Enneagram 1 Subtypes
Enneagram 1 Instinctual Variants:
Self-Preservation: Anxiety- The Pioneer
Self-Preservation type 1’s will often focus on ensuring that everything they do is perfect or as perfect as possible. They are the true perfectionists of this enneagram. Unfortunately, these people usually see themselves as being very flawed individuals and, as a result, will try to improve themselves.
These people are typically the most anxious and worried. They want to have things under control and foresee any potential risks or issues. This subtype likes being prepared, even down to the smallest of details. This type will also avoid showing their anger but will often feel very frustrated when disrupted.
Social: Inadaptability- The Social Reformer
These people are comfortable having a secure and solid social role and a clearly defined set of rules. They enjoy and emphasize doing things the “right way.” This trait can make it hard for them to adapt to new situations or find new ways to do something.
It can also cause them to criticize or resent anyone who may act or behave “incorrectly” or do things in the “wrong way.” These people see their role as helping others do things right or to be perfect.
One-to-One: Jealousy/Zealousness- The Evangelist
This type has rigorous self-control, leading to over-zealousness at times. They need to keep a partner’s attention so they won’t blame themselves. This subtype also enjoys having a clear set of rules and standards outlining correct behavior.
It is also common for this type to feel jealousy toward a partner or those who seem more self-expressive. This type will focus on making other people more perfect. This type shows more anger and zeal than the other type 1’s. There is more focus on perfecting others and making sure others are doing things correctly than on oneself.
Enneagram 2 Subtypes
Enneagram 2 Instinctual Variants:
Self-preservation: Privilege- The Nurturer
This subtype is excellent at creating personable and warm relationships with people. Much of their attention will go towards nurturing, supporting, and helping others. This aspect can sometimes make them feel entitled concerning their desires. Unfortunately, this can result in a prideful attitude or even false modesty.
Social: Ambition- The Ambassador
This type will often gain their self-esteem through visible accomplishments and social approval. This subtype will be in tune with and empathize with other people’s needs.
They will become an essential and indispensable part of organizations because of this. Rather than being the center of attention, these people find it most important to be allied with the right people.
One-to-One: Seduction/Aggression- The Lover
Type 2’s have a great capacity for being interpersonally attuned and making connections. This subtype uses those skills to win the approval of a select group of people in one-to-one relationships.
They can use body language and certain speaking tones that some may consider seductive, though not always in a sexual sense. In more aggressive styles of this subtype, this can also lead to them wanting more personal attention and recognition.
Enneagram 3 Subtypes
Enneagram 3 Instinctual Variants:
Self-preservation: Security- The Company Man/Woman
Type 3’s have a remarkable ability to work hard, maintain a good image, and perform well. They have high drive and energy to accomplish goals such as getting a lovely home and achieving financial security. This subtype will seek material success. However, this subtype can also struggle with becoming too involved with their role at work and potentially losing their true self.
Social: Prestige- The Politician
This subtype’s drive for success is usually involved with gaining social approval. They want to know the right people and gain power in social groups, whether in community groups, government, or even business.
This type can make themselves appear to be more of a leader than they are through image-making or forms of propaganda, or there can be genuine social leadership. They are focused on having the right image and knowing how to climb the social ladder. They are concerned about their appearance in the eyes of others.
One-to-One: Masculinity/Femininity- The Movie Star
This subtype also wants to create a successful image. They want an image that is appealing to others and focus on pleasing the people around them. They feel their charisma and personal power come from being an attractive man or woman. This subtype tends to stay in a sort of performer role, no matter whether it’s in personal relationships or on the stage.
Enneagram 4 Subtypes
Enneagram 4 Instinctual Variants:
Self-preservation: Dauntlessness- The Creative Individualist
These people struggle between wanting material security and feeling detached from it all. This type is courageous. They aren’t afraid to pack up and move, jump into a new situation, or even take risks. Their actions may seem reckless to others, but they work well with a more creative or artistic style.
Social: Shame/Honor- The Critical Commentator
This Enneagram subtype often feels a sense of deficiency in some social situations. They will often feel envious of those with status or who have an appearance of belonging. They will often feel like they need to find a resolution to the tension between social expectations and being their true self. This subtype needs to be able to have an acceptable social role.
One-to-One: Competitiveness- The Dramatic Person
Competition is a good thing for this subtype. It can help them overcome those feelings of inner deficiency and self-motivate towards personal goals and agendas. These types can recognize the strength or power of others and see it as unique competition. Their values will often rise or fall in comparison to others.
Enneagram 5 Subtypes
Enneagram 5 Instinctual Variants:
Self-preservation: Home– The Castle Defender
This type sees their home as their castle, a place to feel safe and hide from the world. This type will go to great lengths to defend their “castle” and is concerned with having enough supplies.
They are good at establishing boundaries with other people and know when they need to be alone. They like to minimize their needs, find refuge or a safe place, and then have supplies and everything they need within that refuge.
Social: Totem/Symbols- The Professor
This Enneagram subtype is hungry for knowledge, and they often become experts in the specific areas or topics of interest to them. They enjoy gaining knowledge and connecting with others who have similar intellectual interests.
They often connect more easily with others through areas of expertise. They emphasize analysis and interpretation, which can stop them from participating with others.
One-to-One: Confidentiality- The Secret Agent
This subtype often shares their deepest thoughts and feelings from within themselves with others in one-to-one relationships. They have a secretive quality and are often perceived as being extremely reserved.
They will often experience conflict between needing to connect with others while also maintaining autonomy. They are usually more in touch with their emotions but won’t show it much on the outside.
Enneagram 6 Subtypes
Enneagram 6 Instinctual Variants:
Self-preservation: Warmth- The Family Loyalist
This subtype is often more fearful than others. They will usually overcome this fear by making connections or agreements with other people. This is done through personal warmth as this type does not want to be left alone.
If this type experiences a lack of warmth or even a threat to their security early on in their life, this can create a fear within them that keeps them from taking risks and making them feel the need to stay within familiar boundaries they know well. They enjoy having a sense of certainty and safety, though they often think it is difficult to find.
Social: Duty- The Social Guardian
This Enneagram subtype needs to understand their role in society or within a group. They need to know the rules and have clear agreements with others. They often feel unsure about whether or not they belong. They think it is their calling and burden to do their duty. These people are logical and rational and find safety in following the guidelines of a system.
One-to-One: Strength or Beauty- The Warrior
There are two ways this Enneagram subtype overcomes or avoids fear. The first is through willpower, physical strength, and bravery. It could also be through the power of a person’s intellect. The other way they handle self-doubt and fear is by using one’s perceptiveness and idealism to create beauty in their environment. Doing this helps the person to have a sense of stability and control.
Enneagram 7 Subtypes
Enneagram 7 Instinctual Variants:
Self-preservation: Family- The Gourmand
This Enneagram subtype has a life full of family and friends. They are usually talkative and amiable people. They enjoy sharing good conversations and ideas with others and planning projects or cooperative efforts. They are good at seeing opportunities when they come and know how to get what they want through planning or working with others.
Social: Limitation/Sacrifice- The Utopian Visionary
This type struggles between needing friends and projects to express social idealism and a love of life. They will often work towards the greater good of a group or society even though it takes sacrifice and working with others.
They are good at seeing opportunities but don’t want to be perceived as self-interested, so they will often sacrifice their desires to be helpful to others.
One-to-One: Suggestibility/Fascination- The Adventurer
This type is considered the “idealistic dreamer” and often needs to imagine something better than the world around them. They love new ideas, adventures, and people. These people are often very enthusiastic and optimistic. They usually see things as they could be instead of how they truly are. They also have great power of suggestion.
Enneagram 8 Subtypes
Enneagram 8 Instinctual Variants:
Self-preservation: Satisfactory Survival- The Survivalist
This Enneagram subtype uses their aggressiveness in physical survival and material security. They are highly protective of their family and friends and will often create their territory to take care of themselves and those they love. They are usually good with business and getting things done. This type will either win or die trying.
Social: Friendship/Social Causes- The Group Leader/Gang Leader
This subtype focuses on protecting, supporting, and guiding anyone they are connected to or see as needing support. They can often be assertive and rebellious but will be more gentle when taking care of others.
They are often found in a leadership role of a group and will work towards the good of that group. Their loyalty to friends and social causes are more important than their personal feelings or needs.
One-to-One: Possession/Surrender- The Commander
This type wants control over their partners or significant others. They will often use forcefulness and self-assertion to accomplish this. They can sometimes be unable to adapt. They tend to be rebellious and enjoy being the center of things. They enjoy having power over others and tend to be more provocative and passionate.
Enneagram 9 Subtypes
Enneagram 9 Instinctual Variants:
Self-preservation: Appetite- The Collector
This subtype is excellent at creating a sensible infrastructure and patterns in life. They like familiar routines as well. Material abundance and comfort are important to them but often overshadow their personal growth. They often become blind to individual needs and fill these with material consumption, often making them collectors.
Social: Participation- The Community Benefactor
These people work hard to support their groups and do this to find belonging and comfort. They like to feel as though they are a part of things. They are fun, light-hearted people who work hard to do what it takes to be accepted by a group or community.
They also blend in well with their friends and social groups. They often make great leaders, are very selfless, and forget about personal priorities when taking care of groups first.
One-to-One: Union- The Seeker
This subtype has trouble keeping personal boundaries and focusing on themselves. They are seeking to be with a partner and, as a result, can often easily be pulled outside of themselves.
They will often align their desires and attitudes with other important people in their lives. They tend to be sweet, gentle, and less assertive people. They will often take on the opinions and feelings of others without realizing it.
