Photo by Filip Mroz on Unsplash

A couple of weeks ago I asked people on Facebook and Twitter to submit their questions about the Enneagram.

Read part 1 and part 2.

If you're not familiar with the Enneagram, read my overview post. 

I actually have wondered about the overlap between MBTI and Enneagram. I don't they serve different functions, but the stuff Faith said [about being Type Five] I've always attributed to being an INFJ. 

How does MBTI type correlate to Enneagram type?

Myers-Briggs explains how you are. The Enneagram explains why you are. 

While I believe there are connections between the two systems, I haven't come across many viable resources on the topic, beyond basic correlations. 

But you might find the following articles interesting:

• Enneagram and MBTI Correlation from Typology Wiki (very information dense, which may be perfect for Fives.)
• Myers-Briggs/MBTI & Enneagram Correlations from Personality Junkie

The best chart comparison I've found is in Are You My Type, Am I Yours?, which not only compares the two systems but breaks it down further by males and females. (This makes me curious about what might happen if they went beyond the male-female binary.)

I'm always looking for info on using the enneagram in my working life; I've had a few really key revelations of why I work certain ways because I'm a 9 and I'm trying to expand that to my team. I manage a team of americorps members at a non-profit and this year had them all determine their enneagram type so I can better adjust my management style to each, but I'm not entirely sure where to start, especially for the ones whose types I'm least familiar with.

First, imagine me giving you a round of applause for incorporating the Enneagram at work. This is amazing and I wish all companies would do this. The Enneagram was big at my last job- it was even part of my interview to be hired- and we all regularly referenced our types in conversation. It made such a big difference in terms of handling conflict and communicating well. My coworkers weren't perfect but I don't think it's a coincidence that it was one of the best work environments I've ever experienced.

Second, the book I'd start with is Helen Palmer's The Enneagram In Love And Work. Palmer shows how each type interacts with other types in both relationships and at work. The analysis for each type pairing's dynamic at work and in relationships is different, which makes sense because we relate to each other differently if we're coworkers vs. dating/married. It's a great resource to have.

Next, Beatrice Chestnut released a book a couple of weeks ago that might be perfect for you: The 9 Types Of Leadership: Mastering The Art Of People In The 21st Century Workplace. I just happened to see it over the weekend so I haven't read it yet but her book The Complete Enneagram is one of my go-tos and I imagine this will become one as well.

Common misconceptions - about the whole thing, about certain types - your post about people totally misunderstanding it made me curious.

That Facebook post was a little tongue in cheek but...

The most common misconceptions probably have to do with wings and arrows. And I get it. Arrows in particular are hard to understand at first. But more than that, people can really, really misunderstand their type. Or they'll say they're two types. Either they haven't typed themselves correctly or they just plain don't understand what being a Two or Seven, etc. is really all about. 

No one is going to be an expert on their type from the start- I certainly wasn't!- but for some reason, many people new to the Enneagram present their type as if they are experts. More often than not, the information they present is wrong. I always tell people they've got to live it out for a while. See if they can catch themselves being their type during their day to day life.  

If I can offer a word of caution to people who want to type everyone around them: you are the only one who can determine your type. You might have guesses about someone's type but for the love of all that is holy stop telling people you know what type they are. You don't. If someone asks you for your best guess on their type, give them a couple of options. Otherwise, let them discover it on their own.

Any good Enneagram blogs, sites, Twitter accts, etc that you like.

The Enneagram Institute website is at the top of my list. So much good, time-tested information over there.

Favorite Books On The Enneagram (Books are my first resource forever and always.)

I haven't listened to Enneagram podcasts beyond an episode or two but people seem to like The Road Back To You, Typology, and The Liturgists Episode 37: The Enneagram. People have recommended Wild Crazy Meaningful Enneagram to me and while it was not my cup of tea, perhaps it will be yours.

I've appeared on a few podcasts to introduce the Enneagram. Listen to The Art Of Simple Episode 6: Enneagram 101 (originally titled Confront Your Junk), Sorta Awesome Episode 12: Oh, the Enneagram? It's Awesome! and Extra Awesome: Leigh Kramer Answers Your Enneagram Questions, The Lively Show #106: How The Enneagram Can Help You Grow And Improve Relationships (timely for the holidays!), and The Practical Minimalists Episode 28: The Freedom Of Knowing Yourself With The Enneagram. 

Suzanne Stabile shared her visual representation of each type on her Facebook page. They're not grouped by an album so scroll through the photos until you find your type. Example above.

I also like The Visual Enneagram, which you can purchase on Amazon and which EnneaApp uses for their test results.

30 Seconds Or Less gave us Enneavember a couple of years ago and the quick insights on each type were wonderful. (I'm on there for Type Four.)

Beyond this, take a gander at any of the feeds of Enneagram experts you enjoy. Many share insights about each type regularly. Enneagram in the Narrative Tradition usually has some great graphics and insights.