GROUP WORK / SAMPLE DAY 4
Exploring the Enneagram
A day exploring the Enneagram as a resource for reflecting on ourselves, our relationships and the different ways we see the world.
A different way of understanding one another
Why can the same situation bring out such different responses in different people? The Enneagram offers one resource for exploring that question, and for noticing the habits, expectations and motivations that shape our own responses.
We begin with its underlying principles and nine personality patterns, then explore how these ideas might help us understand ourselves and relate more thoughtfully to others.
How the framework works
Within the Enneagram tradition, we may recognise a familiar starting point or “base camp” among the nine patterns, while noticing aspects of several in ourselves. We explore the neighbouring patterns, often called wings, and how our responses may change when we feel secure or under pressure.
The emphasis is on curiosity and reflection, rather than finding a label for ourselves or someone else. I use the Enneagram as a resource for conversation, not as a diagnosis or a fixed explanation of who we are.
Nine patterns, three triads
To make room for each of the nine patterns, we explore them in three groups, traditionally called triads. Each offers a different starting point for understanding our responses:
- Gut or instinctive — 8, 9 and 1: our instinctive responses, sense of autonomy, boundaries and ways of handling disagreement.
- Heart or feeling — 2, 3 and 4: connection, recognition, identity and the wish to feel valued.
- Head or thinking — 5, 6 and 7: understanding, security, uncertainty and the possibilities we anticipate.
We all think, feel and act. The day invites us to notice where we tend to begin, and what we might gain by giving the other perspectives more room.
Bringing it into our relationships
Through everyday examples, quiet reflection and discussion, we consider how these different perspectives can play out between partners, within families, among friends and at work.
We might explore what happens when one person wants reassurance, another wants space and a third wants to take action. The aim is to listen more carefully, make fewer assumptions and find more helpful ways to respond.
In the workplace and classroom, exploring these perspectives can encourage clearer communication, greater patience and a more thoughtful response to the different ways people work and learn.
An illustrative programme
This proposed outline runs from 10am to 5pm, including lunch and tea breaks. We shape the emphasis around your group, with time to explore each pattern and bring the ideas into everyday life.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 10.00–10.30 | Welcome and an introduction to the Enneagram: its principles, nine patterns and value as a resource for understanding ourselves and others |
| 10.30–11.15 | How the framework works: motivations, familiar patterns, wings and our responses to security and pressure |
| 11.15–11.30 | Tea break |
| 11.30–12.30 | The gut triad — 8, 9 and 1: exploring each pattern through examples, reflection and discussion |
| 12.30–1.15 | Lunch |
| 1.15–2.15 | The heart triad — 2, 3 and 4: exploring each pattern, connection and the wish to feel valued |
| 2.15–3.00 | The head triad — 5, 6 and 7: exploring each pattern, uncertainty and our ways of looking ahead |
| 3.00–3.15 | Tea break |
| 3.15–4.15 | Relationships in everyday life: listening, assumptions, communication and responding to differences at home and at work |
| 4.15–5.00 | Drawing the threads together: questions, personal reflection and practical ideas to take away |
Read more about the Enneagram →