What Kind of person are you?

So our core personality is derived from the way we handle anger and fear and by the image of ourselves that we project to ourselves and to the outside world. Our personal Enneagram style is defined by what Helen Palmer has called “habitual focus of attention”.

ONES are principled, orderly and self critical.
TWOS are nurturing., seductive and emotionally proud.
THREES are energetic, competitive and driven toward success.
FOURS are authentic, passionate, envious, and sensitive.
FIVES are observant, withdrawn, independent and stingy.
SIXES are loyal, authority conscious, suspicious and fearful.
SEVENS are optimistic, egalitarian, self indulgent and dilettantish.
EIGHTS are forceful, imposing, excessive and vengeful.
NINES are accepting, generous, distractible and indolent.

Individuals choose from one of three “neurotic solutions” to deal with problems: aggression, withdrawal or compliant/dependent behavior.

AGGRESSION is associated with sevens, eights and threes
WITHDRAWAL is associated with fours, fives and nines
COMPLIANT/DEPENDENT is associated with one’s, two’s and sixes

Notice that one Enneagram point from each of the three core centers is represented in each of the neurotic solutions.

STRESS AND SECURITY POINTS:
Each Enneagram style has a characteristic way of moving and changing when under stress or when feeling secure. One’s move toward four’s when they feel stressed. At four they appear melancholy and self absorbed. When one’s feel secure they move toward seven. Here they appear imaginative, confident, and fun-loving. The poles define the Enneagram compass, which is quite large for a one. It swings all the way from depression to euphoria.

WINGS: influence the experience and expression of a home type

SUBTYPES Self-Preserving (personal survival, self sufficiency)
Social (community relationships, tribal acceptance)
Sexual (one-to-one personal relationship)
HEALTH healthy, average, unhealthy
The Critic

Ones don’t like to make mistakes. They will procrastinate rather than make a wrong decision. They worry about everything and plan for the future. Every detail of a situation is scrutinized so they can stay in control. Change is difficult for ones. They prefer to stay in one place and keep the same job rather than deal with the turmoil of relocation. They are able to analyze abstract principles and translate them into ethical actions.
Ones are self disciplined, well organized, unpretentious, perfectionist. Preoccupied with using their wills to perfect themselves and suppress anger, ones feel emotionally deprived. They use their relentless drive to make the world a better place. Healthy one’s forgive mistakes and have a sense of humor. Unhealthy ones are self-righteous, and vindictive.
As parents ones can be stingy with praise. They are reluctant to express strong emotions and they don’t want to spoil the child.

ARROWS
A one goes to four when under stress. Here they will mire in self pity, become self absorbed with past memories and contemplate suicide.
A one goes to seven when feeling secure. Here they appear fun-loving, confident and secure.
Ones live in the present between the nostalgic, melancholy four and the optimistic, fun-loving seven. The extreme polarity of these arrows causes ones to become obsessed with “what is right”.

WINGS
Located between the nines tendency to have global vision and the twos desire to help people ones struggle with the ethics and rules that will benefit everyone. A one with nine wing can be cool and philosophical while a one with a two wing tends to be more emotional and comfortable working with others. Healthy ones have the ability to use both their wings. They scrupulously examine clear ethical standards and translate them into positive action.
Unhealthy ones with two wings are terrified of losing control. They can be ruthless in their punishment of sevens whom the perceive as hopelessly out of control and disruptive to those in need help.

SUBTYPES

Self-preserving: (less common) Self-preserving ones are preoccupied with physical survival. They worry about making mistakes and drive themselves to produce more and be more efficient. Excessive self inflicted stress often causes this subtype to develop eating disorders.

Social: (more common) Average social ones have strong morals and can be obsessed with rules and procedures. Unhealthy social ones see moral issues as black and white and are ready, willing and able to punish any offenders who dare transgress their ethical code.

Sexual: Sexual ones are focused on finding and maintaining an ideal intimate relationship. A perfect mate will share high standards and be completely faithful. Healthy sexual ones appear as sevens with an engaging charm in touch with their sensual desires. They may however feel conflicted about their sexuality. Unhealthy sexual ones are critical, suspicious and jealous of their mates. They are often shocked by their own desires. They have the capacity to inflict severe punishment upon themselves and others.

The Lover

Winning the protectors affection forms the basic drive of the adult two. Out of touch with their personal needs, twos unconsciously align themselves with people that can fulfill their needs. They must be constantly reassured of their value. Two’s live by the code: “The love you take is equal to the love you make.”
HEALTHY TWOS are altruistic, in touch with their feelings and expect nothing in return.
UNHEALTHY TWOS are aggressive, manipulative and demanding.

ARROWS
Under stress twos become assertive and go to eight
When feeling secure twos explore their own feelings at four
The basic conflict for twos has to do with the decision to seek the assertive power of the eight or experience the depth of feelings at their four security point. If twos are not appreciated they may become hysterical, invasive and confrontational. If however they feel loved they gain the confidence to explore their own true feelings.

WINGS
The contrast between the one wing and the three wing is strong. The ones sense of duty reinforces the twos sense of care taking, and the threes sense of self image lays the groundwork for the self-serving base behind the twos helpfulness.
Twos with a one wing tend to be more in control of their emotions than twos with three wings. They seem to do what is right and helpful on principle alone.
Twos with a three wing tend to be more seductive, playful and conscious of their image.

SUBTYPES

Self-Preserving twos have a childish tender quality of “me first”. They give to get and are very obvious about that.

Social, ambitious twos seek to enhance their social position by connecting with others, matchmaking and by hosting events. Being popular reinforces their feeling of being loved. Their aim is to become indispensable.

Sexual: This one-on-one type is associated with “seductive aggression”, namely intense emotional and physical intimacy. A sexual two may dangerously pursue their lover to the ends of time and space to maintain an intimate relationship.

Professions: nurses, teachers, caregivers, beauticians, flight
attendants and homemakers

The Achiever

Threes are vain, deceitful, calculating, goal oriented chameleons who are driven by a need to be and appear successful. They are willing to cut moral corners to insure moral well-being.

STRESS AND SECURITY POINTS

The security point of a three is six (the pessimist). When threes feel secure they are able to acknowledge their anxieties. Here they can relax, become more authentic and loose the need to promote their self image.

The stress point of the three is nine (the connector). Here they deal with their anxiety by procrastinating important decisions or drowning their sorrows in drugs and alcohol.
WINGS

The characteristics of a Three are shaped by wings Two (The Lover) and Four (The Aesthete). Twos are drawn toward people while Fours are self absorbed. A sense of purpose shaped by these two wings takes form in the manifestation of the three. When threes feel unworthy of love and insecure about their own value they compensate by attempting to win love through visible achievements and self-promotion.

Threes with a Two wing make great salespeople. The ability to focus on others needs is an essential quality of any salesperson. Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman” is an example of a Three with a Two wing.
Threes with a Four wing are self absorbed and obsessed with material security. They show little or no concern for others. Examples of Threes with a Four wing include: Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind, Tom Ripley from The Talented Mr. Ripley and Gatsby from The Great Gatsby.

HEALTHY THREES have a positive can do attitude and an appetite for hard work along with an impressive list of accomplishments. They are competitive and measure success by the size of their income. They are image conscious, dress well, drive expensive cars and choose a mate that will emphasize their success.

SUBTYPES

Self-Preserving Threes are associated with “security”
They are dedicated to work to survive. They may be workaholics driven by a need to for money and possessions as their only source of security. Self preserving Threes are always the heroes in Horatio Alger’s “rags to riches” books.

Social Threes are associated with “prestige”.
They seek social status and the trappings of success. They are charming, at ease with others and appreciate acknowledgment for their upward mobility and the social circles they aspire to join. Gatsby is a good example of a Social Three.
Sexual Threes are associated with “virility/femininity”.
They want most of all to be desired by others. Their self-image hinges on being sexually attractive so they work on maintaining their physical appearance. They are very interested in real intimacy and may be promiscuous to reassure themselves of their desirability. Scarlett O’Hara is a good example of a sexual Three with a Four wing.

UNHEALTHY THREES have problems with intimate relationships and personal vanity. They are forever competitive and can never relax. They make ruthless businessmen and often become hostile to anyone who gets in their way.

HISTORY

Public disgrace is the greatest fear of threes who need to be admired for their accomplishments. They have a strong connection with their mothers and have always depended heavily on maternal approval. Social approval is just a substitute for a mothers love. A three collects “success trophies” to impress society. Without the image of success a three has no identity.

The Aesthete

Fours: need to suffer, have a fascination with death, and a sense of exemption from ordinary social standards. Many Fours find their identity through memories. They are always ready to suffer for love or of an ideal soul mate even if that love is far from home and that love is not reciprocal. As children Fours feel disconnected from both parents. They compensate for this sense of emotional deprivation by becoming jealous of the feelings that others possess. They long for parental unconditional love and eventually accept pain and suffering as loves inevitable outcome.

Introjection is a Four defense mechanism used to create an internal idealized picture onto an object of love. This object or real person is often driven away so that the Four may return to the idealized, untarnished version of the ideal.

AVERAGE FOURS are artistic, passionate people absorbed with creating beauty in their lives. Their vivid imagination and intense feelings are overwhelming to themselves and others. They may appear withdrawn, hypersensitive, emotionally vulnerable and impractical.

HEALTHY FOURS use their sensitivity and imagination to express their suffering. Self-aware Fours explore their inner workings through the mediums of theater, art and literature. They are compassionate and respectful of others.

UNHEALTHY FOURS may become deeply depressed and overcome with guilt and shame. They become angry with themselves and the world and are preoccupied with thoughts of death. Unable to function within society they turn to drugs and alcohol. Suicide is a realistic option for an unhealthy four.

PLACE IN SOCIETY
Professional Fours become: artists, poets, novelist, actors, musicians, composers, architects, fashion designers, plastic surgeons and interior decorators. They are not well suited in jobs where there creative, artistic talents are not appreciated. Though Fours are often viewed as “outsiders” they bring balance to a culture that that refuses to acknowledge the “dark side” of life.

STRESSED Fours become two like people pleasers to avoid becoming social outcasts.

SECURE Fours take on the cool, critical qualities of a One. Here they lessen their emotional turmoil and make accurate assessments of individuals and ethical considerations.

WINGS

Fours are torn between their (aggressive) three wing and their (withdrawn) Five wing.
Fours with aggressive Three wings tend to be more dramatic and emotionally expressive than a Fours with Five wings. The Three wing influence causes them to be more competitive and concerned with image.
Fours with withdrawn, Five wings tend to be more self-contained, rational and analytical. Gentile and passionate, they concentrate on observing their environment and the people in their environment. Unfortunately the continual comparison of themselves to others often causes Fours with Five wings to become socially and personally insecure.

SUBTYPES

Fours generally concentrate on what is missing in their lives. This causes personal discontentment and discontentment with their situation.

Self-Preserving Fours are “dauntless and reckless”.
They are less aware of the envy that forms the base of their character. They have a strong desire to acquire material possessions and may do so in a reckless manner. Their need to generate strong emotions is generated by putting themselves at risk. Since they are good at handling emotional extremes they thrive on dangerous situations.

Social Fours are burdened with “shame”.
They feel worthless and believe others will see their flaws and reject them. They are not only aware of what’s missing in their lives and envious of “successful” people but they are also ashamed of their envy. Social Fours feel that their defects make it difficult for them to function in society and hold down a job.

Sexual Fours deal with “competition”.
They form relationships that are intense, stormy and possessive. They become competitive with and envious of their lovers good qualities while rejecting them for a few imperfections. Sexual Fours form love/hate relationships with a castrating quality that could lead to crimes of passion.

The Analyst

Fives believe that the solution to any problem cab be found by acquiring more knowledge.
As children Fives feel overwhelmed by their parents. To gain autonomy they withdraw into their own minds and learn to rely on the powers of observation and analysis. They avoid intimate relationships that interfere with objective thought, believing that others are more dangerous than helpful.

ARROWS: Connecting points are both aggressive.
Under stress Fives go to seven, seeking distractions that will help them forget about the burdens and frustrations of analysis.
When Fives feel secure enough to present their mastered knowledge to the world they take the leadership stance of an Eight. Their confidence gives them the strength to face the possibility of public humiliation.
Healthy Fives are: knowledgeable, alert, inventive and capable of original insights and pattern recognition. In love with knowledge they become experts in a chosen field.
Unhealthy Fives lose touch with reality and become obsessed with bizarre ideas and distractions.

WINGS
Fives with a Six wing want to be liked. They generally have better social skills than Fives with Four wings. Although they still mistrust most people they learn the value of allies and are able to trust a few close relationships.
Fives with a Four wing detach their personal feelings and become passionate about aesthetic and ethical issues. They withdraw inside themselves to understand the workings of the world, but are reluctant to share their findings with anyone.

SUBTYPES
All fives are concerned with preserving their autonomy in an unsecured world, but they go about it in different ways.

Self-Preserving Fives are “castles”
They are fragile, shy and withdrawn. They minimize personal need and social contacts. They require solitary time, in familiar surroundings, away from the maddening crowds to contemplate their work. Self-Preserving fives may have a stockpile of supplies stashed away so they rarely have to leave their castles.

Social Fives are “totems”
They seek to become part of societies intellectual elite by mastering a specialized field of knowledge. They may analyze social trends or merely exchange complex ideas with their associates. They enjoy the acclaim associated with their scientific affiliation.

Sexual Fives share a “confidence”.
They enjoy sharing with the few people they trust. They are willing to take emotional risks, but the ambivalence felt about being too close often results in a love-hate relationship. Examples of Sexual Fives include: The Collector, Hannibal Lecter, and The End of the Affair

PROFESSIONS
Fives are found in scientific and technical fields. They make excellent researchers, scholars, teachers, mathematicians, historians, psychologists and philosophers.

The Pessimist

Many Sixes fear they can not survive without guidance. Like Hamlet they have a strong connections with their father. They seek the advice of authority figures, distrust their own abilities to make important decisions and constantly search for beliefs and decisions that will make them more secure.

Sixes are often followers who are reliable, careful and cooperative with others. They supply leaders with an excellent support system. There loyalty is often taken for granted, but without them there would be little in the world we could rely on. Sixes analytical abilities and ability to probe for the truth make them natural psychotherapists and spies. Their ability to connect with people may lead them into political professions or they may become stand up comics.

ARROWS
Under stress Sixes move to Three and become workaholics or they may act impulsively like Hamlet. As the pressure builds they take comfort in taking action to relieve that stress. Unfortunately their action is not always appropriate, beneficial or ethical.
When a Sixes feel secure positive qualities of the Nine are adapted and they becoming philosophical, trusting and optimistic. Their narrow fearful perspective broadens and they take on a relaxed spiritual dimension.

WINGS
Studious Fives set up boundaries and prevent others from encroaching on their private storehouse of knowledge.
Pleasure seeking Sevens take down the barriers, expand their options and explore new ideas.
Sixes with Five wings are withdrawn, intellectual and pessimistic.
Sixes with Seven wings enjoy communicating with people, deflect their anxiety with humor, have casual sexual encounters, use drugs and alcohol, and look forward to new and exciting adventures.

SUBTYPES

Self-Preserving Sixes are concerned with “warmth”
They seek security by gaining the support of powerful people and groups. They fear taking risks and resist moving beyond familiar patterns. Phobic, Self-Preserving Sixes find the mundane chores of daily life a haven of security.

Social Sixes are concerned with “duty”.
They are sensitive to group norms, conscious of authority issues and fearful of making mistakes. Sixes in this group may display phobic and counter phobic behavior.

Sexual Sixes are associated with “strength”
They compensate for their fears by looking powerful and seductive, and often take on the appearance of Eights. Here they are often referred to as the counter phobic Sixes.

The Optimist

Sevens belong to the thinking triad Enneagram associated with fear.
Fives cope with the threatening world by developing their minds in isolation. Sixes cope with fear by vigilantly seeking trustworthy allies. Sevens avoid their fears by staying in motion and by distracting themselves with the pleasures of the world. Sevens have more than their share of charm, energy and hope for the future. As children they may suffer from attention deficit disorder and have difficulty sitting still. Constantly in motion Sevens avoid examining their “dark side”. They feel their nourishment is inadequate so they take on the characteristics of gluttons and not only develop insatiable appetites for the forbidden fruits of alcohol, drugs and sex, but also overindulge in food and adventure.

ARROWS
Under stress Sevens seek the ideals of a One. They can be self critical or they may have a compulsive need to defend their own goodness. Rationalization is their primary defense mechanism. Sevens who fail to get their own way may express themselves in tantrum like explosions.
Secure Sevens are able to concentrate and move toward Five characteristics. Here they are able to develop their imagination in the solitude necessary for creative thought.

WINGS Six = compliant/dependent Eight = Aggressive

Sevens with a Six wing are able to relate to others as equals. The Six wing tendency to avoid conflict and establish alliances softens the Sevens hyperactivity and impulsiveness. They have a natural exuberance and humor that makes them likeable. Professional comedians often have a Six wing.
Sevens with an Eight wing are more serious in that they diffuse threats by acting on them. They care less about being liked than Sevens with a Six wing, but they are still driven towards enjoyable activities. Sevens with an Eight wing are more materialistic and care about things rather than people.

Average Sevens, with no connection to the heart/feeling triad peruse novelty and adventure as a way of substituting adrenaline for emotion. Rationalization is their characteristic defense mechanism. Defensive Sevens explain their destructive conduct as being necessary for the greater good. They deny underlying fears, and avoid responsibilities that may jeopardize a narcissistic image of themselves. Sevens are preoccupied with activity, detest being tied down and are constantly on he look out for new and exciting future options. Average Sevens are impulsive and may become reckless.

Healthy Sevens have a passion for life and are able to sustain commitments to projects and people. They are often multitalented talented dilatants with a gift for “brainstorming”. Others are often inspired by their enthusiasm.

Unhealthy Sevens are demanding, materialistic, excessive, self-indulgent and prone to rage. They achieve temporary relief from anxiety by escaping into drugs, sexual promiscuity and overeating. Panic attacks can occur when their resources are exhausted and they are forced to confront their underlying fear.

SUBTYPES

Self-Preserving Sevens “defenders”
They are highly social unlike other Enneagrams of this subtype. They seek out like minded people for fun, information and distraction. Self-preserving Sevens are more materialistic than other subtypes.

Social Sevens “social sacrifice”
They are torn between their ideals and the restrictions of responsibility that these ideals impose. Sevens with this subtype resemble Ones with duty toward others.

Sexual Sevens “suggestibility”
They are enthusiastic about new experiences and new sex partners. They have a powerful imagination, become easily bored and have difficulty sustaining a commitment to anything or anybody.

The Asserter

“The best defense is a good offense” is the EIGHT motto.
Eights are often the easiest Enneagram to identify because they are so aggressive and confrontational. They quickly loose respect for those who can’t stand up to their test of intimidation. Eights admire courage. Their instinct is to protect the week and the vulnerable.

Most Eights have an underlying fear of annihilation. Some suffered severe physical or mental childhood assaults. As a result their primal drive is “to eat or be eaten”. They may have grown up with a need to compensate for a passive or dependent parent. As adults Eights have learned to come on strong and loud. Underneath that hard shell is an inner vulnerability guarded by the Eights defense mechanism of “denial”. Unable to perceive their own danger they protect the week and helpless because they experienced the same vulnerabilities as children.
AVERAGE EIGHTS see a society filled with ruthless competitors so they seek to dominate the world they live in as much as possible by confronting and by intimidating.

HEALTHY EIGHTS are archetypal leaders. They have a vision of a better world and use their power to make it so. They are passionate, effective, magnanimous protectors of the week.

UNHEALTHY EIGHTS are often violent, abusive, vengeful and ruthless. An example would be found in The Godfather.

ARROWS
A stressed Eight moves toward Five where he can withdraw in peace, gather information and analyze the situation. Once the necessary information is collected and a strategy is developed he is ready to assert himself in the real world.

A secure Eight moves toward Two. He is outgoing, generous and protective of others. With Two pride he can afford to become a powerful benefactor.

WINGS
Sevens are assertive and self indulgent. Nines are passive, non confrontational and concerned with the big picture of making connections between people and ideas.

Eights with a Seven wing are energetic, charismatic and lusty. They may be quite hefty given Sevens appetite for food and drink. Since Sevens and Eights are both assertive this combination is great for combat readiness. Healthy Eights with a Seven wing are articulate, perceptive about relationships and fluent with ideas.
Eights with a Nine wing are withdrawn, less assertive, more tolerant of others, more philosophical and more concerned about the welfare of others.

SUBTYPES
Self-Preserving Eights “satisfactory survival”
Self-Preserving Eights are materialistic, competitive and driven to amass money and power for themselves and for their families. Since their sense of personal security comes from their ability to control material resources as well as the people in their lives a financial loss can throw them into a panic.

Social Eights “friendship”
Social Eights are devoted to social causes and often take on leadership rolls in a group they are motivated to protect. They make friends easily and display less antisocial qualities than other Eights.

Sexual Eights “possessiveness”
Sexual Eights defy social norms, and seem to delight in flouting the rules. They are possessive in intimate relationships and expect total surrender. If Sexual Eights suspect deception they may become irate. Unhealthy Sexual Eights are capable of abuse.

The Connector

Nines are driven if not controlled by a desire to maintain harmony in personal relationships. They tend to be very active mentally, but passive in the face they present to the world. They have the ability to make others feel seen, accepted and appreciated because they have an open, empathetic, non-judgmental attitude. Nines are the connective tissue of the “social organism” and have a special gift for bringing people together. They make good psychologists and excellent diplomats.

Nines have a great need to feel safe and secure. They accommodate others, sooth over conflicts and make few demands. Nines pay little attention to their own needs and may feel hidden resentment about their sacrifice. Their resigned quality suggests that the price of peace may be too high.

HEALTH of a Nine generally depends upon their ability to assert their will (something very difficult for a Nine).

AVERAGE NINES are pleasant, conventional, self-effacing, and indecisive.
HEALTHY NINES are able to act in decisive and positive ways, while retaining their peaceful, unselfconscious comforting qualities.
UNHEALTHY NINES can be blind to the reality of their lives, enslaved by addictions or disoriented by negative influences. When the rich fantasy life of an average Nine degenerates into an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality the pathological influence of the Unhealthy Nine takes over.

ARROWS
Under stress Nines often act like the pessimistic Six. They become preoccupied with worst case situations, procrastinate important decisions and even become paranoid by losing touch with their open non-judgmental stance.
When secure Nines are confident they have the energy and drive and decisiveness to act like the achiever Six. Here they assert themselves and take purposeful action.

WINGS
Nine is located between the Eight’s outward expression of anger and the One’s denial of anger.
Nines with a One wing are more intellectual, more refined and more compulsive about work and ethics.
Nines with an Eight wing are less cultured, more impulsive and more pleasure oriented.

SUBTYPES
Self-Preserving Nines “appetite”
Self-Preserving Nines are creatures of habit, absorbed with food, TV, reading, gardening and other simple pleasures. Although Self-Preserving Nines are highly talented they are the least ambitious. They prefer the reassurance of routine and physical comfort to significant challenge.
Social Nines “participation”
Social Nines want to be liked by others and avoid conflict. Although they may get involved with groups they will avoid responsibility. Social Nines just want to fit in.
Sexual Nines “union”
Sexual Nines wish to merge with another so completely that their lives become inseparable. Sexual Nines are attracted to dynamic people and draw energy from them. They will do what ever is necessary to preserve the relationship.