Peter O’Hanrahan gives a masterclass in the Enneagram of Personality—the system that helps us understand our core beliefs, motivations, and fears so we can break the patterns that keep us stuck.
Peter starts with his decision, in the upheaval of the 70’s, to drop out of college and work as a counselor at a crisis center. That led to burnout. Moving to Berkeley, he studied holistic therapies and bodywork, and eventually opened a wellness center applying these modalities.
Enneagram pioneer Helen Palmer invited him to attend the first Enneagram class, which became a turning point for Peter. The insight into behaviors that the Enneagram gave him provided a window into the processes of trauma. Peter embarked on a lifelong study of the Enneagram system, teaching it to thousands in diverse parts of the world, and training over 800 practitioners.
Laying out the basic principles of the system, Peter walks us through the 9 personality types. From there, he turns to the adjacent types (wings), 3 centers of intelligence, and 3 instinctual sub-types. Collectively, these inform how we think and feel and relate. We cover the strengths of each type, as well as the shadow tendencies and obstacles. Peter emphasizes that while we are more than our patterns, knowing them is a starting point to understanding what drives us.
Moving onto practical application, he provides everyday examples of how using the Enneagram tools deepens the relationship to self and others, improves group dynamics, enhances collaborations and partnerships, enables conscious parenting, and advances intentional leadership.
The Enneagram helps us stop fighting our instincts and habits, and build awareness and emotional intelligence so we can manage them, responding mindfully with respect and empathy.
This conversation with Peter offers powerful strategies for leaning into “It Has To Be Me.”
TESS’S TAKEAWAYS:
The Enneagram system maps human psychology via nine personality types.
The Enneagram looks at core motivations, fears, desires, patterns, not just behavioral traits.
The nine types are grouped by their dominant centers of intelligence: body, heart, and head.
Influencing each type is its adjacent types (wings)—personality shifts in stress or security.
The subtypes (self-preservation, one-to-one, or social) inform personality expression.
Each type has a superpower and a shadow. Growth comes from integrating them.
Understanding your type can shift automatic reactions to conscious responses.
Psychology, culture, and family background shape the expression of your Enneagram type.
ABOUT PETER O’HANRAHAN
A leading Enneagram teacher and trainer in the United States, Peter O’Hanrahan began his Enneagram study in 1978, when Dr. Kathleen Speeth taught the first class in Berkeley.
Peter has facilitated hundreds of workshops for businesses, nonprofits, universities, and churches all over the world, and is a certified teacher with the Enneagram Professional Training Program. He serves on the faculty of the Narrative Enneagram School, and as a member of the International Enneagram Association, has presented at many conferences.
Using the Enneagram in his practice as a holistic counselor and body therapist, Peter has developed further approaches and applications. His programs and articles can be found at: TheEnneagramAtWork.com.
He lives in Northern California with his wife—and fellow Enneagram practitioner—Pat.
CONNECT WITH PETER
Website: https://theenneagramatwork.com/
Enneagram Workshops: https://theenneagramatwork.com/teaching-schedule/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.ohanrahan.52
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theenneagramatwork/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-o-hanrahan-9078486/
MEET TESS MASTERS:
Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.
Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.
Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.
CONNECT WITH TESS:
Website: https://tessmasters.com/
Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/
Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/
Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/
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