Interview With Enneagram Expert Elisabeth Bennett
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” -Aristotle
To really know ourselves is one of life’s greatest challenges and beauties. Despite having always been ourselves, and never having the option of being anyone else, it’s undeniably common to wrestle with understanding who we truly are — what of ourselves is nature, and what is nurture; why we react to certain situations the way we do, even when we desperately want to change; how we thrive and operate.
There’s no instruction manual that comes along with our unique mind, no magic medicine to take in order to be our ‘best’ selves — but there is something called the Enneagram.
The Enneagram is a system that uses personality typing to help people understand their inner workings, emotions, reactions, motives, and deepest desires. Proponents of the Enneagram say that it explains a person’s ‘why’ in ways that allowed them to feel at home in themselves.
Today, it’s our pleasure to interview Elisabeth Bennett (no, not that one), who works as an Enneagram coach and has authored a series of Enneagram devotionals.
A little bit about Elisabeth Bennett…
Elisabeth Bennett (4w5 so/sp) first discovered the Enneagram in the summer of 2017 and immediately realized how life-changing this tool could be. Elisabeth started her own Enneagram Instagram account (@Enneagram.Life), which has grown to more than 70,000 followers. Since becoming a certified Enneagram coach, Elisabeth has conducted more than one hundred one-on-one coaching sessions, focused on helping her clients find their type and apply the Enneagram to their lives for personal and spiritual growth. She lives in the beautiful PNW with her husband and two children.
Question 01
At Wallflower Journal, we love all things to do with introspection, personal growth, and finding our purpose, as the Enneagram has helped countless people do. Was there something or someone that inspired you to dedicate your life to helping people through understanding their personalities?
As an Enneagram Four myself, I have always been fascinated with finding my depth and sense of self. That paired with an ever growing passion for understanding others has attracted me to multiple systems of personality. However, I have found the Enneagram to be the most practical and life changing of the systems I've worked with.
Question 02
Why do you think it’s important to have an understanding of our personalities/how we work?
I think understanding our personality can give us a bit of clarity around our reactions and proclivities that is very helpful in a messy and chaotic world. Life may be confusing and hard, but your personality doesn't have to be a mystery.
Self awareness is also extremely powerful in our relationships and work environments. When we understand ourselves we know what to accentuate and what to temper.
Question 03
Another thing we love at Wallflower Journal is inspiring women to cultivate a life of beauty and meaning. How has your study of personality and the Enneagram helped you cultivate more beauty and meaning in your life?
Studying the Enneagram has given me a great appreciation for those who are different from me, and in turn has given me a great deal of confidence towards my own strengths and talents.
Question 04
What is your Enneagram type, and what are the most wonderful and most challenging parts of being this type?
I am an Enneagram 4 (wing 5 Social subtype) and our draw towards the creative, longing, and beautiful things of life makes the whole world better. Every Enneagram type appreciates the beauty that Fours bring to the world, and I think there is something so cool about that.
What I could do without is the looming sense that there is something wrong with me, the crippling envy, and overwhelming emotion of every kind.
Question 05
What’s your favorite book?
Favorites are hard for Enneagram Fours, but for right now I am really enjoying This Too Shall Last by KJ Ramsey (who is also a 4).
Question 06
Tell us more about where people can find you and what projects you’re currently working on.
You can always find me on my Instagram page @enneagram.life or my website www.elisabethbennettenneagram.com ; My devotional series (one for each enneagram type) can be found wherever books are sold, but here's the amazon link: click here for full book list ; My next book, Enneagram Life: Personal, Relational, and Biblical Insights for all Seasons will be available in Sept 2022.
