SEVEN | POTENTIAL

At their best, Sevens are forward thinkers, imaginative and innovative. Enthusiastic and optimistic. Sevens want to keep their options open to avoid feeling tied down.

Their focus tends to be on the bright side of any given situation. When Sevens feel limited, they generally find a way to get out of the situation.

Their challenge is to focus in-depth and to stay the course in work and relationships. Slowing down, being in the moment, and learning to tolerate their won and other people's suffering can bring needed balance.  

We can support the Sevens in our life by providing a supportive framework to move into deep commitments and painful situations.  In conflict, Sevens want reassurance that you will not clip their wings, therefore give them time to express their ideas. Be sure to take a firm stand when communicating important feelings, wants and needs.

Strengths:                         Adventurous, fun-loving, quick thinking

Challenges:                   ...

EIGHT | EMPOWERMENT

At their best, Eights are magnanimous and use their strength to improve the lives of others. Energetic and intense the Eight strive to be strong and avoid feelings of defenselessness. Their focus tends to go to fairness and justice.  When wronged, or the weak are taking advantage of, they will fight back. Their challenge is to combine assertion and control with interdependency and cooperation, as well as learn how to manage their excessive energy.  

We can support the Eights in our lives by encouraging them to accept his/her own vulnerability, distinguish it from weakness, and reduce excessive impulsive behavior. In conflict, Eights want respect; be sure to match the intensity of their energy, be forthright, and firm, yet flexible.   

Strengths:                         Empowering, direct and protective

Challenges:                      Excessive, angry, dominating

Speaking Style:                Eights usually speak assertively and exert strong leadership.  ...

NINE | UNITY

At their best, Nines are great listeners, able to see other's points of view and are natural mediators and able to take in many perspectives and see the big picture. Easy-going and self-effacing, they want to keep the peace while avoiding feelings of interpersonal conflict.  Their focus of attention tends to go towards understanding other's points of view.   When confronted, they withdraw and procrastinate while allowing enough time to let problems resolve themselves.

Their challenge is to know what they want, set clear goals and markers along the way.  A solid system of accountability can support the Nine to maintain their momentum.   We can support the Nines in our lives by encouraging them to speak up for themselves and voice their needs and wants.  In conflict, Nines want respect for seeing all sides of a given situation; be sure to give them enough time to process their feelings and thoughts without pressure.  

Strengths:                         Inclusive, dip...

ONE | ALIGNMENT

At their best, Ones can be discerning and morally heroic. Conscientious and ethical, Ones want to uphold the highest standards, while avoiding feeling wrong or defective.  Their focus tends towards improving themselves and others; and being correct. When threatened Ones will justify their way as the right way. 

Their challenge is to learn to accept their imperfections and tolerate other people's points of view, detaching their self-esteem from internal standards.

We can support Ones by encouraging them to experience more pleasure, accept errors and differences.  In conflict, Ones want respect; be sure to acknowledge their competency and let them know you respect their viewpoints and opinions.  Owning our own mistakes helps them to relax.

 Strengths:                        Honest, responsible, improvement-oriented.

Challenges:                      Resentful, non-adaptable, overly critical. 

Speaking style:                Precise and detail-oriented, and at tim...

TWO | HOLDING

At their best, Twos are altruistic, unselfish and offer unconditional love for others. Supportive, Empathetic and warm-hearted, Twos want to be appreciated and express their feelings for others and avoid feeling needy themselves.  Their focus tends to be on relationships.  Twos are generous and self-sacrificing, putting other's needs before their own.  When unappreciated, Twos can overreact emotionally.

Their challenge is learning to set boundaries and coming to terms that loving oneself is an inside job.  We can support Twos by encouraging them to explore what it means to put themselves first and overcome meeting the needs of important others as a way to feel loved.  In conflict, Twos want to be recognized; be sure to match their warmth and communicate your appreciation for their ability to attune to your needs.  

Strengths:                        Caring, popular, communicator

Challenges:                      Privileged, naïve, dependent

Speaking Style:        ...

THREE | VALUE

At their best, Threes are role models who inspire others towards success.  Driven, image-conscious and adaptable, Threes want to be recognized as successful to avoid feelings of failure. 

Their focus tends to go towards accomplishing tasks in order to win recognition from others.  When obstacles arise, they have a low tolerance for incompetence and are prone to workaholism.

Their challenge is to step out of their roles, slow down to "smell the roses", and spend quality time with the people they care the most about.

We can support Threes by letting them know we appreciate them for who they are, not for what they do.  Communicating what is really important to us is helpful as well.  In conflict, Threes want to be recognized for their hard work;  be sure to let them know you see their comptency and express why you value their ability to reach the desired goal.

Strengths:                         Successful, energetic, high achiever

Challenges:                      ...

FOUR | DEPTH

At their best, Fours inspire and transform others with their creativity and capacity to empathize.  Empathetic and Intense, Fours want to distinguish themselves from others to avoid feeling ordinary.  

Their focus tends to go to what others have and they don't. When threatened, Fours tend to idealize other people and feel deficient. 

Their challenge is to balance sadness with the capacity for happiness and dissatisfaction, even if the relationship or the experience seems flawed or incomplete.  

We can support Fours by standing steady for them when their feelings are intense, show empathy, share our own feelings and let them know they are loveable separate from their identification with being special.  In conflict, Fours want to be recognized for bringing heart into the situation; be sure to let them know you appreciate their feelings and be patient while letting them express their deeper feelings.  

Strengths:                         Creative, sensitive, introspecti...

            FIVE | CLARITY                   

At their best Fives are visionaries, and able to see the world in an entirely different way. Perceptive and distant, Fives want to possess the knowledge to avoid being perceived as uninformed. Fives attention tends to go to protect their boundaries.  

Their focus tends to go toward protecting their boundaries. They can appear ill at ease in social situations and value their privacy while sensitive to the intrusions of others.

Their challenge is to balance their tendency to withdraw or withhold from people by reaching out to others, even if that means the discomfort of conflict. 

We can support the Fives in our lives by encouraging them to welcome their feelings in the here and now rather than intellectualize them.  In conflict, Fives want to be reassured you will respect their need for privacy while understanding it is not rejection.    

Strengths:                        Scholarly, perceptive, self-reliant

Challenges:              ...

SIX | GUIDANCE

At their best, Sixes are internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others. Loyal and trustworthy, Sixes want to feel safe and secure to avoid feeling anxious.  

Their focus tends to go towards safety and security. When threatened, many hesitate, while others prefer to stay in the "strength-mode" and move against feelings of fear and anxiety.

Their challenge is to learn to trust themselves as well as other people as they become more flexible and develop the courage to act; even in the presence of doubt or ambivalence.  

We can support the Sixes in our lives by encouraging them to notice the positives, develop trust, appreciate their own strengths and take positive action. In conflict, Sixes want reassurance, therefore, stay steady and loyal; be consistent and trustworthy; and disclose personal feelings and thoughts

Strengths:                        Loyal, courageous, attentive to people and                                          ...

We were so excited to see this amazing write up in the American Journal of Psychiatry Residents Journal about the Enneagram, by Morgan Alexander and Brent Schnipke, MD - so we had to share it with you! 

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