the 9 types

Common names for the 9 Enneagram types

(Most people will say the # when referring to a type, because it's more neutral.)

Names from Riso & Hudson's "The Wisdom of the Enneagram"

Type 1: THE REFORMER, the teacher, the activator, the cruisader, the moralist, the perfectionist, the organizer

Type 2: THE HELPER, the altruist, the lover, the caretaker, the pleaser, the enabler, the "special friend"

Type 3: THE ACHIEVER, the motivator, the role model, the paragon, the communicator, the status seeker, "the best"

Type 4: THE INDIVIDUALIST, the artist, the romantic, the melancholic, the aesthete, the tragic victim, the "special one"

Type 5: THE INVESTIGATOR, the thinker, the innovator, the observer, the specialist, the radical, the expert

Type 6: THE LOYALIST, the guardian, the believer, the doubter, the troubleshooter, the traditionalist, the stalwart

Type 7: THE ENTHUSIAST, the generalist, the multi-tasker, the wunderkind, the dilettante, the connoisseur, the energizer

Type 8: THE CHALLENGER, the leader, the protector, the provider, the entrepreneur, the maverick, the "rock"

Type 9: THE PEACEMAKER, the healer, the optimist, the reconciler, the comforter, the utopian, "nobody special"

Self-image for the 9 types

Each type has a characteristic self-image.

Self-image descriptions from Riso & Hudson's "The Wisdom of the Enneagram":

Type 1: reasonable, sensible, objective, moderate, prudent, moral, "good," rational

Type 2: loving, caring, selfless, thoughtful, warm-hearted, concerned, kind, compassionate

Type 3: admirable, desirable, attractive, outstanding, well-adjusted, effective, having "unlimited potential"

Type 4: sensitive, different, unique, self-aware, gentle, intuitive, quiet, deep, honest with self

Type 5: perceptive, "smart," curious, self-contained, insightful, unusual, alert, objective

Type 6: reliable, dependable, trustworthy, likable, "regular," careful, having foresight, questioning

Type 7: enthusiastic, free-spirited, spontaneous, cheerful, eager, outgoing, energetic, positive

Type 8: strong, assertive, direct, resourceful, action-oriented, tenacious, robust, independent

Type 9: peaceful, relaxed, steady, stable, gentle, natural, easygoing, friendly

9 Motivations

the driver for each type

Type 1: The desire to have integrity and wholeness, to be correct

Type 2: The desire to be loved, liked, and appreciated

Type 3: The desire to be valuable and have success

Type 4: The desire to be oneself and authentic, to find meaning

Type 5: The desire to be competent and capable

Type 6: The desire to be secure, safe, and supported

Type 7: The desire to be happy and satisfied, to experience pleasure

Type 8: The desire to protect oneself, to be strong and independent

Type 9: The desire to be at peace and experience harmony

Matching the 9 Saboteurs of Shirzad Chamine's Positive Intelligence (PQ) to the 9 Enneagram types

My take on how the idea of "Saboteur" fits with the Enneagram:

The Enneagram helps one shift out of patterns of self-sabotage by intentionally applying the concepts of the Enneagram framework (such as moving along the lines of release and stretch) to develop more beneficial thought/feeling/behavior patterns.

This shift can be elicited through a series of powerful questions and an understanding of which exercises are most helpful for each Enneagram type.

In the Positive Intelligence program, one shifts from self-sabotage (called Saboteurs) to beneficial patterns (called Sage) by bringing awareness to the unwanted patterns, then strengthening the Self-Command muscle - that is, getting grounded in the present moment through mindfulness practices at the moment unwanted patterns arise.

Prompts and exercises are available in the priced app, to help break unwanted Saboteur patterns.

Animal symbols

Something fun... an animal symbol for each enneagram type!

Type 1: bumblebee

Type 2: puppy

Type 3: fox

Type 4: swan

Type 5: owl

Type 6: deer

Type 7: butterfly

Type 8: tiger

Type 9: whale

Caricatures

Have you ever seen an Enneagram meme or caricature (like the ones here) that you felt was an unfair representation of you or someone you know, simply based on type?

Why might a caricature not fit you?

Caricatures don’t take into account that every person accesses all nine types and all of them in different proportions.
People of the same Enneagram type can experience and present themselves very differently because there is variety within each Enneagram type, such as subtypes and level of integration.

Let's consider the caricature... First, investigate the motivations and self-images (on this page). Now, why do you think that caricature was chosen?

Learn about your own Enneagram profile and discover how the caricatures relate (or don't) to your own outer expression.

Subtypes

Each person will manifest their Enneagram type a little differently depending on his/her leading subtype.

Self-preservation

Sexual (1:1)

Social

Self-preserving - concerned more with physical safety/comfort/health, including energy depletion, which in turn will mean preoccupation with finances, housing, and material belongings.

Sexual (aka Relational or 1:1) - concerned more with intense experiences - sometimes sexual or romantic/intimate in nature, but also includes things found thrilling or adventurous, what gives a "charge" or is "magnetic."

Social - concerned more with feeling necessary and liked within a group - in platonic and familial relationships, and also in community/national/global activities.

Just as we access all nine Enneagram types (in varying degrees), we also access all three subtypes (in varying degrees). Just as we have a core Enneagram type, we also have a leading subtype.

Each Enneagram type can manifest with any of the three subtypes in the lead, such as a "sexual 1", a "self-preserving 5," or a "social" 4.

Knowing your leading subtype can bring you to another level of Enneagram work, as there are specific strategies for personal growth according to your subtype.