Enneagram Type 1 - The Reformer

Perfectionists, responsible, fixated on improvement

People of this personality type are essentially looking to make things better, as they think
nothing is ever quite good enough. This makes them perfectionists who desire to reform and
improve; idealists who strive to make order out of the omnipresent chaos.

Ones have a fine eye for detail. They are always aware of the flaws in themselves, others and
the situations in which they find themselves. This triggers their need to improve, which can
be beneficial for all concerned, but which can also prove to be burdensome to both the One
and those who are on the receiving end of the One's reform efforts.

The One's inability to achieve the perfection they desire feeds their feelings of guilt for having
fallen short, and fuels their incipient anger against an imperfect world. Ones, however, tend
to feel guilty about their anger. Anger is a "bad" emotion, and Ones strive sincerely and
wholeheartedly to be "good." Anger is therefore vigorously repressed from consciousness,
bursting forth in occasional fits of temper, but usually manifesting in one of its many less
obvious permutations - impatience, frustration, annoyance and judgmental criticality. For this
reason, Ones can be difficult to live with, but, on the high side, they tend to be loyal,
responsible and capable partners and friends.

Ones are serious people; they tend to be highly principled, competent and uncompromising.
They follow the rules and expect others to do so as well. Because they believe so thoroughly
in their convictions, they are often excellent leaders who can inspire those who follow them
with their own vision of excellence. Reform movements are frequently spearheaded by Ones.

Ones are often driven and ambitious, and are sometimes workaholics. But whatever their
professional involvement, they are definitely active, practical people who get things done.
They are natural born organizers, listmakers who finish everything on the list, the last one to
leave the office, the first one to return, industrious, reliable, honest and dutiful.

The relentlessness of their pursuit of the ideal can make Ones tense people who have a hard
time relaxing and who unnecessarily deny themselves many of the harmless pleasures of life.
They tend to be emotionally repressed and uncomfortable with expressing tender feelings;
they generally see emotionality as a sign of weakness and lack of control. They are seldom
spontaneous. They have multiple interests and talents however; they are self-reliant and
seldom run out of things to do.

Ones are often intelligent and independent and can easily mistake themselves for Fives, but
unlike Fives, Ones are primarily people of action, not thought. Ones tend to worry and are
prone to anxiety and can sometimes mistype as Sixes, but they are far less affiliative than
Sixes and their standards are not reached by seeking consensus with a group. Finally, the
relentless pursuit of perfection can take its toll and lead to depression. At such times, a One
can mistype as a Four. But Fours have a tendency towards self-indulgence whereas Ones are
self-denying. Fours are emotionally expressive; Ones are emotionally constrained.
Enneagram Type 2 - The Helper

Helpers who need to be needed

People of this personality type essentially feel that they are worthy insofar as they are helpful
to others. Love is their highest ideal. Selflessness is their duty. Giving to others is their reason
for being. Involved, socially aware, usually extroverted, Twos are the type of people who
remember everyone's birthday and who go the extra mile to help out a co-worker, spouse or
friend in need.

Twos are warm, emotional people who care a great deal about their personal relationships,
devote an enormous amount of energy to them, and who expect to be appreciated for their
efforts. They are practical people who thrive in the helping professions and who know how to
make a home comfortable and inviting. Helping others makes Twos feel good about
themselves; being needed makes them feel important; being selfless, makes Twos feel
virtuous. Much of a Two's self-image revolves around these issues, and any threat to that
self-image is scarcely tolerated. Twos are thoroughly convinced of their selflessness, and it is
true that they are frequently genuinely helpful and concerned about others. It is equally true,
however, that Twos require appreciation; they need to be needed. Their love is not entirely
without ulterior motive.

Twos often develop a sense of entitlement when it comes to the people closest to them.
Because they have extended themselves for others, they begin to feel that gratitude is owed
to them. They can become intrusive and demanding if their often unacknowledged emotional
needs go unmet. They can be bossy and manipulative, feeling entirely justified in being so,
because they "have earned the right" and their intentions are good. The darkest side of the
type Two fixation appears when the Two begins to feel that they will never receive the love
they deserve for all of their efforts. Under such circumstances, they can become hysterical,
irrational and even abusive.

Because Twos are generally helping others meet their needs, they can forget to take care of
their own. This can lead to physical burnout, emotional exhaustion and emotional volatility.
Twos need to learn that they can only be of true service to others if they are healthy,
balanced and centered in themselves.

Twos can mistype themselves if they are not in an obvious helper role in their professional
lives; they might not recognize the extent of their involvement in assisting others. This is
especially true for male Twos, who have not received the same social rewards for helping as
female Twos receive. Male Twos frequently mistype as Ones or Threes, the wings of type
Two. Females, of all types, are bound to recognize some of the dynamics of type Two in their
personalities, as such qualities have been socially reinforced. Female Nines, for instance, are
especially prone to mistyping as Twos, particularly if they are the mothers of small children.
But Nines are self-effacing and humble; Twos are proud and have a strong sense of their
own worth.
Enneagram Type 3 - The Achiever

Focused on the presentation of success, to attain validation

People of this personality type need to be validated in order to feel worthy; they pursue
success and want to be admired. They are frequently hard working, competetive and are
highly focused in the pursuit of their goals, whether their goal is to be the most successful
salesman in the company or the "sexiest" woman in their social circle. They are often "self-
made" and usually find some area in which they can excel and thus find the external
approbation which they so desperately need. Threes are socially competent, often
extroverted, and sometimes charismatic. They know how to present themselves, are self-
confident, practical, and driven. Threes have a lot of energy and often seem to embody a
kind of zest for life that others find contagious. They are good networkers who know how to
rise through the ranks. But, while Threes do tend to succeed in whatever realm they focus
their energies, they are often secretly afraid of being or becoming "losers."

Threes can sometimes find intimacy difficult. Their need to be validated for their image often
hides a deep sense of shame about who they really are, a shame they unconsciously fear will
be unmasked if another gets too close. Threes are often generous and likable, but are
difficult to really know. When unhealthy, their narcissism takes an ugly turn and they can
become cold blooded and ruthless in the pursuit of their goals.

Because it is central to the type Three fixation to require external validation, Threes often,
consciously and unconsciously, attempt to embody the image of success that is promoted by
their culture. Threes get in trouble when they confuse true happiness, which depends on
inner states, with the image of happiness which society has promoted. If a Three has a
"good" job and an "attractive" mate, she might be willing, through an act of self-deception
which is also self-betrayal, to ignore the inner promptings which tell her that neither her job,
nor her mate are fulfilling her deeper needs. Even the most "successful" Threes, who
generally appear quite happy, often hide a deeply felt sense of meaninglessness. The
attainment of the image never quite satisfies.

Threes can sometimes mistype themselves when they mistake the more superficial features
of their personalities as indicators of their type. So, for instance, an intellectual Three might
mistype as a Five; a Three who is devoted to her role as mother might think she is a Two; a
Three in a leadership position might mistype as an Eight and so on. Regardless of the
manifestation however, the core of the type Three fixation is the deep need for external
validation.
Enneagram Type 4 - The Individualist

Identity seekers, who feel unique and different

People of this personality type tend to build their identities around their perception of
themselves as being somehow different or unique; they are thus self-consciously
individualistic. Fours tend to see their difference from others as being both a gift and a curse
- a gift, because it sets them apart from those they perceive as being somehow "common,"
and a curse, as it so often seems to separate them from the simpler forms of happiness that
others so readily seem to enjoy. Thus, Fours can manage to feel superior to others while also
secretly harboring some degree of longing and envy. A feeling of being a member of the
"true aristocracy" alternates with deep feelings of shame, and fears of somehow being deeply
flawed or defective.

Fours are emotionally complex and highly sensitive. They long to be understood and
appreciated for their authentic selves, but easily feel misunderstood and unappreciated. They
have a tendency to withdraw in the face of a world that seems harsh or crude, and are often
somewhat moody or temperamental. They are emotionally centered and spend much of their
lives immersed in their internal mental landscapes, where they feel free to cultivate and
analyse their feelings. A desire to manifest this internal world often leads Fours to an interest
in the arts, and some do become actual artists. Whether artistic or not, however, most Fours
are aesthetically sensitive and concerned with self-expression and self-revelation, whether it
be in the clothes they wear or in the overall nature of their often idiosyncratic lifestyles.

Fours are somewhat melancholic by disposition, and under stress tend to lapse into
depression. They also tend to be self-absorbed, even under the best of circumstances, but
when unbalanced, easily give way to a self-indulgence which they perceive as being fully
justified as a way to compensate for the general lack of pleasure they experience in their
lives. Rather than look for practical solutions to their difficulties, Fours are prone to
fantasizing about a savior who will rescue them from their unhappiness.

Intellectual Fours tend to mistakenly type themselves as Fives, and a heavy wing can
certainly exacerbate this tendency. Fours however, unlike Fives, tend to be self-revealing and
comfortable with emotional expression.
Enneagram Type 5 - The Investigator

Thinkers who tend to withdraw and observe

People of this personality type essentially fear that they don't have enough inner strength to
face life, so they tend to withdraw, to retreat into the safety and security of the mind where
they can mentally prepare for their emergence into the world. Fives feel comfortable and at
home in the realm of thought. They are generally intelligent, well read and thoughtful and
they frequently become experts in the areas that capture their interest. While they are
sometimes scientifically oriented, especially with the Six wing, just as many Fives are drawn
to the humanities and it is not at all uncommon for Fives to have artistic inclinations. Fives
are often a bit eccentric; they feel little need to alter their beliefs to accommodate majority
opinion, and they refuse to compromise their freedom to think just as they please. The
problem for Fives is that while they are comfortable in the realm of thought, they are
frequently a good deal less comfortable when it comes to dealing with their emotions, the
demands of a relationship, or the need to find a place for themselves in the world. Fives tend
to be shy, nonintrusive, independent and reluctant to ask for the help that others might well
be happy to extend to them.

Fives are sensitive; they don't feel adequately defended against the world. To compensate for
their sensitivity, Fives sometimes adopt an attitude of careless indifference or intellectual
arrogance, which has the unfortunate consequence of creating distance between themselves
and others. Trying to bridge the distance can be difficult for Fives, as they are seldom
comfortable with their social skills, but when they do manage it, they are often devoted
friends and life long companions.

Fives are usually somewhat restrained when it comes to emotional expression, but they often
have stronger feelings than they let on. Few people know what is going on beneath the
surface, as Fives have an often exaggerrated need for privacy and a deep seated fear of
intrusion. Because of their sensitivity and their fears of inadequacy, Fives fear being
overwhelmed, either by the demands of others or by the strength of their own emotions.
They sometimes deal with this by developing a minimalistic lifestyle in which they make few
demands on others in exchange for few demands being made on them. Other Fives make
their peace with the messiness of life and engage it more fully, but they almost always retain
their fears that life is somehow going to demand more of them than they can deliver.

Fives, especially with the Four wing, sometimes mistype themselves as Fours. Such Fives
recognize that they have strong emotions and don't identify with the often extremely cerebral
portrait of type Five. But, Fives, unlike Fours, always retain some degree of discomfort when
it comes to the expression of their emotional states. However much facility they may gain
with it, the language of emotion is not their native tongue.
Enneagram Type 6 - The Loyalist

Conflicted between trust and distrust

People of this personality type essentially feel insecure, as though there is nothing quite
steady enough to hold onto. At the core of the type Six personality is a kind of fear or
anxiety. This anxiety has a very deep source and can manifest in a variety of different styles,
making Sixes somewhat difficult to describe and to type. What all Sixes have in common
however, is the fear rooted at the center of their personality, which manifests in worrying,
and restless imaginings of everything that might go wrong. This tendency makes Sixes gifted
at trouble shooting, but also robs the Six of much needed peace of mind and tends to deprive
the personality of spontaneity. The essential anxiety at the core of the type Six fixation tends
to permeate the personality with a sort of "defensive suspiciousness." Sixes don't trust easily;
they are often ambivalent about others, until the person has absolutely proven herself, at
which point they are likely to respond with steadfast loyalty. The loyalty of the Six is
something of a two edged sword however, as Sixes are sometimes prone to stand by a
friend, partner, job or cause even long after it is time to move on.

Sixes are generally looking for something or someone to believe in. This, combined with their
general suspiciousness, gives rise to a complicated relationship to authority. The side of the
Six which is looking for something to believe in, is often very susceptible to the temptation to
turn authority over to an external source, whether it be in the form of an individual or a
creed. But the Six's tendency towards distrust and suspicion works against any sort of faith in
authority. Thus, two opposite pulls exist side by side in the personality of enneatype Six, and
assume different proportions in different individuals, sometimes alternating within the same
individual.

The truly confounding element when it comes to typing Sixes is that there are two
fundamentally different strategies that Sixes adopt for dealing with fear. Some Sixes are
basically phobic. Phobic Sixes are generally compliant, affiliative and cooperative. Other Sixes
adopt the opposite strategy of dealing with fear, and become counterphobic, essentially
taking a defiant stand against whatever they find threatening. This is the Six who takes on
authority or who adopts a dare devil attitude towards physical danger. Counterphobic Sixes
can be agressive and, rather than looking for authorities, can adopt a rebellious or anti-
authoritarian demeanor. Counterphobic Sixes are often unaware of the fear that motivates
their actions. In fact, Sixes in general, tend to be blind to the extent of their own anxiety.
Because it is the constant back drop to all of their emotions, Sixes are frequently unaware of
its existence, as they have nothing with which to contrast it.

Because Sixes so frequently fail to appreciate the extent of their own fear, they often mistype
themselves. It is common for instance, for female Sixes to mistype as Twos, especially if they
are identified with a helper role, but Sixes have a much more ambivalent attitude towards
relationships than do Twos, who generally know exactly what they want. Sixes, failing to
recognize their anxiety, can mistype as Nines, but Nines have the ability to relax and to trust
in others, neither of which come easily to Sixes. Sixes can mistype as Fours, especially if they
have artistic inclinations, but they lack the Four's self-absorption. They can mistype as Fives,
especially if they are intellectual, as many Sixes are, but unlike Fives, Sixes tend to be
practical. Finally, conterphobic Sixes can easily mistype as Eights, but they lack the Eight's
self-certainty.
Enneagram Type 7 - The Enthusiast

Pleasure seekers and planners, in search of distraction

People of this personality type are essentially concerned that their lives be an exciting
adventure. Sevens are future oriented, restless people who are generally convinced that
something better is just around the corner. They are quick thinkers who have a great deal of
energy and who make lots of plans. They tend to be extroverted, multi-talented, creative and
open minded. They are enthusiasts who enjoy the pleasures of the senses and who don't
believe in any form of self-denial.

Sevens are practical people who have multiple skills. They know how to network and to
promote themselves and their interests. They often have an entrepreneurial spirit and are
able to convey their enthusiasm to those with whom they come in contact. When they are
able to focus their talents, they are often highly successful. Focusing does not always come
easily for Sevens, however. Their tendency to believe that something better awaits them,
makes them reluctant to narrow down their options or to pursue their aims with true
devotion.

The central problem for Sevens is that their pursuit of pleasure is compulsive. Sevens are fear
types who are specifically afraid of the power of negative states of mind. These they avoid by
seeking distractions in the external environment: by multi-tasking, by keeping their options
open, by engaging in stimulation seeking of all kinds. For this reason, Sevens are more prone
than most to addictions of all sorts, whether it be to shopping, gambling, drugs or whatever.

Sevens usually have a high opinion of themselves and their talents; they tend to focus on
their strengths and virtues and to downplay their flaws and vices. They are often a bit self-
centered which manifests in an unfounded feeling of entitlement. As Sevens don't want to
confront their own darker emotions, they also have difficulty acknowledging the pain that
others experience, so that they sometimes have a hard time seeing the reality of other
people. The extent of the Seven's flight from negative emotions is really a measure of the
Seven's mental health; the more that the Seven flees from them, the more their strength
grows and the more likely they are to erupt into consciousness in the form of an anxiety
disorder or a severe depressive episode.

As they are outward looking and not especially prone to introspection, it is not uncommon for
Sevens to mistype themselves. Sometimes they mistype as Eights, as Sevens too can be
domineering, especially if Eight is the dominant wing. But Eights are not anxious and they
lack the quick, mental energy that is charateristic of the Seven. Sevens can easily mistype as
Threes, but Threes are much more single minded than Sevens and don't suffer from the
desire to keep all options open. Surprisingly, Sevens can mistype as Fours. When they
recognize the disparity between the optimistic, fun loving persona that they project to the
world and their own, often anxious internal mental states, they can confuse their pain with
the melancholia of type Four. Sevens are in flight from this pain however, whereas Fours
often cultivate their negative mental states.
Enneagram Type 8 - The Challenger

Taking charge, because they don't want to be controlled

People of this personality type are essentially unwilling to be controlled, either by others or by
their circumstances; they fully intend to be masters of their fate. Eights are strong willed,
decisive, practical, tough minded and energetic. They also tend to be domineering; their
unwillingness to be controlled by others frequently manifests in the need to control others
instead. When healthy, this tendency is kept under check, but the tendency is always there,
nevertheless, and can assume a central role in the Eight's interpersonal relationships.

Eights generally have powerful instincts and strong physical appetites which they indulge
without feelings of shame or guilt. They want a lot out of life and feel fully prepared to go out
and get it. They need to be financially independent and often have a hard time working for
anyone. This sometimes necessitates that the Eight opt out of the system entirely, assuming
something of an outlaw mentality. Most Eights however, find a way to be financially
independent while making their peace with society, but they always retain an uneasy
association with any hierarchical relationship that sees the Eight in any position other than
the top position.

Eights have a hard time lowering their defenses in intimate relationships. Intimacy involves
emotional vulnerability and such vulnerability is one of the Eight's deepest fears. Betrayal of
any sort is absolutely intolerable and can provoke a powerful response on the part of the
violated Eight. Intimate relationships are frequently the arena in which an Eight's control
issues are most obviously played out and questions of trust assume a pivotal position. Eights
often have a sentimental side that they don't even show to their intimates, such is their fear
of vulnerability. But, while trust does not come easily to an Eight, when an Eight does take
someone into the inner sanctum, they find a steadfast ally and stalwart friend. The Eight's
powerful protective instincts are called into play when it comes to the defense of family and
friends, and Eights are frequently generous to a fault in providing for those under their care.

Eights are prone to anger. When severely provoked, or when the personality is unbalanced,
bouts of anger can turn into rages. Unhealthy Eights are frankly agg ressive and when
pushed, can resort to violence. Such Eights enjoy intimidating others whom they see as
"weak" and feel little compunction about walking over anyone who stands in their way. They
can be crude, brutal and dangerous.

Female Eights are far more likely to mistype than male Eights, as many of the traits typical to
the type Eight personality have been discouraged in females. For the most part, however, it
is other types who mistake themselves for Eights. This is especially common in male
counterphobic Sixes who fail to recognize that their aggression is a cover for a very deep
seated anxiety. Sevens too, are prone to mistype as Eights, but Sevens lack the intensity of
focus typical of the type Eight, and while both Sevens and Eights have high energy
personalities, Eights have a physically based energy whereas the Seven's energetic pattern
has a nervous, mental quality to it.
Enneagram Type 9 - The Peacemaker

Keeping peace and harmony

People of this personality type essentially feel a need for peace and harmony. They tend to
avoid conflict at all costs, whether it be internal or interpersonal. As the potential for conflict
in life is virtually ubiquitous, the Nine's desire to avoid it generally results in some degree of
withdrawal from life, and many Nines are, in fact, introverted. Other Nines lead more active,
social lives, but nevertheless remain to some to degree "checked out," or not fully involved,
as if to insulate themselves from threats to their peace of mind. Most Nines are fairly easy
going; they adopt a strategy of "going with the flow." They are generally reliable, sturdy,
self-effacing, tolerant and likable individuals.

Nines tend to adopt an optimistic approach to life; they are, for the most part, trusting people
who see the best in others; they frequently have a deep seated faith that things will
somehow work out. They desire to feel connected, both to other people and to the world at
large. They frequently feel most at home in nature and generally make warm and attentive
parents.

The Nine's inability to tolerate conflict sometimes translates into an overall conservative
approach to change. Change can provoke unpleasant feelings and disrupt the Nine's desire
for comfort. Less healthy Nines seem incapable of motivating themselves to move into action
and bring about effective change. When change does come however, as it generally will,
Nines find that they are usually well able to adapt. They tend to be more resilient than they
give themselves credit for. In fact, Nines tend not to give themselves enough credit in
general, and their self-effacing attitude often seems to invite others to take them for granted
or to overlook their often significant contributions. This can cause a subterranean anger to
build inside the Nine's psyche, which can erupt into consciousness in occasional fits of temper
which quickly blow over, but which more often manifests itself in passive agressive
footdragging. Being overlooked is often a source of a deep sadness in Nines, a sadness that
they scarcely ever give voice to.

Nines frequently mistype themselves as they have a rather diffuse sense of their own
identities. This is exacerbated by the fact that Nines often merge with their loved ones and
through a process of identification take on the characteristics of those closest to them.
Female Nines frequently mistype as Twos, especially if they are the mothers are small
children. Nines, however, are self-effacing whereas Twos are quite aware of their own self
worth. Nines also mistake themselves for Fours, but Nines tend to avoid negative emotions
whereas Fours often exacerbate them. Intellectual Nines, especially males, frequently mistype
as Fives, but Fives are intellectually contentious whereas Nines are conciliatory and conflict
avoidant.