All we can ask of others during this crisis is that people act in ways theyll be proud of when its all over.

But even thats challenging because well never entirely agree upon which actions are worth feeling proud about.

In the meantime, try not to begrudge that some of your friends are freaking out, others are eerily calm, some are partying like its 1999, and some are fighting mad. Instead, use this as an unprecedented opportunity to observe human behavior during what amounts to a worldwide social science experiment in which everyone is reacting to the same variable: a microscopic virus.

In my opinion, the best (albeit unscientific) model for understanding other peoples tendencies, reactions, innately-wired fears, motivations, desires, and communication styles is called the Enneagram.

And boy, are peoples Enneagram types showing up for COVID-19.

The Ennea-what?

The Enneagram is an ancient personality typing system with an uncanny accuracy in describing how human beings are wired, both positively and negatively, according to Ian Morgan Cron, author of the popular Enneagram book, The Road Back To You.

Plus, its just funny stuff, and maybe mingling humor with our pain and grief is what we need right now.

Heres my simplistic-on-purpose prediction of how each Enneagram type is reacting to the pandemic.

Type 1 The Perfectionists

Your friends trying to figure out the correct moral action and how to model behavior thats above reproach are likely Type 1s. They are also taking note of how their friends are acting. They may forgive but they probably wont forget.

Type 2 The Caregivers

We know what the Type 2s are doing during this crisis because its what they do every day. They help. Theyve probably given away all their toilet paper by now. This type is energized by serving, but serving without appreciation will eventually take its toll.

Type 3 The Performers

Come hell or high water, this type is determined to come out of this pandemic looking like a hero. Charismatic, competitive, image-conscious, and goal-driven, Type 3s are looking for ways to make this a personal success story or at least look that way on Instagram.

Type 4 The Creatives

Creatives are thinking about death even more than usual and are enjoying their melancholy daydreams about who will miss them when theyre gone. Highly individualistic and authentic, theyre journaling, painting, dying their hair, creating TikToks, or retreating into their own rich, internal, colorful worlds.

Type 5 The Thinkers

This type is currently on information overload. One question keeps running through their minds: Which sources can I trust for accurate information? They are driven to get to the bottom of complex problems and are secretly worried they wont have the right answers (or enough supplies) to share with others.

Type 6 The Loyalists

Your friend who already had a stockpile of emergency supplies and saw this coming two years ago is likely a Type 6. They are the Noahs making plans and building boats for floods unseen, knowing the waters will eventually rise and they (and their lucky families) will be well prepared.

Type 7 The Enthusiasts

When this type heard disaster was coming, they stuck their fingers in their ears and rushed to the beach, the bar, or went out and bought a boat. If Type 7s are forced to stay home, theyll host Zoom parties and may even sneak out to get together with friends.

Type 8 The Challengers

This type is mad. Theyre mad they cant protect or provide for everyone. Theyre mad that people they think are incompetent have the power to restrict their movements. Theyre certain if they were in charge they could do things better than everyone else. And theyre especially repelled by what they perceive as weakness in the people around them.

Type 9 The Peacemakers

Your friend who seems a little spaced out, numb, and unaffected is likely a Type 9. They get exhausted thinking about COVID-19 because they can understand and empathize with everyones perspectives and cant decide who, if anyone, is right. Theyre stuffing any negative feelings, which means a gasket might blow when you least expect it.

Which one are you? Find out more by listening to a Belle Curve podcast episode on the subject or by checking out the websites Crystal Knows and The Enneagram Institute.

This is an opportunity to recognize your strengths and weaknesses during crisis, and improve your ability to appreciate and understand everyone elses.

Dont miss it.

Rachel Blackmon Bryars is a Huntsville-based columnist for Al.com, co-host of Belle Curve Podcast and managing partner of Bryars Communications, LLC. Connect with her on her Facebook page.

See the original post here:
Coronavirus and the Enneagram - AL.com