The Unique Strengths of Every Enneagram Type

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The One

Guided by their principles, Ones often act as a moral compass for the communities they are in. These types seem to have a gut sense of “knowing” when something is morally right or wrong, and are quick to pick up on ulterior motives. At a healthy level, these types move through life with conviction, integrity, and a strong sense of purpose. Like Hermione Granger in Harry Potter or Steve Rogers (Captain America), Ones make choices based on what aligns with their moral compass. They will be selfless and self-sacrificial in the pursuit of their ideals and will work hard to live up to their standards. More than anything, living up to their personal ethics is the main goal of this type. At healthy levels, you can count on them to be conscientious, self-disciplined, fair, responsible, wise, discerning, humane, and hopeful.

Read This Next: The Enneagram One – The Perfectionist

The Two

Nurturing and selfless, Twos care deeply for the well-being of others. They are often driven to serve people who are in need, suffering, or lonely. Exceptionally thoughtful, they will use their time, energy, and resources to make a difference to the world around them. If you are sick, these are likely the first types to show up with a hot meal and something cozy to help you feel better. Like Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings or Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games, Twos are skilled at bringing people together, noticing other people’s needs, and loyally sticking to their loved ones even during the toughest times in their lives. At a healthy level, Twos make people feel seen and cared for – not for who they pretend to be, but for who they really are. They encourage, uplift, and instill confidence in the people around them.

Read This Next: The Enneagram Two – The Helper

The Three

Energetic and goal-oriented, Threes are driven to succeed and accomplish great things. They are often the trailblazers and entrepreneurs of the world – trying to find outstanding ways to innovate and make improvements. These competitive types won’t let anything detract them from their goals and ambitions, and they motivate other people to stay on course. Threes encourage others to persist, to dream, and to believe in their objectives. Like Boromir in Lord of the Rings or the interpretation of P.T. Barnum in “The Greatest Showman,” Threes are always focused on their goals. Barnum couldn’t rest until he’d created an outstanding circus and become successful, not only in his own eyes but in the eyes of his naysayers. Threes want to be the best and will go to great lengths to improve themselves. At a healthy level, they are realistic, adaptable, energetic, effective, authentic, humorous, charitable, and persistent.

Read This Next: The Enneagram Three – The Achiever

The Four

Authentic and creative, Fours form all their experiences, even their painful ones, into something profound and meaningful. Deeply authentic, they don’t hide their weaknesses or failures, instead opting to reveal them to others. They hope by being deeply authentic, they will acknowledge the humanity of all people and create a safe place for people to be honest. When healthy, Fours have transcended the ego. They accept their weaknesses and strengths equally – using every experience as inspiration for personal growth and creativity. They respect their own and others’ individuality and help people to realize their value. They will throw their reputation under the bus in order to be authentic and honest. Like Anne Shirley in “Anne of Green Gables” or Frodo Baggins in “Lord of the Rings,” Fours are often empathic, creative, imaginative, and kind. At a healthy level, these types are deeply intuitive, self-aware, forgiving, original, and profound.

Read This Next: The Enneagram Four – The Individualist

The Five

Insightful and curious, Fives search for understanding and knowledge. Often deeply intuitive, these types see patterns and implications that others often miss. When they’re healthy, they are so open-minded that they can discover truths about the world that others miss in their hurry to form judgments. Fives often sense the internal structure, logic, and truth of what’s happening around them. As a result, they can predict events, far in advance of when they are verified by others. Like Klaus Baudelaire in “A Series of Unfortunate Events” or Sherlock Holmes, Fives are intellectual pioneers. Through exploring and experimenting with ideas and objects, they often produce astounding new discoveries or profound works of art. At a healthy level, Fives are observant, perceptive, independent, visionary, open-minded, innovative, realistic, and mentally alert.

Read This Next: The Enneagram Five – The Investigator

The Six

Reliable and trustworthy, Sixes believe in following through on every promise that they make. These types are quick to perceive potential threats and pitfalls, so they often circumvent problems before other people even notice the possibility of the problem. At healthy levels, Sixes are friendly, humorous, and committed. They are usually practical and disciplined, bringing excellence and industriousness to every facet of their lives. Like Eleanor Dashwood in “Sense and Sensibility” and Thorin Oakenshield in “The Hobbit”, Sixes are usually pragmatic and perceptive. They like to be prepared, focused, and aware of all the realities in a situation (even the unpleasant ones). They are also deeply loyal and will go down with the ship to protect the people they’ve pledged allegiance to. At a healthy level, Sixes are reliable, hard-working, independent yet cooperative, courageous, and dedicated.

Read This Next: The Enneagram Six – The Loyalist

The Seven

Enthusiastic and quick, Sevens want to experience the world in a full, immersive way. They are usually deeply curious, learning about a variety of things on a regular basis. Usually witty and gregarious, Sevens are quick to spot opportunities and experiences that would imbue life with possibility and excitement. Like Fred & George Weasley in “Harry Potter” or Poe Dameron in the “Star Wars” movies, Sevens are marked by an unquenchable optimism, resourcefulness, curiosity, and impulsivity. At a healthy level, Sevens are responsive, multi-talented, practical, productive, joyous, quick-thinking, friendly, and resourceful.

Read This Next: The Enneagram Seven – The Enthusiast

The Eight

Bold and honorable, Eights will take on any challenge to protect people from oppressors and bullies. They take naturally to leadership and challenge the people around them to live with a sense of justice and bravery. Highly resourceful, Eights take initiative when things need to be done rather than waiting around for someone else to take action. Their confidence and strength make them a source of strength for many. They use their confidence and strong-willed determination to stand up for themselves and others. They have no tolerance for manipulation and will do whatever they can to be the “master of their own fates.” Like Johanna Mason in “The Hunger Games” or Leia Organa in “Star Wars,” Eights will courageously confront any foe. They are proactive, no-nonsense, and willing to stand up against bullies when others are too afraid to do so. At a healthy level, Eights are self-confident, resourceful, protective, commanding, courageous, heroic, merciful, and self-sufficient.

Read This Next: The Enneagram Eight – The Challenger

The Nine

Creative and thoughtful, Nines have a gift for mediating the differences between people. They are often empathetic, understanding multiple points of view, and reconciling needless disputes. Optimistic and reassuring, Nines give people the space to be whoever they truly are without judgment. They are usually affable, pleasant, and kind, spontaneously exploring life with an openness and wonder that inspires others. Like Jane Bennett in “Pride and Prejudice” Nines want to believe the best in others, and like Yoda in “Star Wars” they find meaning and significance in many things. They often see themselves as part of nature, and in tune with the spiritual world.  At their best, Nines are accepting, innocent, unpretentious, content, harmonizing, imaginative, creative, and kind.

Read This Next: The Enneagram Nine – The Peacemaker

What Are Your Thoughts?

What’s your Enneagram type? Do you relate to the strengths listed here? Do you have any insights you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!

Find out more about your personality type in our eBooks, Discovering You: Unlocking the Power of Personality Type,  The INFJ – Understanding the Mystic, and The INFP – Understanding the Dreamer. You can also connect with me via Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!