Do you know your Enneagram type? If not, finding it out can help you achieve personal and professional growth, unlike any other personality test! Knowing your Enneagram type can tell you a lot about yourself. I’ll fill you in on what each type means and what it says about the person who identifies with it. Are you ready to learn more about yourself?
Let’s start with the basics: what is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is an ancient personality assessment that categorizes people into nine different types. Each Enneagram type has its own unique set of characteristics, desires, and tendencies based on core motivations that drive patterns in behavior.
Unlike other personality assessments, the Enneagram is the only system out there that outlines a path for your personal growth. It identifies your strengths, fears, and areas of opportunity so you can become free to be who you were made to be. This system also looks at your core longings and desires. It provides language to describe who you already are and your sense of self. Let’s take a look at the descriptions and discover each core type.
Type One: The Reformer or Perfectionist
Those who identify as an Enneagram Type One are driven based on their core desires of self principles and convictions. These Enneagram types have a strong sense of right and wrong and are often seen as the moral compass of their group. They are highly conscientious, disciplined, and responsible individuals who can be perfectionists in their work. They love to jump into work, optimize any situation, and have a strong sense of self.
On the downside, this Enneagram type can be inflexible, judgmental, and critical of themselves and others based on their core fears. They can experience wrath, rage, and fury in a big way because of how critical they can be. They’ll always be way more critical of themselves than anyone else ever will and have a deeper sense of fear or failure at their core.
Type Two: The Helper or Giver
Those who identify as an Enneagram Type Two are driven by their core desires to feel loved and needed. They are compassionate, caring, and supportive individuals who have a strong desire to help others in any way they can. These Enneagram types are often seen as the glue that holds their group together. Many Type Twos hold jobs in the healthcare industry or in the therapy field. They always put everyone else’s needs before their own to show their support.
On the downside, Enneagram Twos can be codependent, manipulative, and overly focused on pleasing others when they’re in an unhealthy state. They can also be people-pleasers at their core to a fault who put everyone else’s desires above their own even when they know they shouldn’t. Type Two’s can be very sensitive at a deeper level, which is often driven by their fears.
Type Three: The Achiever or Performer
People who identify as an Enneagram Type Three are driven by their core need to succeed and feel like they’re winning in life. They are ambitious, high-achieving individuals who are always striving to be the best at everything they do. They often have a “fake it ’til you make it” mentality and are very externally focused. They want everyone to see them as successful and put on a facade of perfectionism, making them very focused on their image. Because our culture functions as a Type Three in general, it’s common for people to mistype as a Type Three.
On the downside to the image piece, Enneagram Threes can be workaholics who have trouble slowing down, taking time for themselves, or relaxing. They can also be addicted to the feeling of being successful and can fall into a cycle of chasing after goals that are never-ending, making it easy to suffer from complete burnout. All of this is based on their core fears of not upholding a positive image.
Type Four: The Individualist
People who identify as an Enneagram Type Four are driven by their core need to be authentic and true to themselves. They often see themselves as unique and misunderstood individuals, which leads them to feel like outsiders in the world. They’re often artists or creatives of some sort and have a rich inner life and love discovering. They can be very emotionally expressive individuals who wear their hearts on their sleeves to the point of their own frustration.
On the downside, Enneagram Four types can be moody, melodramatic, and self-absorbed to a fault. These types can also get lost in their own minds and lose touch with reality. They can be very impractical when it comes to the things they want in life. It’s not uncommon for them to take on the victim role when they’re in an unhealthy state.
Type Five: The Investigator
People who identify as an Enneagram Type Five are driven by their need for knowledge and understanding. They often see themselves as intellectuals or thinkers and love to delve deep into any subject matter they’re interested in. They have a rich inner life and are often very introspective individuals that serve as great resources. They can be excellent problem-solvers who see the world in a very logical way. They love to learn and discover new things for their own personal benefit and find better ways of understanding how to think.
On the downside, these types can be detached, aloof, and overly analytical to a fault. They can also be uncommunicative and seem uninterested in others even when they’re not. They can be very secretive and private individuals who have fears and trouble trusting others well.
Type Six: The Loyalist
People who identify as an Enneagram Type Six are driven by their need for security and stability. They often see themselves as the underdog or the one who needs to be prepared for anything that comes their way. They’re loyal, reliable, and hardworking individuals who are always there to help as a partner for their friends and family. They’re often seen as the “glue” that holds things together.
On the downside, they can be fearful, anxious, and paranoid individuals who are always worried about what might happen next. They can also be indecisive and have trouble making decisions when they don’t have all the information they need. They can be very skeptical and mistrusting of others, which can lead them to miss out on opportunities that would serve well for these types.
Type Seven: The Enthusiast
People who identify as an Enneagram Type Seven are driven by their need for variety and stimulation. They’re often the life of the party and enjoy being surrounded by people. Out of the nine types, they’re fun, outgoing individuals who love to be free, try new things, and have a zest for life. They’re often very spontaneous and impulsive at their core.
On the downside, their strong desire for overstimulation can cause these personality types to be scattered, flighty, and unfocused individuals who have trouble completing tasks. They can also be addicted to pleasure and easily bored when they’re not constantly stimulated. They can be very self-centered individuals who only care about their own needs when they’re in an unhealthy state.
Type Eight: The Challenger
Those who identify as an Enneagram Type Eight are driven by their need to be in control. They’re often the leaders and the decision-makers. They’re strong, assertive individuals who are always up for a challenge. They’re often very protective of those they care about, love to help, and can be very loyal friends and family members. This can often make them one of the stronger personality types of the Enneagram.
On the downside, they can be domineering, aggressive, and confrontational individuals who often have a “my way or the highway” mentality, causing fear in others. They often can feel more important than others when in an unhealthy state. They can also be very stubborn and inflexible when it comes to their beliefs and opinions. They can be very insensitive to others’ feelings when they’re in an unhealthy state.
Type Nine: The Peacemaker
Those who identify as an Enneagram Type Nine are driven by their need for peace and harmony. They often find themselves as mediators and the ones who keep the peace. They’re usually very easygoing and laid-back individuals who just want to get along with everyone. They’re often good listeners and have a lot of empathy for others. They can understand what’s better for someone more than the person themselves.
On the downside, Enneagram Type Nines can be passive, complacent, and find themselves resistant to change. They can also be very indecisive and lack direction in their lives. They can be too afraid of conflict to stand up for themselves and their beliefs. They often bury their feelings instead of dealing with them head-on.
In summary – your enneagram type
Your Enneagram type can say a lot about you as an individual. It can give you insights into your motivations, your strengths, and your weaknesses. Knowing your Enneagram type can help you to understand yourself better and work on developing your areas of opportunity. Don’t be afraid to explore the different aspects of your personality that are revealed by your type. Embrace your uniqueness and use it to your advantage!
What’s your Enneagram type? Have you taken an Enneagram test and discovered your results? Do you think it accurately describes you? If you’re interested in learning more, I can help you uncover your results through an Enneagram test.
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