Return to flip book view
©2024 The Enneagram in BusinessThe Enneagram in Business Mini-Bookby Ginger Lapid-Bogda PhDFixationsHabits of Mind Cowardicepartsix
In the Enneagram system, Fixations, or habits of mind, areconsidered the key mental patterns or compulsions thatcharacterize each of the nine personality types. These fixationsare essentially thought patterns that can lead to imbalances orchallenges in how individuals perceive themselves, others, andthe world. Understanding and addressing these fixations is acentral part of using the Enneagram for personal growth. Why is it important to recognize that all of us engage in thehabits of mind normally associated with specific Enneagramstyles? By studying all the Fixations, not just the one associatedwith our type, we can become aware of how that fixation maydistort our behavior and worldview, leading to many powerfulpaths for self-development. In part six of this nine book series, you’ll read how each of thenine Enneagram types engage in the Fixation of Cowardice.Cowardice: Thoughts ofdoubt and worry that causeyou to continually createworst-case scenarios
Type sixWe typically associate Cowardice with Six,because it is the fixation or repeating mentalpattern for Enneagram Six.Here are just some ways in which Sixes engagein thinking that leads to cowardice:Cowardice about others: Believing they can’tfundamentally trust or count on others (with a fewexceptions who have been tried and tested)Cowardice about themselves: Believing they can’tfundamentally trust or count on themselves (even whenreality has shown that to not be true or true in all cases)Cowardice about authority: Thinking authority figurescannot be trusted or, at least, must be carefully andcontinuously watchedHabits of Mind
Type sevenSevens also engage in cowardice in multipleways, including:Cowardice about pain: Thinking “pain” is a waste of time,unnecessary, and something they are not equipped to dealwith effectivelyCowardice about restraints: Believing freedom is theabsence of constraints and that no one has the right torestrain themCowardice about standing (sitting) still: Perceivingbeing still as nothing or an opening for a flood of despairand being scared by this prospectcowardice
Type eightEights also engage in cowardice in multipleways, including:Cowardice about asking for support: Believing only theweak ask for support and that others aren’t strong enoughto support them anywayCowardice about appearing weak: Thinking thatshowing any vulnerability or anxiety is a kink in their armorand others will take advantage because of thisCowardice about being completely honest: Thinkingthey are truthful, always, even though this is not always thecaseHabits of Mind
Type nineNines also engage in cowardice in multipleways, including:Cowardice with self-assertion: Believing it’s not OK toassert themselves in a wide variety of ways but, instead,thinking it’s best not to “make waves” or create controversyCowardice with stating opinions: Believing either theiropinions don’t matter or it is not worth the effort to expressthemCowardice with conflict: Thinking conflict createsdisharmony in relationships and worrying when someone isupset with them or they are upset with someone elsecowardice
Ones also engage in cowardice in multipleways, including:Cowardice about making mistakes: Thinking andworrying so much about getting “it” right, making nomistakes, and being correct and appropriateCowardice about hurting other people: Thinking theyhave done something really bad and fretting about havinghurt others when they’ve been harshly judgmental, becomeangry with someone who was not really the source of theiranger, and moreCowardice about being spontaneous: Believing it is notOK and even dangerous to not have strict controls on theirown behaviorHabits of Mind Type one
Twos also engage in cowardice in multipleways, including:Cowardice about being alone: Thinking something is verywrong or becoming anxious and at a loss for what to dowhen they are alone for long periods of time (which mighteven be an hour, depending on the particular Two)Cowardice about acknowledging own dependencyneeds: Believing they don’t depend on others, but othersneed and depend on themCowardice about not being “nice”: Thinking everythingthey do is and must be both thoughtful and considerate, sowhen they are not, thinking of reasons why what theythought, felt, or did wasn’t really so “bad” or was merely areaction to someone else’s “poor” behaviorType twocowardice
Type threeThrees also engage in cowardice in multipleways, including:Cowardice about failure: Thinking failure is not somethingthat is allowed in their vocabulary or is something they haveever experienced first-handCowardice about being unmasked: Worrying, oftenunconsciously, that they will be uncovered to be fraudulentin some wayCowardice about intimacy: Thinking they can’t get really,deeply close to others on an emotional level because doingso would make them overly vulnerable, less able to achieve,or test their competence (or lack of competence) in thisarenaHabits of Mind
Type fourFours also engage in cowardice in multipleways, including:Cowardice about rejection: Worrying about andinterpreting events as a rejection of themCowardice about closeness: Thinking if they get tooclose to another, the other will find their intrinsic defects,become critical, and then leaveCowardice about affirmation: Thinking primarily aboutwhat is wrong with them, with a reluctance to considerwhat is just fine about themcowardice
Type fiveFives also engage in cowardice in multipleways, including:Cowardice about intrusion: Thinking others are going toinvade their time, space, and privacyCowardice about feelings: Concerns about expressingtheir feelings in real-time, along with being highly uncertainabout what they do feel or even how to know itCowardice about attachments: Believing they must notbe attached to anything or anyone because if they do, theirenergy will be sapped and their autonomy threatenedHabits of Mind
ABOUT THE ENNEAGRAM IN BUSINESSEstablished in 2004 by Ginger Lapid-Bogda PhD, The Enneagram inBusiness offers excellent quality, state-of the-art products and services.Our vision is to help elevate consciousness globally using theEnneagram integrated with other innovative approaches; our mission isto provide an abundance of Enneagram-based resources for use aroundthe world. These include the following:» Nine Enneagram books, including several best sellers» Full-color Enneagram training tools, both in hard copy and virtual formats» Global Enneagram certification programs for consultants, trainers, andcoaches» Premier leadership development and team development offerings» Training, coaching and consulting services, both virtual and in-person» A comprehensive, interactive online Enneagram Learning Portal (ELP)» A global network of over 70 top-quality Enneagram professionals(EIBN)ENNEAGRAM BOOKS by Ginger-Lapid-BogdaBringing Out the Best in Yourself at WorkWhat Type of Leader Are You?Bringing Out the Best in Everyone You CoachThe Enneagram Development GuideConsulting with the EnneagramThe Enneagram Coloring BookThe Art of TypingThe Art of the Enneagram (co-authored with Russell Tres Bogda)Transform Your Team with the EnneagramTheEnneagramInBusiness.com | EnneagramLearningPortal.com |info@TheEnneagramInBusiness.com | 510.570.2971