Answers to the 4 most common criticisms of the Enneagram

These are the four most common criticisms of the Enneagram – and answers to each of them.

1. “Personality type models put you in a box. I know myself already.”

Thinking in terms of boxes can be problematic. Knowing your ‘box’ can in fact become an excuse: “I can’t help it, this is how I am!” But all Enneagram teachers will tell you a variation of this quote from Enneagram patriarchs Don Riso and Russ Hudson: “the Enneagram does not put us in a box, it shows us the box we are already in—and the way out.”

In other words, the Enneagram is not only a horizontal model of ‘boxes’ (types), it is also vertical: concerned with growth. It is not static, but it is dynamic: it is a model of development. It shows you what your natural tendencies are and shows and encourages you how to change those. Knowing your type is only the beginning of the journey!

Second, the Enneagram is in fact so intricate that it is difficult to speak of boxes. There are many different layers that reflect the way in which each individual is unique, both because of how they are wired (horizontal) and what level of development they have reached (vertical).

And for those who think they know themselves already: I guarantee that the Enneagram can teach you more about yourself than you could imagine

2. “It is not scientifically proven to exist and has no psychological basis.”

Religion is not scientifically proven, but it helps millions of people to find meaning, guidance, understanding, and belonging. What I mean to say is: whether or not the Enneagram has some kind of metaphysical reality is not the point. The point is that it helps people to get to know themselves and become better versions of themselves.

Don Riso and Russ Hudson write: “The proof of the Enneagram’s accuracy lies not so much in empirical validations as in its ability to describe people in a way which deepens their understanding of themselves and others.”

And indeed: research shows that learning about the Enneagram leads to improved self-acceptance, self-development, understanding of self and others, appreciation of diversity, communication, and confidence.

This is not to say that scientific criticisms of the Enneagram are not valid. To learn more about the psychological basis of the model, it may help to know that our knowledge about the different Enneagram types overlaps with the personality measure the Big Five, which is the model with the most scientific consensus.

3. “Mental health professionals already have the jargon and expertise to deal with the problems the Enneagram ‘uncovers’ in you.”

A psychologist might wonder what the added value of the Enneagram is when they already know how to pinpoint and treat the issues you are struggling with. To which I have two things to say.

For one, the Enneagram offers a shortcut to finding out who someone is and what they might struggle with. To give an example: someone might never realize that they have a problem with suppressed anger (“but I’m never angry!”) until they recognize themselves in the description of type 9 and start to explore if there might be some truth to the claim that they deny themselves to feel this emotion.

And secondly, even more importantly: if you don’t experience any imminent problems, it doesn’t mean that you cannot still become an even better version of yourself. There is always room to improve. The Enneagram offers a framework for growth for everyone, no matter your starting point.

4. “If you take a test and you feel your result doesn’t suit you, you just choose another type! Solid…”

Exactly. It is not astrology or numerology. The value of the Enneagram is not in the typing method itself. No test can know you better than you can know yourself. Finding your Enneagram type can require a lot of introspection, and it is okay to ‘switch numbers’ until you honestly feel that you have found your type. And only then it will tell you everything you never knew about yourself.

These are my answers to criticisms of the Enneagram I often hear. Read more on why I think the Enneagram is the best personality model around.