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Big Five (OCEAN) Personality Test Worksheet

👉 TL;DR

The Enneagram and Big Five are distinct personality tests offering different perspectives. Enneagram focuses on nine interconnected personality types based on motivations and fears, while the Big Five assesses five broad traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability). Both tools provide valuable insights for personal growth and interpersonal understanding, with the choice depending on the desired outcomes and preferences.

Looking for a test to understand your team chemistry as a whole? Try TeamDynamics instead.

In today's world of self-improvement and personal growth, there's a lot of buzz surrounding personality tests. Two of the most popular and widely recognized tests are the Enneagram and the Big Five Personality Test (sometimes also called the Five Factor Model or OCEAN). Both claim to provide valuable insights into your personality, strengths, and weaknesses, but how do they compare? In this blog post, we will dive into both of these tests, exploring their background, structure, and practical applications. By the end of this review, you should have a better understanding of which test might be right for you.

Backgrounds of Enneagram and Big Five

Enneagram: The Enneagram is an ancient system of understanding human personality that has its roots in various spiritual and philosophical traditions. It was initially developed by Oscar Ichazo in the 1950s and further refined by Don Richard Riso and Russ Hudson in the 1970s. The Enneagram consists of nine interconnected personality types, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. The system is based on the idea that everyone has a dominant type, which is determined by childhood experiences and shapes our worldview, motivations, and behavioral patterns.

Looking for something other than the Enneagram? Here are the top 5 alternatives to Enneagram!

Big Five: The Big Five Personality Test, also known as the Five-Factor Model (FFM), was developed in the 1980s by multiple researchers, including Paul Costa and Robert McCrae. It is grounded in empirical psychological research and is widely regarded as a reliable measure of personality traits. The Big Five consists of five broad dimensions of personality: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN). These dimensions are each comprised of multiple facets, providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of individual personality traits.

Wondering what the best Big Five alternatives are? Check out our round-up of the top 5 Big Five alternatives.

Objectives and Structure of Enneagram and Big Five

	Enneagram	Big Five
Objective	Help individuals understand their core type and how it influences their behavior.	Provide a comprehensive understanding of an individual's personality traits and how they might interact with others
Structure	The Enneagram system is based on a circle with nine points, each representing a distinct personality type: 1. The Perfectionist 2. The Helper 3. The Achiever 4. The Individualist 5. The Investigator 6. The Loyalist 7. The Enthusiast 8. The Challenger 9. The Peacemaker	The Big Five Personality Test is organized around five broad dimensions of personality: 1. Openness: A measure of creativity, curiosity, and intellectual interests. 2. Conscientiousness: A measure of organization, reliability, and self-discipline. 3. Extraversion: A measure of sociability, assertiveness, and enthusiasm. 4. Agreeableness: A measure of compassion, cooperation, and likability. 5. Neuroticism: A measure of emotional instability, anxiety, and moodiness.
Results	Each type has its unique set of motivations, fears, and desires.	Each dimension is scored on a continuum, with individuals falling somewhere between the two extremes.

Practical Applications of Enneagram and Big Five

Enneagram: The Enneagram is often used in personal development, coaching, and therapy, as it provides a framework for understanding an individual's core motivations, fears, and patterns of behavior. By identifying one's dominant type, the Enneagram can help individuals develop greater self-awareness, improve relationships, and navigate life's challenges more effectively. Many people also find the Enneagram's spiritual and philosophical roots appealing, as it provides a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition.

Big Five: The Big Five Personality Test is used in various contexts, including therapy, coaching, and human resources. Its scientific grounding and broad applicability make it an ideal tool for understanding an individual's traits and how they might interact with others in both personal and professional settings. The Big Five has been used to predict job performance, relationship satisfaction, and even physical health outcomes. Due to its empirical basis, the Big Five is often seen as a more objective and reliable measure of personality compared to other tests.

Strengths and Limitations of Enneagram and Big Five

	Enneagram	Big Five
Strengths	1. Offers a rich and nuanced understanding of one's core motivations, fears, and desires. 2. Provides a useful framework for personal growth and self-improvement. 3. Appeals to those interested in spirituality and philosophy. 4. Can be helpful in understanding and improving relationships.	1. Grounded in empirical research, making it a reliable and valid measure of personality. 2. Provides a comprehensive understanding of personality traits. 3. Widely applicable to various contexts, such as therapy, coaching, and human resources. 4. Can predict important life outcomes, such as job performance and relationship satisfaction.
Limitations	1. Lacks empirical support compared to the Big Five. 2. Can be perceived as oversimplifying human personality by categorizing individuals into nine types. 3. May be less useful in predicting outcomes such as job performance or health.	1. May lack the depth and personal insight provided by the Enneagram. 2. Some individuals may find the scientific approach less appealing than the Enneagram's spiritual and philosophical roots.

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One significant limitation shared by both the Enneagram and Big Five Personality Test relates to when these tests are applied to groups. Despite how frequently the Enneagram and Big Five tests are administered in the workplace, neither of them is well-suited for understanding the nuances of group dynamics that sit at the heart of most modern, team-based work.

That’s why we built TeamDynamics. TeamDynamics helps you objectively assess, describe, and act on the unique ways in which your team interacts to accomplish its shared work.

Put differently, TeamDynamics describes your team chemistry.

Equipped with your TeamDynamics, you can take action to improve your team chemistry and performance:

Build your team by defining team culture and values, setting actionable team norms, and conducting high-impact team offsites;
Manage your team better by coaching team members, turbocharging cross-team collaboration, and resolving team conflicts;
Recruit and hire more effectively by honing your recruiting pitch, refining your interview process, and accelerating new hire onboarding;

And much more!

Conclusion

Both the Enneagram and the Big Five Personality Test offer valuable insights into human personality, but they differ in their focus, structure, and applications. The Enneagram provides a rich, nuanced understanding of one's core motivations and fears, making it an excellent tool for personal growth and self-improvement. On the other hand, the Big Five, grounded in empirical research, offers a more comprehensive and objective measure of personality traits, making it ideal for predicting various life outcomes and understanding individual differences.

Ultimately, the choice between the Enneagram and the Big Five Personality Test comes down to personal preference and the specific insights you are looking for. If you are drawn to a more spiritual and philosophical understanding of human nature, the Enneagram may be the right choice for you. If you prefer a scientifically grounded approach that focuses on personality traits and their practical applications, the Big Five may be more suitable. And neither Big Five nor the Enneagram is designed to understand group personality or team chemistry.

When you're looking to improve the performance of your team, help your teammates work with other groups, or hire people who will fit in with your team, you should look for another behavioral assessment. Consider TeamDynamics, which is the only personality test built specifically for modern teams.

Whichever test you choose, remember that self-awareness is a critical first step towards personal growth and self-improvement. By understanding your personality, you can better navigate life's challenges and build more meaningful relationships with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

??What is the difference between the Enneagram and the Big Five Personality Test???

The Enneagram and the Big Five Personality Test are both popular tools for understanding personality, but they differ in structure, origin, and focus. The Enneagram consists of nine interconnected personality types with roots in spiritual and philosophical traditions. It helps individuals uncover their core motivations, fears, and desires. The Big Five, also known as the Five Factor Model or OCEAN, is based on empirical research and measures personality across five broad dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.

??What are the nine personality types in the Enneagram system???

The Enneagram defines nine distinct personality types: 1) The Perfectionist, 2) The Helper, 3) The Achiever, 4) The Individualist, 5) The Investigator, 6) The Loyalist, 7) The Enthusiast, 8) The Challenger, and 9) The Peacemaker. Each type has unique psychological motivations, behaviors, strengths, and weaknesses.

??What are the five dimensions of the Big Five Personality Test???

The Big Five Personality Test measures five key dimensions: 1) Openness (creativity and curiosity), 2) Conscientiousness (organization and discipline), 3) Extraversion (sociability and assertiveness), 4) Agreeableness (compassion and cooperation), and 5) Neuroticism (emotional instability and anxiety). Each trait is measured on a continuum for a nuanced profile.

??Which personality test is better for personal growth—the Enneagram or the Big Five???

The Enneagram is often seen as a better fit for personal growth and self-improvement due to its focus on deep-rooted motivations and behavioral patterns. Its philosophical and spiritual roots provide a meaningful lens through which individuals can gain insight, self-awareness, and emotional understanding.

??Is the Big Five Personality Test scientifically validated???

Yes, the Big Five Personality Test is grounded in empirical research and is widely considered one of the most valid and reliable measures of personality. It is commonly used in academic psychology, hiring processes, therapy, and coaching due to its scientific foundation and predictive power.

??What are the practical applications of the Enneagram and the Big Five???

The Enneagram is typically used in areas like coaching, therapy, and personal development to enhance self-awareness and relationship-building. The Big Five is frequently applied in therapy, human resources, and coaching to assess compatibility, predict job performance, and understand interpersonal dynamics.

??What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Enneagram???

The Enneagram’s strengths include offering deep psychological insight, appealing to those with spiritual and philosophical interests, and providing a practical framework for self-awareness. However, it lacks strong empirical support compared to the Big Five and may oversimplify human complexity by categorizing people into nine types.

??How does the Big Five compare in terms of strengths and limitations???

The Big Five’s strengths include its scientific validity, detailed trait measurement, and widespread applicability in various settings. Its limitations include a less introspective approach and the absence of the spiritual depth found in the Enneagram, making it less engaging for those looking for holistic or philosophical growth tools.

??Can either test help with team dynamics and group performance???

While both the Enneagram and Big Five provide valuable individual insights, they are not well-suited for analyzing modern team dynamics. For understanding how people collaborate and communicate within a team, tools like TeamDynamics are more effective as they are specifically designed to evaluate and improve group performance.

??How do I decide whether the Enneagram or Big Five is right for me???

Your choice depends on what insights you're seeking. If you're interested in understanding your motivations, behavior patterns, and personal growth through a reflective, philosophical lens, the Enneagram may be best. If you prefer a scientifically grounded model that analyzes personality traits and predicts life outcomes, the Big Five is a better fit.