N IN E T YPES CO.

ENNEAGRAM FOR GROWTH & CONNECTION

S E L F - T Y PI N G G UI D E

This guide is free for personal use.

I hope you find it helpful.

Created by
STEPHANIE BARRON HALL,
Certified Enneagram Coach

Contact
[email protected]
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 Ask me Ennea-thing!

How do I find my type?

WHAT IS THE ENNEAGRAM?

The Enneagram is a motivation-based personality framework oriented around nine core
types. This tool goes beyond describing outer behavior and aims to help individuals
understand why they do what they do. In this way, the Enneagram challenges learners to
do some inner work, observe their driving motivation, reflect on their shadows, and in
doing so cultivate self-awareness.

The Enneagram is dynamic, so you’re never in a box. Built-in movement points explain
the characteristics each type takes on in stress and in growth, and each type also has
access to wings (the adjacent numbers: for example, if you’re a 2, the wings are 1 and
3). The wing types act as a balancing force on the main type.

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WHY DO I NEED TO KNOW MY ENNEAGRAM TYPE?
Well, you don’t *need* to know it, but it’s helpful! The Enneagram can help you
understand how the personality structure you’ve used to get through the world is actually
keeping you bound. When you start the slow, painstaking work of unraveling this, then
you can begin to find freedom because you’re able to return to who you really are.

MOTIVATION vs. BEHAVIOR

Unlike many other personality tools (I’d argue that the Enneagram isn’t a “personality
tool” but it often gets thrown in the same bucket), the Enneagram is about core
motivation, or the persistent, driving, “WHY” underneath everything you do. When
reading descriptions, it’s important to keep in mind what truly motivates you. Many types
engage in the same behavior but for different reasons. For example, sometimes 3s and
5s have similar behavior (they both love to learn and be competent), but they have very
different reasons behind the behavior. Pay attention to the motivation of each type as you
learn.

WHAT IF I DONʼT KNOW MY MOTIVATION?

If this is your first foray into the Enneagram, you probably haven’t built the skills you
need to observe your motivation. That’s okay! This simply starts with self-reflection.
Observe yourself without judgment. Journal about what’s underneath the things you’re
doing. Look inward. The Enneagram is about self-discovery and growth: if you’re just
learning it so that you can explain away your troublesome habits, you’re missing the
point.

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 to some extent

M O ST O F U S WA N T TO

do things well &

feel loved be seen & known
II with confidence
III for who we are
IV

be competent V feel safe and

plan ahead be free &
VI
have fun VII

avoid being
controlled VIII
be at peace be right & good I
with others IX

T H AT ’S W H Y M OT I VAT I O N M AT T E R S
l o ok c l os er. j ourn al. refl ec t. o b ser ve y o u rself .

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THIS SEEMS MORE COMPLICATED THAN I THOUGHT...
Yes, humans are quite complicated! But this is the real work. The Enneagram is
intended to grow in self-awareness and empathy - something an online test can’t
provide. If you HAVE TO take a test, hold the results loosely and continue your
discovery journey. Stay curious. See what you’ll find. Some people can spot their type
right away. For others, it takes much longer. Take time to let it sink in - there’s no rush.
As you read, don’t forget to take deep breaths, stay curious, and keep an open mind.

IF YOU DO TAKE AN ONLINE TEST OR ENNEAGRAM QUIZ,

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO NOTE:
· Most tests aren’t great at measuring motivation - they are more focused on behavior.
· Trust that you know yourself better than a test does. If you get a response that doesn’t
seem to line up, take a look at some different types as well. Some tests give you a few
“most likely” types - this doesn’t mean you are all of the types! It simply indicates that
more reflection may be necessary.
· If your test results say you’re 90% Type 7, 85% type 3, and 80% type 4, for
example, this doesn’t mean you are a 7 with a 3 wing (that’s not how wings work -
they are ONLY adjacent types). Given those results, it would be helpful to read more
about each of those types, either in this guide or on EnneagramInstitute.com.
· When you really find your type, you’ll likely feel a sense of discomfort. Often, when
we really look at our weaknesses, we don’t love what we find…. But that’s why it’s
important to embrace some self-acceptance and to practice observing ourselves
without judgment.
· If you still can’t figure it out, I highly recommend seeking out podcasts featuring
interviews or panels with the specific types you’re considering. It can be really
enlightening to hear what is in someone else’s head to see if it resonates or not.
· If you don’t fully resonate with any of them, keep learning, keep studying, pay
attention, and reflect. You may need both more information about the Enneagram
AND a deeper understanding of yourself.

OBSERVE. STAY CURIOUS.

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 Ask me Ennea-thing!

So what are the core

motivations?

TYPE ONE
Ones are often diligent and industrious. They are idealists who view the world in terms of
what could be, and therefore work tirelessly to perfect their environment. They are motivated
by a need to be good, right and perfect - this is more about integrity, morality, and ethics
than it is about being “the best.” They have a strong sense of justice and want to make the
world a better place. They are in the Gut or Anger triad, but they suppress their anger
because they believe it isn’t right or appropriate to express it.

TYPE TWO
Twos are often warm and relational. They are motivated by a need to be needed, and they
believe they are loved for being lovable and helpful to others. They seek the love of others
and in doing so forget their own needs. Twos are in the Feeling or Heart center - they feel a
lot, but often they are feeling the feelings of those around them, not their own feelings. Twos
are highly empathetic and able to engage others in a way that makes those around them
feel at home.

TYPE THREE
Threes are often adaptable and achievement-oriented. They are motivated by a need to find
their worth in their productivity. They are not just concerned with success (though that often
matters), they are also concerned with image or appearance: they have an ability to shift
and adapt to any environment. This means they can relate with anyone they encounter, but
they often have a harder time understanding their own identity. Threes are in the Feeling or
Heart center, but they like to stay busy to avoid encountering their emotions.

TYPE FOUR
Fours are often deep and complex. They are motivated by a need to find their true heart,
and they are on a lifelong quest for understanding and identity. Fours are incredibly
imaginative, and they are accustomed to plumbing the depths of their psyche and emotional
realm. Often, they have a vision of the world that could be, but it doesn’t always fit reality.
They mourn that the world falls short of the extravagance and richness that is possible. Fours
are in the Feeling or Heart center and are deeply emotional. They value finding meaning
and significance in their lives.

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TYPE FIVE
Fives are often observant and cerebral. They are motivated by a need to be competent and
self-reliant. Fives often increase their self-reliance by decreasing their needs and desires.
Fives are in the Head or Fear triad, and they use endless pursuit of knowledge as a shield
against feeling afraid or anxious, believing that if they know enough, they will be able to
reason themselves out of anything in their minds. Fives begin each day with a measured
amount of energy, and they conserve their limited resources in order to avoid being
depleted.

TYPE SIX
Sixes are often responsible and community-oriented. They are motivated by a need to find
safety and security in the world. They are deeply committed to their loved ones, and they
are very loyal. Of all Enneagram types, Sixes tend to get the reputation for being the most
anxious since they tend to voice their concerns - sometimes it comes off as pessimism, but
they view it as realism. As members of the Head or Fear triad, Sixes make plans and
troubleshoot as a way to ward off anxiety.

TYPE SEVEN
Sevens are often quick-minded and versatile. They are motivated by a need to avoid pain or
discomfort (especially emotional pain), so they stay busy and seek fun wherever they go.
They see the world as full of opportunity, and they stay busy to ward off the anxiety present
in all Head or Fear triad types. Sevens have a lot of fun and want to be happy, but they are
often so busy planning their next adventure that they forget to enjoy the current moment. It
might seem like they are jumping from one thing to the next because their minds move so
quickly.

TYPE EIGHT
Eights are often powerful and dynamic. They are motivated by a need to protect themselves
and to avoid vulnerability. Eights have a keen understanding of their own intuition, and they
tend to trust their gut to lead them through life. They are truth-tellers and highly
justice-oriented: they will always stick up for the underdog. Eights are in the Gut or Anger
triad, and they tend to confront their anger head-on, and they don’t hold onto it. Their
assertiveness and volume often cause them to be misunderstood as tough or angry, but they
are actually kind and tender once you get to know them.

TYPE NINE
Nines are often harmonious and agreeable. They are motivated by a need to find internal
and external peace to the point that they often forget to give attention to their own thoughts,
feelings, and desires. As members of the Gut or Anger triad, they often ignore their own
sense of intuition, and they repress their anger for fear of causing conflict. They are natural
mediators and peacemakers who make others feel at home, and they tend to be kind,
connective, and deliberate.

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