Enneagram and Culture: The Nature Vs. Nurture Interplay

By exploring the subtle interconnection of the Enneagram and culture, we can get a deeper understanding of the factors that shape personality types. The Enneagram theory has different implications in different cultures, and it is important to consider these external influences in order to interpret the theory adequately.

In this article, we’ll discuss the role that Enneagram theory plays in different cultures and how we can use it effectively to have a better insight into ourselves and the world we live in.

Let’s jump in!

How Does Culture Influence the Enneagram?

The dominant way in which any culture imposes its influence on Enneagram is reflected in the basic values imprinted in every culture. Differences in how different cultures perceive gender roles, success, life purpose, and identity vary greatly, and thus, the way Enneagram types and theory are interpreted varies, too.

Enneagram in Western vs. Enneagram in Eastern Cultures

Western culture generally emphasizes achievement, success, personal growth, and individual identity. There’s also a lot of discussion on the narcissistic aspects of Western culture in which self-promotion is celebrated.

Moreover, status, material wealth, and individual power are also values associated with Western culture, particularly with the mentality in the U.S., where the focus is largely on external validation.

Therefore, it makes sense to expect that Enneagram Types like Threes and Eights will be interpreted and perceived as the best-adapted and most dominant types in the U.S.

On the other hand, in collectivist cultures, such as Asian or African, these same types may be perceived as less desirable and egocentric since these cultures value community well-being.

Moreover, a strong focus on connectedness, family, harmony, and interdependence that is characteristic of Eastern cultures is naturally more supportive of Types like Nine, Six, Two, or One, who are collaborative and willing to sacrifice personal goals for the sake of the community.

Thus, we can see how the same personality traits of Enneagram types may be interpreted differently in different cultures. But more importantly, some cultures may accept the Enneagram and its theory, while others may reject it for different reasons, depending on its cultural overlays and adaptations.

Enneagram and Cultural Adaptation

Enneagram theory is multifaceted and based on the knowledge of many different philosophical, spiritual, and psychological theories. From Sufism and Christian mysticism to Neoplatonism and Greek philosophy, the Enneagram blends all these influences into a unique interpretation of human personality.

So, considering the diversity of the influences it is based on, Enneagram can be successfully adapted to every culture. Moreover, the modern age and global interconnectedness have made Enneagram popular across the world, and there are almost no societal limitations to its use.

Nevertheless, certain religious communities may be opposed to the idea of the Enneagram and similar theories in general. This may be due to different influences that converge into the theory or due to the specific prejudices and stereotypes associated with the Enneagram and culture.

For example, the Enneagram may conflict with the specific beliefs within a particular system, thus causing tension. Plus, since it is not entirely scientifically based, Enneagram can also be frowned upon by different scientific and secular communities.

However, the Enneagram is generally well accepted, and there are many interpretations of it that attempt to understand it through the lenses of specific religions. For example, Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert dedicated the book The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective to exploring the Enneagram through the lenses of Christian thought.

The bottom line is that the Enneagram theory holds a powerful potential to bridge cultural gaps across the world precisely because of its cross-cultural origins. Thanks to its flexible and multifaceted framework, the Enneagram can be used as a tool for better intercultural communication, collaboration, and exchange of influences.

Practical Applications of the Enneagram in the Context of Culture

There are many practical applications of Enneagram in the context of culture, and that’s one of the theory’s greatest advantages. It can be used as a very versatile tool for understanding human behavior and personality and, as such, can be applied in many fields of culture.

So, let’s see some of the most effective ways in which Enneagram and culture can join forces in practical application:

Training and Workshops

Enneagram training and workshops could be designed to enhance intercultural understanding by encouraging participants to map how their Enneagram type corresponds with their cultural values.

Each participant may be asked to propose how they see their type fitting in with different cultures than their original one and inspire participants to exchange their personal experiences.

For example, an Enneagram Type Three may feel more at peace with themselves in the Western culture that promotes individual achievement, whereas a Type Six may feel more at ease in a collectivistic culture that focuses more on serving the community. These kinds of training are a great way to enhance cross-cultural dialog and promote empathy and tolerance.

Counseling and Coaching

Enneagram is widely used by counselors and coaches, as it allows them to quickly map their clients’ areas for growth and development, as well as their strengths, weaknesses, and challenges.

By combining their understanding of the local culture and insights from the Enneagram, counselors, and coaches can create a more effective strategy for their clients to overcome the challenges that the culture they live in imposes on them.

For example, an Enneagram Type Nine may feel disoriented and lost in the typical corporate setting in a U.S. state. A counselor can help them adapt better to their environment and use their strengths more effectively.

Personal Development

There’s no doubt that Enneagram is a powerful tool for self-development. Its flexibility and depth of insight are universal, meaning that there aren’t any cultural limitations to using it as a framework for raising self-awareness and personal growth path.

Additionally, understanding the essence of our Enneagram type can help us comprehend to what extent we are influenced by culture and how much of our true, inherent nature we live and express.

The insight and clarity that come from knowing one’s Enneagram type can also help us navigate cultural challenges without abandoning our core values.

Finally, Enneagram can help us improve very practical, everyday aspects of our lives, such as our workplace atmosphere and culture.

What About Enneagram and Workplace Culture?

We are stepping away from the general concept of culture as it relates to nations and regions and zooming in on a practical, everyday subset: workplace culture.

Leveraging the Enneagram to create a positive workplace culture is one of the reasons why Enneagram became so popular within the corporate world in the first place. Many recruiters and human resources professionals use it because it is comprehensive, practical, and has the power to predict someone's behavior in a business environment very accurately.

In addition, understanding Enneagram types gives insight into a potential employee’s core values, motivations, desires, and needs, making it easier to estimate how they would fit in with the company's workplace culture.

Creating an inspiring, encouraging, supportive, and overall positive workplace environment is the goal of every employer, yet there are so many different ways to achieve it. The value of Enneagram is that it allows a tailor-made approach, taking into account many diverse factors, thus enabling employers to cultivate the desired workplace atmosphere.

Furthermore, many studies point out that, among other important reasons, a toxic workplace culture is one of the most important factors contributing to employees leaving the company.

So, it is safe to conclude that the quality of workplace culture is a significant indicator of a business's success, affecting both the reputation of the employer and the efficacy of its employees.

Practical Ideas for Implementing Enneagram Professional Settings

Let’s take a look at some practical ideas of how Enneagram can be used to improve workplace culture:

• Building a team: Creating a team that would work together is also much easier with Enneagram, as it allows for the selection of team members who are mutually compatible and, therefore, can work well together.
• Change management: Though constant change is normalized in the modern era, people are naturally inclined to resist it, especially in an organizational setting. Enneagram can help employees identify the ways in which they can adapt more easily to the change and make the best use of their skills.
• Conflict management: Conflict is inevitable in every type of workplace culture and every industry. However, the key indicator of a company’s health isn’t how much conflict there is in it but how they are resolved. Enneagram can help companies find the most effective conflict management strategies without experiencing a major crisis each time a conflict comes up.

Final Thoughts

Exploring the interplay between Enneagram and culture on all conceptual levels is an inspiring endeavor that can provide us with plenty of useful insights.

Culture shapes our personality but only to a certain extent, and understanding where the boundaries of our authentic selves merge with the cultural influences can bring relief to many tensions we often experience on a daily level.

Moreover, Enneagram can be more than a tool for self-discovery. It can help us bridge cross-cultural gaps and improve workplace culture by enhancing inclusion, empathy, and understanding.