The Enneagram in 5 minutes
What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a powerful system for understanding Human Nature. Like other personality type systems, the Enneagram describes different groups of behavours and characteristic tendencies of people. However, the Enneagram goes deeper, describing the unconscous motivations underlying our behaviour. These motivations describe why we think, feel, and act the way we do. For more on how different teachers define the Enneagram, click here.
Why study the Enneagram?
Each personality type has a valid yet limited point of view. When we study all the personality types, we can better understand why others see the world differently from us. This awareness lead to greater understanding, compassion, and acceptance of others.
When we study our own personality type, we see how our unconscous motivations keep us stuck repeating the same strategies over and over. This awareness can result in significant personal growth, allowing us to expand our potential, embracing possibilities that were previously closed to us.
The information on this site is based primarily on the works of Don Riso and Russ Hudson of the Enneagram Institute.
Personality Type One
also known as:
Activist, Corrector, Crusader, Evangelical Idealist, Improver, Inspector, Judge, Paragon, Perfectionist, Purist, Reformer, Resenter, Good Person, Moral Teacher, Reformer
Activist, Corrector, Crusader, Evangelical Idealist, Improver, Inspector, Judge, Paragon, Perfectionist, Purist, Reformer, Resenter, Good Person, Moral Teacher, Reformer
Values
conscience, morality, justice, truthfulness, honesty, principles, self-discipline, rectitude, ethics, logical consistency
conscience, morality, justice, truthfulness, honesty, principles, self-discipline, rectitude, ethics, logical consistency
Summary
Ones like to see themselves as reasonable, objective people. They want to be good, to be fair, and to have integrity.
Ones like to see themselves as reasonable, objective people. They want to be good, to be fair, and to have integrity.
Personality Type Two
also known as:
Assistant, Caretaker, Giver, Guardian Angel, Helper, Lover, Loving Person, Needy Giver, Nurturer, People Pleaser, Pleaser, Power behind the throne, Special Friend, Supporter
Assistant, Caretaker, Giver, Guardian Angel, Helper, Lover, Loving Person, Needy Giver, Nurturer, People Pleaser, Pleaser, Power behind the throne, Special Friend, Supporter
Values
love, altruism, friendship, warm feelings for others, religious faith, being needed, community
love, altruism, friendship, warm feelings for others, religious faith, being needed, community
Summary
Twos like to see themselves as caring, loving people. They want to feel loved and appreciated by others. Twos believe that by being loving and kind to others, others will be kind and loving in return.
Twos like to see themselves as caring, loving people. They want to feel loved and appreciated by others. Twos believe that by being loving and kind to others, others will be kind and loving in return.
Personality Type Three
also known as:
Administrator, Effective Person, King of the Hill, Marketer, Motivator, Performer, Star, Status Seeker, Succeeder, Winner
Administrator, Effective Person, King of the Hill, Marketer, Motivator, Performer, Star, Status Seeker, Succeeder, Winner
Values
self-development, achievement, recognition, success, physical appearance, good reputation, popularity
self-development, achievement, recognition, success, physical appearance, good reputation, popularity
Summary
Threes like to see themselves as outstanding and effective people. They want to feel worthwhile, accepted and desirable. They focus on being competent, productive and seek to be outstanding, hoping that they will be appreciated and admired for embodying the values of their community.
Threes like to see themselves as outstanding and effective people. They want to feel worthwhile, accepted and desirable. They focus on being competent, productive and seek to be outstanding, hoping that they will be appreciated and admired for embodying the values of their community.
Personality Type Four
also known as:
Abandoned Lover, Artist, Auteur, Connoisseur, Creative Seeker, Creator, Designer, Drama Queen, Individualist, Original Person, Melancholic, Poet, "Rebel without a cause", Romantic, Romantic Soulmate, Special One, Special Person, Symbol Maker, Tastemaker, Tragic Romantic, Tragic Victim, Unique One
Abandoned Lover, Artist, Auteur, Connoisseur, Creative Seeker, Creator, Designer, Drama Queen, Individualist, Original Person, Melancholic, Poet, "Rebel without a cause", Romantic, Romantic Soulmate, Special One, Special Person, Symbol Maker, Tastemaker, Tragic Romantic, Tragic Victim, Unique One
Values
creativity, aesthetic beauty, being true to themselves, authenticity, self expression, personal freedom, having deep feelings
creativity, aesthetic beauty, being true to themselves, authenticity, self expression, personal freedom, having deep feelings
Summary
Fours like to see themselves as intuitive and sensitive people. They want to discover their true identity and want others to validate that they are unique and special people.
Fours like to see themselves as intuitive and sensitive people. They want to discover their true identity and want others to validate that they are unique and special people.
Personality Type Five
also known as:
Encyclopedia, Expert, Guru, Hoarder, Idea Smith, Innovator, Investigator, Knower, Masterful Hermit, Observer, Philosopher, Radical, Sage, Specialist, Thinker, Watcher, Wise Person
Encyclopedia, Expert, Guru, Hoarder, Idea Smith, Innovator, Investigator, Knower, Masterful Hermit, Observer, Philosopher, Radical, Sage, Specialist, Thinker, Watcher, Wise Person
Values
knowledge, intelligence, originality, perceptiveness, understanding, foresight, certitude, efficiency
knowledge, intelligence, originality, perceptiveness, understanding, foresight, certitude, efficiency
Summary
Fives like to see themselves as intelligent, observant, and perceptive people. They want to be capable and competent and do so by trying to figure out how things work.
Fives like to see themselves as intelligent, observant, and perceptive people. They want to be capable and competent and do so by trying to figure out how things work.
Personality Type Six
also known as:
Defender, Devil's Advocate, Doubter, Facilitator, Faithful Skeptic, Groupist, Guardian, Loyal Guardian, Loyal Person, Loyalist, Loyal-Skeptic, Problem Finder, Questioner, Stalwart, Supporter, Traditionalist, Trooper, Troubleshooter, True Believer
Defender, Devil's Advocate, Doubter, Facilitator, Faithful Skeptic, Groupist, Guardian, Loyal Guardian, Loyal Person, Loyalist, Loyal-Skeptic, Problem Finder, Questioner, Stalwart, Supporter, Traditionalist, Trooper, Troubleshooter, True Believer
Values
loyalty, commitment, cooperation, duty, responsibility, obedience, hard work, persistence, security, the welfare of those with whom they have identified
loyalty, commitment, cooperation, duty, responsibility, obedience, hard work, persistence, security, the welfare of those with whom they have identified
Summary
Sixes like to see themselves as committed and dependable people. Sixes often doubt their own judgement and sense of inner guidance.
Sixes like to see themselves as committed and dependable people. Sixes often doubt their own judgement and sense of inner guidance.
Personality Type Seven
also known as:
Adventurer, Cheerer, Connoissesur, Dilettante, Dreamer, Energizer, Enjoyer, Enthusiast, Epicure, Fun Lover, Generalist, Imagineer, Joyful Person, Materialist, Multi-Tasker, Networker, Optimist, Planner, Visionary, Wunderkind
Adventurer, Cheerer, Connoissesur, Dilettante, Dreamer, Energizer, Enjoyer, Enthusiast, Epicure, Fun Lover, Generalist, Imagineer, Joyful Person, Materialist, Multi-Tasker, Networker, Optimist, Planner, Visionary, Wunderkind
Values
happiness, experience, accomplishment, sensual pleasure, material possessions, having a wide variety of experiences, being amused and excited
happiness, experience, accomplishment, sensual pleasure, material possessions, having a wide variety of experiences, being amused and excited
Summary
Sevens like to see themselves as fun-loving and enthusiastic people and they actively seek satisfaction and fulfillment.
Sevens like to see themselves as fun-loving and enthusiastic people and they actively seek satisfaction and fulfillment.
Personality Type Eight
also known as:
Alpha Dog, Asserter, Boss, Challenger, Champion, Chief, Confronter, Controller, Dominator, Entrepreneur, Kingfish, Leader, Maverick, Potentate, Powerful Person, Protector, Rock, Statesman, Thrill Seeker, Top Dog
Alpha Dog, Asserter, Boss, Challenger, Champion, Chief, Confronter, Controller, Dominator, Entrepreneur, Kingfish, Leader, Maverick, Potentate, Powerful Person, Protector, Rock, Statesman, Thrill Seeker, Top Dog
Values
power, wealth, self-assertiveness, independence, influence, the respect of others, greatness, immortality, being in control of their world, physical survival
power, wealth, self-assertiveness, independence, influence, the respect of others, greatness, immortality, being in control of their world, physical survival
Summary
Eights like to see themselves as strong, assertive people who are in control. They don't want others to control them; they want to determine their own course in life.
Eights like to see themselves as strong, assertive people who are in control. They don't want others to control them; they want to determine their own course in life.
Personality Type Nine
also known as:
Acceptor, Comforter, Easy Goer, Lamb, Mediator, Negotiator, Nobody Special, Optimist, Pacifist, Peaceful Person, Peacemaker, Preservationist, Reconciler, Utopian
Acceptor, Comforter, Easy Goer, Lamb, Mediator, Negotiator, Nobody Special, Optimist, Pacifist, Peaceful Person, Peacemaker, Preservationist, Reconciler, Utopian
Values
peace, emotional well-being, acceptance of what is, harmony, unity, traditional values, social stability
peace, emotional well-being, acceptance of what is, harmony, unity, traditional values, social stability
Summary
Nines like to see themselves as peaceful and easygoing people. They want to maintain their inner stability and peace of mind.
Nines like to see themselves as peaceful and easygoing people. They want to maintain their inner stability and peace of mind.
Start Exploring
Click on the menu items on the left menu to explore the Enneagram types further.
