Enneagram Types

Source: Enneagram and The Way of Jesus by AJ Sherrill

Type One

ONE WORD: Perfectionist
FOUR WORDS: Idealist, Principled, Independent, Critical
SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must be perfect and good.
FAMOUS ONES: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mary Poppins, Martin Luther, George Bernard Shaw

According to Riso, Ones are located in the Relating Triad. They need to feel justified by the conscience before they can act. Ones struggle to relate to their environment because of the incessant need for perfection before acting. They are dissatisfied with the way the world currently is, and seek an idealized state. Extremely principled with strong convictions, they are also dissatisfied with their own imperfection within the imperfect world, and live toward the way things “ought” to be. Simultaneously, they fear making a mistake, which often leaves them immobile. Average Ones become angry and frustrated easily when their surrounding environment does not cooperate with their standard of perfection and processes.

From an early age Ones learned to behave properly. They often recall being painfully criticized. As a result, they learned to monitor themselves to avoid mistakes that would come to other’s attention. Mirroring the Puritans, they work hard, are independent and often self-righteous. They are convinced that life is hard and that ease is earned. They understand delayed-gratification better than any other Type. Often their natural desires were forbidden as children so they block desire to do the right thing. Severely compulsive, they believe there is always room for improvement. They are critical, but procrastinate out of fear of getting it wrong or making a mistake.

Often good teachers, Ones strive to set healthy examples of the way things “ought” to be. They are often model children who are motivated to “be good,” “try harder” and “get it right.” Morally, behaviorally and vocationally they are eternally dissatisfied with the current state. From an early age they sought perfection out of fear of losing the love of their dear ones. They are often gifted children and are later viewed as “anal retentive.” It is a heavy thing to be a One because they are relentlessly embattled in inner trials. They chase discounts, clean rooms, are committed to duty and disappoint themselves by their own imperfection. This often leads them to an inner anger.

Certainly, being a One is a burden. Ones often repress anger because the world (and themselves) is not what it should be. They see through idealized glasses. They are desperate to be correct and right. They suffer from a relentless inner critic. When they are criticized it is severe for them because it reinforces their inner critic. They are good at perfecting things when the world is not going well. When they experience a situation that is out of their control (for example, if a loved one is sick) they clean their house from the need to perfect something within their realm of control. They best operate from within strict, clear guidelines, feedback and a single course of action. They suppress anger so that when it does surface it is usually related to something deeper.

The lie Ones believe: “It’s not ok to make a mistake.”

The truth Ones need: “You are good.”

Type Two

ONE WORD: Helper
FOUR WORDS: Relational, Generous, Insecure, Self-unaware
SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must be helpful and caring.
FAMOUS TWOS: Madonna, Elizabeth Taylor, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley

Service is very important to Twos. At their best, Twos are healing presences in the world. They move toward others, but are often, subconsciously, motivated by self- interest. Further, they rarely notice their own insecurity when doing this because they are self-unaware. The average Two talks more about serving others than actually serving others. Palmer says, “They are marked by the need for affection and approval; they want to be loved, protected and feel important in other’s lives.” They develop keen perception to discern the moods and preferences of others and then act accordingly. Twos easily alter their own tastes and preferences to serve the desires of others. This gives rise to what Palmer calls the “multiple self.” They can be characterized as so in tune with the feelings of others that they lose touch with their own feelings. Over time, this can lead to Twos having difficulty discerning personal longings and preferences.

“Twos have an exaggerated need for validation.” They are prone to flattery and giving public approval of others for personal purposes. Some Twos report that early in life they had to provide care and support for both older and younger members of the family. Because of this, they develop a “need to be needed” which results in secret pride. Whereas they are extremely helpful, they expect (often demand) gratitude in return. Caricatures of this type include the “Jewish mother,” and the “pastor’s wife.”

At the root, immature Twos struggle with identity, which is why they invest their resources into others, hoping their acknowledgment and gratitude will fill the void. Describing how immature Twos are prone to function in committed relationships, Helen Palmer claims:

The early phases of a relationship are dominated by a Two living out those aspects that will flatter the partner’s needs. The later phases of a relationship are dominated by the feelings of being controlled by the partner’s will, coupled by an overwhelming desire for freedom. . . . Twos experience a conflict between the habit of molding self-presentation so as to be ultimately irresistible to a partner and wanting the freedom to do whatever they please.

In the end, Twos gain control through helpfulness. They also believe others need them in order to thrive. However, they often want recognition of their usefulness, lest they become insecure and angry. Their twin preoccupations are gaining approval and avoiding rejection. They take subversive pride in their assistance to the extent that they hope others will not be able to get along without them. Twos are other-oriented to the point that if they are not needed, they believe themselves to be unwanted. Questions Twos should ask themselves before serving others: What is my agenda? What is the return? Does this person want my help?

The lie Twos believe: “It’s not ok to have my own needs.”

The truth Twos need: “You are wanted.”

Type Three

ONE WORD: Achiever
FOUR WORDS: Image-conscious, Ambitious, Adaptable, Motivated SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must be impressive and attractive.
FAMOUS THREES: Ronald Reagan, Farrah Fawcett, Walt Disney, John F. Kennedy

The axiom of the Three is to avoid failure and maximize success. They are often out of touch with their feelings. Adept in agility, they can adapt to whatever is needed in the moment to ensure success, security and social assimilation. Above all, they seek to project a desirable image. Unlike Twos who ask, “Do you like me?” the Three asks, “Am I successful?” As children, Threes were prized for their achievements. Thus, their proclivities are seldom genetic, but are learned from and reinforced by guardians.

Threes recall feeling worth through performance and image rather than through emotional and social connectedness. Palmer states, “Because they were loved for their achievements, they learned to suspend their own emotions and focus their attention on earning the status that would guarantee them love. It was very important to avoid failure, because only winners were worthy of love.”

Threes are driven by “3 C’s:” Competency, Comparison and Competition. They are some of the most competent people in their respective fields because identity hangs in the balance. Whereas they work hard to develop competence, on-lookers often would not know because Threes give the appearance of ease. They ardently compare themselves with others at the office in order to gauge their skill and expertise. Last, they compete to be first, to get the promotion or receive whatever award is available in order to feel worthy within their environment. Others are often unaware they are in a competition with a Three. But this is how a Three experiences inner validation—winning. Threes are often called chameleons because they become whatever it takes to fit and thrive within a milieu. Agile, Threes “can slip into almost any mask and act the part to perfection.”

Threes thrive within societies such as capitalism, which also feeds off of competency, comparison and competition. Rohr believes that the Three grows out of affluent cultures: “I am sure that in the Third World countries one would not meet the same percentage of Threes as in the U.S.” Because they are at home and valued in Western culture, they often appear optimistic and cool. According to Palmer, “They do not appear to suffer and may live out their entire life oblivious to the fact that they have lost a vital connection to their own interior life.” If the One values effectiveness, the Three values efficiency; if the One seeks to get things right, the Three seeks to get things done. They seek to achieve in record time in order to move onto the next conquest. This can take the form of degrees, positions, accomplishments and relationships. They also move quickly from thinking to acting. Time is of the essence, and there is much to be done. Often Threes sacrifice deep imagination that comes with reflection and calculation because they move so quickly into action. Comfortable in front of the crowd, personal intimacy and relational connection often lack in Threes because they do not want to risk vulnerability, or come to terms that their inner life is neglected.

Threes are hard to read. Because they place a high value on the exterior life (image, recognition and achievement) they often suppress their interior feelings (anger, rage and embarrassment). Further, they struggle to read others as well. Like Ones, Threes fear failure. However, the Three’s fear of failure is rooted in worth and “there is nothing sadder on the Enneagram than an unsuccessful Three.”30 They have a future orientation toward life, which is why they are always aimed out at the next prize. Threes do not shrink back from self-promotion, which partly explains the emergence and flourishing of social media. They are multi-taskers and natural salespeople. Few really ever know Threes because they remain on the surface. The best of Threes are characterized as self-accepting, inner-directed and authentic. The worst of Threes are deeply narcissistic, hurtful to others for personal gain and deceptive.

The lie Threes believe: “It’s not ok to have your own feelings.”
The truth Threes need: “You are loved for yourself, not for what you do.”

Type Four

ONE WORD: Individualist
FOUR WORDS: Dramatic, Artistic, Melancholic, Intuitive
SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must be unique and different.
FAMOUS FOURS: John Keats, Joni Mitchell, Alan Watts, Bette Davis

From Fours, the world receives a great deal of what is good, true and beautiful. Fours are categorized under the feeling triad and are emotional people. These emotions can manifest in ways healthy and unhealthy, hence, the Four is often depicted as a melancholic artist. Preferring individualism, they value authenticity and can easily perceive phony manipulation in others. They seek emotional honesty, inspiration and creating helpful experiences for others. Riso asserts, that healthy Fours want to be true to themselves and they want others to also be true to themselves. This is why it is easy for them to be critical when they perceive falsity in others. Hamlet captures the Four well:

This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.

According to Stabile, there are fewer Fours on earth than any other type. They are complex children who need to feel extra special. Their underlining childhood theme is loss. According to Palmer, “Fours remember abandonment in childhood, and as a result suffer from a sense of deprivation and loss.” Fours long for that which they lack; and miss out on what they have. Unconsciously dwelling on what is missing, they lose appeal to what they actually have. Palmer continues to describe scenarios of Fours accordingly: “If you get the job, you want the man. If you get the man, you want to be alone. If you are alone, you want the job and man again. Attention cycles to the best in what is missing and, by comparison, whatever is available seems dull and valueless.”

They are moody and struggle to be satisfied. When it comes to vocation, Fours seldom settle for routine jobs. They would rather be true to their talents and poor than rich “sellouts.” Often their main concern is relationships, which trend toward inconsistency at best, and volatile at worst. Romantically, they love the pursuit. Once in a romantic relationship they can feel bored because the quest is over. With friendships they are often the first to stand in solidarity with other people’s pain. Fours are excellent at “Sitting Shiva” and are attracted to the Church season of Lent. They are attracted to extremes and can sometimes manufacture drama in order to feel alive.

Their orientation toward life is often romantic, aesthetic and artistic. This does not mean they always have musical instruments, microphones or paint brushes in hand, but they often do. They often express their feelings in dance, music, painting, acting and literature. Fours can unlock beauty in the world for others. When they feel stuck in the real world, Fours “reinforce their sense of self through fantasy and the imagination.” Fours interiorize life, which can spawn self-absorption, depression and introversion. They are also prone to critical spirits and pervasive negativity. They must learn to discern the difference between having a critical mind (analyzing life) and cultivating a critical spirit (negative outlook toward others).

Spiritually Fours reject the categories of sacred and secular. They want to see both worlds come together in a coalescence of beauty and harmony. According to Rohr, they prefer symbols and dreams to mechanics and pragmatics. Although they claim to have thrown on a few clothes as they rushed out the door, their fashion is carefully selected. They want others to notice them for the way they stand out. Aesthetically attractive, Fours can also appear “esoteric, eccentric, extravagant, or exotic.” Possessions bring Fours little joy as they much prefer longing. In the words of Rohr, “longing is more important than having.” This is why the pursuit of life is more satisfying than the attainment of it.

The minds of Fours can transfix on an unalterable past mistake. Their inner monologue repeats phrases like, “if only, if only.” This inner sense of disappointment yields seasons of self-isolation, particularly socially. The Four may be with you in the room physically, but can mentally, spiritually and emotionally be as far from you as the moon.

In a weird psychological twist, Fours can grow to be attracted to pain, loss and seasons of darkness. When a Four feels like a failure, anger swells within. Their thoughts can easily turn morbid and self-hatred becomes their disposition. This leads to feelings of despair, hopelessness and self-destruction. Many who contemplate suicide are Fours because the interior worldview they have constructed is so heavy that they believe this must be all there is, therefore, they wonder, “what is the point of living?” Drugs and alcohol are common release valves for Fours as coping mechanisms of escape.

The lie Fours believe: “It is not ok to be too functional or too happy.”

The truth Fours need: “You are seen and valued for who you are.”

Type Five

ONE WORD: Investigator
FOUR WORDS: Perceptive, Detached, Informed, Introverted SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must be knowledgeable and equipped. FAMOUS FIVES: Rene Descartes, Emily Dickinson, Meryl Streep, Franz

The investigator’s personality is like a castle. Imagine a high, impenetrable structure with tiny windows at the top. This is the Five. The windows at the top are but the tiniest openings where others can peer in. Whereas they have developed a greed for knowledge, they also seek privacy. They learned as children that the world can be dangerous and privacy stolen. Many Fives report others intruding on them at a young age that led them to cultivate an inner world within which only they could access. Many Fives also report feeling little tenderness and intimacy in childhood, which explains why they are characterized as thinkers who are out of touch with emotional resources.

Fives have a tendency toward keeping their lives secret because they struggle to trust others. Many of them are introverted and lead a strategic, compartmentalized life. Because Fives work so hard to acquire the depth of their knowledge base, they often hoard their knowledge from others. For them knowledge equals power, so it is best to not give it all away. Of all the types, Fives are the most emotionally detached. This means they are able to experience a feeling and let it go. Feelings do not imprison them. They can think their way out of most predicaments.

Rohr claims that Fives are prone to a kind of emptiness, which explains why they, unlike Fours, pursue fulfillment. They are always in search of the next book, seminar, silent retreat, advanced degree or self-advancement theory. They tend to enjoy travel, plotting out museums and educational places of interest. Thus, European cities are more interesting destinations than the beaches of the Caribbean. Fives are constantly preparing and equipping themselves. The pursuit of data acquisition is an adequate way to sum up a Five. They feel that acquiring the necessary knowledge and skill in the present will equip them for the task in the future. Fives love developing their minds, and will do so at the expense of engaging their bodies. Because they are mentally alert, little escapes their notice; “They value foresight and prediction.” Fives are devoted to mastering what they deem worthwhile and can concentrate on single projects for great lengths at a time.

One of the greatest gifts of a Five is their emotional neutrality, and they can apply this to others. As objective experiencers of life, they make great judges because they can easily discern fact from empathy. They are thoughtful and careful in all they do. Viewing others as irrational, Fives are independent and rarely react to life. Rather, they prefer to act in their own time and only after they have thought through the best course of action. Fives are the Type who prefer not to argue in real time, but return to the debate days later after they have mentally processed the issue at hand.

They are adept to make good use of time and can finish projects independently and timely. Fives seek to know boundaries, expectations and deadlines in advance. In meetings they prefer written agendas handed out before arrival. They also like to know what time precisely the meeting will end. They enjoy personal freedom, can be dry humored, full of wit and sarcasm. Many experience them as good listeners who like to learn from all they observe. Stabile says, “If you ask them what they ‘feel’ they’ll tell you what they ‘think.’” Further, just as they are secretive they also keep other’s secrets, thus making good confessors.

Because Fives are committed intellectuals, they can become argumentative and cynical. Further, they are prone to live in the world of theory and concepts rather than pragmatism and materialism. Riso observes, “They act like ‘disembodied minds,’ more preoccupied with their visions and interpretations than reality, becoming high-strung and intense.” At their worst, Fives can become reclusive and nihilistic. Many note that schizophrenic tendencies are the pathology of an unhealthy Five. The character portrayed by Russell Crow in the film, “A Beautiful Mind,” is a good example of a Five at its worst psychologically.

Many experience Fives as extremely loyal, lifelong friends. In the world of social media, Fives prefer not to self-promote, compete or demonstrate superiority. They will often use social media to stay abreast with other’s lives rather than utilize it to display their own. According to Palmer, “Fives can mask feelings of superiority over those who crave recognition or success.” Independently wired, they often do not need the approval of others for positive self-esteem.

The lie Fives believe: “You are strong enough to not need the assistance and comfort of others.”
The truth Fives need: “Your needs are not a problem.”

Type Six

ONE WORD: Questioner
FOUR WORDS: Fearful, Loyal, Procrastination, Committed
SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must be secure and safe.
FAMOUS SIXES: Woody Allen, Jane Fonda, Sherlock Holmes

At best Sixes are loyal friends and can act heroically for a cause. They are tremendously gifted and make great contributors on a team. Yet the average Six is suspicious of others’ motives, particularly due to childhood memories of being let down by authorities. As a result, Sixes either seek a protector or challenge authority in the role of the “Devil’s Advocate.” They struggle to trust the authority that others wield. Whereas they find solace in the law, the military, the Church and community, the authority figures in organizations, the Church and superiors are always suspect to them. According to Stabile, “The world is a slippery slope full of agendas.” They worry about possible future events. They can even fear their own success because of the possibility of loss. With a tendency to overreact when under stress, Sixes often blow circumstances out of proportion and are perceived as edgy, angry and pessimistic.

Their root sin is fear, which explains why they have problems with follow- through. Riddled by a history of starts and stops they have held many jobs, initiated several degree programs and a trail of unfinished projects. Sixes frequently find good excuses why they cannot continue in one trajectory. Once they begin a project, they question it. Procrastination is common in Sixes. They live with self-doubt and, as a result, anxiety to act. They find it easier to question than act. Cognitively driven, Sixes reside in the head triad rather than feeling or gut.

Thinking replaces doing for the Six. According to Palmer, “The antiauthoritarian stance makes Sixes gravitate toward underdog causes.” Believing others are manipulative, they rarely receive compliments given. Rooted in fear, they constantly scan their environment for signs of danger, easily perceiving falsity and power plays in others. A Six at worst is paranoid. It takes a long time to develop trust, but they are often committed to long marriages because of their tendency to “take on the problem in the marriage.” Unhealthy Sixes easily project their own feelings onto others. If a Six considers an affair, they often assume their partner is too, and can treat them accordingly.

Of all the types, Six is the most complex. There are two kinds of Sixes according to Palmer: phobic and counter-phobic. Whereas some Sixes play into their personality type (phobic), others will fight it (counter-phobic). She writes, “A phobic type will vacillate, replacing action with analysis, filled with contradiction and self-doubt. . . . A counter-phobic will overcompensate fear by becoming the sky-diving champion in order to master his fear of heights.”65 Phobic Sixes are characterized by cowardice. Counter-phobic Sixes take unnecessary risks. This complexity makes Sixes hard to spot, particularly because counter-phobic Sixes can be mistaken for Eights. Last, Sixes resist authority. Thus, theories such as the Enneagram make them suspicious and resistant to assessment. One will rarely find a Six in an Enneagram workshop. Sixes need safe places to go. Once they perceive safety they are able to achieve great things and make wonderful allies. According to Rohr, Sixes are the most common personality type in Western society. The most common vocation for the Six is school teacher.

The lie Sixes believe: “It is not ok to trust yourself.”

The truth Sixes need: “You are safe.”

Type Seven

ONE WORD: Enthusiast
FOUR WORDS: Entertaining, Accomplished, Uninhibited, and Manic SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must be fun and entertained.
FAMOUS SEVENS: Henry David Thoreau, Peter Pan, Kurt Vonnegut, Groucho Marx

Sevens exude joy and optimism. They are the men and women at the party who enliven the room. Full of idealism and hope, they give the impression that everything is good and beautiful. They are charming and funny, but often carry a childhood wound deep within them, which they avoid at all costs through the search of new experiences and endless activity. Appearing to be full of heart, Sevens actually operate from the head. Strategically motivated:

In the course of their development many Sevens have had traumatic experiences, which they did not feel equal to. In order to avoid the repetition of this pain in the future, they have evolved a double strategy: First they repressed or whitewashed their negative and painful experiences. Many Sevens paint their life story in positive colors, even when the scenario was anything but beautiful.

Secondly, they’ve gone into their heads and begun to plan their lives so that every day will promise as much “fun” and as little pain as possible. . . . Sevens would love to live and die at Disneyland.

Sevens are impulsive, responding quickly to personal impulse and desire. They seek adrenaline rushes through change, stimulation and new experiences. Delayed gratification is the furthest thing from their minds. As a result, Sevens are susceptible to various addictions, including chronic anxiety. Riso believes Sevens will choose quantity over quality almost every time. Further, to Sevens, happiness is something to be attained from the outside rather resourced from within. The next drink, the next party, the next achievement, the next joke, the next relationship is the driving motivator for the Seven. Everything needs to scale into bigger, better and more exciting. Of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23, self-control is the most elusive and joy is ostensibly the most present.

Much of their activity “is a flight from the painful abysses of their own soul.”Because they spend much of their time protecting the image that everything is wonderful, they rarely let anyone too close. Relational commitment and vulnerability are often elusive to them. It would be too painful, they think, for someone to know their whole story. Pain is not to be felt but shifted. At funerals they move quickly to tell how blissful it must be for the deceased to finally be in Heaven. Unlike Fours, after the loss of a loved one, “Sitting Shiva” would be the last thing a Seven would seek. Sevens, therefore, have no clue how to grieve. In fact, grieving means one is doing something wrong in life. Rohr believes these kinds of rationalizations demonstrate their reliance upon cognition as their driving impulse. Similar to Threes, they are in constant danger of ego inflation. Where Threes avoid failure, Sevens avoid pain.

Whereas the Six is pessimistic, the Seven is optimistic. Note though that optimism is often a strategy to avoid reality—which can be painful. Therefore, the Seven aims to avoid emotions when possible. This is why they are more prone to addiction than any other type. Avoidance of pain, discomfort and the ugly is a central value. They are also future-oriented people. The future is always bright, which helps them reframe present struggles. Travel is a value because it can remove present heaviness and does not require relationship in the day-to-day. Experience is another value because it can be employed to overcome emptiness. The problem, however, is that once the experience is over, the emptiness returns. Thus, another experience is then required. This partly explains why Sevens more than any type have suicidal tendencies at worst. Sevens can reframe any negative into a positive—until they cannot. When they hit this wall it can turn abusive toward others and life threatening toward themselves.

Underneath their facade, Sevens are often heavy. They succumb to the pressure to always be the life of the party. Others reinforce this pressure because they seek the

Seven to entertain them. Although they make it look effortless, Sevens can experience stress to live up to other’s incessant expectations. Rohr claims that where Twos store up love, Sevens store up happiness. The charismatic movement is full of Sevens where it is Easter all year. Stable, secure and predictable is a Sevens worst nightmare. Like Fours, office jobs are difficult for Sevens. However, Sevens can function at an extremely high capacity, are exceptionally talented, and have the ability to focus on one thing for a long time—that is, until they get bored and need to move on to the next thing.

The lie Sevens believe: “It is not ok to depend on anyone for anything.”

The truth Sevens need: “You will be taken care of.”

Type Eight

ONE WORD: Challenger
FOUR WORDS: Self-confident, Decisive, Just, Leader
SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must be strong and in control.
FAMOUS EIGHTS: Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson, Sean Penn, Friedrich Nietzsche

Early in life Eights came to believe that being soft is a disadvantage. Therefore, they compensate with strength, directness and can be quite confrontational. Sometimes their strength is a survival strategy from childhood in order to not be taken advantage of or to prove oneself fit for a social group (gangs proving their courage to peers). They often take charge of a situation because they fear being under unjust authority. They are ready and willing to fight for the underdog. According to Rohr, outsiders confuse them with Ones because of their aggressive personality. Sex and fighting are both ways for the Eight to connect with others.

Energized by disagreement, Eights see life through a lens of black and white. People are either friends or enemies and situations are either right or wrong. They are intense. They rarely apologize and admit mistakes with difficulty because of the appearance of weakness. Eights mistrust others until proven otherwise, believing the world to be hostile and threatening. Their disposition toward others is an “against” stance. Fortunately, Eights have an acute perception for injustice and, more often than not, are willing to stand against it. They can be great leaders as they intuitively expand themselves to fill whatever need exists in a given moment. Protecting the cause of the weak, Eights are not afraid to use their strength in just causes. Thus, Eights make great leaders of movements. Many attorneys are Eights. However, at times the honesty they demand from others is not first applied to themselves.

Whereas Ones reform a system from within, Eights launch attacks against the system until it changes or collapses. They avoid all perceptions of weakness, helplessness and subordination. Contrary to expectation, Eights struggle not as much with rage/anger as they do with passion. They are lusty, desirous people who follow their gut instincts. At worst, this means that they have a tendency exploit others and not respect their dignity. Enjoying retaliation, healthy Eights learn to restrain their strength and channel it into helpful directions. For example, in the civil rights era, Martin Luther King Jr. learned the strength of non-violence rather than brutal force to effect change. Unhealthy Eights are accused of controlling others. However, what they seek is to not be under the control of others. A toxic romantic relationship with an Eight often veers into feeling possessed or dominated.

One of the most interesting facets of Eights is how often they are misinterpreted by others. They are more tender than people perceive. Often their harsh outer shell belies their soft interior. Few people come to recognize this in Eights because they spend energy hiding what is underneath. Among many reasons for this interpretation is the fact that they speak in imperatives, are impatient with indecision, and struggle when others “beat around the bush.” Rarely do Eights notice how others perceive them to be off-putting or aggressive. To them, skirting around the truth is disrespectful. Whereas they seldom bully others, their main competition is themselves.

The lie Eights believe: “It is not ok to trust just anybody.”

The truth Eights need: “You will not be betrayed.”

Type Nine

ONE WORD: Peacemaker
FOUR WORDS: Peaceful, Reassuring, Complacent, Neglectful
SURVIVAL STRATEGY: I must maintain peace and calm.
FAMOUS NINES: Julia Child, Eisenhower, Pope John XXIII, Frodo Baggins

Nines often recall childhood memories of feeling overlooked. Over time they began to believe that the interests and needs of others were more important than their own. They are often interpreted as people who are numb to the world. Twos and Nines look alike. They can easily go with the flow, preferring not to set the pace but, rather, to assist others along the way. Nines best exude the proverbial question, “Can’t we all just get along?” It is said of Nines that they have difficulty discerning what tasks are urgent from those that are not. Thus, they can find themselves with many to-do items, but unsure which to tackle first. Palmer avers that as they lose contact with their personal longings because of the importance they place into other’s desires, they divert energy into inoculating activities such as watching TV. They lack focus and determination

Fearing separation from others, Nines do not like to say “no” to others. They often do not place greater importance on their opinions, so it is easy for them to be persuaded towards another’s point of view simply because they can easily see all view points as valid. A Nine’s decision in a conflict can sometimes be no decision. However, they make excellent mediators. Whereas Eights make great attorneys, Nines make great judges because of the ability to be objective. They are able to express harsh truths in a calm manner, which helps others receive their words. According to Palmer, “Their burden is that they suffer from not knowing what they want, and their blessing is that by having lost a personal position, they are often able to intuitively identity with other people’s inner experience. If you identity with each of the Enneagram types, you are very likely a Nine.”

Nines like ritual, familiarity and peace. Appearing humble, Nines are usually insecure and belittle themselves. They are known to struggle with laziness. The upside of that vice is that they are prone to non-violence. To their detriment, they leave the most important tasks of the day to complete at the end, replacing essential needs with non- essential substitutes. Due to repressed anger, Nines can suffer from inner turmoil and passive aggression. They are similar to Twos and have difficulty maintaining a personal position. The reason for this is because they are more concerned about whether they agree or disagree with another’s viewpoint rather than developing their own. People sometimes misinterpret their silence for tacit agreement even though they may be undecided. Others report Nines to be on automatic in life. Although incredibly talented and resourceful for others, Nines can take on a load without letting anything go. Over time, this builds up and can lead to exhaustion or emotional implosion. The young Frodo Baggins from the tale, The Lord of the Rings, is a classic Nine at the beginning. Motivating him to save the world from evil proves to be a difficult feat—which ironically makes him a viable candidate due to his non-interest in ruling the world as victor. Along the journey Frodo moves into an Eight wing and is transformed for the task.

Whereas an Eight needs to be against something, the Nine seeks to avoid conflict altogether. According to Stabile, Nines “have the least energy of all types because they are internally and externally bounded. Believing a personal agenda threatens harmony, they drop their opinion and go along with others.” Of all the types, they are the least controlling. They often remain in long relationships; they enjoy nature, are good in ministry positions and savor the simple pleasures in life.

The lie Nines believe: “It is not ok to assert yourself.”
The truth Nines need: “Your presence and opinion matters.”