Enneagram


1 - THE REFORMER

→ always striving to improve things, but afraid of making a mistake

→ try to maintain high standards, but can slip into being critical and perfectionistic

→ basic fear: to be evil/defective

→ basic desire: to be good

→ when stressed can become moody and irrational 

→ when happy can be spontaneous and joyful

→ they wish to be useful

→ lot of time thinking about the consequences of their actions

→ usually seen by others as highly self- controlled, even rigid

→ at their best: they become very wise and are out there to improve the world

→ at their worst: obsessive over imperfections and cruel towards others if they're perceived as imperfect

→ most common addictions: everything to do with food and drinks

→ most common jobs: lawyer, social worker, teacher

→ motivated by: fighting social injustices, helping those less fortunate, finding solutions to problems

→ stressed by: receiving criticism from those close to them, feeling like they can't make a difference in the corrupted world

→ for self growth they should: learn to be aware of the ways they unnecessarily judge themselves and others, seeing the beauty in “flaws”


1w2 The Lawyer 

→ they know what’s right and what’s wrong, what needs to be done, and they have the courage to overcome the obstacles ahead of them with a warm and open-hearted attitude

→ more empathetic and aware of other people’s needs, which enforces their sense of equality and justice


1w9 The Idealist

→strong combination of principles, justice, and an overall desire for other people’s well-being

→ they’re committed to changing the world and whatever is wrong in it, but as they project the ideal world in their minds it gets hard for them to cope with reality as it is


2 - THE HELPER

→ empathetic, sincere, friendly, generous, self-sacrificing

→ can be sentimental, flattering and people-pleasing and have problems with possessiveness and acknowledging their own needs

→ basic fear: of being unloved and unworthy of love

→ basic desire: to feel loved

→ when stressed can become aggressive and dominating

→ when happy can become more self-nurturing and emotionally aware

→ see others as they are, understands them with immense compassion, helps and encourages with infinite patience, and is always willing to lend a hand

→ biggest obstacle facing Twos is having to face their underlying fear of worthlessness

→ at their best become unselfish, humble and altruistic 

→ at their worst become self-serving, excuse their wrongs, and are bitterly resentful

→ most common addictions: abusing food, abusing medication, hypochondria

→ most common jobs: social worker, teacher, nurse

→ motivated by: feeling loved, serving those in need, accomplishing goals

→ stressed by: being neglected, rejection, disregarding their needs

→ for self growth they should: remember their needs, accept help from others, recognize that their value lies beyond what they can offer others


2w1 The Servant

→ they’re very concerned about other people’s needs

→ empathy allows them to easily see when someone is suffering and give them a hand, without saying a word

→ they’re selfless, yet don’t lose sight of their own needs


2w3 The Hostess

→ very helpful, caring, and attached to people, but at the same time they can be ambitious, determined, and more self-centered

→ very sociable and are always seeking love and attention. They are very pleasant people, always willing to help



3 - THE ACHIEVER

→ ambitious, competent, charming, diplomatic

→ typically have problems with workaholism and competitiveness

→ basic fear: of being worthless

→ basic desire: to feel valuable 

→ can and often do achieve great things in the world

→ people often look up to them because of their graciousness and personal accomplishments

→ often successful and well liked because, of all the types, they most believe in themselves and in developing their talents and capacities

→ want to make sure their life is a success (whatever the definition of the success in their circles is) + they want prestige

→ they want success because they are afraid of disappearing into a chasm of emptiness and worthlessness

→ believe that emotions get in the way of their performance, so they substitute thinking and practical action for feelings

→ at their best: self-accepting, authentic, modest, charitable, gentle

→ at their worst: highly conscious of how they're perceived, superior, vindictive, obsessive about destroying whatever reminds them of their own failures

→ most common addictions: over-working out, drugs, cosmetic surgery

→ most common jobs: lawyer, real estate, finance

→ motivated by: being loved, accomplishing goals and setting new ones

→ stressed by: difficulty to solve a problem, being perceived negatively

→ for self growth they should: understand their value ≠ their accomplishments, appreciate what they already have, be their true selves


3w2 The Charming

→ energetic and purposeful approach to life

→ clearly knows what it wants and will do anything to accomplish its goals. They can easily focus and get things done, but they never forget their beloved ones and love to meet and chill out with others

→ very sensitive people who strive for appreciation and being worthy of love


3w4 The Professional 

→ very curious people that are able to dive into knowledge and become an expert in whatever they do

→ always seeking to trespass the limits and go further than others

→ very concerned about their thoughts and everything that happens in their inner world


4 - THE INDIVIDUALIST

→ self-aware, sensitive, creative

→ typically have problems with melancholy, self-indulgence, and self-pity

→ basic fear: having no identity or personal significance

→ basic desire: to find themselves 

→ they see themselves as fundamentally different from others and believe that no one can understand them

→ often see themselves as possessing special, one-of-a-kind gifts, but also as uniquely disadvantaged or flawed

→ acutely aware of and focused on their personal differences and deficiencies

→ often feel they are missing something in themselves, although they may have difficulty identifying exactly what that “something” is

→ may feel socially awkward or self-conscious, but they deeply wish to connect with people who understand them and their feelings

→ typically have problems with a negative self-image and chronically low self-esteem

→ at their best: profoundly creative, inspired, self-aware

→ at their worst: hopeless, self-destructive, self-hating, pushing away others

→ most common addictions: alcohol, lack of physical activity, drugs, cosmetic surgery 

→ most common jobs: graphic designer, journalist, musician

→ motivated by: quality alone time, self-expression through art, being accepted for who they are

→ stressed by: meaningless conversations, parties and big groups of people, lack of creativity, arguing

→ for self growth they should: letting others help, focusing on positive aspects of life


4w3 The Aristocrat

→incredibly creative, although their insecurity may hinder their ability to recognize it

→ feel safer by treasuring all their thoughts. The less exposure, the more comfortable they will feel


4w5 The Bohemian

→ introversion gets deep, but they’re not worried about how people see them or how to adapt to new environments. They’re just focused on opening new doors and breathing the air of progress. The key to achieving this is perception


5 - THE INVESTIGATOR

→ insightful, curious, independent, innovative, intense, strong-minded

→ can become preoccupied with their thoughts and imaginary constructs

→ typically have problems with eccentricity, nihilism, and isolation

→basic fear: being useless, helpless, incapable

→ basic desire: to be capable and competent

→ than any other type, Fives want to find out why things are the way they are and how the world works

→ always searching, asking questions, and delving into things in depth

→ behind the relentless pursuit of knowledge are deep insecurities about their ability to function successfully in the world

→ spend a lot of time observing and contemplating; thanks to that they begin to internalize their knowledge and gain a feeling of self-confidence

→ knowledge, understanding, and insight are thus highly valued by Fives, because their identity is built around “having ideas” and being someone who has something unusual and insightful to say

→ for their own security and self-esteem, Fives need to have at least one area in which they have a degree of expertise that will allow them to feel capable and connected with the world

→ at their best: visionaries, make pioneering discoveries and find entirely new ways of doing and perceiving things, observe everything with extraordinary perceptiveness and insight

→ at their worst: isolated, seeking oblivion, horrified, may have a psychotic break with reality

→ most common addictions: poor eating and sleeping habits, lack of psychical activity, drugs

→ most common jobs: programmer, analyst, scientist 

→ motivated by: learning something new, alone time, feeling valued and appreciated

→ stressed by: large groups of people, emotional situations, overstimulation

→ for self growth they should: work with their emotions, recognize when they withdrawn and connect with others instead


5w4 The Iconoclast

→can spend all day long diving into their own universe. They want to understand everything that comes across their minds & won’t leave any loose ends

→ love to withdraw to their inner self and decipher the outside by studying it & understanding the inside first

→ they isolate themselves 


5w6 The Problem Solver

→ very intuitive people with the ability to read others

→ they are rational and logical, and love to think of new ways to do things

→ they will thoroughly analyze the scenario and take every possibility into account before taking any steps

→ they’re spontaneous when facing real-life challenges, but they don’t leave loose ends

→ use their intelligence to protect themselves and detect possible threats. This permanent state of alarm makes them very reactive, though, and sometimes a bit defensive, too


6 - THE LOYALIST

→ reliable, hard-working, responsible, trustworthy

→ typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion

→ basic fear: being without support and guidance

→ basic desire: to have security and support

→ of all the types, the most loyal to their friends and to their beliefs

→ will typically fight for their beliefs more than they will for themselves, and they will defend their community more than they will themselves

→ central issue for type Six is a failure of self-confidence

→ believe that they do not possess the internal resources to handle life’s challenges and vagaries alone, and so rely on structures, allies, and supports outside themselves for guidance

→ they think—and worry—a lot! They also tend to fear making important decisions, although at the same time, they resist having anyone else make decisions for them

→ often filled with a nameless anxiety and then try to find or create reasons why

→ at their best: self-affirming, trusting of self and others, independent, rich self-expression

→ at their worst: hysterical, self-destructive

→ most common addictions: rigidity in diet, over-working, alcoholism 

→ most common jobs: administration, paralegal, teacher

→ motivated by: quality time with loved ones, advocating for their beliefs and values 

→ stressed by: making the wrong decision, unreliable people, negativity

→ for self growth they should: avoid dramatizing problems, develop self-confidence, focus on what went well instead of failures


6w5 The Defender

→ very suspicious, so sometimes they might not trust others, although it is ideal to anticipate scenarios or other people’s behavior

→ very loyal people who really value honesty and clarity

→ they fiercely defend their values in order to maintain their honor and give life a clear frame

→ independent and self-reliant manners, but love to be surrounded by good people. They appreciate having supportive and trustful relationships that can be their safe space. 

→ they are also very creative and purposeful people


6w7 The Buddy

→very outgoing people that love to be surrounded by friends and have a good time. 

→ the time they spend relaxing gets balanced with periods of hard work

→ they know the best way to talk to people to satisfy their needs and to get what they want. They are also very observant

→ they deal with reality by using their rationality and looking for answers everywhere


7 - THE ENTHUSIAST

→ extroverted, optimistic, versatile, spontaneous, playful, high-spirited, practical

→ typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness

→ basic fear: being deprived and in pain

→ basic desire: to be satisfied, to have their needs fulfilled

→ approach life with curiosity, optimism, and a sense of adventure

→ bold and vivacious, pursuing what they want in life with a cheerful determination

→ emotions change quickly and frequently, and are dramatized

→ extremely practical and engaged in a multitude of projects at any given time

→ exceptionally fast learners - both at absorbing information and learning new manual skills

→ as long as Sevens can keep their minds occupied, especially with projects and positive ideas for the future, they can, to some extent, keep anxiety and negative feelings out of conscious awareness

→ at their best: deeply grateful and appreciative for what they have, awed by the simple wonders of life

→ most common addictions: type most prone to addictions. Drugs of any kind, cosmetic surgery

→ most common jobs: marketing, photographer, traveling 

→ motivated by: new experiences, meeting new people, large gatherings 

→ stressed by: schedules and rules, too much alone time, lack of choice 

→ for self growth they should: work with negative emotions, slow down to process, appreciating what they have already 


7w6 The Entertainer

→ really amazed by life and they want to experience as much as they can. To do that, they sometimes fill up their schedule and divide their time amongst different types of activities. It’s hard for them to focus on one thing, so they end up getting easily distracted

→ normal for them to get lost in their thoughts and think about ways to achieve happiness and find good reasons to do things


7w8 The Realist

→ self-confident, love to be in control of their lives, and they get what they want

→ hard workers that always take the extra effort to stand out in their tasks

→ very protective of their things and beloved ones, but can also be very suspicious and defensive

→ uncertainty drives them to be impulsive and sometimes risky


8 - THE CHALLENGER

→ self-confident, strong, assertive, protective, resourceful, straight-talking, decisive

→ typically have problems with their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable

→ basic fear: of being harmed or controlled by others

→ basic desire: to be in control of their own life and destiny

→ of all the types, Eights enjoy taking on challenges themselves as well as giving others opportunities that challenge them

→ charismatic, can persuade others to follow them into all kinds of endeavors

→ enormous willpower and vitality

→ the true “rugged individualists” of the Enneagram. More than any other type, they stand alone. They want to be independent, and resist being indebted to anyone. They often refuse to “give in” to social convention, and they can defy fear, shame, and concern about the consequences of their actions

→ often extremely industrious, but at the price of losing emotional contact with many of the people in their lives

→ average Eights become blocked in their ability to connect with people or to love

→ at their best: self-restrained, merciful, mastering self through their self-surrender to a higher authority, courageous, willing to put self in serious jeopardy to achieve their vision and have a lasting influence

→ at their worst: vengeful, megalomaniac, immoral, violent

→ openly egocentric but very direct in communication. When not happy about something they have no problem telling the other person they're angry or disappointed 

→ highly instinctual and very related to their bodies: they are people of practical action, pragmatism, and sensuality, as a result

→ most common addictions: ignoring health issues, control issues

→ most common jobs: lawyer, military, technician

→ motivated by: leading others, feeling free and understood, practical ideas and psychical action

→ stressed by: lacking control, feeling unimportant, emotional situations

→ for self growth they should: learn how to share about themselves more, learn vulnerability


8w7 The Independent

→very pragmatic and will do whatever it takes to accomplish its goals. They are very self-confident and ambitious. They always seek more. They are also strategic and tough if needed

→ idealistic and imaginative people; they are highly creative and perfectionists when they feel comfortable. They master their field and consider themselves the best when they hold specific positions that allow them to make important decisions


8w9 The Bear

→ very warm, reliable, and helpful people

→ they like taking on all the responsibility even though this can be exhausting at times

→ good listeners, making them very welcoming and empathetic

→ they often go withdraw into themselves when going through hard times so others don't see their vulnerabilities


9 - THE PEACEMAKER

→ accepting, trusting, stable, creative, optimistic, supportive, gentle, easy-going

→ typically have problems with inertia and stubbornness

→ basic fear: of loss and separation

→ basic desire: to have inner stability “peace of mind”

→ no type is more devoted to the quest for internal and external peace for themselves and others. They are typically “spiritual seekers” who have a great yearning for connection with the cosmos, as well as with other people

→ can retreat into their minds and their emotional fantasies

→ generally do not have a strong sense of their own identity

→ demonstrate the universal temptation to ignore the disturbing aspects of life and to seek some degree of peace and comfort by “numbing out"

→ at their best: autonomous and fulfilled, intensely alive, fully connected to self and others

→ at their worst: catatonic, abandoning themselves, severely dissociated

→ most common addictions: food issues, lack of psychical activity, drugs

→ most common jobs: editor, nurse, librarian 

→ motivated by: stability and consistency, feeling safe and accepted

→ stressed by: disappointing loved ones, difficult decisions, being ignored

→ for self growth they should: accepting conflict as a necessary part of life, working with negative emotions 


9w8 The Comfort Seeker

→ loves to spend time with other people and please them. As they are very empathetic, it’s easy for them to discern other people’s needs and try to spread good and relaxed vibes

→ independence is one of core concerns. They don’t like to ask for permission or give explanations. They like to keep life’s harmony and enjoy things without having to defend anything


9w1 The Dreamer

→ loves to participate in community issues, trying to solve and transform things in order to keep peace and harmony

→ very critical, sarcastic, and have a sharpened sense of justice. As they are reasonable people, they tend to analyze things, tell right from wrong, and set a whole new path that’s better than the already existing one

→ they can’t stand viewing things as a mandate; if something is not good, they will let people know

→ they can keep their temper and good humor, so most people enjoy their company. They’re easygoing, smiley, and sweet.


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SOURCES:

enneagraminstitute.com

crystalknows.com

narrativeenneagram.org

personalitypath.com

traitlab.com

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