If you ask yourself why you always react the same way in certain situations, even though you wanted to do things differently a long time ago, the Enneagram will show you the answer.
The Enneagram is a personality model that distinguishes between nine basic types and assigns each type a specific basic motivation, a core fear and a recurring pattern of behavior. The term comes from ancient Greek and means „image of nine".
Unlike superficial personality tests, the Enneagram does not just describe, who you are, but why you think, feel and act the way you do. This is exactly what makes it one of the most precise tools for self-knowledge and personal development.
Our personality is shaped by several factors. In addition to disposition and upbringing, the personal experiences that happen to us in the course of life also play a decisive role. It is possible and desirable to further develop one's own personality. Nevertheless, motivations, fears and hopes always follow a certain pattern.
Before we look at the individual types, you need the foundation: Each Enneagram type belongs to one of three energy centers. This center determines how you perceive the world first, through thinking, through feeling or through instinctive action.
Belly types (8, 9, 1) react instinctively. Their central need is autonomy. They act before they think or feel.
Heart types (2, 3, 4) react emotionally. Their central need is recognition. They perceive themselves first through their relationship with others.
Head types (5, 6, 7) react analytically. Their central need is security. They think before they act or feel.
Everyone has all three energy centers, but one dominates your entire life and shapes how you resolve conflicts, make decisions and allow closeness.
The following overview shows you all nine Enneagram types with their respective basic motivation and core fear at a glance. Below you will find a detailed description of each type.
| Type | Name | Basic motivation | Core fear | Center |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The reformer | Act correctly | Being faulty | Belly |
| 2 | The helper | Be loved | Being unloved | Heart |
| 3 | The achiever | Success & recognition | Being worthless | Heart |
| 4 | The individualist | Be unique | To be insignificant | Heart |
| 5 | The researcher | Understand & know | Being overwhelmed | Head |
| 6 | The loyal one | Safety & support | Being without orientation | Head |
| 7 | The enthusiast | Fulfillment & joy | Pain & emptiness | Head |
| 8 | The Challenger | Control & strength | Being controlled | Belly |
| 9 | The peace lover | Inner peace | Lose connection | Belly |
Detailed information: Enneagram Type 1
As the name already suggests, people feel from the Enneagram Type 1 the constant desire to improve things. Accordingly, they are very perfectionist. This often makes them workaholics. They often perceive their environment as chaotic and want to remedy the situation. Their eye for detail is enormously sharpened.
They are always painfully aware of their own shortcomings and the problems of their fellow human beings. Striving to improve the environment can actually be very supportive. Those who really Mayhem The structured efforts of the Enneagram Type 1 are appreciated by those who are stuck. However, people can also feel disturbed by the attempts at reformation because they themselves see no reason for improvement.
Despite all efforts, the goal of absolute perfection is unrealistic, which can frustrate type 1. For this reason, living together in a family or partnership is not always easy. However, those who appreciate the advantages of Enneagram type 1 have found a loyal and reliable friend or partner. You will look in vain for pleasure-seeking and frivolity. These are very serious and straightforward people.
They hold high principles and do not deviate from their values. The expectations they place on others they also fulfil themselves. People of Enneagram type 1 are in the best place in leadership positions. Their idealism can inspire others and drive them to high performance.
Type 1 fights relentlessly for his goals. However, this doggedness can lead him to forbid himself all the pleasures of life. It is also difficult for this personality type to show feelings, as he considers this a revelation of weakness.
Detailed information: Enneagram type 2
People of the Enneagram Types 2 derive their self-esteem from helping others. They will go to any trouble to please someone else. They always put their own needs second. They consider giving love and support to be their purpose in life. They strive to keep their social fabric together in harmony.
People of Enneagram type 2 often appear calm and introverted. They are very emotional and devoted to their personal relationships. However, in return, they expect their self-sacrifice to be properly appreciated. Because Type 2 feels the need to help, they are often found in social and caring professions. Since these personality types not only desire but inwardly demand recognition for their willingness to help, such a career choice is obvious.
As a rule, Type 2 people are not quite as altruistic as they perceive their actions to be. In fact, they bring about a lot of good in their private and professional lives, but all of this is done against the backdrop of having their own Self-esteem to be valued. People of Enneagram type 2 often make high demands of those close to them in terms of Gratitude. This desire has an almost desperate character. If recognition is not forthcoming, type 2 becomes emotionally intrusive, which can upset other people.
The unfulfilled Need The need for appreciation and recognition can drive the normally so sweet and quiet type 2 to hysterical outbursts with irrational content. Type 2 is susceptible to Burnout or depressive moods because he neglects his own physical and mental needs.
Tip: You can at any time our free burnout test to better understand your current condition.
Detailed information: Enneagram type 3
People of the Enneagram Types 3 are focused on performance and personal success. They need the confirmation of their environment like the air they breathe. The idea of competition is always present, they want to be the best. Type 3 is willing to work hard for their goals. These may be professional or personal concerns, as it were. Type 3 works just as hard for a promotion as for a well-toned six-pack.
Type 3 is often early in life finds a professional and social field that harmonizes with his competencies. In this way, he receives the external recognition for which he strives. He appears charming and charismatic to those around him. People of Enneagram type 3 know how to present themselves perfectly. They radiate energy and Joie de vivrewith which they can carry away other people.
Maintaining professional and social contacts is extremely important to them, although this also has a selfish background. Type 3 knows how to exploit advantages. Contrary to outward appearances, he is plagued by the deeply rooted Fearto fail. This personality type finds it difficult to allow genuine closeness, which impairs deep friendships or romantic relationships. The fear that someone could see behind the façade is too great.
He lets himself be guided so much by external recognition that he no longer perceives his own needs properly. Sometimes type 3 leads a life that is envied by others, but does not fulfill him inwardly. He begins to lie to himself.
Detailed information: Enneagram type 4
People of personality type 4 are convinced that they are very different from other people. They feel that they are unique. In a self-confident way, this makes them individualists. Nevertheless, they regard their perceived uniqueness not only as a gift, but also partly as a problem.
On the one hand, they pride themselves on standing out from the crowd. On the other hand, Type 4s often have the feeling that their individualism makes life difficult for them. The small happiness in everyday life often remains denied to him. Type 4 is in a conflict between a feeling of superiority and envy of other people who can take life easy. Type 4 is plagued by inner fears and doubts of having supposed shortcomings and faults that can be discovered by other people.
The emotional life of the Enneagram Types 4 can be described as extremely complex. Their greatest wish is to be accepted for who they are and for their own self. Appreciation to experience. If the environment does not fulfill this need, type 4 feels misjudged and unwanted. Then he is only too happy to withdraw into his own world.
Many Type 4 people feel the need to externalize their innermost feelings. They want to show the world their thoughts and Feelings participate. This impulse leads numerous people of this personality type into artistic professions. Quite a few well-known artists can be assigned to personality type 4.
Type 4 cultivates an idiosyncratic lifestyle. His Self-realization and self-revelation play a central role throughout their lives. If these personality types find themselves in difficulties, they often wait for a savior instead of helping themselves.
Detailed information: Enneagram type 5
Type 5 people are accompanied by a certain fear of life. They believe that they do not have enough strength to face the world and its challenges. To numb these fears, they flee into their own world. There they deal extensively with subjects they are passionate about. The retreat should continue to serve as a supposed preparation for the outside world.
At Type 5 people are usually extremely intelligent personalities who may have an artistic bent as well as an interest in the natural sciences or humanities. The world of learning and thinking is their home. Expressing emotions is difficult for them. They often try to keep other people at a distance. They do not want to emotionally overwhelmed will still be confronted with expectations that cannot be fulfilled.
Type 5s often lead a frugal lifestyle. In this way, he demands little from others, who in return can also demand little from him. Type 5s can sometimes tend to be a little eccentric. Discussing with him can therefore be tedious, as he rarely allows himself to be dissuaded from entrenched convictions. He is a free thinker and does not want to be denied this right by anyone. Within Relationship it can become problematic, as type 5 is afraid of requirements.
Most people of this personality type are shy and unobtrusive. They are reluctant to ask for help. So that their vulnerable side is not discovered, they not infrequently build themselves a wall of Indifference or even arrogance. However, if you succeed in bringing down this wall, the type 5 is a loyal friend and partner.
Detailed information: Enneagram type 6
With the Enneagram Types 6 are insecure personalities who have difficulties with the rapid change of the environment. Impermanence makes them uncomfortable. In general, anxiety is a central theme for type 6. This can manifest itself, for example, in hours of brooding. Type 6 tends to fantasize about catastrophes and imagines what could happen in the worst case.
Their special circumspection makes these people reliable problem solvers, as they include every difficult aspect that would have remained hidden from other personality types. However, this robs them of Brooding enormous amount of life energy and joy. Those who worry constantly never find peace of mind. Therefore, many type 6 personalities suffer from inner tension. They can rarely engage in spontaneous activities because something unexpected might happen.
Type 6 is difficult to hold Trust to other people. He remains cautious and skeptical until his counterpart has proven to be trustworthy. If the latter is the case, type 6 personalities are loyal companions. What sounds positive at first, however, also has negative aspects. Their excessive loyalty tempts type 6s to persevere even in harmful life situations.
A distinction is made between two strategies that people with type 6 use to Fears combat: phobia or resistance. Phobic type 6 adopts avoidance behavior. In daily interactions, these individuals are friendly and cooperative. The resistant type 6 adopts a defensive attitude against any perceived threat. The result is downright daredevil behavior, but based on hidden fear.
Detailed information: Enneagram type 7
People from the Enneagram Types 7 are always on the lookout for new challenges. Their thoughts focus on the future. What is past is past. This is their philosophy. Type 7 is therefore often restless and does not like to commit. He believes that a better opportunity could always be waiting for him.
Type 7 is literally bursting with energy. He loves to make plans. The environment often describes these personality types as open-minded and creative. People of this type are very concerned with the pleasures of life compared to the other 9 types of the Enneagram personality. However, the latter is a double-edged sword.
Not infrequently, their pursuit of sensual pleasures develops a kind of compulsiveness. This results from an avoidance behavior in order not to have to feel negative emotions. Therefore, type 7 not infrequently tends to addictions such as shopping addiction or alcohol addiction.
Type 7 usually has a positive self-image. He mentally focuses on his strengths and denies his deficits. This leads to a high degree of self-centeredness. He believes that his strengths and talents entitle him to make high demands on other people.
As already explained, type 7 is afraid of painful emotions. As a result, he also loses his sense for the sadness and pain of his fellow human beings. The degree to which Type 7 people try to numb their negative emotions is crucial to their mental health, so to speak. Being constantly on the run from pain and fear leads to depression and favors the development of Anxiety.
Detailed information: Enneagram type 8
The Enneagram Type 8 attaches great importance to self-determination. Being controlled by other people or external circumstances is abhorrent to him. In order to maintain his autonomy, the type 8 has a high degree of willpower. He defends his goals and rights without compromise.
In order not to be controlled, most Enneagram Type 8 people acquire the ability to dominate others. If this tendency remains under control, they can be good bosses. It is not uncommon for the Type 8 to break out of an employment relationship or even completely out of social structures. He can only find peace in independence. Hierarchical structures in which he is not at the top, he can not stand and tolerate.
This Enneagram type is focused on living life to the fullest. While there is a powerful physical desire, few people of this Enneagram type can allow true intimacy. Intimacy for them is synonymous with emotional vulnerability, which fuels deep-seated fears. Those who betray type 8 must expect a violent backlash.
Gaining the trust of the Enneagram type 8 is not easy. However, when this person decides to reveal himself to someone, he is a loyal ally. People who are important to him, he defends ruthlessly. This is where his strong protective instinct comes into play.
In addition, he tends to choleric tendencies. After serious provocation may be outbursts of rage. If the type 8 suffers from mental illness, aggressive and violent tendencies may appear. Often this develops into a pleasure and satisfaction in suppressing supposedly weaker people.
Detailed information: Enneagram Type 9
People of this personality type feel a strong need for harmony. For this reason, they usually avoid conflicts. Now it is not possible to avoid conflicts. Daily life is characterized by solving major or minor conflicts. For this reason the Enneagram Type 9 not infrequently completely withdrawn from the outside world.
These Enneagram types seem closed to their environment. If they do participate in social activities, they often remain on the sidelines. In this way they want to avoid threats that could shake their inner peace. They are typical followers, which should spare them conflicts.
These are modestfriendly and tolerant personalities. They always want to see the best in others and quickly gain trust. Deep down, they believe that fate will work out for the better. If the Enneagram type 9 has children, they care for them lovingly. These people often also feel a strong connection to nature.
What they don't like at all, however, is change. After all, there could be potential for conflict lurking there. Type 9 is comfortable and extremely reluctant to take risks. They prefer to remain in a stable life situation, even if this means missing out on opportunities. They rarely take action to improve their living conditions. This is due to a lack of Self-confidence.
Others often adopt the nines' underestimating self-image and give them little credit. This can cause underlying anger and also sadness. Although strongly withdrawn, the Enneagram Type 9 actually does not want to be overlooked.
No. You have a basic type, and this remains the same throughout your life. But what becomes apparent are the characteristics of the two neighboring types, the so-called wings.
For example, if you are type 6, you can wear a proportion of type 5 or type 7. This is noted as „6w5" or „6w7". If neither wing is dominant, this is referred to as balanced wings.
Your basic type describes the pattern in which you were trapped. Your wings show the directions in which you can grow.
There are no reliable studies on this. The Enneagram was never conceived as a quantitative research instrument, but as a tool for self-knowledge. The honest answer is therefore: no type is better, none is rarer in a scientifically proven way.
In addition to the Enneagram, there are other models for analyzing your own personality. These include the Big Five Model as well as the DISC model. The former does not classify personality into types, but concentrates on the characteristics of the five personality traits of stability, extraversion, openness, adaptability and conscientiousness.
Both models help with self-analysis, but answer different questions. Both models are suitable for your personality development. The difference lies in the depth: DISG shows you, as you behave, the Enneagram shows you, why.
| Criterion | DISG | Enneagram |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Behavior & Communication | Inner motivation & patterns |
| Number of types | 4 | 9 |
| Application | Personal development, communication, teams, leadership | Coaching, deep self-development, pattern recognition |
| Learning curve | Fast, intuitive | Deeper, more sophisticated |
| Central question | How do you behave? | What are you protecting yourself from? |
| Starch | Practical, immediately applicable | Reveals unconscious drives |
| Border | Stays on the surface | Needs time and self-reflection |
The two models are not mutually exclusive, they complement each other. Anyone familiar with both will see both the visible behavior and the invisible drive behind it.
More about the DISG model and its four personality styles → More about the Enneagram model as a whole →
→ Would you like to find out which Personality style you can be assigned? Then take our free personality test!
