The Enneagram is a fascinating and highly insightful personality typing system that delineates nine distinct core modes of operating in the world. By offering a brief insight into each type, the system illustrates how personality is the outer expression of inner beliefs. To better understand ourselves and our unique compensating beliefs, we can then choose to act differently and pursue what we truly love.
The first type, The Reformer/Perfectionist, is characterized by a core belief that they must always be perfect and that there is only one right way of doing things. They assume that perfection actually exists and that they must achieve it before they can create what they want. To compensate, they avoid doing anything unless they can do it perfectly. They also seek to avoid criticism by being perfect themselves, and are often defensive or deflect criticism onto something or someone else. This type is principled, self-controlled, self-righteous, judgmental, and critical, and is keen to be seen as perfect. They share the idealism and desire for peace, relief, and resolution of type 9, and the penchant for approval and being good of type 2. They strongly reject their Dark Side.
The Helper, or type 2, holds a core belief that they are not worthy. They assume that they cannot express or pursue what they want because they are not worthy, and that once they have done enough to be good, they will be given what they want. To compensate, they seek to be a good person and put others first. This type is caring, sociable, and often behaves in a way that they assume others want them to (they are sometimes known as chameleons). They find it difficult to know their own mind and can be possessive and manipulative (because they help others in the unconscious expectation that it will lead to them being given what they want). They also have a nasty streak that reveals itself when their hidden agenda fails to bear fruit.
The Achiever, or type 3, holds a core belief that they are not good enough. They assume that if they achieve enough, they will be valid. To compensate, they seek to accomplish a lot and learn a lot. This type is competitive, self-promoting, over-achieving, a workaholic, and a perpetual student. They are pragmatic and adaptive, and identify strongly with achievement and the image of success.
The Individualist, or type 4, has a core belief that they do not belong. They assume that there is something about them that makes them unlovable, and that all 4s were abandoned in childhood, either literally or effectively. To compensate, they either seek to fit in or be odd as a pre-emptive strike to being rejected, be attractive enough to be loved, or find out or cover up what is wrong with them. This type is sensitive, dramatic, self-absorbed, temperamental, and given to melancholy. One type presents as odd and eccentric, while the other type presents as icy cool and stylish. They are often artistic and expressive.
The Investigator, or type 5, holds a core belief that they need to control themselves or their space. They assume that if they are open, their boundaries will be violated. To compensate, they are aloof and protect themselves by living mentally. This type is intensely cerebral, observant, innovative, and aloof. They often deny their own needs (because if they have needs, they can't maintain their aloofness).
The Loyalist/Terrorist, or type 6, has a core belief of trust, but also believes that they are not safe. They assume that they are only safe with the protection of an authority (loyalist) or in the absence of authority (terrorist). To compensate, they are always testing for safety. There are two types of 6s: one is very loyal (phobic) and the other is confrontational (counter-phobic) in relation to authority. Both types are anxious and suspicious. The phobic type is engaging, responsible, timid, and ingratiating, while the counter-phobic type is abrasive, aggressive, and contrarian.
The Enthusiast, or type 7, holds a core belief that they don't have the capacity, but that there is a way. They assume that there is a way they should be, and if they get it wrong, they'll be in trouble, but they don't know the way. To compensate, they develop many interests, enroll others in how great everything they do is, and try to prove they've got "it". This type is effervescent, optimistic, and has an insatiable appetite for life. They are busy, fun-loving, spontaneous, and versatile. They try out everything but commit to nothing.
The Challenger, or type 8, has a core belief that they are powerless. They assume that if they don't dominate, they'll be dominated, and that only the dominant get what they want. To compensate, they strive to be in a position of power, align themselves with powerful others, and are preoccupied with power and control. This type is wilful, dominating, confrontational, overtly angry, and combative.
The Peacemaker, or type 9, has a core belief that they are not allowed to be capable and are powerless. They assume that if conflict or tension is present, they won't get what they want, and that expressing what they want creates conflict or tension. To compensate, they avoid conflict, tension, and knowing their own direction and don't take much action. They fill up their time with inessential activities. This type is easygoing, receptive, reassuring, and agreeable. They are self-effacing, often shy and retiring, even with themselves.
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