-Carl Jung
We have stories and narratives and tell ourselves the stories we want to hear.
At the fundamental level, humans are energy made up of the same atoms and cells. We’re all energy. What energy you have in the world and how you interact with other pieces of energy is a choice. What role do you want to play? Play the role you most enjoy and think you’re best at.
Roles
Knowing yourself can help guide you to your role in the world. Of all the personality tests, the enneagram feels the most accurate. As with any personality test, you have to be honest. Know thyself, but actually, or else it’s a waste of time. After filling out this survey, instead of paying the $30, read up on what the different numbers mean here.
Many know their role but are reluctant to lean into it. It’s easier to stay in the lane you’ve been pushed into than to step into the one you’re meant for.
Think about someone who’s a natural leader but keeps themselves small. They avoid speaking up in meetings and shy away from taking charge because they don’t want to be seen as overconfident and fear getting it wrong. They ask, “Why do I get to be the person to rule?” But the moment they step into that role—offering ideas, organizing people, taking responsibility—they realize it feels right. People believe in them and want them to lead. In another time, they may have been a conqueror.
Types
I’m an 8, which is typical for founders. My biggest fear is someone having control over me. My other biggest fear is being a burden on others.
Fear is energy. Depending on how you channel it, it propels you forward or holds you back. I use my fears as reminders—of what I value and never want to become. Fear of control drives me to build resilient systems. Fear of being a burden inspires me to strive for competence and to contribute.
Leadership isn’t about seizing control—it’s about stepping into responsibility. It’s about recognizing that others may need your voice to amplify theirs, your vision to guide them, and your energy to encourage them. It’s not about ruling; it’s about serving. Service means being sharp, decisive, and present.
Duty
The enneagram feels accurate and actionable way more than any other personality test like Myers-Briggs. It’s a tool to understand what we are and why we act as we do.
As an 8, I am driven by autonomy, justice, and truth, but I’m also prone to pushing too hard, closing off, or bulldozing others when I feel threatened. Recognizing these patterns allows me to hold myself accountable. My one wing nudges me to strive for integrity, while my 3 wing pushes me to achieve, and my 5 wing keeps me curious.
This isn’t just introspection for its own sake. Understanding core motivations—and fears—lets us lean into strengths and watch for blind spots. It’s a constant calibration. A process of learning to harness energy in a way that serves. We all need constant, gentle pressure, even if it’s coming from ourselves.
So, what energy are you? What stories do you tell yourself about who you are and what you’re here to do? If you feel doubt, embrace it—it means you care. If you feel fear, let it guide you—it’s a clue to what matters most. The world doesn’t need perfect leaders; it needs authentic ones. Step into your role. The energy you bring is uniquely yours.