Code of Ethics

Section 1Purpose

This Code of Ethics of the Portuguese Enneagram Association (IEA PORTUGAL), in line with the principles of the International Enneagram Association (IEA), sets out the standards of ethical conduct that should guide all members and professionals in the use of the Enneagram.

Its fundamental purpose is to:

• Promote integrity and responsibility in the application and use of the Enneagram in Portugal.
• Establish standards of conduct aligned with the values and ethical principles of the IEA.
• Ensure respect for the dignity, individuality and rights of all individuals and groups with whom members of IEA PORTUGAL interact.
• Foster professional competence and excellence among the association's members.
• Safeguard the credibility and professionalism of IEA PORTUGAL and of the Enneagram community in general.
• Serve as a guide and resource for members and professionals on ethical matters, encouraging reflection and conscious decision-making.
• Be the ethical reference for training in Enneagram programmes.

Section 2Scope

This Code of Ethics applies to all members of the Portuguese Enneagram Association (IEA PORTUGAL) in the following situations:

• In the individual use of Enneagram knowledge.
• In the application of the Enneagram in personal, professional, educational, therapeutic or other development contexts.
• In the use of the Enneagram in teaching, training, workshops, talks and other forms of outreach.
• In carrying out research and producing materials (books, articles, online content, etc.) about the Enneagram.
• In taking part in events and activities organised or supported by IEA PORTUGAL.
• In any other public or professional activity in which the member identifies with IEA PORTUGAL or uses the Enneagram.
• The ethical obligations described here apply to members acting in their different roles, as supporter, author, coach, facilitator, trainer and therapist.
• No member of IEA PORTUGAL may exempt themselves from, delete, modify or alter any part of the Code, and must accept and comply with this code of ethics in full.
• This code complements the ethical guidelines of the International Enneagram Association (IEA).

Section 3Definitions

Enneagram: an age-old body of knowledge for understanding and developing the human person, fostering compassion, change and the transformation of relationships with oneself, with others and with society, by encouraging the encounter with, and balance of, the best in each person.

Member: refers to individuals or legal entities who are members of IEA PORTUGAL, regardless of their category (supporters and professionals). All members are subject to this Code of Ethics.

Enneagram Professional: refers to a member of IEA PORTUGAL who has in-depth, specific Enneagram training and uses it regularly and for remuneration in the course of their professional activity. This may include consultants, coaches, therapists, trainers, teachers and other professionals who integrate the Enneagram into their work. Enneagram professionals have additional ethical responsibilities (described in the annex to this code concerning professionals) due to the professional nature of their work and the potential influence they have over their clients.

Client: refers to any individual or group that receives services from, or takes part in activities facilitated by, a member of IEA PORTUGAL, free of charge or paid, using the Enneagram. The term "client" is used broadly and may include students in workshops and training courses, and participants in developmental or therapeutic processes.

Section 4Core values

Work with the Enneagram rests on a foundation of essential human values, which guide both members' inner stance towards themselves and their relationship with others. These values sustain an ethical, conscious and competent practice that respects the mystery and complexity of the human being.

Compassion

Compassion makes it possible to accompany others in their process of self-knowledge with presence, sensitivity, respect and acceptance of their humanity.

Compassion also makes it possible to welcome and accept one's own human reality, cultivating an attitude of curiosity and of deep, empathetic listening, free of judgement.

Respect

Respect for the original concepts of the Enneagram, its tradition, and the knowledge accepted and shared by the IEA Community.

Respect for human uniqueness, recognising and valuing each person's individuality, respecting their time, pace, experience, context and development process, and accompanying them with humility and openness, avoiding interpretations, labels or expectations.

Humanity

Understanding, connecting and acting, valuing the dignity of every Being so as to foster safe, inclusive environments free of discrimination and stereotypes.

Responsibility

Practising with awareness of one's limits and impact. This includes acting honestly and seeking continuous development, keeping this knowledge up to date in order to use it with respect, competence and ethics.

We advocate self-discovery as a path towards developing individual responsibility and a positive contribution to groups and society.

Authenticity

We encourage the genuine expression of each person and act with integrity and coherence between what we say and what we do.

Transformation

We believe the Enneagram is a tool for deep transformation, and we are therefore committed to integrating this knowledge into daily life, without, however, imposing it on others.

Section 5Ethical Principles and Good Practice

The ethical principles and good practice offer a set of fundamental guidelines intended to ensure that the Enneagram is used responsibly, diligently and consciously.

In the context of personal, educational or professional development, these guidelines help protect the dignity of those involved, ensure the integrity of the work carried out, and foster relationships based on trust, empathy and transparency.

In this field, ethics is not merely a set of external rules, but an inner attitude of respect for the other person and for the process of transformation.

Section 5.1Ethical Principles

• We believe in the respectful use of the Enneagram to inspire compassion for ourselves and for others. It must not be used to stereotype people or to limit their growth and possibilities.
• No one owns the Enneagram, and no one may restrict the right to communicate, develop and share this knowledge.
• Self-discovery – Not telling another person which type we believe they are, respecting their right to be in a process of developing awareness.
• Respecting the language, message and teachings that the historical richness of the Enneagram brings us.
• Respect for the humanity and dignity of all: ensuring the integrity, freedom and equality of everyone involved, regardless of their origin, beliefs, identity or context.
• Keeping up to date and continuously developing our knowledge of the Enneagram.
• Remembering and applying the fact that each person is more than their personality, and therefore not reducing them by labelling them with a type or subtype.

Making the commitment as a member of IEA Portugal

• Living and applying the Enneagram consciously, with integrity and respect, in accordance with ethics.
• Cultivating continuous self-knowledge.
• Honouring the dignity and freedom of each person, fostering an environment of listening, empathy and inclusion.
• Respecting each person's process and uniqueness.
• Acting with integrity and transparency.

Section 5.2Good practice

Confidentiality

All information shared in individual or group processes is confidential and must be treated in absolute secrecy.

No Judging/Labelling

The Enneagram must not be used to label, judge or limit people, but rather as a tool for expanding awareness.

Professional Ethics

We avoid conflicts of interest, manipulative practices or the use of the Enneagram for purposes contrary to its aim of human development.

Inclusion and Diversity

We value inclusive, safe contexts free of discrimination of any kind (gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, schools, etc.).

Report to IEA Portugal any discrepancies in information that could help clarify and develop this knowledge, with a view to integrating the various well-founded cognitive perspectives.

The Enneagram professional has ADDITIONAL ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES to consider:

Acting with integrity and awareness

We personally commit to working on ourselves and on the ongoing process of self-knowledge and self-transformation, examining our own motives, reactions and defences while remaining open to feedback that supports healing and growth.

The Enneagram professional should consider, from their own perspective and from their client's, whether there may be a conflict of interest in working with people close to them, and to that end should take this code of ethics into account in its entirety.

Continuous professional development

Given that professionals know the Enneagram in depth and are personally well grounded, they commit to technical, ethical and personal growth. Knowing that practice with the Enneagram requires emotional maturity, integrity and ongoing supervision, they foster sharing among professionals that allows continuous improvement and faithfulness to the knowledge.

Respect for the Dignity of the Person

Recognise and value the uniqueness, freedom, development and autonomy of each person, believing that an Enneagram type does not fully describe an individual. Work with the Enneagram must not stereotype, judge, humiliate or limit. It should foster self-discovery, with empathy and compassion.

Ensuring confidentiality and safety

Respect the privacy of what is shared in individual or group settings. Create environments where everyone feels welcome, safe, respected and free of discrimination on grounds of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, life history or any other factor.

Whenever necessary for the client's wellbeing, provide human and professional support, in order to ensure the client's balance and the integration of the knowledge.

Ethics in communication

Be honest and transparent in promoting services. Avoid exaggerated promises or guarantees of results, since the map is not the path. Information that identifies a person must not be disclosed without their explicit consent.

Responsible use of knowledge

Avoid reductive labels or classifications. The Enneagram is a tool for awareness, not for judgement or rigid definition of personality. The Enneagram must not serve as a basis for manipulative or abusive behaviour.

Professional boundaries

Recognise the limits of one's own competence, and refer to other tools, support systems or professionals (psychologists, therapists, doctors, etc.) whenever necessary, particularly in situations involving trauma, mental health problems or abuse, without overstepping the ethical boundaries of practice. Bear in mind that the process the Enneagram proposes can be therapeutic when applied by professionals.

Humility, inclusion and non-competition

Avoid comparisons and disputes between Enneagram approaches and Schools. Foster collaboration, openness to dialogue and sharing, believing there is always something to offer to the common good.

Cultural Compliance

The practice of the Enneagram by members of IEA Portugal must be in line with the applicable regulations and codes, including:

• Compliance with national and European legislation: especially regarding the protection of personal data (GDPR) and copyright.
• Respect for human rights and the dignity of all: ensuring the integrity, freedom and equality of everyone involved, regardless of their origin, beliefs, identity or context.
• Cultural and contextual sensitivity: adapting language, practices and examples with attention to the sociocultural diversity of the individuals or groups one works with.
• Valuing the plurality of approaches: recognising and respecting different schools of thought and interpretations of the Enneagram, fostering an ethical, open and collaborative learning environment.
• Knowing that legal matters relating to breaches of copyright and/or intellectual property are outside the IEA's jurisdiction and must be dealt with through legal channels.