How individuals of each type can develop more openness…

Ones | Acceptance
To accept what is rather than what should be; to hold oneself less tightly or rigidly; to allow more fluidity

Twos | Receiving
To be open to receiving in equal proportion to giving; to accept what life brings rather than orchestrating what might be

Threes | Honesty
To be willing to go inside to explore feelings; to ask what you really want rather than what you should want; to listen closely to the answer and honor your true desires

Fours | Realism
To live more in the present rather than the painful or romanticized past or the idealized future; to focus on your talents and gifts rather than your shortcomings; to take in sincere, positive reactions from others

Fives | Transparency
To be willing to share your feelings and thoughts in real time, especially to yourself; to express your joys and sorrows as well as your affection directly to others

Sixes | Allowing
To allow the plan to emerge rather than trying to create and manage it; to allow yourself to trust your own insights and instincts rather than second guessing yourself or trusting others more than self

Sevens | Choosing
To consciously choose what you truly want, not just what appears new, interesting or stimulating; to recognize that to choose something is true freedom

Eights | Receptivity
To refrain from directing life and be increasingly receptive to what life brings you; to be more open and responsive to that which you do not fully understand

Nines | Directness
To learn to be direct in stating what you want; to be more forthcoming when your are offended; to be more expressive about your thoughts and feelings

Ginger Lapid-Bogda PhD, the author of five best-selling Enneagram-business books, is a speaker, consultant, trainer, and coach. She provides certification programs for professionals around the world who want to bring the Enneagram into organizations with high-impact business applications, and is past-president of the International Enneagram Association. Visit her website: The Enneagram in Business.com. ginger@theenneagraminbusiness.com