The Enneagram is a personality test that has honestly changed the way I view myself and others. The Enneagram teaches that there are nine different personality types. While you may identify with several, everyone has one dominant type that drives what they do and why. Here are the types, and my own brief descriptions of them, based on what I’ve learned:
Type 1: The Perfectionist
Ones seek order. They see imperfections everywhere (in themselves, others, and the world) and feel it is their duty to fix them. A One may tell you that you’re loading the dishwasher incorrectly or that you made a grammar mistake. Ones also value justness and fairness, and believe everyone should play by the rules. I am a One.
Type 2: The Helper
Twos put everyone else above themselves. Their motivation in life is to do things for others, and they often sacrifice their own needs as a result. Twos want to be loved and appreciated for all that they do and can grow resentful if you do not match their effort. Relationships are everything to Twos, and at their best, Twos can be the most loving and generous of the types.
Type 3: The Performer
Threes are goal-oriented, success-driven achievers. They are often charming and ambitious people. Threes care what others think of them and act as chameleons, changing their behavior based on who is in their company. Threes tend to sacrifice personal relationships for their work, and may put feelings on “hold” while they work towards an important goal. A Three usually cannot leave work behind on a vacation.
Type 4: The Romantic
Fours are consumed and driven by their feelings. They often feel like outsiders, that they are just misunderstood, and become moody and melancholic. You might catch a Four staring out a window at the rain, listening to a sad song. Fours feel different from everyone else and want to be valued as individuals.
Type 5: The Investigator
Fives are knowledge-driven, independent, and introverted in the truest sense. Fives value spending time alone with their thoughts and can be viewed as detached, reclusive, or unemotional. A Five may sneak out of a social gathering early to hang at home, or get lost in an Internet rabbit hole for hours, learning about something in depth. Fives are curious observers who seek to understand and find logic in the world.
Type 6: The Loyalist
Sixes are committed and trustworthy people, and known as the most loyal of the types. Sixes are faithful to the ones they love as well as to their communities and beliefs. Sixes are also driven by fear, tending to be worst-case scenario thinkers. They often feel suspicious and anxious. Sixes are the ones who will be fully prepared during a zombie apocalypse.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
Sevens are high-energy, extroverted, and spontaneous. They are often seeking the next adventure. Sevens are fun people who can make light of any situation or laugh things off with ease. Sevens do not like feeling pain or negative emotions – more so than any other type – and avoid them at all costs. Sevens can be easily distracted, scattered, and impulsive.
Type 8: The Challenger
Don’t mess with an Eight. Eights are assertive and not afraid of confrontation; in fact, they thrive off it. Eights are willful and decisive, and do not have time for your weaknesses. Eights tell it to you straight. They like being in charge and refuse to be controlled by anyone else. They are also incredibly protective, and would take a bullet for the ones they love.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
Nines value harmony and avoid confrontation. They are agreeable people who go with the flow, and just want to keep the peace. Nines are supportive and receptive, and can understand just about anyone’s perspective. Nines can be indecisive and complacent. Do not ask a Nine point-blank what they want for dinner. Prepare for the answer: “I don’t know.” Because they are so intent on living without conflict, Nines tend to forget about their own needs.
Now that you know the types, you may think you know yours. On the flip side, you may think that a few (or all) of these sound like you. That’s totally normal. Start by taking this free online test. It will take you about 15 minutes, and it’s pretty accurate.
After getting your results, you may feel like they suit you, or not. That’s okay. In the end, you know your type, no matter what the results say. You just may need to learn more about each type to discover which one really is you.
Because here’s the thing: the Enneagram is more complex than just being one type. In fact, everyone has a “wing” (which that test will reveal to you). Your wing pulls you in the direction of a different type, so that you tend to have characteristics of that type. I am a 1w2, meaning my dominant type is One, but I have some traits of a Two mixed in.
What’s more, each type leans towards a different type when they are feeling stressed and when they are feeling secure. The types are interconnected. The nine-pointed Enneagram symbol illustrates that. I’ll give an example with my type: When Ones are feeling stressed out, we start to act like Fours, becoming moody and irritable. When Ones are feeling secure, we start to act like Sevens, becoming more spontaneous and happy-go-lucky.
Feeling a little overwhelmed? That’s normal, too. It takes some time to get to know the Enneagram. I highly recommend reading The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. This book is what made me grasp what the Enneagram is all about. Knowing your type and the types of those you love gives you more compassion for yourself and for others. It gives you a tool to learn why people do the things they do.
The book also encourages you to own your actions. It made me feel recognized, and allowed me to confront the reasons for why I behave in certain ways. The book also helped me to understand the motivations of my friends and family. I am now able to have meaningful conversations with others who know the Enneagram so that we can have more patient, considerate, and forgiving relationships.
So, what now? I recommend taking the test and reading the book! Then watch yourself and your interpersonal life prosper.
Love, Bee
P.S. Once you discover your type, share it below!
My sister “read my cards” last week and I just took the test and both times got a 4. I think I’m a 4w3, but I relate to a 1 sooooo hard. (The test just said I could possibly be a 2w1, but I think a 1w2 is more likely, which is actually what Luke is according to “the cards”.)
I gotta get the book. I found it so fascinating! I read a little bit about a 4, but I definitely want to read the whole thing.