About the Enneagram

The Type One's core unconscious belief is that the world should be perfect and isn’t. They believe that it is their job to perfect the world, beginning with themselves. They are driven to be a good person, and value high integrity and self control. Ones take the world seriously, focusing on what needs to be fixed and improved, most of all themselves. They are honest and reliable. They have high personal standards, high running inner critics, and can also be critical of others. They tend to see things as black or white, right or wrong. Ones work so hard to be good, which can lead to resentment when others don’t work as hard or notice their effort. They work hard at being right all the time. They are motivated by being the best person they can be.

The Type Two's core unconscious belief is that there are so many needs in the world and that it is up to them to meet all the needs of others that are important to them. Empathic and feeling, Twos unconsciously believe that their value lies in giving and helping others. They focus on others’ needs, relationships, and being liked. They are usually good at supporting others and helping bring out their potential. They can feel rejected if their help is unwanted. They are often forward-moving, animated, friendly, and bubbly. They truly care about others. However, recognizing their own needs is much more difficult. While they believe and often do know what people want, this frequently results in their own needs being secondary.

The Type Three's unconscious core belief is that people are rewarded for what they do, not who they are. Their attention is on successfully completing goals and tasks. They channel their emotional energy into getting things done and are motivated by looking successful. They take the initiative and work hard to accomplish their goals. Others may not be able to keep up. Highly adaptable, they excel at "reading the room" and meeting the expectations of others. They like to stay active and on the go, so it's hard to stop or slow down. Their drive to achieve and do can cause them to ignore their own feelings, their health or relationships, and what brings them joy and meaning. Threes unconsciously feel that love and respect come from achieving and appearing a certain way.

The Four's unconscious core belief is that something important is missing, and there is a perfect ideal out there which can create wholeness or fulfillment. Four's attention unconsciously goes to something that is missing in them. This can lead to a search for wholeness through idealism or aesthetics. They seek authenticity, meaning and depth in their relationships, work, and life, and want to be special or unique. They are very attuned to their own feelings and desire deep connection and understanding. They are deeply empathetic and good listeners. They bring emotionality, vision, and meaning to the situation that they are in. They can feel envy or longing for something better that will make them feel whole or complete. Often passionate, sometimes overly emotional, their attention moves back and forth from others to their own inner experience.

The Five's unconscious core belief is that the world can demand too much from them and give too little. They value privacy and personal space and focus on knowledge, understanding, and conserving personal energy. They are skilled at analysis, systems, and often are the expert on what interests them. They love to learn. They may find other people to be intrusive. They dislike small talk but can enjoy talking about subjects that interest them. They can detach from other people emotionally, preferring thoughts to emotions, and at times, can become isolated. They prefer to feel their feelings when they are alone. Very self-sufficient, they prefer structure and dislike surprises. Some Fives can be more social, but will still need alone time to recharge or pursue their own interests.

The Six's unconscious core belief is that the world can be threatening and unpredictable and that they must be prepared for potential danger. They use their perception and intellect to understand the world and unconsciously avoid uncertainty. They focus on guarding the safety of the group, project, or community. Their attention goes to scanning for potential danger, rejection and what could go wrong. Sixes are good at anticipating problems and coming up with solutions. They can be skeptical or very certain. They can either trust and defer (phobic) or defy (counterphobic) authority or swing back and forth. They often champion underdogs or underdog causes. Sixes look for safety in relationships as well. It may take them time to trust. They are very loyal and expect loyalty in their relationships, often looking for hidden agendas in an individual, authority or group.

The Seven's unconscious core belief is that the world can be limiting, frustrating or painful, thus they attempt to avoid pain and anxiety by going up into their head with positive plans and many fun options. Forward thinkers and movers, they are fun loving and quick thinking. They have positive attitudes, are interested in many different subjects and are good at connecting different ideas. Sevens prefer to plan and keep their options and possibilities open, as boredom and limitation can feel painful. They dislike limits and can have trouble with authority. They love new ideas, new technology, and pleasurable experiences. Because their attention shifts so quickly, it's challenging for them to go into things in depth and to stay the course in work and relationships. Although Sevens can be excellent communicators, they are less concerned with what others think than having fun and doing their thing, whether it be in work, adventure, learning or activities.

The Eight's unconscious core belief is that if they don’t stay strong, the world takes advantage of the weak. They focus on justice, power, and control. Eights will look to protect those who cannot protect themselves, especially family, and select people or groups who are important to them. They are energetic and intense. When Eights state their truth, it can feel like conflict or anger to others. They can be intimidating and not realize their impact or bluntness. They prefer people who are direct and strong, not "wishy-washy". Impatient with rules and regulations, they like to do things their way. Fairness or justice is a high priority. If they feel wronged, they will fight back and perhaps hold a grudge. While they can have a "my way or the highway" stance, they are also warm, friendly and generous. In their experience, weakness or vulnerability will precipitate an attack from the outside world. Eights are a body-based type who tend to take charge of situations and step into the leadership role.

The Nine's core unconscious belief is that everyone is not accepted unconditionally and to be accepted one must go with the flow. They like/need comfort (whatever that means to them) unconsciously to feel love and acceptance. They are warm, friendly and receptive and can see all sides. They may be indecisive about personal decisions but are good peacemakers and mediators for others. Nines have trouble with inertia (or momentum). Whether they are slow in the traditional sense or hard workers continually on the move, Nines have a basic problem with priorities. It's hard to change directions or shift attention to what is most important. They can substitute inessential priorities for what needs to get done. Nines can forget themselves and merge with others' needs, go along to get along (avoiding conflict), and can be inattentive to their own needs and priorities (described as laziness, or going to sleep to their own needs). Though they may know their opinion, they have trouble expressing themselves or saying no. Saying no can feel like a conflict to a Nine. They will often do what feels easiest or most comfortable or say they don't care. They can deny that they have anger, not recognizing it, instead expressing it as quiet stubbornness, withdrawing, or an eventual blow-up.