ENNEAGRAM TYPE DESCRIPTIONS BASED ON DOMINANT INSTINCTS

Self-Preservation 1 I’m the monitor of domestic matters and am obsessed with cleanliness, patterns of arrangement, and health trends, fully focused on the necessities of life and how to set the highest standards to perfectly attain them.

Sexual 1 I am seeking high-energy, thrilling experiences that are connected with a greater good and like to be master of the laws of relationship though I become so frustrated that no one agrees to my rules, and frequently I don’t know how to deal with my own relationship rules. 

Social 1 I try to make everyone rally behind me for big causes in a way I hope is congenial and inspiring but all the dedicated service has me frazzled and worries the people who care about me that I can’t seem to pull back from constantly trying to save the world.

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Self-Preservation 2 I’m shy to express myself and can feel a little subdued though what I really really want is to get connected with you and pamper you in any way I can, making sure I don’t ever disrupt our intimacy.

Sexual 2 I effortlessly charm with my animated mannerisms, lots and lots of eye contact, and heaps of praises that make it all about you all the time…but you have to admit, the way I am is pretty darn loveable, isn’t it?

Social 2 People are my life, incessantly, as I must sacrifice everything I can for others and work very hard to try to make the world a more loving place while managing my neurosis that I may not actually be likeable enough to everyone in my life.

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Self-Preservation 3 I’m the most muted and reserved, least outwardly attention-hungry performer, often making things happen from behind the scenes, providing for everyone, creating stability, and very aggressively moving forward in a practical, organized manner, but people can trace all the glory back to me and that’s what I secretly live for.

Sexual 3 I love to dazzle people with my intense personality made for captivating others and pushing ahead with extraordinary vigor, as I’m dying to be what you find most attractive in all regards, yet it’s so difficult for me to face that I’m deeply worried inside you might not ever take me seriously. 

Social 3 I love to create teams, knowing how to get many aligned with my goals efficiently, while I try to role model a life of tantalizing ease but vast accomplishment, and as much as people often like me instantaneously, it can be so hard for them to trust me past my competency.

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Self-Preservation 4 I’m devoted to creating and enjoying atmospheres that inspire me while I try not to exert myself too much, living in a world of emotions and imagination that support my sense of self, yet I do have an organized, practical side in order to survive for my creative aspirations.

Sexual 4 I’m full of unconfined desire to explore and experience the depths of the world, the depths of people, and the depths of my soul, trying to somehow very intensely process everything so I can experience my full self to the maximum degree from experience to experience, but in going from one thing to the next, leaving so much incomplete.

Social 4 I’m obsessed with how to authentically express myself to people, bring out their real selves, and receive the core of people, heart to heart, such that I would do anything to absorb myself in rich exchanges and shape a world of truer relationships.

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Self-Preservation 5 I am self-sufficient, gathering all that I need to never have to emerge from my laboratory, where I immerse myself in the most obscure knowledge and interact minimally.

Sexual 5 I’m an expert in off-the-beaten path interests that I bait select people to come join me in as I use my energetic presence and flippant style to attract more cerebral experts in the strange.

Social 5 I love to get together with people who are proud to call themselves geeks, while I strongly seek to impact society through my intelligence and am relatively warm, even adaptable to others who share my zest for knowledge.

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Self-Preservation 6 I’m extremely grounded and practical, working myself like mad to cover all bases and ensure nothing slips through the cracks, while I fear in all of this, what if I’m being exploited?

Sexual 6 I challenge myself to counteract or dive into the things that scare me and have tremendous stamina to take on intense labor or exciting adventures that others wouldn’t be so quick to move into, but I don’t like to acknowledge to myself that deep down I’m being driven by fear.

Social 6 I want to be there for everyone because I have the anxiety that if I‘m not, they will either let me down or I will let myself down in striving to be the most responsible person, as I constantly invite people to be my friend in this way by trying to support them.

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Self-Preservation 7 I’m calmer and more reserved, with a strong penchant for the finer things, and love to provide myself the resources for a happy, fun life, guided by an insatiable hunger to experience the world all at once, in spite of my grounded, practical feel.

Sexual 7 I’m as fast as they come and can’t stop myself from going all out, pushing the envelope for the most exotic, unheard of, cool and exciting experiences possible, simultaneously searching for people who will break free with me from all confines of everyday life and thrill me completely by living on the edge.

Social 7 I’m thoughtful and approachable, bearing a significant sense of responsibility to others, because I really just want to make people happy in my attempts to create an adventurous spirit for all that I do, managing projects and friendships that very quickly bore me and send me running for the next, more enticing opportunity.

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Self-Preservation 8 I’m so good at making things happen in a more understated manner, moving mountains behind closed doors, and I love to be treated like royalty at home as compensation for all I do outside to protect and provide, but all the while my anger comes out like a continuing soft growl (until someone really upsets me…).

Sexual 8 I’m the most intense, full-on, unabashed, take charge human being there is, ready to throw myself head first into extremely daunting experiences in the hopes that I come out feeling stronger and more alive, always aiming to influence others with my big thinking and incredible, sometimes frightening tenacity.

Social 8 I bond with people who I see as strong or who benefit from my toughness and tough love, conducting myself in such a way that I frequently have others revolving around me as their ringleader, and I work very hard, connecting with people to try to give back to society.

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Self-Preservation 9 I’m a homebody to the max, shy and quiet, adoring of the comfort I get from routines and reliable structures that feel peaceful, healthy, and in harmony with others, finding it very challenging to go beyond my normal, flowing zone of predictable homeostasis. 

Sexual 9 I’m a very innocent-looking, mild-mannered personality who needs for everything to be cool and calm, while at the same time craving energy, excitement, and mischief that I usually wait for you to invite me into before smoothly shoving everything back under the rug of my sweet, coquettish demeanor.

Social 9 I’m sparing with my words and love my alone time, but I’m also a people person who others feel comfortable sharing themselves with, and I’m conflicted about whether to position myself for people to share more or leave me alone more, though hardly anyone can figure out what I really stand for as I bring together diverse parties I must be amenable to.


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