Enneagram 3’s are called The Achiever. They are motivated by the need to be productive, achieve success, and avoid failure. Three’s can also be playful, giving, responsible, and well-regarded by others in the community. 

Type threes are often hardworking, goal-oriented, organized, and decisive. Threes can radiate confidence that others find assurance and inspiring. They like their work to convey their competency. 

Type threes are efficient at getting things done. They aim to achieve personal goals and have a keen ability to size up tasks and understand the dynamics within teams.

Enneagram 3 Strengths

  • Drive

  • Efficiency

  • Optimism

  • Pragmatic

  • Confidence

  • Adaptable

  • Focused

  • Charisma

Threes enjoy motivating others to greater heights of success and are appreciated for their many successes. They enjoy finding ways to make it possible for others to get ahead.  Their growth direction helps them to embrace honesty, commitment, and loyalty to others.

Development Opportunities For Enneagram Type 3s

Threes may need to monitor their willingness to be charitable and cooperative in their relationships. One way they can do this is by taking time to pause during a busy day to connect with an individual to learn more about their goals, cares, or desires.

Type threes may struggle with taking a  break. Their strong drive for achievement can lead them to exhaustion with a relentless pursuit of their goals. Ambition and self-development are

good qualities, but threes must temper their drive with rest. Something as simple as taking a few deep breaths is enough to recharge their batteries and improve their outlook. 

Another way type threes can transcend their personal interests is by working cooperatively with others toward goals. This effort can be a powerful way of finding their true value and identity. 

Threes can also grow by being mindful of how often a desire for acceptance drives their actions.

Enneagram 3 Blindspots

  • Impatience

  • Scheming

  • Image-Driven

  • Lacking Transparency

  • Self-Promoting

  • Insensitive

Unhealthy threes are very self-conscious. They want to be admired and accepted according to social norms. In stress, threes become performance-driven to receive praise and attention.

The temptation of a three is efficiency at all costs. While type threes are often perceived as being highly relational, relationships can be in service of their need to be successful and drive for achievement.

An unhealthy three is mechanical, calculating, impatient, chameleon-like, scheming, image-conscious, self-promoting, success-driven, slick, political, and ignores feelings.

Identifying your type is not an excuse for specific behaviors. Such as, “I can’t restrain my drive for success; I’m a three.” Instead, threes can consider, “Perhaps I am allowing a need for recognition to get the best of me. Am I reacting to this to feel safe?”

Enneagram 3 Wings

A three can have a two or a four wing. 

Threes with a two wing tend to be more people-oriented. They can be helpful, socially adept, and tuned in to others while using their charm. In stressful situations, they can become possessive, flattering, and manipulative.

Threes with a four wing tend to have a strong imagination. They are creative, introspective, and more subdued. Under stress, they can be moody, arrogant, and pretentious.

Enneagram Type 3 At Work

Threes bring excellence and adaptability to teams. Often extremely polished, threes can excel in roles that require selling, marketing, or going above and beyond to help and serve the target audience.

Threes work best in teams when given a role where their impressive results are valued. However, team members may find type threes challenging if they become too possessive of the work rather than exercising collaboration or delegation. 

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THE ENNEAGRAM GUIDE TO HEALTHY TEAMS

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A Coaching Tip to Help Enneagram 3s On A Team

In groups or teams, threes may experience frustration if others don’t automatically get on board with their proposed goals or plans. Threes need to recognize the differing perspectives or ideas that team members have for getting to the end goal.

As a practical tip, threes can consider using questions rather than statements when they don’t understand or disagree with a team member’s approach. For example, “Can you share more about the rationale behind that approach so I can better understand it?”

Threes can be a valuable asset to their team, realizing that not everyone will share in my drivenness but that everyone has a unique talent to contribute.

Type threes can also attend to the needs of others with energy, recognizing that interruptions may be a way of gaining new insight to reach a goal collaboratively.

Continue To Grow As An Enneagram 3

The Enneagram is helpful because it identifies fears and challenges related to each personality type. The goal is to recognize and use the insights to experience transformational growth.

A healthy three learns to balance their drive for efficiency and success with compassion and transparency. Threes can experience transformation by letting go of the belief that their value is dependent on the positive regard of others. 

In some cases, a three will need to risk losing the approval of others to follow their own heart and to live truthfully. Healthy threes value genuineness above accomplishment and believe they are valuable for who they are, not what they have, produce, or achieve.

Did you know that Cloverleaf can help you use your Enneagram results to sharpen your professional development and work environment?

Click here to learn more about how to apply assessment insights to help your team thrive. 

Are you unsure of your type or want to validate your number? Take our free Enneagram Test to help clarify your specific type. You’ll also receive an in-depth, accurate report to help you understand your number.

Want to learn about the rest of the Enneagram Types? Read more about the Enneagram: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9!

Enneagram Type 3

Enneagram 4’s are called The Originalist. They are motivated by a longing to avoid seeming ordinary. Fours like to search for deeper meaning, experience authentic feelings, and to be understood. 

Type fours are typically empathetic in relationships, supportive, gentle, playful, passionate, and witty. They can form bonds quickly and prefer to be transparent. Fours strive to find novel and unexpected solutions to problems that others might overlook.

Fours like to use their talents to help awaken a sense of harmony within their surroundings. They have a gift for helping others develop an appreciation for beauty.

Enneagram 4 Strengths

  • Expressive

  • Authentic

  • Warm

  • Compassionate

  • Introspective

  • Creative

  • Intuitive

  • Supportive

Type fours are artistic and have a heightened sense of the moods and feelings of others with precision and profundity. Their growth direction helps them to act on their ideals, be more objective and organized, and be less self-absorbed.

Development Opportunities for Enneagram Type 4s

Fours can work to be proactive rather than putting off things until they are “in the right mood.” They can commit to being productive and finding ways to make meaningful contributions for their own good and that of others, no matter how small the tasks or effort may be. 

Type fours may struggle with feeling ready to take on a challenge and argue that they need more time. However, small steps can help strengthen their resolve and bring out their best work. 

Fours can also benefit from establishing self-discipline, such as setting a sleeping routine, maintaining an exercise schedule, and working regular hours.

Enneagram 4 Blindspots

  • Possessive

  • Sensitive

  • Melancholy

  • Eccentric

  • Detachment

  • Self-Absorbed

An unhealthy four can be moody, dramatic, or exaggerated. They may also become possessive, high-strung, and clingy if they feel misunderstood or to garner attention.

In stress, fours can hold grudges, fluctuate between hyperactivity and being overly sedentary, and go to extreme measures to avoid feeling mundane or ordinary.

Identifying your type is not an excuse for specific behaviors. Such as, “I can’t help being dramatic; I’m a four.” Instead, fours can consider, “Perhaps I am allowing my emotions to get the best of me. Am I reacting to this to feel safe?”

Enneagram 4 Wings

A four can have a three or a five wing. 

Fours with a three wing tend to be more lively, ambitious, and outgoing. They may become attention-seeking and elitist in stressful situations.

A four with a five wing tend to be more contemplative, objective, quiet, and unconventional. Under stress, they can alienate themself and be withdrawn or pessimistic.

Enneagram Type 4 At Work

Fours bring creativity and a greater sense of awareness to teams because they are naturally oriented toward feelings and aesthetics. Type fours can help ensure goals are created and executed in a manner that aligns with the vision and culture of the team.

Team members may find a type four challenging to work with if they become self-absorbed or isolate themselves from fully participating in the group.

Fours work best in teams when given the opportunity to share their creative abilities and unique perspective concerning projects.

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THE ENNEAGRAM GUIDE TO HEALTHY TEAMS

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A Coaching Tip to Help Enneagram 4s On A Team

Within a team, fours may detach themselves from situations that don’t particularly move or inspire them or if difficult team dynamics are not being addressed. It’s important for fours to remain tuned into their team and recognize when they have the tendency to break away.

As a practical tip, in group settings, when fours notice themselves getting distracted or feel ready to disengage, they may consider sharing a thought, idea, or question with the team to help stay focused.

Fours can help others solve problems by offering their creative ideas or providing aesthetic suggestions that can enrich others, realizing that one of their gifts is making the ‘small’ things feel special.

At work, their style is expressing themselves through creativity. Whether that is through art or helping to problem solve a difficult situation. Fours can bring a new, alternative approach to the work setting that is fresh and otherwise may have never been represented.

Continue To Grow As An Enneagram 4

The Enneagram is helpful because it identifies fears and challenges related to each personality type. The goal is to recognize and use the insights to experience transformational growth.

Fours can fall prey to feeling envious of others, especially if they deem them to have a unique perspective, quality, or talent. Because type fours fear being perceived as ordinary, they are susceptible to feelings of discontentment.

The way of personal transformation for a type four is to practice self-regulating their emotions and thoughts. Fours must realize that everyone has flaws and they have much to appreciate concerning their own experiences.

Fours can move beyond being entangled in their emotions by embracing their capacity to exercise self-discipline and use their creativity to serve others. It is a sign of health when a four can experience what they feel without allowing their emotions to overwhelm them or sabotage their goals.

Did you know that Cloverleaf can help you use your Enneagram results to sharpen your professional development and work environment?

Click here to learn more about how to apply assessment insights to help your team thrive. 

Are you unsure of your type or want to validate your number? Take our free Enneagram Test to help clarify your specific type. You’ll also receive an in-depth, accurate report to help you understand your number.

Want to learn about the rest of the Enneagram Types? Read more about the Enneagram:1,2,3,5,6,7, 8, and 9!

Enneagram Type 4

Enneagram 7’s are called The Enthusiast. They are motivated by a desire to be happy. Sevens like to plan enjoyable activities, contribute to the world, and avoid suffering or uncomfortable feelings.

Type sevens enjoy introducing others to new experiences and adventures. They often prefer to juggle tasks at once because they are quick-minded and can learn new things quickly.

Sevens typically radiate joy and optimism, express childlike astonishment, and experience life as a gift. They are full of good humor, playful, a share a disarming type of charm.

Enneagram 7 Strengths

  • Enthusiastic

  • Fun-loving

  • Spontaneous

  • Imaginative

  • Confident

  • Charming

  • Curious

  • Outgoing

  • Light-hearted

When Sevens are secure, they are visionary, appreciative, sober-minded, and practice being present with others. Their growth direction helps them to practice discipline, process emotions, and accept the good and bad of life.

Development Opportunities for Enneagram Type 7s

Sevens can practice recognizing moments of impulse and learn to observe these desires rather than give succumb. Type sevens can pause taking action, gather feedback, and better assess which desires or ideas are worth acting on. 

Sevens can also earn to appreciate silence and solitude: rather than noise or activity to distract them. By learning to live with less external stimulation, sevens can find satisfaction in less consumption and periods of solitude.

Type sevens should make it a habit to choose quality over quantity, especially in their experiences, by giving their full attention to the immediate moment. Living with constant anticipation of future events can undermine the possibility of finding satisfaction.

Enneagram 7 Blindspots

  • Escapism

  • Impulsive

  • Naivety

  • Anxiety

  • Self-Centeredness

  • Difficulty Committing

An unhealthy seven can be superficial, narcissistic, indulgent, irresponsible, inconsistent, and scattered. It is hard to confine an unhealthy seven. Sevens can become oblivious to their weaknesses and those of others. 

Sevens can put themselves at risk because of their naiveté and are sometimes unrealistic, lacking the self-discipline to say no or pause from taking action.

Identifying your type is not an excuse for specific behaviors. Such as, “I don’t like commitments; they’re too restrictive. I’m a seven.” Instead, sevens can consider, “Perhaps I am being self-centered or running from difficult feelings. Am I reacting to this to feel safe?”

Enneagram 7 Wings

A seven can have a six or an eight wing. 

A seven with a six wing can tend to be more light-hearted, dutiful, and committed. They may become fidgety, sensitive, hesitant, and anxious in stressful situations.

A seven with an eight wing tends to be more assertive, powerful, and confident. Under stress, they can become self-centered, indulgent, self-centered, and impatient.

Enneagram Type 7 At Work

Sevens bring lightning-fast action and team spirit to a team environment. They have a knack for making teamwork fun, ensuring members enjoy themselves, even while working hard.

Teams members can find sevens challenging to work with if they become overly scattered or busy, making it difficult to prioritize initiatives and complete objectives. Typically, sevens can do their best work in a role that permits variety, spontaneity, and socializing.

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THE ENNEAGRAM GUIDE TO HEALTHY TEAMS

Inside this free guide, you'll learn:

A Coaching Tip to Help Enneagram 7s On A Team

In groups or teams, sevens can get engaged and excited about an idea being discussed or debated. Sevens need to invite the ideas of others, even if those ideas don’t come as rapidly as their own.

As a practical tip, sevens may consider self-coaching in the moment and prompt themselves to ask someone else about their perspective when they notice themselves getting overly enthusiastic!

Sevens are highly creative and enjoy brainstorming ideas outside the norms. Sevens have great energy and can take on projects alone but sometimes have difficulty sticking to deadlines. They enjoy autonomy and can figure out how to get the work done; however, deadlines are helpful.

Continue To Grow As An Enneagram 7

The Enneagram is helpful because it identifies fears and challenges related to each personality type. The goal is to recognize and use the insights to experience transformational growth.

Sevens need to remind themself that problems will not go away, and it is best to face them rather than deny or gloss over difficult situations. They can also benefit from trusted friends or coworkers who help them stay in touch with their feelings and create space to express them.

Painful emotions can be terrifying to a seven, and they will find ways to avoid them. Type sevens appreciate confidants who will be gentle with criticism and feedback.

Sevens are the consumers of life, they want to take it all in. They do not want to miss out on anything and can suffer from “the grass is always greener” syndrome. This can lead them constantly seek new experiences and excitement.

The way forward for a seven is to practice is to pay attention when they are avoidant and articulating the issue; doing so can lead to fulfillment.

Seven love to think about the future, but transformation happens by living in the present. When sevens give preference to others and choose to be present, they can experience profound joy and find gratitude in the moment.

Did you know that Cloverleaf can help you use your Enneagram results to sharpen your professional development and work environment?

Click here to learn more about how to apply assessment insights to help your team thrive. 

Are you unsure of your type or want to validate your number? Take our free Enneagram Test to help clarify your specific type. You’ll also receive an in-depth, accurate report to help you understand your number.

Want to learn about the rest of the Enneagram Types? Read more about the Enneagram:1,2,3,4,5,6,8, and 9!

Enneagram Type 7

Hard times are unique opportunities to deepen relationships. But we may not know how to get a deep and vulnerable conversation started, especially in a work environment.

Using Enneagram group discussion questions can help individuals and team members learn more about one another. If you or a coworker do not know your Enneagram type, take our free assessment to help guide your conversation.

In all meaningful discussions, there are two roles – the listener and the processor. One person should be the processor for all three questions, while all others practice as listeners.

The listener’s main role is to…listen! Listening can be difficult. When someone shares their experience, it’s normal to want to respond quickly with something like, “Me too. I was thinking….”

However, this attempt to relate quickly can unintentionally prohibit the other person’s ability to continue processing. The listener must resist the urge and focus on listening. The listener can ask clarifying questions to help keep all focus on the processor, giving them safe space and time to think out loud.

The processor’s main role is to…process! The processor should try to elaborate and avoid giving one-sentence answers. Be curious about yourself, honest about difficult insights, and hopeful about how discussing the Enneagram can help you discover your unique work style and motivations.

Below are three Enneagram group discussion questions that can help you use the Enneagram at work or with friends to increase personal growth and development.

Note: Before starting, the listener will need to know the processor’s enneagram type.

Question #1: Listener asks Processor: “As an Enneagram Type ____, your core fear is likely ____. In what ways do you think that can affect you?”

For reference, below are the core fears of each Enneagram Type.

Enneagram 1: Being corrupt, losing a sense of integrity; being wrong or lazy

Enneagram 2: Being unloved or unwanted

Enneagram 3: Being worthless or undesirable apart from achievements; being disrespected

Enneagram 4: Not being unique and being seen as worthless for this

Enneagram 5: Being helpless or incompetent; not being knowledgeable

Enneagram 6: Not have direction or support; not be able to keep going on their own; uncertainty

Enneagram 7: Needs and wants are not fulfilled by others; pain; deprivation

Enneagram 8: Being limited or controlled

Enneagram 9: Being disconnected from others, being confronted

Do you need help navigating your work relationships or developing a work culture where people can thrive? Download the free Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams In The Workplace.

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Question #2: The Listener asks the Processor: “As an Enneagram Type ____, you’re likely motivated by ____. What are two things you can do this week that motivate you?”

For reference, below are the core motivations of each Enneagram Type.

Enneagram 1: Solving problems and bringing order and organization to chaos

Enneagram 2: Helping others

Enneagram 3: Optimism and achieving goals

Enneagram 4: Creativity, finding deeper meaning, and experiencing authentic feelings

Enneagram 5: Learning and having a deep knowledge of topics

Enneagram 6: Creating and finding security, having a duty or responsibility to complete something

Enneagram 7: Being happy and contributing to the world to relieve suffering

Enneagram 8: Being self-reliant and fighting for just causes

Enneagram 9: Keeping the peace and connecting others

Question #3: The listener asks the Processor: “As a friend (or coworker), what is the best way I can help you with this?”

Whether you are a new manager hoping to build trust or a coworker who wants to understand a teammate better, asking these three questions can lead to powerful learning about one another.

To further explore how to improve workplace communication, check out the post, 4 Effective Enneagram Activities To Help Develop Your Team.

Did you know that Cloverleaf can help you use your Enneagram results to sharpen your professional development and work environment?

Click here to learn more about how Cloverleaf turns leading personality and strength-based assessments into actionable coaching inside your enterprise organization.

Enneagram 8’s are called The Challenger. They are motivated to be self-reliant, strong, and independent. When healthy, type eights are caring, positive, playful, truthful, straightforward, generous, and supportive. 

Eights excel at taking the initiative and want to be in charge to be free to choose the course of action they feel is right. Type eights have a strong sense of justice and use their instincts to discern if something is wrong. 

Eights desire to be a reliable source for others and like to protect the weak or vulnerable. They are capable of providing strength to those who need support. Type eights are unafraid of conflict and willingly engage in finding solutions. 

Enneagram 8 Strengths

  • Self-confident

  • Bold

  • Direct

  • Decisive

  • Loyal

  • Energetic

  • Protective

  • Strategic

When Eights are secure, they are strong, assertive, and influential. Their growth direction helps them to become more compassionate, warm, and magnanimous toward others.

Development Opportunities for Enneagram Type 8s

Eights can learn to yield to others and be more compromising, remember that the world is not against you. It is helpful for eights to consider that there are many people in their life who

care about and admire them.

Enneagram 8 Blindspots

  • Impatience

  • Combative

  • Controlling

  • Manipulative

  • Lack of boundaries

  • Domineering

  • Impulsive

When unhealthy, eights typically overvalue power. They believe having power, whether through wealth, position, sheer will, or even force, allows them to remain in control, feel important, or even feared. 

An exercise eights can try is to pick an area of their life where they feel especially in control and give others in that sphere of influence the opportunity to take charge.

Identifying your type is not an excuse for specific behaviors. Such as, “well, I just like to get stuff done; I’m an eight.” Instead, eights can consider, “Perhaps I am being controlling and overbearing. Am I reacting to this to feel safe?”

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THE ENNEAGRAM GUIDE TO HEALTHY TEAMS

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Enneagram 8 Wings

An eight can have a seven or a nine wing. 

An eight with a seven wing tends to be assertive. This wing can influence them to take risks and be more social and ambitious. It may also make them impulsive, reactive, addictive, or materialistic during stressful situations.

An eight with a nine wing tends to be more quiet, steady, patient, and supportive. In times of stress, they can become cold and indifferent.

Enneagram Type 8 At Work

Eights bring strength and energy to teams. Natural leaders, eights are great at getting a project started and ensuring that it continues progressing. 

Team members can be challenged by eights if they become domineering and restrict others from having an equal voice that impacts outcomes. Type eights do best in active, “doing” roles and situations where they can express their natural confidence and leadership.

 Did you know that Cloverleaf can help you use your Enneagram results to sharpen your professional development and work environment?

Click here to learn more about how to apply assessment insights to help your team thrive. 

A Coaching Tip to Help Enneagram 8s On A Team

In groups or teams, eights may automatically step up to lead a project or initiative, especially if they sense it needs more direction or structure. Eights need to recognize they don’t always have to play this role. Holding back can allow others to share in the leadership and help the eight avoid burnout.

As a practical tip, eights might consider identifying the types of projects they are best suited to lead or limit themselves to a certain number of initiatives in a given time period.  

Type eights are individually motivated to work hard and pull for the underdog when necessary. Eights should be mindful during challenges or conflicts as others may misinterpret their intensity for anger. Also, eights can appreciate when others challenge their ideas because they interpret it as working toward the common good.

Continue To Grow As An Enneagram 8

The Enneagram is helpful because it identifies fears and challenges related to each personality type. The goal is to recognize and use the insights to experience transformational growth.

Eights can trust that others are not ‘against’ them. With compassion and forgiveness, an eight can increase awareness to intentionally use their drive to serve others in kindness.

Recognizing that the strength of their personality can be overwhelming to others but also can help in getting things done. They can have a tendency to “fire, ready, aim”; however, being open to feedback can prevent mishaps and help ensure they reach their goals. Eights can remind themself that others may interpret their willingness to push for and engage in conflict as lacking self-control or domineering.

Slowing down to wait and not immediately respond can help an eight to think things through and process their feelings. Carefully gathering information in a thorough, non-biased way will often require an eight to seek another perspective before coming to their own conclusion.

Are you unsure of your type or want to validate your number? Take our free Enneagram Test to help clarify your specific type. You’ll also receive an in-depth, accurate report to help you understand your number.

Want to learn about the rest of the Enneagram Types? Read more about the Enneagram: 1,2,3,4 5,6,7, and 9!

enneagram type 8

There are two types of arrows that branch off of your dominant Enneagram Type.  These arrows express your Direction of Growth and your Direction of Stress, which means how you will likely act in different scenarios.

Look at the image below to help you further understand what the arrows mean. For example, when under a great deal of stress, a Type 1 will exhibit the unhealthy characteristics of Type 4, and when experiencing growth, a Type 1 will display the healthy attributes of Type 7.

The Stress Arrows point to how the type is likely to act out if they are under increased stress and pressure—when they feel they are not in control of the situation. For Type One, the stress arrow points to Type Four.

The Growth Arrow points to the type representing how a person behaves when moving toward health and security. For Type One, the growth arrow points to Type Seven.

enneagram diagram with arrows

Enneagram Growth Arrows

Your Direction of Growth represents the behaviors you exude when experiencing growth.  The sequences are 1-7-5-8-2-4-1 and 9-3-6-9. 

So, again if you are an Enneagram One, your Direction of Growth is Seven. This arrow generally represents positive action that will lead to improvement over time. In times of growth, a One will likely behave like a healthy Seven.

Enneagram Stress Arrows

Your Direction of Stress represents how you act under stress.  The sequences are 1-4-2-8-5-7-1 and 9-6-3-9. 

Returning to the Enneagram One for our example, their Direction of Stress is toward Type Four.  Under stress, a One may behave like an unhealthy Four.  This arrow generally represents a negative and a downhill course of action; until it is recognized, it could have an unfavorable effect on you and others.

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THE ENNEAGRAM GUIDE TO HEALTHY TEAMS

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Enneagram Arrows Explained For Each Type

Enneagram 1 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to Four

  • Stress impacts ones with a sense of hopelessness, becoming overly self-conscience and critical.

When Secure

  • Move to Seven

  • When ones feel secure, they enjoy having fun and are more spontaneous.

Enneagram 2 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to Eight

  • Stress can cause twos to become aggressive (especially when they don’t feel appreciated) to the point of attacking, blaming, and seeking to control.

When Secure

  • Move to Four

  • When twos feel secure, they are more transparent, possess creative potential, are aware of their feelings, and are honest about their full emotions.

Enneagram 3 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to Nine

  • Stress can cause threes to become passive-aggressive, avoiding, and vengeful.

When Secure

  • Move to Six

  • When threes feel secure, they become more committed and invest in causes they truly believe in (not just what makes them look good).

Enneagram 4 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to Two

  • Stress can cause fours to become codependent or manipulative and attention-seeking.

When Secure

  • Move to One

  • When fours feel secure, they act on their ideals to be more objective and less self-absorbed.

Enneagram 5 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to Seven

  • Stress impacts fives toward becoming easily distracted, insensitive, and withdrawn by spending too much time/money on their interests.

When Secure

  • Move to Eight

  • When fives feel secure, they will exude more energy and action, taking the initiative with a greater sense of living in the moment.

Enneagram 6 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to Three

  • Stress can cause sixes to seek to impress or use others for their gain.

When Secure

  • Move to Nine

  • When sixes feel secure, they develop a calmness about themselves and are more trusting of others rather than suspecting their motives.

Enneagram 7 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to One

  • Stress impacts sevens toward self-criticism, fault-finding, and blaming others.

When Secure

  • Move to Five

  • When sevens feel secure, they accept the good and the bad, the happy and the sad aspects of life, while practicing self-discipline.

Enneagram 8 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to Five

  • Stress can cause eights to withdraw or become paranoid.

When Secure

  • Move to Two

  • When eights feel secure, they relate successfully to people with warmth and compassion.

Enneagram 9 Arrows

Under Stress

  • Move to Six

  • When nines experience stress, they feel a sense of being overwhelmed by anxiety and indecisiveness.

When Secure

  • Move to Three

  • When nines feel secure, they tend to be more practical, productive, focused, and confident.

The nine Enneagram personality types are not static categories and can change over time. The growth and stress lines within the Enneagram symbol are not arbitrary. These inner lines connect the types in a sequence that denotes what each type will do under different conditions. 

In other words, different situations evoke different responses from each type’s personality, and these lines help make sense of these responses.

In both arrows, a person can access both the resourceful (positive) and non-resourceful (negative) tendencies of the arrow type.

Did you know that Cloverleaf can help you use your Enneagram results to sharpen your professional development and work environment?

Do you need help navigating your work relationships or developing a work culture where people can thrive? Download the free Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams In The Workplace.

Do you need help figuring out your dominant Enneagram Type? Take our free Enneagram Test to receive in-depth, accurate information to help you identify your type.