vulnerability, which is often hidden behind a thick shield.

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As a Frontfighter, I can be:

• Quick in the twists
• Right on point
• Dominant in interaction
• Check-seeking
• Little patient with weakness — both my own and others'

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Honestly, I had to go a few laps with myself, before I recognized that this is most consistent with the way I know and act. When I accepted and embraced the front fighter pattern made a lot of sense.

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Meeting yourself — again and again

Over the years, I've been working on developing my own pattern. I've seen how it affects others -- and where I can reinforce, leave it be, or tone it down. I've been training to:

• Listening more and spending time on reflection before acting
• Relying on processes I don't control myself — letting go of control
• Be comfortable with the vulnerable and uncontrolled
• Strengthen my own power of being

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It takes a lot. It takes courage. And that requires us to be candid, both with ourselves and with each other.

In Eager is Frank and Brave two of our core values. They permeate how we work - and they are needed in the face of both ourselves and others.

For me, it's been an ongoing journey, which is never “finished.” But it has given me the opportunity to empower individuals, build safe teams and, through it, create effective systems and processes — that deliver both relationally and on the bottom line.

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Patterns can be developed

A pattern is not deadlocked. It can be understood, adjusted and developed. That's something I emphasize in everything I do:

Patterns are not diagnoses -- they are dynamic and developable.

I myself have worked on integrating more of the calm, listening and reflective from other patterns (like the Enneagram patterns 9 and 5). Not to become someone else, but to become more whole.

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Among other things, it has resulted in:

• Periods of silence
• Alone time
• Mindfulness education
• Writing and reflection

This is my way of meeting the development needs of my pattern. And it enriches life both at home and at work.

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How to work with the Enneagram?

When I work with individuals or teams, we like to start with a simple test — which gives an indication (the same can be done with other models). From there we dive deeper:

• What are the characteristics of the different patterns?
• What pattern are you most familiar with — and why?
• What are you afraid of losing?
• What happens to you under pressure?
• What characterizes you in fluidity and balance?
• Are you most head- (think), heart- (feel), or body-driven (feel) in your reactions?

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This creates a common language and a common understanding for teams. And it makes it easier to identify imbalance in the team, and also to use inequality as a resource, not a problem.

Equal children don't always play best when it comes to deliveries. Different patterns provide dynamism -- and a basis for innovation.

It also makes it possible to say things like:

“You, Karete — now I feel like you're taking a bit of a lot of control here.”

And then I will understand that my pattern is very active -- not that I am “wrong”. It allows for dialogue, not defense.

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We can learn to use it correctly

I've seen plenty of examples of improper use of personality tests:

• People who are given a color -- and are treated accordingly
• Stickers with “type green” on the desk
• Leaders who say “he's like that”as an excuse to avoid difficult conversations

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This is not development. theres stamping.

And that goes against everything we stand for in Eager. We are going to meet people with sincerity, and the challenges of versus. This is true in all relationships, including with ourselves.

It's not about what the test says, but about how we encounter the insight—with the will to understand, and then to experience.

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An Invitation to Development

You're not your box. You are not your test. You're not your number.

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You are an evolving human being

And your patterns can be doors to consciousness, freedom, and relational development.

So the next time you take a test-- or are introduced to the term “personality type” -- ask yourself:

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🔹 What does this tell me about my reaction patterns?

🔹 What do I want to keep, strengthen, and what do I want to tone down?

🔹 Which pattern do I want to integrate more of into my life — and why?

🔹 How can I learn more about myself and others through this new insight?

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Good luck to you!