You Might Be an Enneagram Type …

Just last month, I participated in another Enneagram certification process. I sat at my office desk for several hours a week, joining a Zoom meeting with over twenty participants from all across the world.  We were broken into small groups and asked to “coach” one of the other participants with an issue of their choosing. The “client” I was assigned was a lovely lady from Canada named Jill. Although Jill was getting her Enneagram certification, she still hadn’t determined her Type. We spent the next several days trying to determine Jill’s Enneagram Type.

By the end of the certification process, Jill had narrowed down her Type, although she was still exploring her true Type. Even though she was getting certified for Enneagram coaching, she still struggled to find her true Type. And, there’s nothing wrong with that path at all!  Not everyone takes an Enneagram test and immediately determines their type. Many people take some time to really explore and learn about the Enneagram before deciding on their type.

Finding your Enneagram Type is the first step in starting your self-awareness and self-growth journey.  But, it’s not always a simple practice. If you have struggled to determine your Type, you are not alone. I created these illustrations to help you narrow down your Type in case you are trying to determine it.

Let’s take a look at each of these illustrations to learn a little more about each Enneagram Type. Remember that you don’t have to have every single one of these ideas to be that type and you might have some of these traits, even if you aren’t that type. These lists aren’t exhaustive, but include some traits that are common to each type.

 

Enneagram Type 1

You might be an Enneagram Type 1 if:

1. You believe there is a right way to do tasks
2. You want to be seen as a good person
3. You try hard to achieve as close to perfection as possible
4. You are loyal, hardworking & honest
5. You have an inner critic that is constantly criticizing you
6. You worry that you are irredeemably defective
7. You feel like you have to earn rest or pleasure

Enneagram Type 2

You might be an Enneagram Type 2 if:

1. You feel valuable when someone asks you for help
2. You can sense others’ emotions and know what they need
3. You try hard to be warm and welcoming to others
4. You may resent when others do know what you need
5. When you make mistakes, you desire to be quickly forgiven
6. You spend more time addressing others’ needs than your own
7. You do not always know what you want from relationships

Enneagram Type 3

You might be an Enneagram Type 3 if:

1. You want to be respected and admired
2. You have high standards for what you want to achieve
3. You have strong emotions, but you can put them aside to get things done
4. You do not want to be slowed down
5. You are charming and know how to win over others
6. You view conflict as an opportunity to achieve
7. You tend to become who others want you to be

 

Enneagram Type 4

You might be an Enneagram Type 4 if:

1. You fear being insignificant & not fully known
2. You have an idealized version of how your future should be
3. You are empathetic and understanding
4. You welcome the full range of your emotions
5. You are highly sensitive to criticism
6. You idealize relationships
7. You have often felt a deep lack of belonging

Enneagram Type 5

You might be an Enneagram Type 5 if:

1. You tend to withdraw when you are not in control or overwhelmed
2. You are provided and do not easily share personal info
3. You guard how much energy you give the outside world
4. You are curious, objective and factual
5. You trust your own logic & reasoning
6. You avoid being invaded or imposed upon
7. You like to have time to gather and process information

 

Enneagram Type 6

You might be an Enneagram Type 6 if:

1. You find unpredictable situations to be stressful
2. You often question whether you made the right decision
3. You are loyal and committed to your people
4. You are warm, playful and quick-witted
5. You do not always feel anxious by you question alot
6. You like being a part of a group
7. You seek out guidance from other people

 

Enneagram Type 7

You might be an Enneagram Type 7 if:

1. Your positivity is contagious
2. You may avoid or numb painful feelings
3. Nothing brings you down like negativity
4. You love anticipating an upcoming trip or event
5. You often struggle with routine or mundane tasks
6. Even when you are happy, you worry you are missing out on something
7. You have lots of big ideas or plans

Enneagram Type 8

You might be an Enneagram Type 8 if:

1. You do not want to be controlled by others
2. When you embrace something, you are all in
3. Your passion is often mistaken for anger
4. You often feel skeptical of new ideas
5. You are independent and prefer to take care of yourself
6. You are comfortable asserting your own opinions
7. You want to leave your make on the world

Enneagram Type 9

You might be an Enneagram Type 9 if:

1. You take a long time to make a decision
2. You see a little bit of every type in yourself
3. You want to feel comfortable and at ease
4. You feel most at ease when alone or in nature
5. You rely on routines to keep a peaceful environment
6. You often choose the path of least resistances
7. You avoid conflict that could hurt your relationships, if possible