I feel like the “Enneagram” is the new hot personality test that everyone is using to define themselves. I see it everywhere – in people’s bios saying how they’re a “9” or in passing conversation on how they’re such a “4” that they tend to “xxx” blah blah blah — and I never had a clue/care for what they were talking about but I finally took the test and so I thought I’d share the results!

But firstly, I want to preface that I’m not a huge fan of this test LOL. I’ve had the chance to take many different personality tests but this one was my least favorite. I didn’t particularly enjoy taking this one nor did I think the results were as accurate as other tests. I also found it a bit more difficult to answer the questions on this test compared to others I’ve taken in the past, but it may be because I’m in a bit of a dichotomous period in my life.

I (personally) think I often take on a different personality_¹ when in my professional/work life versus my personal life, but it’s become harder to decipher the true me between the two (lol) because my professional work life has consumed so much of me the past 4+ years. I also think these past 4 years have had such a profound impact on me and has unconsciously altered how I view and approach things, compared to how I might’ve been before I entered the workforce (which I assume would be the “true” me). But also it’s normal to change over time based on experiences etc., so who knows, maybe it’s just a matter of natural growth!

Also I’m not an extreme in any manners. So while I think I’m i.e. fairly organized, it’s hard to gauge for me because it’s all relative. For example, I’m a LOT more organized when compared to someone like Michael but I’ve also met a lot of extreme personalities who are SUPER organized so it was hard for me to discern between “no,” “partly,” and “yes.”

This is probably why it said that my test results were not clear lol~

¹ There is actually a workplace test that shows your “true” personality but also reveals insights into your “adaptive” personality called the DiSC Profile! I took this at my internship during college and I really enjoyed it (bc I do believe I have two very differing approaches)! I think the original version costs money but it was very helpful to take during my early developmental years to understand my work behavior, strengths, and weaknesses so I highly recommend it!

Alright, let’s dive into the results!

The Results: My Type

I am a Enneagram Type 1, aka “The Reformer” — perfectionists, responsible, fixated on improvement. Hmmmmmm I wouldn’t say it hits the nail on the head, but I guess if I had to choose 1 out of the 9 types that most matches me (just based on a quick glance) I probably would have thought I was a 1 or a 5 (TBH, I think I may be more of a 5 than a 1).

“Ones are essentially looking to make things better, as they think nothing is ever quite good enough. This makes them perfectionists who want to reform and improve, who desire to make order out of the omnipresent chaos.”

Based on the Type 1’s description, I would say I identify with the following:

+ I do prefer order and am very much a rule follower~
+ I am VERY good at detail (I was an accountant) and I do try to make things as perfect as can be if it is a viable option (why not!)
+ I am hyper observant, aware, diligent, hardworking, reliable, honest, loyal, and I “get things done“
+ I would agree in that I don’t necessarily get angry and that I do easily get “impatient, frustrated, annoyed, and critical” (hehe)
+ I’m not the most affiliative nor in tune with emotions (but I think a lot of Asians are raised like that)
+ And (unfortunately) I am indeed a workaholic, I have some anxiety, and I can be self-denying

And here are some points on why I don’t think the Type 1 fully reflects me:

+ A big part of the Type 5 profile that I identify with is that I HATE burdening others and so, I don’t think I impose my perfectionism onto others (besides MP who just so happens to get caught up in the wraths of it since he’s always with me lol). I don’t burden others with my “reform” or try to make others “reform” along with me — rather, I will probably just take it into my own hands and improve things myself lol
+ I am SUPER easy to live with (just ask my LA roommate~~). Again, I try very hard not to inconvenience others and I always aim to contribute my share if not more than my share
+ I would NOT say I am a leader. I much prefer to be a follower…but maybe that’s just a piece of next level me that needs to unlocked!

The Results: My Wings

I also got 5w6: Type 5, aka “The Investigator” – thinkers who tend to withdraw and observe – and Type 6, aka “The Loyalist” – conflicted between trust and distrust. Type 5 and Type 6 are my next highest scoring types, and my Type 1, 5, and 6 scores are pretty even.

Fives essentially fear that they don’t have enough inner strength to face life, so they tend to withdraw, to retreat into the safety and security of the mind where they can mentally prepare for their emergence into the world. Fives feel comfortable and at home in the realm of thought. They are generally intelligent, well read and thoughtful and they frequently become experts in the areas that capture their interest.

Sixes essentially feel insecure, as though there is nothing quite steady enough to hold onto. At the core of the type Six personality is a kind of fear or anxiety. Sixes don’t trust easily; they are often ambivalent about others, until the person has absolutely proven herself, at which point they are likely to respond with steadfast loyalty.

BONUS: Michael’s Results!

Initially, I had thought Michael would definitely be a “Type 2 – The Helper,” but turns out he’s a “Type 9 – The Peacemaker” (which I believe is what he also got on his Myer Briggs test LOL) or a 9w8 with “Type 8 – The Challenger.”

Again, I am not so sure how accurate this test is (for neither me nor MP), but there you have it! Let me know what your enneagram is and your thoughts!!

Xo,
Em