The history of the Enneagram of Personality starts in South America in the 1960s with Oscar Ichazo, whose teachings have been modified to what we mostly know today as the enneagram by a Chilean psychiatrist, Claudio Naranjo. This model very quickly spread across the United States, and was picked up by various people starting their own schools of the enneagram, putting their own spin on the system.

The Awareness to Action approach is based on over 20 years of experience in working with companies, leaders, and individual clients. The authors of the model - after being exposed to the real life application of the traditional enneagram by one to one coaching and group trainings - renamed and redefined the basic terms, and stripped away unnecessary complexity, focusing on clear thinking, scientific method, and actionable results. By using the enneagram in the corporate settings they quickly realised, that the traditional enneagram language was not only causing confusion, but it also wasn't properly aligned with the current scientific knowledge.

The enneagram is a powerful tool, but in order to make real progress we need to understand it. The model needs to be simple, intuitive and digestible.

The ATA started using verbs, instead of nouns as descriptors, introduced the three instinctual biases, and started talking about the nine types, as nine adaptive strategies we tend to rely on to have our needs met. We use all nine strategies, but one of them we use much more often than the other eight, and that's our enneagram type.

The three instinctual biases are WHAT we are focused on, and the strategies are HOW we get it.

The three Instinctual Biases are:

Preserving, which relates to “nesting and nurturing”;

Navigating, which focuses on “orienting to the group”;

Transmitting, which centres on “attracting and bonding.”

The Nine Enneagram types are:

ONE: STRIVING TO FEEL PERFECT

The desire to be flawless, good, and to feel that everything is right with you and the world.

TWO: STRIVING TO FEEL CONNECTED

The desire to be appreciated and to be deeply united with others and with your own feelings.

THREE: STRIVING TO FEEL OUTSTANDING

The desire to stand out as an exemplary member of the group and to be seen as valuable, successful, and accomplished.

FOUR: STRIVING TO FEEL UNIQUE

The desire to be different, autonomous, creative, and to be understood and appreciated for your special qualities.

FIVE: STRIVING TO FEEL DETACHED

The desire to be autonomous, independent, and able to find serenity with your own thoughts.

SIX: STRIVING TO FEEL SECURE

The desire to be safe and a part of a group, cause, or philosophy; to trust others and your own judgment.

SEVEN: STRIVING TO FEEL EXCITED

The desire to be stimulated, happy, enthusiastic, and to have fun.

EIGHT: STRIVING TO FEEL POWERFUL

The desire to be strong, to take action, and to be able to express your will, power, and vitality.

NINE: STRIVING TO FEEL PEACEFUL

The desire to be at peace with the world, other people, and your own thoughts; to be calm and relaxed.