The 9 Enneagram Types
Nelson Mandela
Enneagram Type 1
Is it important to you to be honest, reliable, and principled? Do you generally complete what you start? Do you go over and over things to get them exactly right, and find it hard to accept anything short of perfection? If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 1—The Improver.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 1 tend to project confidence and others can miss the self-recriminations that lie beneath the surface. What an Enneagram Type 1 is trying the hardest to perfect is themselves, and because they never quite succeed there is a constant sense of struggle and “not good enough.”
If you are a Type 1, watch out for your tendency to criticize yourself and others. Remind yourself that others’ perspectives might be valid, even when you’re sure you’re right, and that getting your way can come at the cost of connection and harmony. Take a chance by lightening up and having some fun! It’s easier said than done, but learning to relax and accept imperfections can give all your relationships a boost.
If there is a Type 1 in your life, know that their edginess is the tip of the iceberg. If you can see beneath that and recognize how hard they are trying to get things right, perhaps you can cut them some slack. A little validation goes a long way, and any form of kindness can work wonders. Type 1’s also usually appreciate a touch of good-natured humor (especially if it’s not at their expense).
Celebrate Type 1’s! They provide a reference point of integrity and discipline in this chaotic world.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Enneagram Type 2
Is your primary concern the well being of others? If someone needs something, are you often the first to offer assistance? Do you have difficulty asking for what you want or saying no? If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 2—The Helper.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 2 are sincerely interested in helping others but can feel slighted if their help is not appreciated. What an Enneagram Type 2 is trying the hardest to achieve is connection. They like to be the one others turn to, especially significant others. For them, being seen as indispensable is a high form of praise.
If you are a Type 2, watch out for your tendency to overdo the helping. When you feel inclined to offer assistance, check first to see if it’s actually wanted. If you offer and your help is declined, be gentle with yourself since a declined offer can feel like an insult to a Type 2. Also, remind yourself that your needs are important too, and take a chance by thinking about what you want and even asking for it.
If there is a Type 2 in your life, know how much they value being appreciated and how hard it is for them to attend to their own needs. You could also let them know that you care for them even if they don’t fulfill your every wish. If you take a sincere interest in them, you might discover how much genuine tenderness lies beneath the surface.
Celebrate Type 2’s! They remind us of kindness and generosity, qualities that make the world a better place for everyone.
Oprah Winfrey
Enneagram Type 3
Are efficiency and success important to you? Are you able to read a room and adjust your style to suit the crowd? Is failure never an option? If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 3—The Achiever.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 3 are goal oriented and they shine when their accomplishments are recognized. They can be charismatic and often inspire others to do their best. For Type 3’s, the outcome is more important than the process and they might even cut corners to move things along.
If you are a Type 3, watch out for your emphasis on results. When you feel inclined to gloss over difficulties, remind yourself to slow down, notice your felt sensations, and keep breathing. Know that failure will always be difficult for you and be gentle with yourself when you don’t come out on top (as sometimes happens for everyone). Also, pay attention to feelings! Naming your feelings, and acknowledging the feelings of others, can win you some gold stars.
If there is a Type 3 in your life, know how important it is to them to make a good impression. It’s not their failing; it’s their tender spot. You could also let them know that you appreciate them even when they are down on their luck. You might need to be forthright with them about your own needs. Also, take an interest in their needs and cut them some slack if they don’t know what their needs or feelings are at that moment.
Celebrate Type 3’s! They show us how to get things done, and they remind us that we are all meant to shine.
Prince
Enneagram Type 4
Do you feel things more deeply than others? Does you often take time to “stop and smell the roses?” Do you frequently sense that something important is missing in your life? If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 4—The Romantic.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 4 value their unique sensibilities. They long to be appreciated by others, but deep down they believe that no one understands them. They are often artistically creative, and sometimes they are brooding. For Type 4’s, every feeling is important—their own feelings as well as the feelings of others. They can be hyper-sensitive.
If you are a Type 4, know that you are indeed unique—and so is everyone else. While other Types tend to discount feelings, you might tend to give them so much importance that other aspects of life, and other people, are under-emphasized. Allow room for a lighter touch, and to receive a wide variety of others’ expressions. Choose your time for going deep and remember that sometimes others are not open to joining you there.
If there is a Type 4 in your life, know how much they value emotional intimacy. If they become melancholy, try not to take it personally! Remember that they want to be understood and valued but are accustomed to being dismissed as “too intense.” If you can meet them where they are, chances are they will respond well and be able to hear whatever you have to say.
Celebrate Type 4’s! They remind us of beauty and the rich potential of our inner lives.
Jane Goodall
Enneagram Type 5
Is there one topic that you have studied, and come to understand, from top to bottom? Do you need lots of alone time in order to recharge? Behind your persona of intellectual rigor, are you deeply sensitive? If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 5—The Observer.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 5 love to learn. They are often experts in a field, perhaps an obscure one. They harbor a sense of scarcity about their time and resources and tend to guard both carefully. For Type 5’s, the mind is supreme.
If you are a Type 5, pay attention to the abundance that is in your life and cultivate gratitude. Notice, and appreciate, occasions when others share personal information with you and try to return the favor. Your safety net might be always having an exit strategy; you could practice relaxing and enjoying the moment trusting that you have the wherewithal to cope no matter what’s coming next. In your close relationships, try to express your feelings and be curious about others’. Also, any form of exercise or body work can be helpful to connect you with the here and now.
If there is a Type 5 in your life, acknowledge the emotional sensitivity that lies underneath their brainy exterior. Recognize when they have reached their emotional limit and try not to take it personally when they withdraw to recharge. Let them know that you care about them and that there is room for both of you in the world you inhabit together. Ask them questions about their area of interest and watch them shine.
Celebrate Type 5’s! They plumb the depths of knowledge and create intellectual wonders.
Mark Twain
Enneagram Type 6
Are you always on the lookout for what might go wrong? Is loyalty important to you? Do you have issues with trust? If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 6—The Questioner.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 6 notice potential hazards and make plans (and backup plans) to deal with them. Authority figures or institutions can play a big role in their lives—6’s tend to be either compliant by nature, or rebellious (sometimes both). They make friends for life but if you betray their trust, it’s hard to regain it. Type 6’s are wary by nature.
If you are a Type 6, you have a gift for seeing what can go wrong and you’re a great problem solver. But sometimes it’s hard for you to see what’s going right. So once your concerns have been addressed, try to relate with the situation as it is. Although it’s hard for you to trust others (or even yourself), true intimacy requires you to let down your guard a little. So when you notice that your head is putting the brakes on your heart, consciously decide if it might be worth the risk to open up and connect right here, right now, even without a guarantee.
If there is a Type 6 in your life, be honest and up front with them about everything. Know that their questioning mind is not about you; it’s how they are wired. Appreciate their inquisitiveness and allow them to express their doubts, even if it seems that they are overthinking something. Remember that listening is not the same as agreeing.
Celebrate Type 6’s! Their ability to anticipate problems, and solve them, makes the world safer for all of us.
Cameron Diaz
Enneagram Type 7
Do you have a sunny disposition? Is planning your next adventure high on your priority list? Do you chafe at limitations? If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 7—The Enthusiast.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 7 like to keep things light and upbeat, and they have lots of playful energy. With their quick wit and delightful sense of humor, people are naturally drawn to them. They tend to focus on the future and all the wonderful things that lie ahead, effortlessly finding the silver lining in every challenge.
If you are a Type 7, your positivity is both a gift and a challenge. The gift is that you’re happy most of the time, and you make others happy too. The challenge is that you tend to avoid darker feelings such as sadness or grief. But all feelings matter, and pushing away the darker side of life becomes a limitation of its own. Practice bringing your attention back to the present moment, including everything in your awareness. When difficult emotions arise, gently acknowledge them. Allowing yourself to feel sad, even briefly, will build your resilience. So will sticking with unpleasant tasks or difficult conversations.
If there is a Type 7 in your life, appreciate their joyfulness as you provide a grounding presence. Know that their tendency to mentally zip around is rooted in a kind of anxiety. If you need to say something difficult, it might take a few tries before they can hear you. Let them know that you’re there for them no matter what.
Celebrate Type 7’s! Their boundless optimism and creative thinking shine a light we can all enjoy.
Serena Williams
Enneagram Type 8
Are you comfortable being in charge? Are you protective of your flock? Do you reliably “go for the gusto?” If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 8—The Protector.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 8 are direct and sometimes forceful. They have big energy and naturally gravitate to leadership positions. For Type 8’s, confrontations are grist for the mill, and they can even relish a good fight. They are on the lookout for injustice and are predisposed to protect their friends and overcome their foes. They have a tremendous lust for life.
If you are a Type 8, your energy can sometimes be overwhelming for others around you. If you sense that people are silently resisting you, check in with them and adjust accordingly. Your robust energy can also lead you to push yourself to do more and more, but that can take a silent toll on your health. To develop resilience, pay attention to your body signals and try easing your grip on control sometimes. It can be difficult for you to admit weakness or vulnerability, yet times of vulnerability can provide opportunities for connection that you might miss when you’re going full steam ahead.
If there is a Type 8 in your life, appreciate their strength and push back against it when you need to. Be as direct with them as you can be, without sliding into aggression. Know that it’s hard for them to open up and let them know that you care for them even when they’re not at their best.
Celebrate Type 8’s! Their robust energy and passion for justice create inspiring pathways for the rest of us.
Yo-Yo Ma
Photo by Stevie Danelian
Enneagram Type 9
Do you value social harmony above all else? Do you generally keep your opinions to yourself? Are you able to see both sides of any disagreement? If so, then you might be an Enneagram Type 9—The Mediator.
People who lead with Enneagram Type 9 are the peacemakers of the world. They are easy-going and seldom make a fuss, often struggling to express their own thoughts and feelings (although sometimes they can surprise you with an angry outburst). More often, any resistance they feel is withheld from view or expressed passively.
If you are a Type 9, your work is to find your own voice, learning to trust that what you have to say matters and that you can rock the boat without falling overboard. You will never lose your peacemaking abilities, but if you always hold back on speaking your truth then resentment builds and dysfunction continues. You can also try to resist the urge to smooth over difficulties. Sometimes other people just need to be heard, even if what they have to say is hard to hear. Also, good things can come from conflict as people sort out their differences. You step into your power when you open to things that you would rather avoid.
If there is a Type 9 in your life, recognize that they struggle with expressing themselves. Listen to whatever they do say, letting them open up in their own time as they explore the challenging territory of personal disclosure. Ask them what they think and encourage them to state their preferences (even if it takes a while for them to figure out what those preferences are).
Celebrate Type 9’s! Their peacemaking abilities provide a soothing balm in times of conflict and stress.