Type 1: The Idealist
CORE DESIRES: To be “good,” balanced, and honorable.
CORE FEARS: Being “bad” or imperfect.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To successfully meet the high standards they set for themselves, to be impervious to criticism, to bring correctness and truth to the world, to live out their “sense of mission,” to be right.
AFFIRMATION: “I am good.”
Enneagram Type 1s are people who can walk into a room and quickly see what needs to be improved. They are the friends you always go to for advice or who hold you accountable for your goals and actions, and they are usually extremely hard on themselves when they make mistakes. They are naturally inclined to live a life of order, however they define or see that order. Living their life to the fullest means striving toward the ideals and high expectations they have set for themselves.
Type 2: The Helper
CORE DESIRES: To be worthy of love, to be wanted, to be thought of by others as irreplaceable.
CORE FEARS: Being unlovable, replaceable, undesirable.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To love and feel love deeply, to show their affection and feelings to others, to feel validated and needed by others, to experience a mutual emotional response and connection.
AFFIRMATION: “I am wanted.”
Enneagram Type 2s are often referred to as the “helpers” of our world. They are the ones who walk into a room and can immediately sense what everyone needs. They are the friends that always remember your birthday and show up to support you no matter what, and they usually struggle with people-pleasing. They are naturally inclined toward living a life filled with relational connection, however they define or see relational connection being important. Living their life to the fullest means sacrificing their own needs for the needs of others and making sure that others find them irreplaceable. At the end of the day, Helpers are always pursuing what will make others feel loved, as well as what will make them feel appreciated. While all Type 2s show up as “helpers” in life, every Type 2 has a different idea of what “help” looks like to them, personally. That being said, they will always strive to be your friend and be there for you no matter what, although they sometimes can lose their identity in this pursuit.
Type 3: The Achiever
CORE DESIRES: To feel important, invaluable, and successful.
CORE FEARS: Being worthless, humiliated, unimportant, seen as a “loser”.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To be affirmed as individuals and to be affirmed in their pursuits, to be seen as admirable and impressive in the eyes of others, to be the center of attention, to be everything they portray themselves to be.
AFFIRMATION: “I am always worthwhile.”
Enneagram Type 3s are often referred to as the “achievers” and “influencers” of our world. They are the ones who walk into a room and can immediately become whoever it is they need to be for the people involved. They are the friends you always go to for career advice, they empower you and make you feel like you can achieve anything, and they are usually terrified of failure and embarrassing themselves in front of others. They are naturally inclined toward living a life of success, however they define or see that success. Living their life to the fullest means striving toward the principles, achievements, and milestones that impress the people from whom they seek approval.
the Type 3 authentically wants to achieve; therefore, being successful completely depends on each individual 3 and what their personal goals are. They will avoid being seen as a failure at all costs, and they sometimes can portray a put-together image even when they are far from it.
Type 4: The Individualist
CORE DESIRES: To be authentically themselves and to discover what makes them significant.
CORE FEARS: Being without a distinct identity or ordinary.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To showcase their individuality, to emotionally express themselves, to create beautiful things, to surround themselves with pleasing aesthetics, to prove their significance.
AFFIRMATION: “I am loved for who I am.”
Enneagram Type 4s are often referred to as the “individualists” and “creators” of our world. They are the ones who walk into a room and want to be the most unique and interesting people there. They are the friends you always go to when you need emotional validation. They encourage you to explore the depths of your feelings and usually see themselves as being exceptional (or exceptionally flawed) or different from everyone else. They are naturally inclined toward living a life of self-expression, however they define it. Living their life to the fullest means striving for beauty in their passions and finding out who they really are
They are usually rather sensitive and introverted, and they are constantly longing for something they feel is missing in their lives, whether it’s a material thing or personal.
Type 5: The Observer
CORE DESIRES: To be self-reliant, competent, and useful.
CORE FEARS: Being inept, dependent, incapable, and depleted.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To be smart, to get to the bottom of things, to protect themselves from the unknown.
AFFIRMATION: “My needs are not a problem.”
Observers are usually labeled “the quiet ones.” The stereotype is the friend in the corner of the room at the party, usually with their earbuds in and head down looking at their phone, or the friend who skips the party altogether to be in the comfort of their own space. They don’t mind being alone with their thoughts; they actually prefer it, and although they feel things deeply, most people perceive them as being rather unemotional and detached.
Type 6: The Loyalist
CORE DESIRES: To have support, guidance, and belonging.
CORE FEARS: Being unprepared, unstable, or without reassurance.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To attain hope and truth, to be certain,to understand their trustworthiness and that of others, to find validation and security, to belong to something bigger than themselves.
AFFIRMATION: “It’s okay to trust myself.”
Enneagram Type 6s, also known as “Loyalists,” are often referred to as the “glue” of our families, organizations, and society. They are the friends that are prepared for every scenario and they are usually more concerned with physical safety and security than everyone else. They are also natural-born team players and are the most concerned for the common good than any other Enneagram type. Type 6s truly desire to see their loved ones be successful, even at the price of their own success and well-being. Loyal to a fault, once you have gained the trust of a Type 6, they will fight for you and with you until the end.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
CORE DESIRES: To be free, fulfilled, unlimited, and happy.
CORE FEARS: Being without opportunity and adventure, being trapped or stuck in pain.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To experience life to its fullest, to avoid things that interfere with their freedom and happiness, to take care of themselves.
AFFIRMATION: “I will be taken care of.”
Enneagram Type 7s are often thought of as the “adventurers” and “jokesters” of our world. Also known as “Enthusiasts,” they are the friends who are always up for anything, and they often struggle with the fear of missing out on potential opportunities, experiences, friendships, and relationships. They are naturally inclined to live life with wanderlust, or a strong desire to travel and explore, and they not only long to live their lives to the fullest but also won’t let anything stand in the way of making that happen. Enthusiasts are always evaluating and maintaining their personal freedom, and if a job, relationship, or opportunity hinders what they want to accomplish in life, they will move on to something else. Charismatic and eager, having an Enthusiast in your life guarantees that you will be pushed out of your comfort zone in the most fun and lovely way possible.
Type 8: The Challenger
CORE DESIRES: To take charge of their life, to be strong, to defend themselves and others.
CORE FEARS: Being at the mercy of someone else, being hurt or taken advantage of.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To demonstrate their strength, to maintain self-reliance and composure, to overcome weakness.
AFFIRMATION: “I will not be betrayed.”
Enneagram Type 8s are our warrior-like friends, family members, and coworkers. When they walk into a room, they have an authoritative air about them that cannot be ignored. These folks love others in big ways, and they also do big things. Type 8s, also known as Challengers, will usually find themselves being placed in leadership roles very quickly because of the level of dedication and assertiveness they bring to every situation. They are naturally authoritative and strongly dislike others being in control of what they do. Challengers are not afraid to rock the boat and ask hard questions. They are the ones continually fighting for the underdog, because secretly they see the underdog within themselves. Type 8s give everyone a fighting chance, and if you have one in your life, you know that they will always fight for you and protect you.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
CORE DESIRES: To be unaffected, at peace, and connected.
CORE FEARS: Being cut off from love, being separated from someone or something.
ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONS: To resist potential conflict, to sustain a comfortable and balanced environment, to avoid what may upset or disturb inner harmony.
AFFIRMATION: “My presence matters.”
Our sweet Enneagram Type 9 friends are usually the ones that unintentionally blend into the background. Like true wallflowers, they show up in this world gently yet stubbornly. They usually struggle the most to determine their Enneagram type because they have a hard time recognizing their own personality traits and characteristics, since they often take on the attributes of the people and environment around them. Also known as “Peacemakers,” Type 9s are the ones who listen, understand, and accept you no matter what. Incredibly agreeable, they avoid sharing their own personal opinions and preferences when they sense it could lead to tension with others. Type 9s take an optimistic and easygoing approach to life, and having a Peacemaker in your inner circle enriches and deepens your life in ways you could never have anticipated!