Enneagram Strengths and Weaknesses: Complete Guide for Each Type

Type 1 - The Perfectionist

Energizers: Organizing, planning, completing tasks to a high standard, following rules and procedures. For example, creating detailed to-do lists, organizing a cluttered space, achieving a challenging goal, and following a strict routine.

Drainers: Dealing with uncertainty, chaos, and ambiguity; receiving criticism or making mistakes. For example, being criticized for mistakes, dealing with unexpected changes or disruptions, and working with disorganized or inefficient people.

Strengths: Ones have a strong sense of morality and ethics. They are highly organized, responsible, and detail-oriented. They have a strong desire to improve themselves and the world around them.

Weaknesses: Ones can be critical and judgmental of themselves and others. They can become perfectionistic and obsessive about details, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction.

Example career situation: A Type 1 may excel in a job that requires precision, such as accounting or engineering. However, their perfectionism can cause them to become overly critical of themselves and others, leading to strained relationships and burnout.

More on Type 1

Type 2 - The Helper

Core Motivation: To feel loved and needed by others

Energizers:

• Making a tangible difference in someone’s life
• Being the “go-to” person others rely on
• Creating warm, intimate connections
• Anticipating and meeting others’ needs before they ask
• Receiving heartfelt appreciation and recognition

Drainers:

• Being overlooked or taken for granted
• Enforcing boundaries or saying “no”
• Working in isolation without human connection
• Dealing with criticism about their helpfulness
• Having their motives questioned

Natural Strengths:

• Emotional Intelligence: Twos read people and situations with uncanny accuracy
• Relationship Building: They create trust and rapport effortlessly
• Anticipation: They sense what others need before it’s expressed
• Team Cohesion: Their warmth creates psychological safety in groups
• Crisis Support: They show up with exactly what’s needed in difficult times

Shadow Sides:

• Boundary Blindness: Difficulty distinguishing where they end and others begin
• Hidden Transactions: Giving with unconscious strings attached
• Self-Neglect: Pour from an empty cup until depletion
• Manipulation Risk: Using emotional intelligence to control outcomes
• Identity Confusion: Self-worth becomes dependent on being needed

Leveraging Your Type 2 Strengths:

1. Set “helping hours”: Designate specific times for supporting others
2. Track your giving: Notice patterns of over-giving to certain people
3. Develop expertise: Become invaluable through skills, not just availability
4. Practice receiving: Accept help gracefully to balance the giving
5. Define success internally: Measure worth beyond others’ appreciation

Real-World Example: Marcus, a Type 2 HR director, burned out from being everyone’s counselor. He created “office hours” for employee support and started measuring success by systemic improvements rather than individual rescues. His influence actually increased as he became more strategic.

Explore Type 2 patterns in depth →

Type 3 - The Achiever

Core Motivation: To be valued, successful, and worthwhile

Energizers:

• Crushing ambitious goals ahead of schedule
• Receiving public recognition for achievements
• Outperforming the competition
• Leading high-performing teams to victory
• Seeing measurable progress and results

Drainers:

• Working without clear metrics or goals
• Processing emotions or “touchy-feely” activities
• Failing publicly or visibly underperforming
• Slow-moving bureaucratic processes
• Being seen as average or unsuccessful

Natural Strengths:

• Goal Achievement: Threes turn visions into reality with remarkable efficiency
• Adaptability: They shape-shift to succeed in any environment
• Inspiring Leadership: Their energy and confidence motivate others
• Strategic Thinking: They find the fastest path to success
• Resilience: Setbacks become fuel for the next achievement

Shadow Sides:

• Image Over Substance: Success metrics might override actual value
• Workaholic Tendencies: Achievements become addictive, relationships suffer
• Emotional Bypass: Feelings get postponed indefinitely for productivity
• Impostor Syndrome: Constant achieving masks deep insecurity
• Authenticity Struggles: The “real self” gets lost in the performance

Leveraging Your Type 3 Strengths:

1. Define multi-dimensional success: Include relationships and wellbeing in your KPIs
2. Schedule non-productive time: Make rest and play achievements to unlock
3. Find meaning beyond metrics: Connect achievements to deeper purpose
4. Practice vulnerable leadership: Share failures and struggles strategically
5. Celebrate process, not just outcomes: Acknowledge effort and learning

Real-World Example: Jennifer, a Type 3 CEO, realized her company’s success came at the cost of her health and marriage. She redefined success to include “sustainable excellence” and started modeling work-life integration. Paradoxically, this made her company more successful as employee retention soared.

Master your Type 3 patterns →

Type 4 - The Individualist

Core Motivation: To find themselves and their significance

Energizers:

• Creating something original and meaningful
• Having deep, authentic conversations
• Being seen and understood for who they really are
• Exploring complex emotions and inner landscapes
• Transforming pain into beauty or art

Drainers:

• Conforming to others’ expectations
• Small talk and surface-level interactions
• Being compared to others or feeling ordinary
• Suppressing emotions for “professionalism”
• Repetitive tasks without creative freedom

Natural Strengths:

• Emotional Depth: Fours navigate complex feelings others avoid
• Creative Vision: They see possibilities others can’t imagine
• Authenticity Radar: They spot fakeness immediately
• Aesthetic Sense: Natural understanding of beauty and symbolism
• Transformative Insight: They alchemize suffering into wisdom

Shadow Sides:

• Melancholic Loops: Emotions become self-reinforcing prisons
• Identity Crisis: Constant questioning of “who am I really?”
• Envy Patterns: Focusing on what others have that they lack
• Push-Pull Dynamics: Wanting connection while maintaining distance
• Productivity Struggles: Waiting for the “right mood” to act

Leveraging Your Type 4 Strengths:

1. Create emotional containers: Set times for feeling deeply vs. taking action
2. Channel intensity creatively: Use strong emotions as creative fuel
3. Build a uniqueness portfolio: Document what makes you irreplaceable
4. Find your tribe: Seek environments that celebrate authenticity
5. Develop emotional range: Practice experiencing joy as deeply as melancholy

Real-World Example: Alex, a Type 4 marketing director, struggled with corporate conformity. They pioneered an “authenticity-first” campaign strategy that celebrated real stories over polished facades. The campaigns went viral, proving that depth and authenticity drive engagement.

Understand Type 4 depths →

Type 5 - The Investigator

Core Motivation: To be competent and understanding

Energizers:

• Deep diving into complex subjects
• Solving problems through analysis and research
• Having uninterrupted time to think
• Discovering how things really work
• Building expertise in specialized areas

Drainers:

• Emotional processing in groups
• Being put on the spot without preparation
• Small talk and social obligations
• Having their expertise questioned
• Dealing with incompetence or illogical thinking

Natural Strengths:

• Analytical Mastery: Fives see patterns and connections others miss
• Independent Thinking: They form conclusions based on data, not opinion
• Deep Expertise: They become true subject matter experts
• Objectivity: Emotional distance allows clear-headed analysis
• Innovation: Their insights lead to breakthrough solutions

Shadow Sides:

• Analysis Paralysis: Endless research prevents action
• Emotional Detachment: Relationships suffer from over-intellectualization
• Hoarding Tendency: Knowledge, time, and energy become scarce resources
• Social Withdrawal: Isolation becomes a protective but limiting pattern
• Arrogance Risk: Expertise can breed contempt for “lesser minds”

Leveraging Your Type 5 Strengths:

1. Set research boundaries: Time-box investigation phases before action
2. Translate expertise: Learn to communicate complex ideas simply
3. Schedule social energy: Plan for interaction when you’re resourced
4. Share knowledge incrementally: Don’t wait for complete understanding
5. Balance thinking with doing: Pair research with experimentation

Real-World Example: David, a Type 5 data scientist, realized his breakthrough insights weren’t impacting the business because he couldn’t explain them simply. He developed a “5-year-old test”—if he couldn’t explain it to a child, he wasn’t ready to present. His influence skyrocketed.

Explore Type 5 patterns →

Type 6 - The Loyalist

Core Motivation: To have security and support

Energizers:

• Building trusted alliances and teams
• Preparing for contingencies and worst-cases
• Protecting others from harm or risk
• Following proven systems and authorities
• Troubleshooting potential problems

Drainers:

• Making decisions without complete information
• Navigating conflicting authorities or advice
• Being responsible for unpredictable outcomes
• Working with untrustworthy people
• Facing ambiguous or changing rules

Natural Strengths:

• Risk Assessment: Sixes spot dangers others overlook
• Loyalty: Their commitment to people and causes runs deep
• Troubleshooting: They excel at contingency planning
• Team Building: They create cohesive, trust-based groups
• Responsible Execution: When committed, they’re incredibly reliable

Shadow Sides:

• Anxiety Spirals: Worst-case thinking becomes self-fulfilling
• Authority Confusion: Oscillating between compliance and rebellion
• Decision Paralysis: Too many “what-ifs” prevent action
• Projection Patterns: Seeing their fears reflected in others
• Trust Issues: Suspicion undermines potentially good relationships

Leveraging Your Type 6 Strengths:

1. Channel anxiety productively: Turn worry into preparation, not rumination
2. Build a personal board of advisors: Create your trusted authority network
3. Develop decision frameworks: Use structured approaches for choices
4. Practice calculated risks: Start small to build confidence
5. Question the questioning: Notice when skepticism becomes self-sabotage

Real-World Example: Lisa, a Type 6 project manager, transformed her anxiety into a superpower by creating the industry’s best risk management frameworks. Her “paranoia” became “exceptional preparation,” making her the go-to person for high-stakes projects.

Understand Type 6 dynamics →

Type 7 - The Enthusiast

Core Motivation: To maintain happiness and avoid pain

Energizers:

• Brainstorming new possibilities and ideas
• Starting exciting new projects
• Connecting diverse concepts and people
• Having multiple options and freedom to choose
• Creating fun, positive experiences for others

Drainers:

• Dealing with negative emotions or conflict
• Following strict routines or limitations
• Focusing on one thing for extended periods
• Processing past pain or disappointments
• Being trapped in boring or repetitive situations

Natural Strengths:

• Possibility Thinking: Sevens see opportunities everywhere
• Contagious Enthusiasm: Their energy lifts entire teams
• Quick Learning: They rapidly synthesize new information
• Adaptability: They pivot and reframe with ease
• Innovation: Their connections between ideas spark breakthroughs

Shadow Sides:

• Commitment Phobia: FOMO prevents deep engagement
• Emotional Avoidance: Pain gets buried under constant activity
• Scattered Focus: Multiple projects mean nothing gets finished
• Gluttony Pattern: More becomes never enough
• Superficiality Risk: Breadth without depth limits mastery

Leveraging Your Type 7 Strengths:

1. Create variety within structure: Build multiple projects into one role
2. Gamify difficult tasks: Make challenges into adventures
3. Schedule joy and depth: Plan both fun and meaningful experiences
4. Partner for follow-through: Team with detail-oriented executors
5. Reframe limitations as creativity catalysts: Constraints spark innovation

Real-World Example: Tom, a Type 7 consultant, struggled with project completion until he restructured his business model. He became the “innovation catalyst” who starts transformations, then partners with implementation specialists. His completion rate and satisfaction soared.

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Type 8 - The Challenger

Core Motivation: To be self-reliant and in control

Energizers:

• Taking decisive action in crisis situations
• Fighting against injustice or unfairness
• Building something significant from scratch
• Protecting vulnerable people
• Overcoming seemingly impossible challenges

Drainers:

• Being micromanaged or controlled
• Showing vulnerability or weakness
• Dealing with passive-aggressive behavior
• Following incompetent leadership
• Being betrayed or manipulated

Natural Strengths:

• Decisive Action: Eights make tough calls others avoid
• Natural Authority: People follow their confident lead
• Protective Instinct: They fiercely defend their people
• Truth-Telling: They say what others only think
• Resourcefulness: They make things happen against all odds

Shadow Sides:

• Bulldozer Mode: Intensity overwhelms others unintentionally
• Vulnerability Armor: Denying soft emotions limits intimacy
• Control Issues: Delegation becomes nearly impossible
• All-or-Nothing: Moderation feels like weakness
• Vengeance Patterns: Betrayals get remembered and repaid

Leveraging Your Type 8 Strengths:

1. Calibrate your intensity: Learn when 10% power achieves 100% results
2. Make vulnerability a strength: Strategic openness builds trust
3. Develop others’ power: Create leaders, not followers
4. Channel justice drives: Fight for systems change, not just battles
5. Practice strategic patience: Sometimes waiting multiplies power

Real-World Example: Maria, a Type 8 CEO, realized her forceful style was creating yes-people, not leaders. She started deliberately showing uncertainty in meetings and asking for pushback. This vulnerability paradoxically strengthened her authority and team performance.

Master Type 8 power dynamics →

Type 9 - The Peacemaker

Core Motivation: To maintain inner and outer peace

Energizers:

• Creating harmony between conflicting parties
• Supporting others’ dreams and goals
• Being in nature or peaceful environments
• Following comfortable, predictable routines
• Building consensus and finding common ground

Drainers:

• Direct confrontation or conflict
• Being forced to choose sides
• High-pressure, urgent decisions
• Having their anger triggered
• Feeling invisible or overlooked

Natural Strengths:

• Mediation Magic: Nines see all perspectives simultaneously
• Calming Presence: They bring peace to chaotic situations
• Inclusive Leadership: Everyone feels heard and valued
• Steadiness: They provide stable, consistent support
• Big Picture Thinking: They see how everything connects

Shadow Sides:

• Conflict Avoidance: Problems fester while being “kept peaceful”
• Self-Forgetting: Others’ priorities override their own
• Passive-Aggression: Unexpressed anger leaks out sideways
• Inertia Patterns: Comfort zones become prisons
• Merge Tendency: Losing themselves in others’ agendas

Leveraging Your Type 9 Strengths:

1. Set non-negotiable priorities: Identify what you won’t compromise
2. Practice healthy conflict: Learn that disagreement doesn’t mean disconnection
3. Schedule self-check-ins: Regularly ask “What do I want?”
4. Harness stubborn streaks: Your resistance shows what matters
5. Voice opinions early: Speak up before resentment builds

Real-World Example: James, a Type 9 team lead, was loved but ineffective—until he realized his peace-keeping was enabling dysfunction. He learned to have “caring confrontations” that addressed issues while maintaining relationships. Team performance improved 40%.

Explore Type 9 harmony →