What is the Enneagram?

Ethical Perfectionist (Type 1)

Detail-Oriented | Rational | Idealistic | Principled | Purposeful | Self-Controlled | Perfectionist

1. 
   As the name suggests, Ones have a high ethical standard, a keen eye for detail; are conscientious, responsible, structured, organized; display a high level of self-control and discipline and feel they ought to improve themselves and the world around them
2. 
   They can also come across as critical, rigid and opinionated. They can be judgmental of others, impatient with them and express their resentment and irritation through sarcastic remarks.
3. 
   But at times they can also be tolerant and accepting of others and their short-comings, discerning and wise rather than judgemental and critical. They can be prudent and fair, delaying rewards for a higher purpose.
4. 
   They focus on what is the right thing to do and what enables them to become a good person. They put their attention to all that needs to be improved and expend a lot of energy into making it right. They avoid being wrong or being criticized, and keep themselves in check, correcting self and others too.

Empathic Nurturer (Type 2)

Caring | Demonstrative | Generous | People-Pleasing | Possessive

1. 
   Generally, Twos can be warm, empathetic, nurturing, people-oriented, thoughtful, appreciative and tend to display a great deal of generosity and affection. They like to support, help and encourage others, give love, spread joy and can be forgiving and compassionate.
2. 
   At times they can also come across as people-pleasing, ingratiating, and flattering. When worried, they can appear clingy, possessive, and seductive and can even be insincere and self-deceptive.
3. 
   They are driven to forge good relationships which they achieve by reaching out to people or doing something for them, so as to feel a connection with them.
4. 
   They tend to avoid doing anything that will leave them feeling selfish or unloved thereby neglecting their own needs.

Ambitious Achiever (Type 3)

The Success-Oriented | Pragmatic | Adaptive | Excelling | Driven | Image-Conscious

1. 
   As the name Ambitious Achiever suggests, Threes are the achievement-oriented, competitive types that like to be seen as competent, efficient and diplomatic. Their goal orientation drives them to adapt themselves and organise their environment in a way that enables them to achieve their set goals.
2. 
   They are very image-conscious and can charm their way into anything. Sometimes they can be seen as self-promoting and boastful, with a desire to gain acceptance and recognition from others. They can be excessively driven, expedient and arrogant.
3. 
   With a desire to look successful in the eyes of others, they take on goals that have a high value in the eyes of those whom they value.
4. 
   They are in a constant drive to achieve one goal after the other. Failure is not an option and any situation where there’s a good chance of failure is particularly avoided.

Intense Individualist (Type 4)

The Sensitive | Compassionate | Authentic | Expressive | Introspective | Withdrawn | Dramatic

1. 
   The Intense Individualists are generally seen as impressionable and quirky; intuitive, imaginative, and sensitive; quiet and introspective and yet self-expressive, passionate, and romantic.
2. 
   They tend to be uniquely creative, inspired, and honest with themselves and others. They are emotionally strong, humane and one of the more self-aware types in the Enneagram.
3. 
   When not at their best, Fours can come across as self-absorbed and withholding; moody and temperamental; emotionally demanding and dramatic.
4. 
   In order to know and express their distinctive sense of self, they constantly end up comparing their life to what they think is the life of others, thereby seeing themselves as simply different. They tend to avoid ordinary experiences and yet may envy what others have, living their life with this constant inner conflict.

Perceptive Specialist (Type 5)

Analytical | Curious | Cerebral | Self-contained | Innovative | Secretive | Isolated

1. 
   The Perceptive Specialists are the types that come across as objective, focused, observant, curious and insightful, trying to make sense of the world around them. They tend to be exploratory and independent, preferring to be experts in their field of choice.
2. 
   People see them as being detached, unsentimental and appearing distant, preoccupied with their thoughts. Being experts in their field they appear intellectually arrogant, can be seen as impractical, unconventional and at times uncompromising, extreme, and provocative.
3. 
   In their desire to know more and gather more knowledge they are drawn to studying and understanding rarefied topics, seeking knowledge of the many details and intricacies to feel masterful and competent.
4. 
   Because knowledge is important to them, not knowing makes them feel foolish or ignorant and hence they tend to avoid any experience where they don’t understand what’s going on.

Dutiful Loyalist (Type 6)

Loyal | Committed | Security-Oriented | Warm | Engaging | Responsible | Anxious | Suspicious

1. 
   As the name suggests, the Dutiful Loyalists are reliable, hard-working, vigilant, dutiful. When they commit to something or trust someone, they go all the way. They are cautious and anxious hence tend to evaluate the pros and cons of everything. They can be seen as believing yet doubting, conservative yet liberal; anxious yet defensive; full of contradictions.
2. 
   People may tend to see them as pessimistic, defensive, negative, worrying, doubtful, reactive, suspicious, and blaming but they can also be courageous, cooperative, secure, faithful, self-expressive, funny, and affectionate.
3. 
   To them, safety and security are of utmost importance and hence they tend to look for something solid that gives me a sense of guidance and direction. They want to know that they have covered all the bases and hence avoid unfamiliar and unknown situations.

Versatile Visionary (Type 7)

Fun-loving | Optimistic | Busy | Spontaneous | Enthusiastic | Curious | Impulsive | Rebellious | Scattered

1. 
   Generally, Sevens are seen as excited, curious, variety-seeking, eager, outgoing people, who are future-oriented with focus on the next best option or possibility, seeking yet another adventure.
2. 
   They can also come across as being scattered, distracted, undisciplined, restless and impatient, wanting to experience the next thrilling adventure to escape the mundane and monotony of life. They tend to overextend themselves and can appear to the world as irresponsible, demanding, and excessive.
3. 
   And yet at times when they are grounded enough, they can be appreciative, bountiful, thoughtful, accomplished, versatile, receptive, grateful and quiet.
4. 
   With the desire to be free to do as they please, their bucket list of things they want to try keeps growing. Hence, they focus on being spontaneous and wanting to be able to respond at a moment’s notice. If something feels like a downer, then they want to be able to move on quickly, avoiding anything that could cage them in an uncomfortable or painful situation.

Charismatic Controller (Type 8)

Powerful | Dominating | Self-Confident | Decisive | Wilful | Confrontational

1. 
   As the name Charismatic Controller suggests, Eights are strong, assertive, and independent. They are very energetic and action-oriented, determined to achieve their goals even if it means being insistent and rubbing people the wrong way. Their ability to be direct and blunt about what they want, along with being resourceful and pragmatic allows them to get things done.
2. 
   At times Eights can come across as, wilful, domineering and forceful, wanting to have their way. When that doesn’t work, they can be defiant and confrontational, display rage and cynicism; and even be vengeful.
3. 
   At their best, however, Eights can be honourable, heroic and protective, empowering others and inspiring them. They can be gentle and generous and yet constructive and decisive.
4. 
   With a desire to always be in control and be seen as powerful, they want to be in charge of their circumstances and future, even if it means challenging those who would get their way. They tend to avoid anything that makes them look weak, soft, or vulnerable as they feel that their weakness could easily be used against them – a risk they aren’t willing to take at any cost.

Receptive Peacemaker (Type 9)

Pleasant | Patient | Easy-going | Reassuring | Agreeable | Complacent

1. 
   The Receptive Peacemakers are seen as steady, relaxed, unself-conscious, open-minded, uncomplicated. They have a way about other people that makes them appear comforting and approachable.
2. 
   But at times they can be emotionally unavailable and inattentive. Since they prefer to be diplomatic when pushed into doing something, they become passive-aggressive which may further lead to an angry outburst. Their stubbornness at times makes them ineffectual and unrealistic.
3. 
   They can also be seen as grounded and connected to their needs, dynamic, proactive and passionate; while being inclusive of others by engaging them, they can be steadfast, healing, natural, imaginative, serene and exuberant.
4. 
   Driven by a need to maintain a sense of peace and harmony within themselves and their interpersonal relationships, they tend to hold back their needs and accommodate those of others.