Understanding these movements adds another layer to your Enneagram knowledge—helping you recognize patterns, make better choices, and move toward growth with intention.
The Enneagram helps explain different personality types and how they respond in ties of stress and growth. The arrows in the Enneagram diagram map out these patterns, revealing where each type might struggle under pressure and where they naturally grow when thriving. Instead of being stuck in one type, you move between connected points—tapping into different strengths or challenges depending on your circumstances.
Every type connects to two others:
- One shows where you go under stress, often bringing out reactive or unhelpful patterns.
- The other shows your path to growth, revealing strengths that help you develop and expand.
Understanding the Enneagram Diagram: What the Arrows Mean
The Enneagram diagram is not a static chart of personality types—it’s a map of movement. The arrows indicate how each type responds to stress and growth, giving insight into both challenges and opportunities for personal development.
How the Arrows Work
Each Enneagram type connects to two other types with arrows:
😩 Stress Arrow → The tendencies you fall into when feeling pressured or overwhelmed.
🙂 Growth Arrow → The qualities you develop when operating at your best.
For example, look at Type 1 in the diagram above. You’ll see two arrows connected to it:
- One arrow points toward Type 4—this represents how Ones tend to take on unhealthy Four-like tendencies (becoming more self-critical or emotionally withdrawn) when under stress.
- The other arrow connects to Type 7—this shows how Ones adopt more flexibility, spontaneity, and joy like a secure type seven when growing in a healthy direction.
These connections help explain why you react the way you do in difficult situations and how you can practice more awareness to choose growth. Rather than staying stuck in stressful behaviors, recognizing your arrows gives you a practical path forward.
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.
The Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams
See How High-Performing Teams Use the Enneagram to Strengthen Collaboration
Enneagram Arrows Explained For Each Type
Select The Enneagram Type To Learn About Their Stress and Growth Arrows
Enneagram 1 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 1s are principled, detail-oriented, and driven by a desire to do things the right way. Their arrows show how they respond when things feel out of control versus when they are growing into their best self.
Stress Arrow → Type 4 (The Individualist)
When overwhelmed, frustrated, or feeling like their high standards aren’t being met, Ones may take on unhealthy traits of Type 4:
👉 Become overly self-critical and withdrawn.
👉 Feel misunderstood or resentful when others don’t meet their expectations.
👉 Get stuck in negative emotions, dwelling on what should have been.
Growth Arrow → Type 7 (The Enthusiast)
When thriving, Ones move toward the best qualities of Type 7:
🪴 Embrace spontaneity and find joy in the process, not just the outcome.
🪴 Become more adaptable, learning to let go of rigid expectations.
🪴 Allow themselves to have fun and enjoy life without guilt.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 Notice early signs of stress—if you’re withdrawing or feeling frustrated, pause before getting stuck in a perfectionist spiral.
💡Give yourself permission to loosen up—small moments of spontaneity can help shift your perspective.
💡Encourage flexibility in teams and relationships—trust that things don’t have to be perfect to be good enough.
Coaching Tip: If you find yourself getting too rigid or critical, ask: What would a healthy Seven do in this situation?
Enneagram 2 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 2s are warm, generous, and driven by a desire to help others. Their arrows show how they respond when they feel unappreciated or overextended versus when they are growing into their healthiest self.
Stress Arrow → Type 8 (The Challenger)
When feeling overworked, taken for granted, or emotionally drained, Twos may take on unhealthy traits of Type 8:
👉 Become controlling or aggressive, demanding appreciation.
👉 Push others away by being overly forceful or defensive.
👉 Struggle with resentment, feeling unrecognized for their efforts.
Growth Arrow → Type 4 (The Individualist)
When thriving, Twos move toward the best qualities of Type 4:
🪴 Prioritize their own emotions and well-being instead of overextending.
🪴 Develop a deeper sense of self, finding worth beyond external validation.
🪴 Express their feelings more authentically, rather than always focusing on others.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 Pay attention to resentment—if you feel unappreciated, check if you’ve overextended yourself.
💡 Give yourself permission to say no—helping others is meaningful, but your needs matter too.
💡 Encourage emotional depth—allow space for personal reflection, not just external connection.
Coaching Tip: If you find yourself feeling undervalued or frustrated, ask: What would a healthy Four do in this situation?
Enneagram 3 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 3s are ambitious, driven, and focused on success. Their arrows show how they respond when they feel overwhelmed or like they’re failing versus when they are growing into their healthiest self.
Stress Arrow → Type 9 (The Peacemaker)
When feeling burned out, unrecognized, or unsure of their next step, Threes may take on unhealthy traits of Type 9:
👉 Become disengaged or passive, avoiding important tasks.
👉 Struggle with indecision, procrastinating instead of taking action.
👉 Disconnect from their own desires, going along with others to keep the peace.
Growth Arrow → Type 6 (The Loyalist)
When thriving, Threes move toward the best qualities of Type 6:
🪴 Become more team-oriented, valuing collaboration over competition.
🪴 Develop deeper loyalty to long-term goals, rather than chasing short-term wins.
🪴 Learn to trust others and seek guidance instead of relying solely on self-sufficiency.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 Watch for avoidance—if you’re putting off important tasks, ask what’s really holding you back.
💡 Lean into collaboration—success isn’t just about achievement, but about meaningful relationships.
💡 Stay grounded in your values—true fulfillment comes from purpose, not just external recognition.
Coaching Tip: If you find yourself stuck in avoidance or self-doubt, ask: What would a healthy Six do in this situation?
Enneagram 4 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 4s are introspective, creative, and deeply in tune with their emotions. Their arrows show how they respond when they feel overwhelmed by emotions or disconnected from meaning versus when they are growing into their most balanced self.
Stress Arrow → Type 2 (The Helper)
When feeling insecure, emotionally drained, or longing for validation, Fours may take on unhealthy traits of Type 2:
👉 Become overly dependent on others for reassurance and affirmation.
👉 Focus on pleasing others while neglecting their own needs.
👉 Seek attention or connection in ways that feel inauthentic.
Growth Arrow → Type 1 (The Reformer)
When thriving, Fours move toward the best qualities of Type 1:
🪴 Channel emotions into purposeful action and meaningful structure.
🪴 Develop discipline and focus, refining creative ideas into real impact.
🪴 Learn to balance feelings with objective thinking, making space for both passion and practicality.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 Notice when you’re seeking external validation—real worth comes from within.
💡 Use structure and discipline to bring your creativity to life—great ideas need follow-through.
💡 Balance feelings with action—emotions are important, but they don’t have to dictate every decision.
Coaching Tip: If you feel lost in emotions or self-doubt, ask: What would a healthy One do in this situation?
Enneagram 5 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 5s are analytical, independent, and deeply curious. Their arrows show how they respond when they feel mentally drained or overwhelmed by demands versus when they are growing into their most engaged self.
Stress Arrow → Type 7 (The Enthusiast)
When overextended or trying to escape pressure, Fives may take on unhealthy traits of Type 7:
👉 Distract themselves with excessive ideas, hobbies, or entertainment.
👉 Struggle to follow through, jumping from one interest to another.
👉 Avoid deep emotional engagement by staying busy or detached.
Growth Arrow → Type 8 (The Challenger)
When thriving, Fives move toward the best qualities of Type 8:
🪴 Step into leadership with confidence, trusting their expertise.
🪴 Become more assertive, sharing their knowledge with conviction.
🪴 Engage more fully with the world, taking action instead of overanalyzing.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 Notice when you’re avoiding action—sometimes, doing is more valuable than thinking.
💡 Share your knowledge with confidence—your insights have impact when applied.
💡 Engage with the present moment—wisdom is gained through experience, not just analysis.
Coaching Tip: If you feel stuck in overthinking or detachment, ask: What would a healthy Eight do in this situation?
Enneagram 6 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 6s are loyal, security-oriented, and excellent problem-solvers. Their arrows show how they respond when they feel uncertain or anxious versus when they are growing into their most confident self.
Stress Arrow → Type 3 (The Achiever)
When feeling insecure or pressured to prove themselves, Sixes may take on unhealthy traits of Type 3:
👉 Overwork themselves, seeking validation through productivity.
👉 Become overly image-conscious, focusing on external success rather than internal security.
👉 Ignore their own doubts and instincts, trying to “perform” their way to confidence.
Growth Arrow → Type 9 (The Peacemaker)
When thriving, Sixes move toward the best qualities of Type 9:
🪴 Develop a calm, steady trust in themselves and others.
🪴 Let go of excessive worry and embrace a more balanced perspective.
🪴 Become more adaptable, learning to move with situations rather than against them.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 Notice when you’re seeking external reassurance—confidence comes from within.
💡 Practice relaxation techniques—small moments of stillness can help reset anxious thoughts.
💡 Trust your instincts—while preparation is helpful, you don’t have to anticipate every possible outcome.
Coaching Tip: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by doubt or overcompensating with busyness, ask: What would a healthy Nine do in this situation?
Enneagram 7 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 7s are energetic, optimistic, and always looking for the next big adventure. Their arrows show how they respond when they feel trapped or overwhelmed versus when they are growing into their most grounded self.
Stress Arrow → Type 1 (The Reformer)
When under pressure, feeling restricted, or facing failure, Sevens may take on unhealthy traits of Type 1:
👉 Become overly critical—of themselves and others.
👉 Get stuck in rigid thinking, trying to control situations to avoid discomfort.
👉 Feel frustrated when things aren’t going according to plan, losing their usual flexibility.
Growth Arrow → Type 5 (The Investigator)
When thriving, Sevens move toward the best qualities of Type 5:
🪴 Slow down and engage more deeply in their interests.
🪴 Become more introspective, learning to sit with emotions rather than escaping them.
🪴 Develop focus and patience, seeing things through rather than jumping to the next idea.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 If you find yourself jumping from one distraction to another, pause and reflect—what are you avoiding?
💡 Create space for deeper thinking—quality over quantity leads to more fulfillment.
💡 Balance excitement with endurance—your best ideas come to life when you commit to them fully.
Coaching Tip: If you’re feeling restless or overwhelmed, ask: What would a healthy Five do in this situation?
Enneagram 8 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 8s are strong-willed, decisive, and protective. Their arrows show how they respond when they feel threatened or out of control versus when they are growing into their most compassionate self.
Stress Arrow → Type 5 (The Investigator)
When overwhelmed, feeling vulnerable, or losing trust in others, Eights may take on unhealthy traits of Type 5:
👉 Withdraw from others, becoming emotionally distant and secretive.
👉 Overanalyze situations instead of taking action.
👉 Distrust people’s intentions and retreat into isolation.
Growth Arrow → Type 2 (The Helper)
When thriving, Eights move toward the best qualities of Type 2:
🪴 Open up emotionally, allowing themselves to be more vulnerable.
🪴 Focus on supporting and nurturing others, rather than just protecting them.
🪴 Build deeper relationships by showing care and appreciation.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 If you’re pulling away and shutting people out, consider whether you actually need more connection, not less.
💡 Let others support you—strength isn’t just about being independent, it’s also about knowing when to trust.
💡 Lead with both power and heart—your ability to protect others is strongest when they know you genuinely care.
Coaching Tip: If you find yourself closing off emotionally, ask: What would a healthy Two do in this situation?
Enneagram 9 Stress and Growth Arrows
Type 9s are easygoing, adaptable, and value harmony. Their arrows show how they respond when they feel overwhelmed or unheard versus when they are stepping into their full potential.
Stress Arrow → Type 6 (The Loyalist)
When under stress or feeling pressured, Nines may take on unhealthy traits of Type 6:
👉 Become anxious, overthinking worst-case scenarios.
👉 Seek reassurance from others but struggle to trust their own instincts.
👉 Feel overwhelmed by indecision and doubt.
Growth Arrow → Type 3 (The Achiever)
When thriving, Nines move toward the best qualities of Type 3:
🪴 Take initiative and pursue their goals with confidence.
🪴 Step into leadership, valuing their own voice and contributions.
🪴 Stay engaged and energized rather than withdrawing.
Recognizing This in Yourself and Others
💡 If you find yourself feeling stuck or uncertain, take one small action—momentum builds confidence.
💡 Remember that your voice matters—people value your perspective, even if you’re not the loudest in the room.
💡 Balance peacekeeping with personal growth—harmony isn’t just about avoiding conflict, it’s also about fully engaging.
Coaching Tip: If you’re hesitating to take action, ask: What would a healthy Three do in this situation?
Put Your Enneagram Arrows to Work
Knowing your stress and growth arrows is powerful—but using them is what leads to real change. Your arrows don’t just describe how you react under pressure; they give you a clear roadmap for growth, resilience, and better relationships.
☘️ Cloverleaf’s personalized coaching insights help you:
✅ Recognize stress patterns early—so you can pause, reset, and respond with intention instead of reaction.
✅ Lean into your growth arrow—understanding the strengths you can develop to become a more balanced version of yourself.
✅ Improve teamwork and leadership—learning how you and your colleagues handle stress and success helps you work together more effectively.
✅ Get real-time guidance—coaching insights show up before meetings, big decisions, and important conversations.
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🎯 Join 900,000+ people who are using the Enneagram to uncover the core motivations driving their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—helping them better understand themselves and how they work with others.
Most people think of the Enneagram as a self-discovery tool—something you explore in a book, take a test for, and maybe discuss over coffee with a friend. But in the workplace, personality insights mean nothing if they don’t help people work better together.
Leaders often invest in personality assessments, hoping they’ll lead to stronger teams, better communication, and more engaged employees. But too often, these insights get buried in a PDF report and never see the light of day.
That’s the real challenge: knowing your type is a great start, but to actually improve collaboration and leadership, teams need a way to take Enneagram insights off the page and apply them in daily interactions.
Ways To Use The Enneagram In The Workplace
Unlike other personality tools, the Enneagram doesn’t just tell you how people behave—it uncovers why they do it. This makes it especially powerful for:
- Teamwork → Understanding what motivates colleagues and how they respond under stress.
- Communication → Learning how to tailor feedback and collaboration styles.
- Leadership → Helping managers lead with awareness, adapting to different work styles.
But knowing someone’s type doesn’t magically fix team dynamics. That’s where most teams get stuck—they have the knowledge but no clear way to act on it.
Unlike other personality tools, the Enneagram doesn’t just tell you how people behave—it uncovers why they do it. This makes it especially powerful for:
- Teamwork → Understanding what motivates colleagues and how they respond under stress.
- Communication → Learning how to tailor feedback and collaboration styles.
- Leadership → Helping managers lead with awareness, adapting to different work styles.
But knowing someone’s type doesn’t magically fix team dynamics. That’s where most teams get stuck—they have the knowledge but no clear way to act on it.
The Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams
See How High-Performing Teams Use the Enneagram to Strengthen Collaboration
The Enneagram reveals more than what you see on the surface level. Although you may think you know and understand someone by the personality traits and patterns they display, without knowing their internal motivations, you can’t truly support or lead them as a teammate or leader.
When you discuss Enneagram types at work, you open up the possibility for empathy, compassion, and understanding. A team that works well together performs better, communicates better, and enjoys more purpose-filled work.
However, starting this conversation may be more challenging than it seems. Many people struggle to open up and be vulnerable in professional settings.
While you can’t force anyone to participate, the long-term reward of a cohesive team far outweighs the short-term inconvenience of being vulnerable.
How To Help Teammates Use The Enneagram To Work Together More Effectively
The Enneagram is most powerful when it moves beyond a framework for understanding and becomes a tool for how teams actually operate.
The Enneagram is a fun personality discussion, but it’s also a powerful tool for anticipating what each person needs to thrive at work. When teams actively use Enneagram insights in meetings, decision-making, and feedback conversations, they don’t just understand each other better—they collaborate with more empathy, communicate with more clarity, and work together more effectively.
Imagine if:
- A Type 3 manager knew their Type 9 team member needed more time to process decisions instead of rushing to move forward.
- A Type 6 employee could recognize their tendency to second-guess and build trust in their instincts.
- A Type 2 leader learned to set boundaries so they didn’t burn out trying to support everyone else.
When teams use the Enneagram actively—not just as a label, but as a tool to navigate real work situations—it strengthens relationships, improves productivity, and reduces friction.
How To Bring Your Enneagram Reports To Life
Most personality assessment platforms provide insightful reports but leave you on your own to figure out what to do with them. Technology can help you bridge the gap by bringing Enneagram insights directly into the workday.
- Personalized coaching nudges help team members understand and adjust to each other’s styles—right when they need it.
- Workplace integrations allow insights to show up inside workplace tools like Slack, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams, so they’re easy to apply in real conversations.
- Practical application turns the Enneagram from an abstract concept into a tool for making better decisions, communicating more effectively, and leading with confidence.
The Enneagram isn’t just something to learn—it’s something to use. And when teams are able to apply it intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool for stronger collaboration, better leadership, and a workplace where everyone feels understood.
☘️ Discover How Cloverleaf Transforms Enneagram Reports Into Actionable Development For Each Type
4 Reasons To Use The Enneagram With Your Team
By openly discussing and comparing Enneagram types, you can better understand yourself and others and gain insight into motivations and behaviors. You’ll see an overall improvement in conflict resolution, teamwork, and morale.
1. You Spend A Significant Amount Of Time Together
You likely find that you spend more time with your work team than any other group in your life. The relationships you build with these people can benefit you both short and long-term.
2. Healthy Work Relationships Reduce Stress
A positive working relationship with your team dramatically reduces the stress and mental energy you exert during a typical workday.
As a result, you spend less time thinking about how to avoid conflict and more time focused on decision-making, which will help your team become efficient.
3. Psychological Safety Leads To Better Performance
When you know team members deeper, collective self-doubt goes out the window, and members become more confident when everyone gets to show up at work as their authentic selves.
4. Feeling Connected As A Team Strengthens Collaboration In The Workplace
Having a personal connection with your teammates is essential because you will feel supported. It’s common for people to feel the need to be self-sufficient in the workplace, but true harmony lies with a team that understands interdependency.
Enneagram Types At Work: Recognizing One Another’s Communication Style, Habits, and Strengths
Your work habits and communication strategies depend primarily on fear and internal motivations. When you identify these in yourself and others, you will have better self-awareness and a heightened appreciation for teamwork.
Below are the nine Enneagram types, their communication, and how each personality can “show up” at work.
Select The Enneagram Type You Want To Learn About:
Enneagram Ones at Work
Enneagram Type Ones are referred to as The Reformer. This personality type values hard work, self-control, and setting high standards. They find motivation by being or doing things “right” and fear being imperfect or perceived as wrong.
They’re detail-oriented and typically the person you go to when dealing with difficult situations that require accuracy, quality control, and improvement.
Communication Style
Polite, thoughtful, detailed, and well-formulated. Ones should be mindful that they can become demanding because they have high expectations. Encouraging a One to share their perspective openly can help the team mitigate potential risks.
Under Stress: Move to Four
Stress impacts Ones with a sense of hopelessness, and they become their own worst critics.
When Secure: Move to Seven
When Ones feel secure, they lighten up and are more spontaneous.
Type Ones are people of practical action who are always concerned with doing the right thing. One’s are efficient, organized, and dependable to complete the task.
They do things in a professional, honest and ethical manner. Ones have a knack for creating structures that allow others to thrive.
Enneagram Twos at Work
Enneagram Twos at Work
Enneagram Type Twos are known as The Helper. They are positive, people-oriented individuals invested in the feelings and needs of others. Twos are motivated by being needed and fear feeling rejected by others.
Communication Style
Relational, caring, demonstrative, and supportive. The perceived health of their relationships influences how they communicate with others. They prioritize expressing care and are grateful when others do the same; a thank you can go a long way.
Under Stress: Move to Eight
Stress causes Twos to become aggressive (especially when they don’t feel
appreciated), resulting in attempting to blame or control others.
When Secure: Move to Four
When Twos feel secure, they are more transparent and exhibit creative potential. They can feel and express their full range of emotions responsibly.
This type demonstrates caring and thoughtful behavior and makes it a point to be there whenever you need them. Twos are terrific in roles that require strong people skills, anticipating the needs of others, and social interaction.
A Type Two’s strength can also surface as a weakness. Twos may lack boundaries, losing sight of their ideas, needs, and priorities with lower self-awareness.
They are consummate team players, always opting for self-sacrifice over self-promotion and happy to take on extra work when others are overloaded or in a jam.
Twos are attentive, appreciative, generous, warm, playful, and nurturing. They usually have a large circle of acquaintances and fiercely guard relationships.
Enneagram Threes at Work
Enneagram Type Threes are referred to as The Achiever. These individuals tend to be ambitious, highly productive, and appear as the symbol of success in the workplace.
Threes value appreciation and recognition. Hard work, goal-oriented, organization, and decisiveness are trademarks of this type. They are motivated by admiration and are fearful of lacking value to others.
Communication Style
Straightforward, efficient, focused, and confident. They prepare for meetings to ensure they are clear and goal-focused. It is important to them for others to reciprocate respect and value while communicating.
Under Stress: Move to Nine
Stress can cause Threes to lose focus and be preoccupied with busy work.
When Secure: Move to Six
When Threes feel secure, they are more committed and loyal. They find it easier to identify their emotions and connect with others.
In pursuit of success, Enneagram Threes may railroad others in the workplace, become workaholics, and struggle with accountability.
Threes are energized by being productive, achieving success, and avoiding failure. They can be playful, giving, responsible, and well-regarded by others in the community.
Threes can complete work efficiently and competently to ensure they reach personal goals. A Three has a keen ability to size up tasks and understand the dynamics of work groups. They can also inspire and motivate other people to excel.
Enneagram Fours at Work
Enneagram Type Fours are creative, unconventional individuals within a team known as The Originalist. Fours are motivated to express their individuality and demonstrate fear when perceived as ordinary. They value authenticity and stand by their beliefs.
Communication Style
Intense, authentic, creative, and empathetic. Fours have a strong desire to be understood and want to know how those around them feel.
Enneagram Fours value relationships and connections with other people. They seek to experience authentic feelings and to be understood. This type avoids the ordinary and searches for deeper meaning in their work.
Under Stress: Move to Two
When experiencing stress, Fours can become overly dependent upon others and seek assurance.
When Secure: Move to One
When Fours feel secure, they act on their ideals, practice organization, and use self-control.
Fours can also be empathetic in relationships, supportive, gentle, playful, passionate, and witty. They are self-revealing and can form bonds quickly with others.
Type Fours have an innate talent for identifying and expressing a sense of harmony within their surroundings. They have a gift for helping others to see beauty in their work and are great teammates to help identify unexpected solutions to problems that others may overlook.
Enneagram Fives at Work
Enneagram Type Fives are known as The Sage. They are thoughtful, cerebral types who see and interpret the world through information. Fives are motivated by a desire to be competent. They strive to be capable in all aspects and fear looking uninformed.
Fives are independent thinkers and typically enjoy working alone to process and have time to problem-solve. They are good listeners, observant, and help others understand the truth more soberly and objectively.
Communication Style
Brief, professional, objective, and reserved. Fives rely on research, insight, and knowledge before communicating and, therefore, may need time to share the next steps or ideas. This type appreciates the patience and willingness to listen to new perspectives while conversing.
Under Stress: Move to Seven
Stress can cause Fives to be easily distracted and disorganized. It can also cause them to detach themselves from the team.
When Secure: Move to Eight
When Fives feel secure, they will exude more energy and action, take the initiative, and be decisive.
Fives are kind, perceptive, open-minded, self-sufficient, and trustworthy to teammates. They have strong analytical skills and are good at problem-solving. Fives can be very helpful when teams need objectivity, clarification, or exploration of new ideas.
Enneagram Fives are naturally open and receptive to new facts and impressions, discovering new ideas, research, and innovations – particularly those that are provocative, surprising, unconventional, and profound.
Enneagram Sixes at Work
Enneagram Type Sixes are referred to as The Loyalist. They value preparedness and are dependable individuals you can trust with important decisions. This type is most motivated by stability and fears lacking direction.
Sixes possess excellent problem-solving skills and thrive on helping to create solutions. They are adept at identifying potential problems and researching viable solutions.
Communication Style
Inquisitive, witty, logical, and ironic. Sixes prefer to focus on the task at hand and typically are relational in their approach. They appreciate when others value their input and interpret their concern as a desire for the project’s success.
Under Stress: Move to Three
Stress can cause Sixes to discredit their feelings or drive them toward workaholic tendencies.
When Secure: Move to Nine
When Sixes feel secure, they can reframe unnerving thoughts, accept others, and lower their suspicions.
Sixes are warm, playful, open, loyal, supportive, honest, fair, and reliable. They are cooperative individuals willing to do what it takes to support the team.
Sixes value experience and data when considering new solutions or next steps. When deciding, a Six will often look to a book, leader, or institution for reliable answers.
Enneagram Sevens at Work
Enneagram Type Sevens are known as The Enthusiast. They are spontaneous, imaginative, charming people who bring fun to the workplace. They’re motivated to be happy and are fearful of experiencing limitations.
Sevens have a positive outlook on life, and their enthusiasm proves a valuable asset to their team. They see opportunities others may miss but can be impulsive and fail to see projects through.
Communication Style
Fast-paced, energetic, visionary, and confident. Sevens like to keep conversations upbeat. When communicating with them, look for areas of agreement and opportunities that foster synergy.
Under Stress: Move to One
Stress can lead Sevens towards criticism, fault-finding, and narrow-mindedness.
When Secure: Move to Five
When Sevens feel secure, they accept the good and the bad. They can slow their pace and focus.
Sevens are lighthearted, generous, outgoing, and caring. They enjoy sharing new experiences with friends and teammates. This type typically radiates joy and optimism, expresses childlike astonishment, and experiences life as a gift.
Enneagram Eights at Work
Enneagram Type Eights are referred to as The Challenger. These individuals stand up for what they believe in and care about justice. Eights find motivation in remaining in control and fears appearing weak or vulnerable.
Eights often emerge as natural leaders because they are action-takers and can sometimes overstep boundaries to move work forward; however, this can cause relational strain with teammates.
Communication Style
Authoritative, direct, bold, and strategic. Eights communicate in a straightforward, passionate manner. They are comfortable with debate and rarely avoid conflict. To connect with an Eight, share honestly and openly, without hesitation.
Under Stress: Move to Five
Stress causes Eights to withdraw and become rigid. They will lose touch with their emotions and ignore signs that it is time to take a break.
When Secure: Move to Two
When Eights feel secure, they become relatable to others, exhibiting warmth and compassion.
Type Eights are self-reliant, strong, and independent. They can also be loyal, caring, cheerful, and generous. Eights will take the initiative and prefer to be in charge to exercise the freedom to choose what they believe is the right course of action.
Eights can also give others a sense of strength through their positive support. They instinctively know when something is “off” within the environment and do not hesitate when sharing their opinion.
This type often is a source of strength for others, likes to protect the weak, and develops a tremendous sense of responsibility.
Enneagram Nines at Work
Enneagram Type Nines are known as the Peacemaker. They are mediators of the group and thrive when helping differing parties resolve conflict. Their motivation stems from a desire for peace of mind and fears of experiencing overwhelming strife.
Nines can handle difficult conversations and remain level-headed. They are commonly the person people go to when they need a resolution or a second opinion concerning a pressing issue.
Their feelings do not drive them; they have keen instincts that help them gather wisdom to share. Nines are not confrontational but can navigate conflict to ensure both sides feel understood.
Communication Style
Affirming, supportive, easygoing, and diplomatic. Nines are open to others and value their opinions. They enjoy meaningful conversation and appreciate when others reciprocate the same.
Nines can become passive and indecisive when they do not feel understood; therefore, inviting their input is a great way to ensure you receive their counsel.
Under Stress: Move to Six
Stress impacts Nines with a sense of anxiety and indecisiveness. They can begin to overcommit and doubt their abilities.
When Secure: Move to Three
When Nines feel secure, they tend to be more practical, productive, focused, and confident.
Nines want to keep the peace, connect with others, and avoid conflict. Typically, Nines are kind, gentle, reassuring, supportive, loyal, and nonjudgmental. This type can exhibit various characteristics, from gentle and mild-mannered to independent and forceful.
They have excellent listening skills, are objective, and excel at unbiased mediation with the ability to see and appreciate the positive aspects of both sides.
Which Enneagram Types Work Best Together?
Each Enneagram type has the potential to work well with others. Of the nine styles, no two are more compatible than the other. Instead, each individual must choose to be understanding and compassionate to the needs of the other.
Different situations or circumstances arise with different characteristics in each personality type. You can work well with anyone by acknowledging what the other person is motivated by and leveraging those strengths.
Using the Enneagram at work should help you become a better team and understand one another better. Identifying the nine types at work can help teams improve collaboration and teamwork rather than segregating or partnering up with people you find more suitable to your own type.
FAQs
How does Cloverleaf help teams apply the Enneagram daily?
Most platforms give you a personality report and leave you to figure out what to do next. Cloverleaf integrates Enneagram insights directly into workplace tools like Email, Slack, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams—offering just in time coaching nudges that help teams communicate, collaborate, and lead more effectively.
What makes Cloverleaf different from other Enneagram tools?
Many platforms provide personality reports, but insights don’t drive change unless they’re reinforced over time. Cloverleaf makes sure Enneagram insights stay relevant by delivering just-in-time coaching—helping employees adjust their communication, understand team dynamics, and navigate challenges in the moment.
Can Cloverleaf help managers use the Enneagram for leadership development?
Yes! Managers don’t always have time to translate Enneagram results into action. Cloverleaf does that work for them by delivering coaching insights that help them understand their team’s strengths, motivators, and blind spots—without adding extra work to their plate.
How does Cloverleaf make sure the Enneagram isn’t just a one-time conversation?
Instead of static reports that get forgotten, Cloverleaf reinforces Enneagram insights over time through automated coaching nudges. These reminders help employees apply what they’ve learned when it matters—before meetings, in feedback conversations, and during collaboration.
Who benefits most from using Cloverleaf for Enneagram coaching?
Cloverleaf is ideal for organizations that want to use the Enneagram beyond a reports and/or workshops and make it a daily tool for improving teamwork and leadership. It’s especially valuable for:
✔ HR & L&D teams looking for a scalable, integrated solution.
✔ Managers & team leaders who want to develop stronger, more self-aware teams.
✔ Organizations prioritizing ongoing learning instead of one-and-done training.
What kind of results do teams see with Cloverleaf?
Organizations using Cloverleaf see higher engagement, stronger collaboration, and better leadership because Enneagram insights become part of how teams work—not just something they learn once. By making personality insights accessible and actionable, Cloverleaf helps teams communicate more effectively, reduce conflict, and play to each other’s strengths every day.
Bring the Enneagram to Life in Your Workplace
☘️ Cloverleaf’s Enneagram assessment doesn’t stop at a report—it helps you use it every day. With personalized coaching nudges, real-time insights, and team-wide visibility, you can apply Enneagram knowledge exactly when it matters.
✅ Take the Free Enneagram Assessment to discover your type and see how Cloverleaf delivers real-time coaching to help you grow.
✅ Get Enneagram insights directly in Slack, Outlook, and Teams so your whole team can work together more effectively.
✅ See how the Enneagram helps teams thrive—from leadership development to better communication and conflict resolution.
🎯 Ready to put the Enneagram to work?
Have you ever felt like your Enneagram type describes you but not fully? Like something’s missing—some nuance in how you think, lead, or respond to stress? That’s because your core type isn’t the full picture. Your Enneagram wings influence how your personality expresses itself, and understanding them could be the key to unlocking new levels of self-awareness and growth.
What Are Enneagram Wings?
Your wings are the two Enneagram types directly adjacent to your core type. They act as influences that shape how you express your personality. While your core type remains the same, your wings add nuance to your behaviors, motivations, and ways of thinking.
For example, a Type 4 can have a 3 wing (4w3) or a 5 wing (4w5). A 4w3 may be more image-conscious and goal-driven, while a 4w5 might be more introspective and private. These differences can dramatically impact how people with the same core type move through the world.
What Role Do Wings Play With Your Dominant Type?
Many people assume their wing is a secondary type or a slight personality tweak. But wings influence much more than surface-level traits—they play a role in:
- Emotional Processing → How you experience and respond to emotions.
- Decision-Making → Whether you are more logical, instinctual, or relational in your choices.
- Growth & Stress → Which strengths do you lean on, and which challenges arise in difficult moments?
Understanding your wings gives you a fuller picture of your personality and provides a path for growth beyond just knowing your core type.
What Most People Get Wrong About Wings
One of the biggest misconceptions about wings is that they are static—that you always have one dominant wing and that it never changes. In reality, your wings develop over time.
- Early in life, you may lean more heavily on one wing.
- As you grow, you may begin integrating traits from both wings.
- In different contexts, your wings may show up in different ways—work vs. relationships, stress vs. security.
Your wings aren’t just labels—they are tools for personal and professional growth. The key is learning how to consciously develop both wings to create balance and flexibility in your personality.
By understanding how your wings influence you, you can start using them intentionally—whether to improve communication, navigate conflict, or grow in your leadership.
The Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams
See How High-Performing Teams Use the Enneagram to Strengthen Collaboration
How Enneagram Wings Influence Personality
Wings help color how you express your dominant type. While your core type remains the foundation of your personality, your wings influence your behaviors, decision-making, and even your emotional responses.
Your Core Type is the Foundation, Your Wings’ Help Color Expression
Think of your core Enneagram type as the anchor of your personality. It represents your deepest motivations, fears, and patterns. But how does that type show up in the world? That’s where wings come in.
For example, two people with the same Enneagram type may behave very differently based on their dominant wing:
- A Type 7 with a 6 wing (7w6) might be more cautious and loyal.
- A Type 7 with an 8 wing (7w8) may be more assertive and risk-taking.
Your wings act as filters that color the way your dominant type expresses itself—whether that’s through a more outgoing, introspective, structured, or spontaneous lens.
Why One Wing Feels More “Natural”
Your brain plays a role in which wing feels more dominant. Since each Enneagram type has an emotional core (anger, shame, or fear), wings can either reinforce that dominant emotion or provide balance.
- If one wing reinforces your core type’s emotion, it may feel more natural but can also amplify stress responses (e.g., a Type 1 with a 9 wing may repress anger even more).
- If one wing balances your core type’s emotion, it may feel less instinctual but offer a path to growth (e.g., a Type 1 developing their 2 wing may become more compassionate and forgiving of imperfection).
👉 The key to growth? Recognizing which wing is underdeveloped and using it as a tool to create balance.
The Wings of Each Enneagram Type
Your Enneagram wing is not a secondary type—it’s an extension of how you interact with the world, offering additional strengths, perspectives, and growth opportunities. While one wing may feel more natural, both wings are available to you, and learning to develop them intentionally creates more balance in leadership, decision-making, and relationships.
This section explores each type’s wings through a strengths-based lens, covering:
- How each wing enhances your core type—not changes but strengthens different aspects.
- Key strengths & challenges—framed as growth opportunities.
- Workplace impact—how each wing influences leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.
- Growth Insight—practical ways to consciously strengthen both wings for a more adaptable approach.
Select The Enneagram Wing You Want To Learn About:
Enneagram 1 Wings:
Type 1s are principled, self-disciplined, and driven by a desire for improvement. Their wings influence whether they channel this through thoughtful idealism and introspection (1w9) or interpersonal advocacy and service (1w2).
1w9 ("The Thoughtful Reformer") → Balanced, reflective, patient
Core Strengths:
✔ Principled & Patient → Brings a steady, rational approach to leadership.
✔ Visionary & Ethical → Focuses on long-term impact and upholding high standards.
✔ Fair & Nonjudgmental → Seeks to create harmony through structure and fairness.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Overanalyzing Instead of Acting → May get stuck in “perfecting” instead of executing.
⚠️ Conflict Avoidance → Prefers order and diplomacy but may hesitate to assert needs.
⚠️ Reserved Leadership Style → Holds strong beliefs but can be reluctant to step into the spotlight.
1w9 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Steady and principled, leading with logic, patience, and fairness.
- Prefers structured, well-organized environments where they can uphold high ethical standards.
- Less overtly assertive than a 1w2 but more independent and contemplative.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Deeply dependable but may prefer to work independently on complex tasks.
- Highly methodical and detail-oriented, which makes them strong strategic thinkers.
- Works best in teams where structure, fairness, and long-term goals are prioritized.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers rational discussion and mediation over direct confrontation.
- May suppress frustration rather than addressing it head-on, leading to passive resistance.
- In times of stress, they may withdraw instead of pushing for necessary change.
- Best Strategy: Encourage open dialogue in low-pressure settings to help them voice concerns.
Ideas For Working With A 1w9:
✔ Give them time to process decisions—they won’t make impulsive choices.
✔ Appeal to their sense of fairness—they appreciate logical, well-structured arguments.
✔ Encourage direct communication—they sometimes need a nudge to voice their perspectives.
Growth & Development for 1w9s
✅ Balance Thinking with Action → Set small deadlines to move forward rather than endlessly refining.
✅ Embrace Healthy Conflict → Not all disagreement is disruptive; clear conversations create clarity.
✅ Step Into Leadership More Assertively → Their wisdom and structure are valuable, but teams need to hear their voice.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 1w9 leader, practice delegating decision-making tasks to avoid overburdening yourself with perfectionism.
- If you work with a 1w9, ask for their opinion directly rather than assuming silence means agreement.
1w2 ("The Purpose-Driven Advocate") → Engaged, supportive, deeply ethical
Core Strengths:
✔ Service-Oriented & Ethical → Leads with a strong sense of justice and a desire to improve the lives of others.
✔ Warm & Approachable → Naturally nurturing and invested in people’s well-being.
✔ Hardworking & Conscientious → Committed to maintaining high moral and professional standards.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Overextending & Burnout → Struggles to say “no” and may take on too much to help others.
⚠️ Difficulty Letting Go of Control → Prefers to ensure things are done “the right way personally.”
⚠️ Emotionally Invested in Others’ Struggles → May internalize team conflicts as personal failures.
1w2 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with compassion, structure, and high expectations.
- Highly engaged and hands-on, ensuring that people feel supported and valued.
- More relational than a 1w9, prioritizing people over processes but still holding firm ethical standards.
- Can struggle with micromanagement—may want to “do it all” rather than trust others to follow through.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Acts as a mentor and morale booster, bringing warmth and encouragement to team interactions.
- Willing to go the extra mile to help colleagues succeed but may expect the same level of dedication in return.
- Best in people-focused roles where guidance, ethics, and relationship-building are critical.
Handling Conflict:
- More assertive than a 1w9—will stand up for what’s right but may take things personally.
- Can overextend themselves trying to fix team issues, feeling responsible for maintaining harmony.
- Tends to mediate conflict with empathy, but if pushed too far, frustration can build up internally.
- Best Strategy: Encourage healthy detachment—help them see that not every issue is their responsibility.
Ideas For Working With A 1w2:
✔ Recognize their dedication—they thrive when they feel their work has meaning and impact.
✔ Set clear expectations for delegation—help them see that trusting others is not a failure.
✔ Encourage self-care—they may prioritize others’ needs at the expense of their own well-being.
Growth & Development for 1w2s
✅ Balance Helping with Boundaries → Learning to step back and let others take responsibility.
✅ Delegate Without Guilt → Leading doesn’t mean doing everything themselves—empowering others is a strength.
✅ Practice Self-Care & Detachment → Their worth isn’t measured by how much they do for others.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 1w2 leader, build trust in your team by delegating small responsibilities first and gradually letting go.
- If you work with a 1w2, show appreciation for their efforts, but also gently remind them that perfection isn’t always necessary.
Enneagram 2 Wings:
Type 2s are deeply caring, relationship-focused, and motivated by the need to be helpful. Their wings shape whether they express this through structured guidance and responsibility (2w1) or charismatic connection and ambition (2w3).
2w1 ("The Compassionate Guide") → Structured, reliable, service-oriented
Core Strengths:
✔ Ethical & Responsible → Committed to doing the right thing and helping others in a structured, principled way.
✔ Dependable & Organized → Balances warmth with accountability, ensuring tasks and people are taken care of.
✔ Driven by Service & Integrity → Wants to make a meaningful impact while maintaining strong values.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Perfectionism in Helping → Can become too rigid, expecting themselves and others to meet high moral standards.
⚠️ Struggles with Delegation → May micromanage to ensure things are done “correctly.”
⚠️ Can Be Overly Critical → Holds firm expectations and may have difficulty adjusting when things don’t go as planned.
2w1 in the Workplace
💼 Leadership Style:
- Leads with structured care—both compassionate and high-expectation-driven.
- Values reliability, integrity, and fairness, ensuring everyone is held accountable in a supportive way.
- More structured than a 2w3, leaning toward mentorship and ethical leadership rather than charisma and visibility.
- Can be overly self-sacrificing, expecting others to reciprocate their level of dedication.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Functions as the reliable pillar of support—people trust them to offer both encouragement and accountability.
- Naturally takes on a guiding role, helping teammates grow but may struggle with adaptability when things don’t go according to plan.
- Ideally suited for leadership roles that require mentorship, structure, and ethical decision-making.
Handling Conflict:
- Approaches conflict diplomatically but with a strong sense of justice.
- May take on a mediator role but struggles when people don’t meet expectations.
- Can be hard on themselves and others—wants the best for people but may push too strongly for improvement.
- Best Strategy: Practice letting go of control and allowing room for mistakes as part of growth.
Ideas For Working With A 2w1:
✔ Acknowledge their dedication to fairness—they need to feel their structure and ethics are respected.
✔ Encourage flexibility—help them see that perfection isn’t the only path to success.
✔ Remind them that their worth isn’t tied to how much they help—they don’t have to overextend to be valued.
Growth & Development for 2w1s
✅ Let Go of “Shoulds” → The world isn’t always black-and-white; learning to embrace nuance and adaptability is key.
✅ Trust Others to Step Up → Delegating isn’t abandonment—it’s an opportunity for growth and collaboration.
✅ Prioritize Self-Care → Service is important, but burnout doesn’t serve anyone.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 2w1 leader, focus on balancing high expectations with encouragement.
- If you work with a 2w1, provide constructive feedback while reassuring them that imperfection is part of progress.
2w3 ("The Confident Supporter") → Charismatic, engaging, action-oriented
Core Strengths:
✔ Energetic & Charismatic → Naturally draws people in with warmth, enthusiasm, and optimism.
✔ Ambitious & Goal-Oriented → Wants to make an impact and be seen as successful in helping others.
✔ Highly Adaptable → Blends people skills with achievement, allowing them to thrive in leadership roles.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Validation-Seeking → Ties self-worth too closely to approval from others.
⚠️ May Prioritize Image Over Authenticity → Can be focused on appearing successful rather than internal fulfillment.
⚠️ Avoids Deep Conflict → Prefers to keep the energy positive, sometimes at the expense of addressing real issues.
2w3 in the Workplace
💼 Leadership Style:
- Inspires through connection and motivation—excels at energizing and rallying teams.
- More charismatic and driven than a 2w1, thriving in people-facing leadership (coaching, sales, marketing, etc.).
- Can sometimes overcommit to projects and responsibilities for the sake of recognition.
- Needs to ensure they are aligned with authentic goals, not just ones that will earn external praise.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Great at networking and influencing others—helps build bridges between different personalities.
- Works best in dynamic environments where they can lead, encourage, and set ambitious goals.
- May need to slow down and engage in deeper self-reflection rather than always looking for the next success.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers diplomacy over direct confrontation—may avoid difficult conversations to keep things harmonious.
- Can sometimes manipulate situations to maintain a good image, rather than dealing with underlying issues.
- Best Strategy: Embrace honest, direct communication—understand that real relationships require depth, not just charm.
Ideas For Working With A 2w3:
✔ Give them room to take initiative—they thrive on ambition and excitement.
✔ Encourage authenticity—help them see that they are valued beyond what they accomplish.
✔ Challenge them to engage in real conflict resolution rather than just smoothing things over.
Growth & Development for 2w3s
✅ Prioritize Meaning Over Applause → Being seen as helpful is great, but true success comes from alignment, not just approval.
✅ Engage in Deeper Self-Reflection → Growth means embracing depth, not just surface-level wins.
✅ Lean into Authenticity Over Performance → Not every situation requires “winning people over”—sometimes it requires vulnerability.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 2w3 leader, be mindful of overcommitting to projects just to prove your worth.
- If you work with a 2w3, recognize their ambition and energy, but encourage deeper engagement beyond external success.
Enneagram 3 Wings:
Type 3s are ambitious, success-driven, and motivated by achievement. Their wings determine whether they channel this through interpersonal engagement and motivation (3w2) or introspective strategy and creativity (3w4).
3w2 ("The Inspirational Achiever") → People-focused, motivating, high-energy
Core Strengths:
✔ Energetic & Charismatic → Naturally engaging, draws people in with confidence and enthusiasm.
✔ Ambitious & Goal-Oriented → Highly motivated to achieve success while uplifting others.
✔ Strong People Skills → Excellent at networking, inspiring teams, and creating momentum.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Approval-Driven → Can tie self-worth too closely to external validation.
⚠️ Overcommitting → Takes on too many responsibilities, leading to burnout.
⚠️ Avoids Vulnerability → Prefers highlighting success over discussing deeper emotions.
3w2 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with energy, passion, and a desire to empower others.
- Highly engaged in team dynamics, thrives in fast-paced, people-focused environments.
- Can be perceived as inspiring and charismatic, but may struggle with setting boundaries.
- Motivated by recognition and admiration, sometimes at the expense of authenticity.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Brings enthusiasm and motivation to a team, keeping energy levels high.
- Prefers collaborative, social environments where success is celebrated openly.
- May struggle with delegation if they feel their success depends on direct involvement.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers to keep morale high, but may avoid tough conversations to maintain likability.
- Can be diplomatic but overly image-conscious, sometimes sugarcoating feedback.
- Best Strategy: Practice leaning into honest, constructive feedback, even if it risks discomfort.
Ideas For Working With A 3w2:
✔ Acknowledge their enthusiasm and achievements—they thrive on appreciation.
✔ Encourage them to slow down and reflect—success isn’t just external.
✔ Provide direct but supportive feedback—they value improvement when framed as personal growth.
Growth & Development for 3w2s
✅ Shift from “performing” to authenticity → Real success comes from meaning, not just applause.
✅ Set healthy boundaries → Not every task requires their direct involvement.
✅ Develop self-worth beyond external praise → Achievements don’t define them.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 3w2 leader, focus on balancing ambition with genuine connection.
- If you work with a 3w2, provide recognition but also encourage deeper engagement beyond approval-seeking.
3w4 ("The Visionary Strategist") → Introspective, creative, purpose-driven
Core Strengths:
✔ Strategic & Thoughtful → Balances big-picture ambition with deep introspection.
✔ Authenticity-Driven → Success must feel meaningful, not just impressive.
✔ Innovative & Independent → Values creativity, depth, and originality in their work.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Overly Self-Critical → Holds high personal expectations, leading to perfectionism or imposter syndrome.
⚠️ Withdraws Under Stress → Can isolate themselves instead of engaging in teamwork.
⚠️ Struggles with Emotional Vulnerability → Prefers intellectualizing emotions rather than expressing them.
3w4 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with depth, strategy, and a strong sense of purpose.
- More introspective and innovative than 3w2, focusing on crafting meaningful success.
- Can lean into independent work, preferring self-sufficiency over teamwork at times.
- Has a perfectionist streak, holding themselves (and sometimes others) to high, unattainable standards.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Often functions as a visionary, bringing creativity and originality to projects.
- Less driven by external validation, but deeply concerned with producing meaningful work.
- Works best in roles that allow autonomy, innovation, and depth of thought.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers strategic, logical solutions over emotional confrontation.
- May withdraw or disengage when tension arises, needing time to process internally.
- Best Strategy: Practice engaging in direct conversations rather than retreating into introspection.
Ideas For Working With A 3w4:
✔ Give them autonomy—they thrive when they feel trusted to execute their vision.
✔ Encourage collaboration—even though they prefer independence, team input can enhance their ideas.
✔ Help them recognize that vulnerability is a strength—not every interaction has to be polished and controlled.
Growth & Development for 3w4s
✅ Balance independence with connection → Collaboration doesn’t compromise depth.
✅ Loosen perfectionist tendencies → Good enough is often still impactful.
✅ Embrace self-expression → Not every interaction has to be highly curated or strategic.
💡 Cloverleaf Insight:
- If you’re a 3w4 leader, focus on engaging with others beyond work goals.
- If you work with a 3w4, respect their need for purpose and autonomy, but also encourage openness and teamwork.
Enneagram 4 Wings:
Type 4s are deeply in tune with their emotions, constantly seeking authenticity and meaning. Their wings shape how they express creativity and interact with the world—whether through outward ambition and performance (4w3) or introspective depth and intellectual pursuit (4w5).
4w3 ("The Expressive Innovator") → Dynamic, creative, ambitious
Core Strengths:
✔ Magnetic & Charismatic → Draws attention effortlessly, using self-expression to inspire others.
✔ Creatively Ambitious → Seeks to make an impact through artistry, innovation, or personal branding.
✔ Resilient & Goal-Oriented → Balances emotional depth with a drive for achievement.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Craves External Validation → May tie self-worth to recognition and success.
⚠️ Emotional Highs & Lows → Can fluctuate between confidence and self-doubt.
⚠️ Perfectionism → May struggle with accepting “good enough” and delay execution.
4w3 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Visionary and inspiring, leads with passion and enthusiasm.
- Prefers high-impact roles where they can be seen and recognized for their contributions.
- May lean into branding and presentation, ensuring their work is both meaningful and admired.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Brings energy and fresh ideas, often pushing creative boundaries.
- May struggle with imposter syndrome, needing affirmation that their work is valuable.
- Enjoys collaborative, fast-paced environments but needs space for personal expression.
Handling Conflict:
- Takes criticism personally, especially when it threatens their sense of identity.
- Responds best when feedback is framed as “unlocking creative potential” rather than a failure.
- Best Strategy: Learn to separate personal worth from external recognition.
Ideas For Working With A 4w3:
✔ Celebrate their unique contributions—recognition fuels their drive.
✔ Encourage consistency in execution—their ideas shine when followed through.
✔ Help them find intrinsic motivation, beyond external validation.
Growth & Development for 4w3s
✅ Embrace imperfection → Not every project needs to be a masterpiece to be meaningful.
✅ Cultivate self-worth beyond achievements → Growth happens internally, not just through validation.
✅ Develop emotional resilience → Work through setbacks without over-personalizing them.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 4w3 leader, focus on balancing visibility with depth—impact doesn’t always require an audience.
- If you work with a 4w3, provide opportunities for self-expression while encouraging long-term commitment.
4w5 ("The Deep Thinker") → Reflective, intellectual, unconventional
Core Strengths:
✔ Deeply Introspective → Draws insights from complex emotions and intellectual curiosity.
✔ Original & Thoughtful → Thrives in philosophy, research, and creative problem-solving.
✔ Highly Independent → Prefers solitary work, reflection, and deep exploration of ideas.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Tendency to Withdraw → Can become isolated, overanalyzing instead of engaging.
⚠️ Emotional Intensity → May get lost in existential questioning and mood shifts.
⚠️ Struggles with Practicality → Ideas may remain theoretical rather than actionable.
4w5 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with depth and intellectual integrity, valuing insight and authenticity over popularity.
- Prefers autonomous roles, where they can develop ideas without excessive external influence.
- Can be quiet but powerful, offering unique, thought-provoking perspectives.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Works best in deep-thinking environments, such as research, writing, or strategy.
- Prefers meaningful conversations over surface-level discussions.
- Needs solitude to recharge, but can sometimes disconnect from team dynamics.
Handling Conflict:
- Avoids direct confrontation, preferring to process emotions alone before responding.
- Can shut down when overwhelmed, needing space before engaging in problem-solving.
- Best Strategy: Practice articulating needs in the moment rather than retreating completely.
Ideas For Working With A 4w5:
✔ Give them space to reflect, but encourage sharing their insights openly.
✔ Respect their need for depth, but help them engage in practical execution.
✔ Provide clarity on expectations so they don’t feel emotionally or mentally adrift.
Growth & Development for 4w5s
✅ Engage more openly with others → Insight is most powerful when shared, not just contemplated.
✅ Turn ideas into action → Learning to execute, not just theorize, builds confidence.
✅ Balance solitude with collaboration → Growth happens in connection, not just isolation.
💡 Cloverleaf Insight:
- If you’re a 4w5 leader, focus on translating profound ideas into actionable impact.
- If you work with a 4w5, respect their need for introspection but encourage collaboration for innovation.
Enneagram 5 Wings:
Type 5s are natural thinkers and knowledge-seekers. Their wings influence how they engage with their curiosity—whether they lean into emotional depth and creative insight (5w4) or structured analysis and strategic caution (5w6).
5w4 ("The Philosopher") → Deep-thinking, emotionally attuned, unconventional
Core Strengths:
✔ Intellectually and Emotionally Profound → Balances rational analysis with deep emotional insight.
✔ Highly Independent and Creative → Often drawn to philosophy, art, and abstract thinking.
✔ Values Originality → Seeks to understand the world through a unique and deeply personal lens.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Prone to Isolation → May retreat so deeply into their inner world that they struggle to communicate externally.
⚠️ Overanalyzes Emotions → Can become stuck in introspection, analyzing feelings rather than acting on them.
⚠️ Struggles with Practicality → Prefers theoretical exploration over real-world application.
5w4 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with intellectual curiosity and depth, often excelling in academia, research, or innovation.
- Prefers autonomous work and values originality over convention.
- They may be quietly influential, offering deep insights but not always seeking leadership roles.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Works best in environments that allow independent thought and creativity.
- Prefers working on niche, highly specialized projects.
- May struggle with group collaboration unless the discussion is thought-provoking and meaningful.
Handling Conflict:
- Avoids direct confrontation, preferring to process emotions internally first.
- Can become detached in stressful situations, withdrawing instead of engaging.
- Best Strategy: Learn to articulate thoughts and feelings rather than assuming others understand.
Ideas For Working With A 5w4:
✔ Give them intellectual freedom, but encourage sharing insights with the team.
✔ Respect their need for solitude, but help them engage in practical collaboration.
✔ Frame feedback around deep thinking and impact, rather than immediate execution.
Growth & Development for 5w4s
✅ Engage more actively in discussion → Insight is most valuable when shared.
✅ Turn ideas into action → Knowledge without practical application limits its impact.
✅ Balance introspection with connection → Growth happens in dialogue, not just deep thought.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 5w4 leader, practice outward communication—your vision is valuable beyond theory.
- If you work with a 5w4, draw them into conversations by inviting their perspective on complex problems.
5w6 ("The Strategic Analyst") → Logical, detail-oriented, prepared
Core Strengths:
✔ Methodical and Precise → Values clear structure and strategic planning.
✔ Cautiously Analytical → Weighs risks carefully and prepares for multiple outcomes.
✔ Highly Reliable and Stable → Brings a sense of security and predictability to teams.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Over-Reliance on Security → Can struggle with indecision if the outcome is uncertain.
⚠️ Skeptical of New Ideas → Prefers proven methods over bold innovation.
⚠️ Avoids Risk-Taking → May hesitate too long before acting.
5w6 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with logic and precision, ensuring systems and processes are carefully thought out.
- Thrives in technical, analytical, and strategic roles.
- May be risk-averse, preferring stability over disruptive change.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Provides stability and deep research, ensuring decisions are well-informed.
- Prefers clear expectations and structured environments.
- They can be hesitant to take initiative and need assurance before making moves.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers structured discussions, analyzing all sides before responding.
- Can become overwhelmed by uncertainty, leading to decision paralysis.
- Best Strategy: Learn to trust intuition when logic isn’t enough.
Ideas For Working With A 5w6:
✔ Give them data and logical reasoning to support change.
✔ Provide stability, but encourage adaptability in uncertain situations.
✔ Recognize their need for thorough preparation, but help them take action faster.
Growth & Development for 5w6s
✅ Develop comfort with uncertainty → Not every decision needs absolute certainty.
✅ Trust instincts, not just data → Balance rational thinking with intuitive action.
✅ Embrace risk-taking in small steps → Learning to move forward without perfect clarity is key.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 5w6 leader, practice leaning into risk-taking and adaptability.
- If you work with a 5w6, provide structured guidance while encouraging flexible thinking.
Enneagram 6 Wings:
Type 6s are known for seeking security, anticipating risks, and staying prepared. Their wings influence whether they approach this through deep analysis (6w5) or social adaptability (6w7).
6w5 ("The Skeptical Strategist") → Cautious, analytical, independent
Core Strengths:
✔ Highly Analytical → Great at risk assessment, spotting inconsistencies, and strategic planning.
✔ Independent & Self-Sufficient → Less reliant on external validation, prefers to rely on facts and logic.
✔ Loyal and Principled → Will stand by trusted people and values, but may take longer to trust.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Withdraws Under Stress → Can become isolated, skeptical, or overly defensive.
⚠️ Struggles with Flexibility → Prefers structured environments and known variables.
⚠️ Overthinks Decisions → May analyze risks excessively, leading to decision paralysis.
6w5 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with careful strategy and thorough preparation.
- Prefers structured environments where risk is minimized.
- May be less vocal in team discussions but provides deep insights when prompted.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Loyal and reliable, prefers small, trusted teams.
- Prefers structured processes, struggles when things feel uncertain.
- May hesitate to take action without full information.
Handling Conflict:
- Avoids unnecessary conflict but can become defensive when challenged.
- Prefers rational discussions but may withdraw if they feel threatened.
- Best Strategy: Encourage open dialogue, reinforcing that not all uncertainty is dangerous.
Ideas For Working With A 6w5:
✔ Provide logical explanations when presenting new ideas.
✔ Give them time to process information rather than expecting immediate responses.
✔ Encourage participation in collaborative discussions, even if they prefer to work alone.
Growth & Development for 6w5s
✅ Practice trusting intuition, not just logic.
✅ Engage with teams more openly, even when feeling uncertain.
✅ Take small risks to build confidence in adaptability.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 6w5 leader, practice delegation and open communication rather than keeping control over every detail.
- If you work with a 6w5, encourage their insights, showing that not every unknown factor is a threat.
6w7 ("The Engaging Loyalist") → Energetic, people-focused, adaptive
Core Strengths:
✔ Socially Skilled & Adaptable → Uses humor, charm, and quick thinking to navigate uncertainty.
✔ Balances Caution with Enthusiasm → Can be careful and risk-aware while still being engaging and fun.
✔ Loyal & Community-Oriented → Finds security in relationships and team dynamics.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Avoids Deep Emotional Work → May distract from uncomfortable feelings with busyness.
⚠️ Seeks Constant Reassurance → Can become over-reliant on external validation.
⚠️ Struggles with Decision-Making → May hesitate between caution and spontaneity.
6w7 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with energy and collaboration, creating strong team engagement.
- Prefers fast-paced, team-oriented environments.
- Can be highly persuasive and encouraging but may struggle with self-doubt in leadership roles.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Brings optimism, enthusiasm, and humor, helping keep morale high.
- Prefers collaborative decision-making, sometimes avoiding taking a firm stance alone.
- Can be high-energy but may need structure to stay focused.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers group consensus but can struggle to set firm boundaries.
- May seek external validation rather than trusting their own judgment.
- Best Strategy: Develop confidence in personal decision-making rather than always deferring to others.
Ideas For Working With A 6w7:
✔ Provide encouragement, but help them build self-trust.
✔ Keep communication open and collaborative—they thrive in group discussions.
✔ Encourage focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term reassurance.
Growth & Development for 6w7s
✅ Slow down to process emotions rather than distracting from them.
✅ Trust personal instincts rather than always seeking reassurance.
✅ Take decisive action even when uncertainty remains.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 6w7 leader, work on setting clear, confident boundaries.
- If you work with a 6w7, help them see that their instincts are just as valid as external input.
Enneagram 7 Wings:
Type 7s are driven by enthusiasm, exploration, and a thirst for new experiences. Their wings shape whether they channel this through strategic planning (7w6) or bold action (7w8).
7w6 ("The Enthusiastic Planner") → Energetic, strategic, responsible
Core Strengths:
✔ Creative Problem-Solver → Balances innovation with structured thinking.
✔ Optimistic Yet Cautious → Still adventurous but more risk-aware than a core 7.
✔ Highly Engaging → Uses charisma and strategic thinking to influence others.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Struggles with Overcommitment → Enthusiasm can lead to spreading themselves too thin.
⚠️ Seeks Security Through Planning → May overthink decisions, delaying action.
⚠️ Avoids Negative Emotions → Prefers keeping things light, may struggle with deep processing of fears.
7w6 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Balances spontaneity with careful planning, ensuring excitement is grounded in strategy.
- Enjoys collaborative, dynamic teams but may struggle with decision fatigue.
- Thrives in roles that require adaptability but also structure (e.g., marketing, project management, event planning).
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Keeps the team energized and engaged, using humor and forward-thinking ideas.
- Values team collaboration but can struggle with commitment to long-term strategies.
- May get overwhelmed by too many options, needing help prioritizing.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers resolving tension quickly, often through humor or reframing the situation.
- May avoid deeper, emotional conflicts, choosing distraction over resolution.
- Best Strategy: Help them acknowledge underlying concerns rather than brushing them aside.
Ideas For Working With A 7w6:
✔ Encourage them to focus on fewer, high-impact projects.
✔ Give them room to brainstorm but help them commit to follow-through.
✔ Reassure them that slowing down doesn’t mean losing momentum.
Growth & Development for 7w6s
✅ Practice embracing stillness and reflection, rather than jumping to the next task.
✅ Recognize that depth and consistency create long-term fulfillment.
✅ Use strategic planning to focus on quality over quantity.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 7w6 leader, ensure you’re balancing visionary ideas with execution strategies.
- If you work with a 7w6, help them refine their ideas into practical steps without overwhelming them.
7w8 ("The Bold Visionary") → Assertive, confident, action-driven
Core Strengths:
✔ Bold & Decisive → Takes calculated risks and drives projects forward with urgency.
✔ Charismatic & Persuasive → Influences teams through energy, confidence, and vision.
✔ Handles Pressure Well → Thrives in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Moves Too Quickly → Impatient with details, long-term planning, or bureaucracy.
⚠️ Can Be Domineering → May push ideas forward forcefully, missing input from others.
⚠️ Struggles with Reflection → Prefers action over processing emotions.
7w8 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Thrives in entrepreneurial, high-energy environments where decisive action is needed.
- Leads through confidence and persuasion, pushing teams toward ambitious goals.
- Prefers autonomy and control, sometimes at the expense of collaboration.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Motivates teams with vision and energy, making work feel exciting and purposeful.
- Prefers big-picture strategy over micro-managing details.
- May become frustrated with indecisiveness in others.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers direct confrontation, but can be overly forceful in disagreements.
- Handles stress by taking control, which can lead to steamrolling others.
- Best Strategy: Help them pause and consider multiple perspectives before pushing forward.
Ideas For Working With A 7w8:
✔ Encourage them to delegate and trust their team.
✔ Help them slow down and think through long-term impacts.
✔ Offer direct, clear feedback— they appreciate honesty.
Growth & Development for 7w8s
✅ Develop patience—big visions need strong foundations.
✅ Practice deep listening to avoid bulldozing discussions.
✅ Balance immediate action with long-term sustainability.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 7w8 leader, work on strategic planning and follow-through.
- If you work with a 7w8, help them refine their fast-moving ideas into executable strategies.
Enneagram 8 Wings:
Type 8s are driven by control, independence, and protecting themselves and others. Their wings shape whether they channel this through aggressive action (8w7) or steady protection (8w9).
8w7 ("The Assertive Trailblazer") → Bold, charismatic, high-energy
Core Strengths:
✔ Fearless & Decisive → Moves forward without hesitation, unafraid of risks.
✔ Energetic & Charismatic → Engages others through confidence and vision.
✔ Natural Leader in High-Stakes Situations → Excels in entrepreneurial and high-pressure environments.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Overpowers Others → May steamroll conversations, dismissing input too quickly.
⚠️ Acts Before Fully Listening → Can be impatient with deliberation and reflection.
⚠️ Struggles with Vulnerability → Prefers strength over emotional openness.
8w7 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Thrives in fast-moving, high-energy environments where quick decision-making is key.
- Leads through confidence, action, and bold vision—inspiring teams but sometimes intimidating them.
- Best suited for entrepreneurial ventures, executive leadership, and crisis management roles.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Drives the team forward, bringing energy and motivation.
- May struggle with delegation, preferring to take charge themselves.
- Needs to ensure quieter team members feel heard.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers direct confrontation, quickly addressing issues head-on.
- May be too aggressive in disagreements, seeing compromise as weakness.
- Best Strategy: Encourage active listening and patience before making quick judgments.
Ideas For Working With A 8w7:
✔ Be direct— they respect strength and confidence.
✔ Provide challenges that push them, rather than trying to control them.
✔ Encourage reflection before immediate action.
Growth & Development for 8w7s
✅ Learn to slow down and consider multiple perspectives.
✅ Develop patience—strength is not just about speed and control.
✅ Practice vulnerability and emotional openness with trusted people.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re an 8w7 leader, focus on listening and collaboration to create a well-rounded team.
- If you work with an 8w7, approach them with strength and confidence, rather than hesitation.
8w9 ("The Grounded Protector") → Steady, fair-minded, protective
Core Strengths:
✔ Strong but Measured → Balances boldness with patience, making them strategic leaders.
✔ Fair & Protective → Ensures equity and fairness in leadership.
✔ Stabilizing Presence → Brings calm to tense situations, making them great at negotiation and mediation.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Can Be Passive in Conflict → May avoid confrontation to keep peace.
⚠️ Hesitates Before Taking Action → Prefers careful planning over bold moves.
⚠️ Internalizes Stress → Holds tension internally rather than expressing it openly.
8w9 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Measured and thoughtful, balancing assertiveness with patience.
- Excellent at mediating conflict and leading negotiations, but may hesitate to act quickly.
- Best suited for executive leadership, diplomacy, advocacy, and HR roles.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Acts as a stabilizing force, keeping teams grounded during challenges.
- More reserved than an 8w7, may lead quietly but firmly.
- Can be seen as distant or hard to read, preferring a calm, composed approach.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers mediation and peaceful solutions, but can avoid necessary confrontation.
- Tends to bottle up frustration, which may result in passive resistance.
- Best Strategy: Encourage direct communication and decisive action when needed.
Ideas For Working With A 8w9:
✔ Respect their sense of fairness and patience.
✔ Encourage decisiveness—they may hesitate when action is needed.
✔ Give them time to process conflict, rather than forcing quick responses.
Growth & Development for 8w9s
✅ Trust that taking action doesn’t always lead to conflict.
✅ Be more vocal about concerns rather than internalizing stress.
✅ Balance patience with assertiveness to make timely decisions.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re an 8w9 leader, work on being proactive rather than reactive.
- If you work with an 8w9, give them space to think but encourage direct action when needed.
Enneagram 9 Wings:
Type 9s are driven by a need for inner and outer peace. Their wings shape whether they channel this through quiet resilience (9w8) or structured diplomacy (9w1).
9w8 ("The Quiet Challenger") → Easygoing, firm, quietly strong
Core Strengths:
✔ Balanced & Grounded → Combines inner calm with external strength, offering a steady presence.
✔ Protective & Supportive → Looks out for others, ensuring fairness and stability.
✔ Strong Under Pressure → Can step up when needed, showing surprising resolve.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Avoids Change → Prefers comfort, which may lead to stagnation.
⚠️ Holds in Frustration → Bottles up anger until it eventually erupts.
⚠️ Can Resist Authority → Prefers self-reliance over external influence.
9w8 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with calm authority, bringing stability and protection to the team.
- Prefers steady, long-term solutions over reactive decision-making.
- Best suited for mentorship, advocacy, and leadership roles in stable environments.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Dependable and supportive, helping to keep group dynamics stable.
- May struggle with initiative, preferring to respond rather than take charge.
- Excellent mediator but may need encouragement to assert leadership proactively.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers calm negotiation over direct confrontation.
- Can become unexpectedly forceful if boundaries are repeatedly crossed.
- Best Strategy: Encourage early conflict resolution rather than avoidance.
Ideas For Working With A 9w8:
✔ Give them time to process and respond.
✔ Encourage leadership without forcing them into the spotlight.
✔ Recognize their quiet strength—just because they don’t speak up doesn’t mean they don’t have strong opinions.
Growth & Development for 9w8s
✅ Trust your voice—you don’t have to agree just to keep the peace.
✅ Act on your instincts sooner, rather than waiting until frustration builds.
✅ Balance patience with assertiveness to avoid missed opportunities.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 9w8 leader, work on taking initiative rather than just responding to situations.
- If you work with a 9w8, respect their calm presence but encourage them to step into leadership when needed.
9w1 ("The Thoughtful Peacemaker") → Principled, structured, calm
Core Strengths:
✔ Highly Ethical & Fair → Strives for integrity, justice, and order.
✔ Excellent Mediator → Uses rationality and diplomacy to maintain peace.
✔ Deeply Thoughtful & Reflective → Prefers well-reasoned solutions over impulsive action.
Potential Challenges:
⚠️ Overthinks Decisions → Can get stuck in analysis paralysis, delaying action.
⚠️ Avoids Confrontation → Prefers harmony over addressing underlying tension.
⚠️ Self-Critical & Rigid → Holds high personal standards, sometimes too inflexible.
9w1 in the Workplace
Leadership Style:
- Leads with thoughtfulness and structure, ensuring fair and ethical leadership.
- Prefers consistency and methodical decision-making.
- Best suited for coaching, conflict resolution, and roles requiring diplomacy.
🧩 Team Dynamics:
- Creates a harmonious and structured environment, ensuring stability.
- May hesitate to take bold action, preferring caution and careful planning.
- Encourages fairness and order, but may struggle with flexibility.
Handling Conflict:
- Prefers rational mediation, ensuring all sides feel heard.
- Can become overly critical when people don’t meet high ethical standards.
- Best Strategy: Balance idealism with practicality—sometimes, action must come before perfection.
Ideas For Working With A 9w1:
✔ Respect their need for structure and fairness.
✔ Encourage timely decision-making—they don’t have to perfect every choice.
✔ Help them recognize that some conflict is necessary for growth.
Growth & Development for 9w1s
✅ Recognize that order isn’t always possible—sometimes, adaptability is key.
✅ Make decisions faster by embracing “good enough” over perfection.
✅ Balance introspection with action—overthinking won’t solve every problem.
💡 Coaching Insight:
- If you’re a 9w1 leader, work on acting with confidence rather than waiting for the perfect solution.
- If you work with a 9w1, appreciate their structured thinking but encourage more flexibility in execution.
How Your Wing Shapes Your Decision-Making Style
Your wings are resources for your type. Whether your dominant wing is already well-developed or you’re just beginning to explore it, the key to personal growth is learning how to access the strengths of both wings.
Wings can impact how you process information, handle uncertainty, and respond to pressure. Whether you tend to act quickly, hesitate, or seek consensus, your wings provide insight into your natural approach to making choices.
Assertive Wings → Quick action, strong instincts, high confidence
- Assertive Wings: 8w7, 3w2, 7w8
- Strength: Decisive, takes charge, embraces challenges.
- Watch for acting impulsively or dismissing input from others.
Contemplative Wings → Deep analysis, tendency to hesitate, careful consideration
- Contemplative Wings: 5w4, 9w1, 4w5
- Strength: Thoughtful, strategic, and values-depth.
- Watch for Overthinking and getting stuck in analysis paralysis.
Harmonizing Wings → People-centered, values collaboration, seeks balance
- Harmonizing Wings: 6w7, 2w1, 9w8
- Strength: Skilled at reading people and bringing teams together.
- Watch for difficulty setting boundaries or making tough calls that may cause conflict.
Using Your Wings to Improve Decision-Making
🟢 If You’re Too Quick to Decide (Assertive Wing) → Pause and seek multiple perspectives before acting.
🟠 If You Struggle to Commit (Withdrawing Wing) → Set a time limit for decision-making to avoid overthinking.
🔵 If You Rely on Consensus (Harmonizing Wing) → Practice decisive leadership when necessary, even if others disagree.
How to Develop a More Balanced Use of Your Wings
👀 Step 1: Awareness—Understand Your Wing Bias
- Take note of which wing feels most natural to you—how does it shape your default responses?
- Reflect on situations where you lean too heavily on one wing (e.g., overanalyzing with a 5w6 or acting impulsively with a 7w8).
- Ask yourself: Where could I benefit from incorporating the strengths of my other wing?
🛠 Step 2: Experimentation—Try Using Your Less Dominant Wing
- Set an intentional practice to engage your underutilized wing.
- Example: If you’re a Type 3w2, try incorporating more introspection (3w4) in decision-making. If you’re a Type 9w1, try expressing more assertiveness (9w8) in meetings.
💼 Step 3: Workplace Application—Adjusting Your Leadership & Communication Style
- Leaders: Adjust your leadership approach based on your team’s needs. For example, a 1w9 leader may need to speak up more in high-energy environments, while a 1w2 leader may need to set stronger boundaries to prevent burnout.
- Team Collaboration: Notice how your wing balance affects team dynamics—are you the driving force or the peacemaker? The big-picture strategist or detail-oriented planner?
- Action Step: Identify one way to consciously lean into your less dominant wing this week—whether in a conversation, a decision, or a project.
📝 Journaling Prompts for Self-Reflection:
- In what areas of my life do I rely on one wing more than the other?
- What strengths from my less dominant wing could I bring into my personal or professional life?
- What would it look like to integrate both wings in a way that feels authentic to me?
Enneagram Wings Help Explain Why Personality Is Complex
Growth opportunities with the Enneagram can come from identifying the positive characteristics of your less dominant wing and working to develop them.
The more you learn about each Enneagram Type, the more empathy you can practice toward yourself and others.
Being mindful of your strengths and weaknesses, along with the attributes of your wings, can help you live with greater intentionality professionally and personally.
Wings widen the spectrum of behavior for each type, and people will exhibit these traits in an array of possibilities. They are a dynamic aspect of the Enneagram framework and offer helpful insight to support your growth. The next time you face a challenging situation or conversation, consider how you can draw from your wings to successfully navigate it.
How Cloverleaf Helps You Apply Your Enneagram Wings
Understanding your wings is just the beginning—learning how to use them dynamically is what leads to true growth. Your wings are more than side influences; they’re tools that help you adapt, lead, and make better decisions in work and life.
☘️ Cloverleaf’s personalized coaching insights help you:
✅ Recognize when you’re leaning too heavily on one wing—so you can create balance and avoid blind spots.
✅ Leverage your wings for growth—learning when to engage different strengths to navigate challenges.
✅ Make better decisions with awareness—knowing how your wings influence your thought process, leadership, and teamwork.
✅ Apply insights in real time—with coaching tips that surface before meetings, projects, and important conversations.
👉 Want to know your Enneagram wings and how they show up daily?
Enneagram Triads make up three different sections of the Enneagram model. The groups consist of The Gut: 8-9-1, The Heart: 2-3-4, and The Head: 5-6-7.
Triads split the Enneagram types into three sections based on their underlying emotion and go to decision-making style, specifically in times of stress.
What Are The Enneagram Triads
The three triads are the Gut Triad (Instinctive Center, Heart Triad (Feeling Center), and Head Triad (Thinking Center).
Understanding the triads helps expose patterns of emotion and decision-making, which can result in greater self-awareness and workplace collaboration.
Each type seeks to validate themself in different ways. And, each number in the triad experiences their underlying emotion differently, impacting their decisions and how others perceive them.
Each type can relate to all three triads, and part of the theory behind the Enneagram is that all nine types dwell within us. However, one is our natural “go to,” and that is where our preference – or, ‘type’ – is born.
How Do You Know What Your Enneagram Triad Is?
Enneagram Types 8, 9, and 1’s belong to the Gut Triad. Enneagram Types 2, 3, and 4’s belong to the Heart Triad. And Enneagram Types 5, 6, and 7’s belong to the Head Triad. Your Enneagram Type determines which Triad you are a part of.
If you are already familiar with each triad and are ready to explore how to use the triads to improve communication within your organization, visit the post: How To Activate Emotional Intelligence In The Workplace. Or, download the free Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams In The Workplace.
Each of the three triads represents a different center of intelligence:
- Gut Triad (8-9-1) → Instinctive decision-makers, driven by anger.
- Heart Triad (2-3-4) → Emotionally driven decision-makers, influenced by shame.
- Head Triad (5-6-7) → Analytical decision-makers, motivated by fear.
Understanding your Enneagram Triad helps uncover why you react to stress the way you do, how you process emotions, and what drives your decision-making. This awareness allows for deeper personal growth, stronger relationships, and improved leadership skills—especially in high-pressure environments.
What Makes the Enneagram Triads Unique?
Most personality models focus on behavioral traits, but the Enneagram Triads go deeper, mapping directly to how our brain processes experiences:
- Gut Triad → Brain Stem (Instincts & Survival)
- Heart Triad → Limbic System (Emotions & Social Connection)
- Head Triad → Neocortex (Logic & Higher-Order Thinking)
By understanding which part of the brain dominates your decision-making, you can improve self-regulation, strengthen communication, and create healthier team dynamics. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating relationships, or working on personal growth, recognizing your triad helps you leverage your strengths while balancing potential blind spots.
In the sections ahead, we’ll dive into each triad, exploring how they process emotions, make decisions, and operate in professional settings—giving you actionable insights to apply in everyday life.
The Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams
See How High-Performing Teams Use the Enneagram to Strengthen Collaboration
The Gut Triad (Types 8, 9, & 1): Instinctive Decision Makers
People in the Gut Triad experience and process the world primarily through their instincts. They react physically to situations before engaging emotions or logic, relying on a deep inner knowing to navigate decisions.
⚡️ Gut Triad (8-9-1) → Brain Stem (Survival & Instinct)
- This triad operates from instinctual intelligence, making quick, gut-driven decisions.
- The brain stem controls fight, flight, or freeze responses, which is why Types 8, 9, and 1 react strongly to boundaries, autonomy, and justice.
- Their go-to emotion is anger, but each type expresses it differently: 8s externalize, 9s suppress, and 1s internalize.
Core Emotion: Anger (Processed Instinctually)
The Gut Triad’s dominant emotion is anger, but each type expresses, represses, or internalizes it in unique ways:
Enneagram 8s externalize anger → Express it outwardly as control, assertiveness, and leadership. They confront challenges head-on and rarely suppress emotions.
- When Eights feel anger building in them, they immediately respond to it in some physical way, raising their voices and moving more forcefully. Others can clearly see that Eights are angry because they give themselves permission to express their anger physically.
Enneagram 9s repress anger → Avoid conflict by seeking harmony and detachment, often unaware of their own frustration until it builds up.
- Nines deny their anger and instinctual energies as if to say, “What anger? I am not a person who gets angry.” Nines are the type most out of touch with their anger and instinctual energies, often feeling threatened by them.
Enneagram 1s internalize anger → Channel it into self-discipline, perfectionism, and high standards, often feeling a deep sense of personal responsibility.
- Ones feel they must stay in control of themselves at all times, especially of instinctual impulses and angry feelings.
How the Brain Stem Drives Instinctive Reactions In The Gut Triad
The brain stem, responsible for fight, flight or freeze responses, dominates decision-making in this triad. This means:
- They act before analyzing—trusting gut instincts over logic or emotion.
- They have a strong sense of personal agency—knowing instinctively what feels “right” or “wrong.”
- Their physical presence often conveys strength, confidence, or resistance to external control.
Workplace Application: Strengths & Challenges
Strengths:
✅ Quick, decisive leaders who trust their intuition.
✅ Grounded, resilient team members who stand firm under pressure.
✅ High personal integrity—willing to challenge inefficiency or injustice.
Challenges:
⚠️ Can act impulsively—trusting gut feelings without fully considering alternative perspectives.
⚠️ Struggle with collaboration—8s may dominate, 9s may disengage, 1s may critique instead of delegate.
⚠️ Need balance between instinct & strategy—checking impulses before acting ensures stronger, more sustainable decisions.
Understanding how anger fuels their decision-making helps Gut Triad types channel their instinctive strengths while avoiding reactive choices that could create tension in relationships or leadership roles.
Despite their differences, they all experience anger and use their instincts to decide how to act.
The Heart Triad (Types 2, 3, & 4): Emotionally-Driven Decision Makers
The Heart Triad processes the world through feelings and relationships. Their decision-making is deeply emotional, influenced by their connection to others and their sense of self-worth.
💓 Heart Triad (2-3-4) → Limbic System (Emotions & Social Connection)
- This triad is emotionally driven and highly attuned to relationships, social status, and personal identity.
- The limbic system processes emotions, which is why Types 2, 3, and 4 rely on feelings to navigate social interactions.
- Their go-to emotion is shame, influencing their self-worth, public image, and interpersonal relationships.
Core Emotion: Shame (Processed Relationally)
Shame is the underlying emotion that shapes how Heart Triad types see themselves and navigate relationships. Each type expresses, represses, or internalizes shame in a unique way:
Enneagram 2s externalize shame → Seek validation through helping others, believing their worth comes from being needed.
- Twos want to convince themselves that they are good, loving people by focusing on their positive feelings for others while repressing their negative feelings (such as anger and resentment at not being appreciated enough). They attempt to control shame by getting people to like them and think of them as good people.
Enneagram 3s repress shame → Channel it into success and achievement, trying to “outrun” feelings of inadequacy.
- Threes are potentially the most out of touch with underlying feelings of inadequacy. Threes learn to cope with shame by trying to become what they believe a valuable, successful person is like. Thus, Threes learn to perform well, to be acceptable, even outstanding and are often driven relentlessly in their pursuit of success to stave off feelings of shame and fear of failure.
Enneagram 4s internalize shame → Focus on uniqueness and depth, believing they must be different to be valuable.
- Fours attempt to control their shame by focusing on how unique and special their particular talents, feelings, and personal characteristics are. Fours highlight their individuality and creativity as a way of dealing with their shameful feelings, although Fours are the type most likely to succumb to feelings of inadequacy.
How the Limbic System Fuels Emotional Processing
The limbic system, responsible for emotions, bonding, and social connection, dominates decision-making in this triad. This means:
- They read emotions quickly, making them highly intuitive about people.
- Their sense of self-worth is externally influenced, making feedback and recognition crucial.
- They often prioritize relationships over objectivity, which can lead to emotional decision-making.
Workplace Application: Strengths & Challenges
Strengths:
✅ Empathetic leaders who build strong team cultures.
✅ Skilled communicators—understanding unspoken emotional dynamics.
✅ Relationship-focused problem solvers—balancing team needs with productivity.
Challenges:
⚠️ Can over-personalize decisions, allowing emotions to override logic.
⚠️ Struggle with boundaries—2s overextend, 3s overwork, 4s withdraw under stress.
⚠️ Need to integrate emotional intelligence with practical strategy to ensure balanced decision-making.
By recognizing how shame shapes their behavior, Heart Triad types can channel their emotional intelligence into healthy leadership, effective teamwork, and personal growth—without letting emotions dictate every decision.
Despite their differences, they all experience shame and use their feelings to decide how to act.
The Head Triad (Types 5, 6, & 7): Analytical Decision-Makers
The Head Triad processes the world through logic, analysis, and planning. Their relationship with fear and uncertainty shapes their decision-making—each type finds a different way to cope with the unknown.
🧠 Head Triad (5-6-7) → Neocortex (Logic & Higher-Order Thinking)
- This triad processes the world through analysis, problem-solving, and anticipation.
- The neocortex is responsible for rational thinking, which explains why Types 5, 6, and 7 over-rely on logic, strategy, and planning.
- Their go-to emotion is fear, making them focus on security, preparation, and avoiding uncertainty.
Core Emotion: Fear (Processed Cognitively)
Fear is the underlying emotion that shapes how Head Triad types engage with the world, process decisions, and seek security. Each type expresses, represses, or internalizes fear differently:
Enneagram 5s internalize fear → Withdraw from the world and seek knowledge to feel safe and prepared.
- Fives fear the outer world and their capacity to cope with it. Thus, they cope with their fear by withdrawing from the world. Fives become secretive, isolated loners who use their minds to penetrate the nature of the world. Fives hope that eventually, as they understand reality on their own terms, they will be able to rejoin the world and participate in it, but they never feel they know enough to participate with total confidence.
Enneagram 6s externalize fear → Look for external structures, systems, and authorities to create a sense of security.
- Sixes exhibit the most fear of all three of the Head Triad types. This is largely experienced as anxiety, which causes them to be the most out of touch with their own sense of inner knowing and confidence. Sixes have trouble trusting their minds, so they constantly look outside themselves for something to make them feel sure of themselves. They might turn to philosophies, beliefs, relationships, jobs, savings, authorities, or any combination above.
Enneagram 7s repress fear → Distract themselves with new experiences, possibilities, and excitement to avoid discomfort.
- Sevens fear their inner world. Their feelings of pain, loss, deprivation, and general anxiety that Sevens would like to stay clear of as much as possible. To cope with these feelings, Sevens keep their minds occupied with exciting possibilities and options – as long as they have something stimulating to anticipate, Sevens feel that they can distract themselves from their fears.
How the Neocortex Drives Rational Thinking
The neocortex, responsible for logic, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking, dominates decision-making in this triad. This means:
- They process reality through analysis and strategy, ensuring they make well-informed decisions.
- Their fear of uncertainty makes them thorough researchers, but it can also lead to overthinking or avoidance.
- They may disconnect from emotions, preferring intellectualization over vulnerability.
Workplace Application: Strengths & Challenges
Strengths:
✅ Strategic problem-solvers—anticipate risks and think several steps ahead.
✅ Logical and objective—able to detach emotions and assess situations rationally.
✅ Adaptable thinkers—constantly seeking new ideas, solutions, and frameworks.
Challenges:
⚠️ Can overthink and delay action—analysis paralysis can prevent forward momentum.
⚠️ Struggle with emotional connection—tend to intellectualize rather than engage emotionally.
⚠️ May avoid discomfort—5s isolate, 6s seek external validation, and 7s distract themselves with excitement.
By recognizing how fear influences their thinking, Head Triad types can channel their intelligence into decisive action, improve emotional connection, and develop a balanced approach to risk and uncertainty.
Despite their differences, they all experience fear and use their thoughts to decide how to act.
How to Apply Your Triads Insight for Personal Growth & Leadership Development
Understanding your Enneagram triad isn’t just about self-awareness—it’s about using these insights to make better decisions, strengthen relationships, and lead with confidence. By recognizing how your core emotion influences your behavior, you can break unhelpful patterns and develop a more balanced approach to work and life.
Self-Assessment: Do You Express, Repress, or Internalize Your Core Emotion?
Start by reflecting on your natural response to stress, conflict, and decision-making:
- Gut Types (8-9-1): Do you react instinctively in the moment, ignore your feelings, or turn frustration inward?
- Heart Types (2-3-4): Do you seek external validation, overcompensate with achievement, or dwell on emotions?
- Head Types (5-6-7): Do you withdraw and analyze, look for external reassurance, or avoid fear through distractions?
Once you identify your pattern, you can start reframing challenges into growth opportunities.
Growth Strategies for Each Triad
⚡️ Gut Triad (8-9-1): Cultivate Self-Awareness
- Learn to pause before reacting, rather than making snap decisions based on instinct.
- Channel anger into constructive action rather than letting it control you.
- Develop patience and adaptability, allowing for input from others.
💓 Heart Triad (2-3-4): Build Emotional Resilience
- Separate self-worth from external validation—your value isn’t dependent on how others see you.
- Recognize when emotions cloud judgment, ensuring decisions align with long-term goals.
- Cultivate authentic confidence rather than overcompensating through achievement or uniqueness.
🧠 Head Triad (5-6-7): Strengthen Emotional Intelligence
- Balance rational analysis with emotional awareness—not every decision requires exhaustive research.
- Learn to trust your instincts rather than waiting for absolute certainty.
- Practice staying present rather than distracting yourself from discomfort.
How To Use Your Triad to Improve Leadership & Communication
Your core emotion and decision-making style influence how you lead, collaborate, and resolve conflict.
- Gut Types: Focus on balancing decisiveness with adaptability. Strong instincts make you a natural leader, but pausing to listen before acting creates more effective teams.
- Heart Types: Lean into emotional intelligence without over-personalizing feedback. Your relational strength is powerful, but ensuring boundaries will prevent burnout.
- Head Types: Learn to trust your knowledge and intuition without overanalyzing. Your strategic thinking is valuable, but clear, timely decisions create momentum.
Why Understanding Your Triad Matters
Enneagram Triads help reveal the deeper patterns behind our decisions, stress responses, and leadership styles. When you understand your triad, you gain a new level of self-awareness that helps you navigate relationships, career growth, and personal development with more confidence.
Rather than reacting on instinct, emotion, or over-analysis, you can pause, recognize your default tendencies, and make intentional choices that align with who you want to be. This is the key to stronger relationships, better leadership, and more effective communication.
Understanding your triad is just the first step—applying it makes all the difference.
📍 Ready to dive deeper into the Enneagram?
👉 Take the Free Enneagram Test to discover your type & triad and start using this insight to your advantage.
👉 Want to improve team collaboration? Download the Enneagram Guide to Healthy Teams to learn how different triads communicate, make decisions, and handle conflict in the workplace
Discover How Each Center of Intelligence Shapes Your Relationships
The Peacemaker: More Than Easygoing
You bring something rare to the world—an innate ability to create calm where there is conflict, to see multiple perspectives, and to bring people together. Where others rush to take sides, you instinctively seek common ground, helping teams, families, and communities find balance.
But here’s the thing—your peaceful nature isn’t just about avoiding conflict. It’s about fostering real connection, creating an environment where people feel heard, and making sure that harmony is built on understanding, not just silence.
Whether it’s smoothing out team dynamics, offering a perspective that no one else has considered, or simply being a grounding presence, you bring invaluable stability and warmth to any space you enter.
But with that gift comes challenges. The fear of rocking the boat. The tendency to put your own needs aside for the sake of keeping the peace. The inner voice that says, “If I speak up, will it disrupt everything?”
You’re not just about keeping the peace—you’re about creating genuine, meaningful connection. And that’s what makes you a Peacemaker. This guide will help you maximize your strengths, set boundaries without guilt, and grow in ways that allow you to stay true to yourself—without losing your voice in the process.
The Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams
See How High-Performing Teams Use the Enneagram to Strengthen Collaboration
Core Motivations & Fears of Type 9s
A common misconception about Type 9s is that they are just easygoing people who “go with the flow” to avoid conflict. In reality, Nines aren’t simply passive—they are deeply attuned to the emotional dynamics of those around them and work hard to maintain stability, whether in relationships, teams, or their personal world.
Type 9s make up a significant part of the Enneagram landscape, bringing their ability to mediate, harmonize, and create a sense of belonging wherever they go. You are the steady presence that makes people feel seen, heard, and valued.
But beneath these motivations lie some powerful fears:
👉 Fear of disconnection—that if they assert themselves too much, they might lose their sense of belonging.
👉 Fear of conflict or tension—that difficult conversations or standing up for themselves might lead to rejection or instability.
👉 Fear of being overlooked or unimportant—that their needs and desires don’t matter as much as those of others.
👉 Fear of inner turmoil—when they are forced to confront deep emotions or personal struggles, it can feel overwhelming.
In this guide, we’ll explore what makes Type 9s tick—your strengths, challenges, and how you can grow without losing your sense of peace and connection.
Strengths of Enneagram Type 9: The Peacemaker
As a Type 9, your strengths don’t just make you an easygoing person—they make you the glue that holds people and teams together. You’re not just about avoiding conflict; you bring empathy, perspective, and a deep sense of harmony that helps people feel seen, valued, and connected.
Core Strengths of Enneagram 9
☘️ Deeply Empathetic & Understanding – You instinctively know how to listen and make people feel heard, fostering an environment of trust and connection.
☘️ Natural Peacemaker – You have a gift for bringing people together, finding common ground, and easing tensions in difficult situations.
☘️ Adaptable & Open-Minded – You go with the flow and can adjust to new situations without resistance, making you a steady presence in times of change.
☘️ Calm & Grounded – Your ability to stay composed under pressure helps keep teams and relationships stable, even in stressful moments.
☘️ Loyal & Supportive – You are a steadfast and dependable friend, partner, and teammate, always showing up for others with quiet strength.
☘️ Big-Picture Thinker – You naturally see multiple perspectives and help others zoom out and view situations with wisdom and clarity.
What This Means in Work & Life
Your strengths make you a powerful team player, problem solver, and emotional anchor in any setting. Your presence helps create a sense of belonging, making others feel valued and at ease. But these same strengths can also turn into challenges—such as avoiding conflict, suppressing your own needs, or struggling with decision-making (we’ll cover that in the next section).
💡 Coaching Insight: Your ability to create harmony is a gift, but that doesn’t mean you should always blend into the background. The best leaders use their calm nature to facilitate meaningful discussions, not just keep the peace. Instead of sidestepping conflict, experiment with assertiveness:
✔ Instead of deferring to others, say, I have a thought on this—can I share my perspective?
✔ Instead of avoiding difficult conversations, say, I value our relationship, so I’d love to talk about this openly.
Your voice matters just as much as the peace you create.
Challenges & Growth Opportunities for Enneagram Type 9
Your ability to create harmony makes you a powerful force for connection, but it can also make it easy to lose yourself in the needs and desires of others. You often prioritize keeping the peace over speaking up, which can lead to unexpressed frustrations, avoidance of conflict, or feeling overlooked. So how do you maintain your calm presence while also advocating for yourself?
⚠️ Common Challenges for Type 9s
👉 Avoiding Conflict at All Costs – You may sidestep difficult conversations to keep the peace, but this can lead to long-term frustration or resentment.
👉 Struggling to Assert Yourself – You often put others’ needs before your own, which can make it hard to express your own opinions, preferences, and desires.
👉 Procrastination & Indecision – Nines can struggle to take initiative or make decisions, especially when multiple perspectives are involved. This can result in putting off tasks until the last minute.
👉 Tendency to Numb Out – When overwhelmed, you may retreat into distractions like TV, social media, or busywork instead of addressing what’s really bothering you.
👉 Overcommitting to Keep the Peace – You might say “yes” to things you honestly don’t want to do, just to avoid disappointing others. This can leave you feeling drained or disconnected from your own priorities.
🌱 Growth Strategies for Type 9s
✅ Practice Assertive Communication – Your voice matters. Instead of defaulting to Whatever works for everyone else, try I’d love to share my thoughts on this.
✅ Set Small, Achievable Goals – Avoiding big decisions? Break them into small steps. Making progress—even in tiny ways—builds confidence in your ability to take action.
✅ Learn to Sit with Discomfort – Avoiding conflict doesn’t make problems disappear. Instead of brushing things under the rug, practice saying, I want to talk about this because our relationship is important to me.
✅ Stay Present & Engaged – When you catch yourself zoning out or avoiding a task, pause and ask, What’s one small action I can take right now?
✅ Prioritize Your Own Needs – Start small: instead of saying I don’t care, practice naming one preference, even in simple situations like choosing a restaurant or movie.
✅ Recognize That Disagreements Don’t Mean Disconnection – People can disagree and still care about each other. Expressing yourself won’t push people away—it will bring more authenticity to your relationships.
💡 Coaching Insight: Nines thrive when they balance their ability to maintain peace with the courage to show up fully in their own lives. Speaking up, making decisions, and prioritizing their own needs don’t take away from their calm nature—it makes it stronger.
✔ New Habit: Instead of asking, What does everyone else want? try, Here’s what I’d love to do—what do you think?
Type 9 at Work: Strengths & Strategies for Success
Enneagram Type 9s bring a calm, steady, and collaborative presence to the workplace. Whether leading a team, working in a group, or managing daily tasks, they focus on creating a harmonious environment where everyone feels valued. Their ability to see multiple perspectives makes them strong mediators and problem solvers—but their natural tendency to avoid conflict or assertiveness can sometimes hold them back.
How Nines Lead
✔ Lead with calmness and understanding—they create environments where people feel heard.
✔ Encourage collaboration and teamwork rather than competition.
✔ Often defer decision-making to keep the peace, even when they have strong opinions.
How Nines Work on a Team
✔ Foster harmony and inclusivity—they ensure all voices are heard.
✔ Adaptable and willing to go with the flow, making them easy to work with.
✔ Can struggle with asserting their needs or preferences, leading to feeling overlooked.
Biggest Workplace Challenge:
🛠 Overcoming the “It Doesn’t Really Matter” Mindset
Type 9s sometimes avoid taking a strong stance on projects or ideas because they don’t want to disrupt harmony. But staying quiet can mean missing out on opportunities for leadership and influence.
📍 Example: Imagine you’re in a meeting where a big decision is being made, but you’re hesitant to voice your perspective. Instead of staying silent, try saying: I see a few different sides to this, but one thing that stands out to me is… This keeps the conversation open while making sure your input is heard.
Communication Style
✔ Thoughtful and considerate of others’ feelings in discussions.
✔ Excellent at seeing multiple perspectives—but may struggle to assert their own.
✔ Can avoid direct confrontation, preferring to let things work themselves out.
✔ Benefit from practicing clear, direct communication, especially in decision-making.
Ideal Work Environments for Type 9s
Nines thrive in workplaces that value collaboration, balance, and mutual respect—where there’s space for different opinions without constant conflict. Some of the best roles for Nines include:
✔️ Counseling & Social Work – Helping others feel heard and supported.
✔️ Human Resources & Team Development – Creating healthy workplace cultures.
✔️ Creative & Design Fields – A balance of structure and flexibility.
✔️ Education & Coaching – Encouraging growth in others.
✔️ Nonprofit & Advocacy Work – Supporting meaningful causes.
☘️ How Cloverleaf’s Enneagram Tips Can Help You:
You don’t need another personality test that tells you what you already know—you need daily coaching insights that remind you to speak up, take initiative, and step into leadership when it matters most.
📍 Take the Free Enneagram Test & Get Personalized Coaching →
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 9s can unintentionally hold themselves back by avoiding direct engagement. Practicing self-advocacy—whether in meetings, projects, or career growth—helps them bring their full value to the team without sacrificing their natural ability to create harmony.
Type 9 in Relationships: Communication & Emotional Growth
Enneagram Type 9s bring warmth, steadiness, and deep empathy to their relationships. They believe love is shown through acceptance, presence, and creating a peaceful environment where everyone feels valued. They are easygoing, supportive partners and friends—but their natural tendency to avoid conflict or strong personal opinions can sometimes create emotional distance in relationships.
How Type 9s Express Care
✔ Deep listening and presence—Nines make people feel truly heard and understood.
✔ Encouraging harmony—They naturally smooth over tension and create emotional balance.
✔ Going with the flow—They accommodate others’ needs and preferences to avoid tension.
How Type 9s Receive Care Best
✔ Feeling seen and acknowledged—They need to know their presence and contributions matter.
✔ Encouragement to express their own needs and desires, not just accommodate others.
✔ Gentle but direct communication that invites them to share their thoughts.
⚠ Potential Relationship Struggles
👉 Avoiding conflict at all costs—They may suppress their true feelings to keep the peace.
👉 Struggling to assert their needs—They often defer to others instead of expressing their own desires.
👉 Becoming emotionally distant—By prioritizing harmony, they may unintentionally disengage.
Practical Relational Tip for Type 9s
Shifting from “Going Along” to Authentic Connection
Because Nines value harmony so deeply, they often go with the flow—even when they have strong feelings. But real connection comes from expressing what you truly think and need, even if it means disrupting the peace temporarily.
Instead of defaulting to what others want, try:
🚫 I don’t really care; whatever you want is fine.
✅ I’d love to do this, but I want to hear your thoughts too!
🚫 I’ll just let it go. (when something really bothers you)
✅ This has been on my mind—I’d like to talk through it with you.
🚫 Ignoring your own needs to keep others happy.
✅ Practicing: I need time to think about what I really want.
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 9s build deeper connections when they express their honest thoughts and needs rather than simply agreeing to keep things smooth. Healthy relationships thrive on honest input, not just harmony.
Stress & Growth Paths for Type 9s
Under Stress: When Avoidance Takes Over
When overwhelmed, Type 9s move toward the reactive emotions of Type 6. This can look like:
👉 Overthinking and worrying → What if something goes wrong?
👉 Seeking external reassurance → I just need to know everything will be okay.
👉 Becoming passive or resistant to change → I’ll deal with it later.
👉 Feeling stuck in indecision → Instead of making a choice, they may freeze or defer to others.
💡 Coaching Tip: Stress can cause Nines to feel mentally scattered and disconnected from themselves. When you notice yourself overthinking or avoiding, pause and ask:
❓ What’s one small action I can take right now?
❓ Am I avoiding something because I fear conflict or change?
Progress happens when you trust yourself enough to take action—even when it feels uncomfortable.
In Growth: Embracing the Confidence of Type 3
At their best, Type 9s integrate the motivation and drive of Type 3. Growth looks like:
✔ Taking initiative instead of waiting for things to unfold.
✔ Speaking up for their wants and needs without guilt.
✔ Trusting their own opinions and decisions.
✔ Moving from passive dreaming to active goal-setting.
💡 Coaching Tip: Try a small but intentional challenge this week. Instead of waiting for the “right moment,” ask yourself:
❓ What’s one decision I can make today without deferring to others?
❓ How can I take the lead in a small but meaningful way?
💭 Reminder: You don’t have to choose between harmony and action—you can have both.
Key to Managing Stress: The Power of Engagement
The real growth path for Type 9s isn’t about forcing conflict—it’s about recognizing that your voice, opinions, and actions matter.
✅ Shift from passive to proactive → Instead of waiting for things to happen, step forward with confidence.
✅ Make small decisions daily → Even simple choices (like picking the dinner spot) build self-trust.
✅ Check in with yourself before deferring → Before saying “whatever works,” ask What do I really want?
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 9s thrive when they balance their natural gift for harmony with the courage to take action. If you’re feeling stuck, ask yourself:
❓ Am I holding back to avoid conflict or discomfort?
❓ How would I act if I trusted that my voice truly matters?
Your presence makes a difference—especially when you allow yourself to fully engage.
Coaching Tips for Type 9s
1. Shift from Avoiding Conflict to Engaging with Confidence
Try this: Instead of defaulting to It’s fine, whatever works, practice stating your opinion directly in a small but meaningful way—whether it’s choosing a restaurant, speaking up in a meeting, or setting a boundary.
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 9s avoid conflict to keep the peace, but your voice matters. The more you engage, the stronger your self-trust becomes.
2. Reframing Procrastination: From Overwhelm to Action
Try this: When you notice yourself delaying something, break it into one small, manageable step and commit to it right away.
💡 Coaching Insight: Nines often put off decisions or tasks because they feel overwhelming. But action creates momentum—start small and build from there.
3. Self-Assertion as a Tool for Growth
Try this: The next time you find yourself deferring to others, pause and ask: What do I actually want? Then, say it out loud.
💡 Coaching Insight: Nines naturally prioritize others’ needs over their own. But practicing self-assertion strengthens your confidence and helps you feel more connected to yourself.
4. Building Engagement: Learning to Take Initiative
Try this: Instead of waiting for someone else to lead, challenge yourself to take the initiative on a small project or decision.
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 9s thrive when they actively participate instead of observing from the sidelines. Try stepping forward—your perspective adds value.
How Cloverleaf Helps Type 9s Thrive
You already know how to bring harmony and keep the peace. But true balance isn’t just about avoiding conflict—it’s about engaging fully while still honoring your natural calm.
☘️ Cloverleaf’s personalized coaching insights help Type 9s:
✅ Build confidence in their voice—learning to assert themselves while maintaining strong relationships.
✅ Overcome procrastination and disengagement—gaining momentum by taking small, intentional actions.
✅ Navigate conflict with ease—understanding that healthy disagreements lead to stronger connections.
✅ Stay energized and motivated—so collaboration and teamwork remain fulfilling, not draining.
👉 And the best part? These insights aren’t just a one-time report—you get real-time coaching tips exactly when you need them. Whether it’s a reminder before a meeting, a nudge to engage more in a conversation, or encouragement to take the lead, Cloverleaf helps you grow without losing your natural strengths.
The Challenger: More Than Just Strong
You move through the world with confidence, presence, and undeniable strength. You don’t just accept things as they are—you challenge them, push limits, and refuse to back down when something isn’t right.
But here’s the thing—your drive isn’t just about power or control. It’s about protecting what matters, standing up for those who need a voice, and ensuring that fairness and truth win out. You don’t just seek strength for yourself—you instinctively use it to shield and support others.
Whether it’s leading fearlessly, pushing through obstacles, or calling out injustice, you’re wired to take action and make things happen.
But with that strength comes responsibility. The need to stay in control. The frustration when others don’t match your intensity. The instinct to go it alone instead of relying on others.
You’re not just about dominance—you’re about courage, loyalty, and impact. And that’s what makes you a true Challenger.
This guide will show you how to maximize your strengths, stay open to connection, and grow in ways that allow you to lead without carrying everything alone.
The Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams
See How High-Performing Teams Use the Enneagram to Strengthen Collaboration
Core Motivations & Fears of Type 8s
A common misconception about Type 8s is that they’re just aggressive or domineering. In reality, Eights are driven by a deep desire to protect, lead, and create a world where strength and justice prevail. You are motivated by a need to be in control of your own life, ensuring that neither you nor the people you care about are vulnerable to harm.
Type 8s are known for their boldness, confidence, and ability to take decisive action in the face of uncertainty. You bring a commanding presence to any team or situation, unafraid to challenge authority or push boundaries when necessary. People look to you for leadership because of your resilience, decisiveness, and unwavering commitment to your values.
But beneath these motivations lie some powerful fears:
- Fear of being controlled—You don’t want to be at the mercy of others or feel like someone else is making decisions for you.
- Fear of vulnerability—Letting people in and showing emotional softness can feel like a risk. You’d rather project strength than expose weaknesses.
- Fear of injustice—You despise unfairness, especially when it affects people who can’t stand up for themselves. It’s hard to stay silent when you see wrongdoing.
- Fear of dependence—You pride yourself on your independence, and the idea of having to rely on others for support can feel unsettling.
In this guide, we’ll explore what makes Type 8s powerful forces for change, the challenges that can come with that strength, and how you can grow without losing your sense of autonomy and control.
Strengths of Enneagram Type 8: The Challenger
As a Type 8, your strengths don’t just make you a strong-willed person—they make you a fearless leader and protector. You’re not just about power and control; you bring courage, decisiveness, and an unshakable commitment to justice and independence.
Core Strengths of Type 8
☘️ Fearless & Decisive – You don’t hesitate when action is needed. Your ability to make tough calls, especially in high-pressure situations, makes you a natural leader.
☘️ Confident & Assertive – You step up when others shrink back. You aren’t afraid to voice your opinions and fight for what you believe in.
☘️ Protective & Loyal – You stand up for your people. Whether it’s your team, friends, or loved ones, you will go to battle for those who need you.
☘️ Independent & Self-Sufficient – You don’t like relying on others, and you take pride in your ability to handle things on your own.
☘️ Energetic & Action-Oriented – You don’t just sit back and wait for change to happen—you make it happen. You push forward, innovate, and drive results.
☘️ Resilient & Unstoppable – Challenges don’t break you; they fuel you. You’re willing to take risks and push through obstacles that would make others back down.
What This Means in Work & Life
Your strengths make you a natural leader, even if you don’t always intend to be. People respect your boldness, clarity, and ability to take charge. You thrive in environments where you can be in control of your own path and where your drive to challenge the status quo is valued.
But these same strengths can also turn into challenges if taken too far—over-controlling situations, resisting vulnerability, or intimidating others without meaning to (we’ll cover that in the next section).
💡 Coaching Insight: Your leadership style is powerful and direct, but the best leaders don’t just command—they empower. Experiment with:
✔ Instead of taking full control, Ask: “How can I support you in taking the lead on this?”
✔ Instead of assuming resistance means weakness, Try: “I want to understand your perspective—what’s your take on this?”
Your power is undeniable—but true strength comes from knowing when to push and when to step back.
Challenges & Growth Opportunities for Enneagram Type 8
Your boldness makes you a powerful force, but it can also make you a polarizing presence if unchecked. You operate with intensity and conviction, and while this makes you a fearless leader, it can also create unintentional conflict, burnout, or emotional detachment. So how do you harness your strength without alienating others or exhausting yourself?
⚠️ Common Challenges for Type 8s
👉 Struggling with Vulnerability – You see emotions as a potential weakness, which can lead to suppressing feelings or resisting deep connections.
👉 Overpowering Others – Your intense energy and direct approach can sometimes feel intimidating, even when you don’t intend it to. Others may hesitate to push back or share differing opinions.
👉 Resistance to Authority – You dislike being controlled, which can make it difficult to compromise or follow leadership decisions that don’t align with your vision.
👉 Difficulty Trusting Others – You prefer to rely on yourself, which can sometimes lead to micromanaging or pushing people away instead of collaborating.
👉 Fear of Losing Control – Change, unpredictability, or perceived limitations on your freedom can create stress and frustration.
🌱 Growth Strategies for Type 8s
✅ Embrace Strategic Vulnerability – Strength isn’t just about power—it’s about connection. Opening up, even in small ways, builds trust and deeper relationships.
✅ Balance Strength with Sensitivity – Your energy can be inspiring or overwhelming—notice how your intensity impacts others and adjust when needed.
✅ Practice Active Listening – Instead of assuming you know the best path forward, ask: What’s your perspective? Showing openness encourages collaboration.
✅ Let Go of the Need to Always Lead – Leadership doesn’t always mean control. Trusting others to step up can lighten your load and strengthen your team.
✅ Redefine Strength – True power isn’t about domination—it’s about influence, adaptability, and lifting others up.
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 8s thrive when they channel their power with purpose, using their boldness to protect, empower, and elevate others, not just to assert control. Try shifting from I have to handle this to How can I empower others to lead?
Type 8 at Work: Strengths & Strategies for Success
Enneagram Type 8s bring bold leadership, decisive action, and an unwavering drive to their work. Whether they’re leading a team, managing high-stakes projects, or pushing for change, Eights thrive when they have autonomy and authority. They are natural leaders who aren’t afraid to take risks or make tough calls.
How Eights Lead
✔ Lead with confidence and decisiveness—They take charge, make decisions quickly, and expect others to keep up.
✔ Empower and challenge others—They push their teams to be strong, independent, and resilient.
✔ Prioritize results over bureaucracy—Eights cut through red tape and push forward, even if it means breaking the rules.
✔ Defend their team fiercely—They protect those they trust and advocate for fairness and justice.
How Eights Work on a Team
✔ Bring energy and momentum—They push projects forward and encourage others to step up.
✔ Value direct, no-nonsense communication—They say what they mean and expect the same from others.
✔ Encourage independence—They want teammates who own their responsibilities and don’t need micromanaging.
✔ Can be intimidating—Without realizing it, their strong presence can make others hesitant to speak up.
Biggest Workplace Challenge:
🛠 Letting Go of the “If I Don’t Push, Nothing Will Happen” Mindset
Type 8s thrive on action and control, but constantly pushing can lead to burnout—both for themselves and their teams. Learning when to step back, listen, and trust others can lead to greater long-term success.
📍 Example: Imagine you’re leading a major initiative, and a team member suggests an alternative approach. Your instinct? Override them and move forward with your plan. But what if, instead, you asked:
✅ Tell me why you think this could work.
✅ How would you approach it?
By inviting input rather than controlling the outcome, you create a stronger, more engaged team—without sacrificing results.
Communication Style
✔ Direct and assertive—Eights don’t sugarcoat their words and expect honesty in return.
✔ Results-driven conversations—They focus on what needs to be done, not small talk.
✔ Can come across as intense or confrontational—Even when they don’t intend to be.
✔ Benefit from softening their approach—Balancing strength with emotional awareness helps build stronger connections.
Ideal Work Environments for Type 8s
Eights thrive in fast-paced, high-impact environments where they can lead, innovate, and drive change. Some of the best industries for Type 8s include:
✔ Entrepreneurship & Startups – The freedom to create and lead on their own terms.
✔ Executive Leadership & Management – Making big decisions and shaping the direction of a company.
✔ Law & Advocacy – Fighting for justice and influencing policies.
✔ Politics & Activism – Driving large-scale change and championing important causes.
✔ Emergency Services & Crisis Management – Thriving under pressure and making quick decisions.
☘️ How Cloverleaf’s Enneagram Tips Can Help You:
You don’t need another one-time personality report—you need real-time coaching insights that help you refine your leadership, improve communication, and balance your intensity with collaboration. Whether it’s learning to delegate, trusting your team, or pacing your energy, Cloverleaf helps you grow without losing your edge.
📍 Take the Free Enneagram Test & Get Personalized Coaching →
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 8s excel when they learn to balance power with partnership. Strength isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about knowing when to step back and let others lead, too.
Type 8 in Relationships: Communication & Emotional Growth
Enneagram Type 8s bring intensity, passion, and fierce loyalty to their relationships. They believe love is shown through protection, strength, and taking action. They are fiercely committed to those they care about but can struggle with vulnerability and emotional openness.
How Type 8s Express Care
✔ Through protection and loyalty—Eights stand up for those close to them and will stand up for them when needed.
✔ By taking charge—They often step in to handle problems, believing action is the best way to show care.
✔ Through direct communication—They speak their mind and expect honesty in return.
✔ By pushing others to be strong—They encourage loved ones to be independent and self-sufficient.
How Type 8s Receive Care Best
✔ Feeling trusted and respected—They want to know their strength is valued, not seen as “too much.”
✔ Being given space to be vulnerable—While they resist showing weakness, they appreciate safe, judgment-free support.
✔ They value confident, capable people—thriving in partnerships built on mutual respect and shared strength.
✔ Having loyalty reciprocated—They need to trust deeply before they let their guard down.
⚠ Potential Relationship Struggles
👉 Struggling to show vulnerability—Eights often avoid emotional openness because they see it as a weakness.
👉 Coming across as too intense—Their strong presence and directness can overwhelm more sensitive people.
👉 Taking control too often—They might override others’ opinions or decisions, assuming they know best.
👉 Pushing independence too hard—Eights want their loved ones to be strong but might dismiss emotional needs in the process.
Practical Relational Tip for Type 8s
💬 Shifting from Control to Connection
Eights often show love by taking charge, but this can feel controlling rather than caring to others.
Instead of stepping in to “fix” things, try allowing space for collaboration:
🚫 I’ll handle it.
✅ Would you like me to help, or do you just want to talk it through?
🚫 You need to toughen up.
✅ I know you’re strong—how can I support you right now?
🚫 Just do what I say.
✅ Let’s figure this out together.
🚫 I don’t need help.
✅ I appreciate you having my back—I know I don’t always say it.
By balancing strength with openness, Eights build deeper, more trusting relationships.
💡 Coaching Insight: Eights thrive when they see vulnerability as strength, not weakness. True power comes from letting people in, not just standing guard.
Stress & Growth Paths for Type 8s
Under Stress: When Control Becomes a Shield
When overwhelmed, Type 8s move toward the reactive emotions of Type 5. This can look like:
👉 Withdrawing to strategize → I’ll figure this out on my own.
👉 Becoming detached and overly analytical → I need all the facts before I act.
👉 Suppressing emotions → Feelings don’t solve problems.
👉 Doubting who to trust → I can’t rely on anyone but myself.
💡 Coaching Tip: Stress can push Type 8s into isolation and hyper-independence, making it harder to ask for help. If you notice yourself pulling away, pause and ask:
❓ Am I avoiding connection because I don’t trust others, or because I don’t want to be vulnerable?
❓ Who is one person I can lean on for support right now?
💭 Growth happens when you allow others to support you, not just when you stand strong alone.
In Growth: Embracing the Heart of Type 2
At their best, Type 8s integrate the compassion and relational warmth of Type 2. Growth looks like:
✅ Leading with both strength and heart—learning that power is more impactful when paired with care.
✅ Building trust through openness—allowing others to step up instead of doing everything solo.
✅ Balancing action with connection—understanding that relationships are as valuable as results.
✅ Using strength to uplift, not just to protect—channeling passion into advocacy, not just control.
💡 Coaching Tip: Try a “trust-building exercise” this week. Instead of taking over, ask yourself:
❓ What’s one way I can invite collaboration instead of assuming I need to lead alone?
❓ How can I show care in action—not just through strength, but through connection?
💭 True power comes not just from control but from empowering others.
Key to Managing Stress: The Power of Trust
The real growth path for Type 8s isn’t about losing strength—it’s about learning when to soften and let others in.
✔ Shift from independence to interdependence → Leadership isn’t about doing it all yourself—it’s about building strong teams you can rely on.
✔ Balance action with reflection → Strength isn’t just about pushing forward, it’s also about knowing when to pause.
✔ Redefine what power means → True strength isn’t just about being in control—it’s about using influence to create lasting impact.
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 8s thrive when they learn that trust doesn’t make them weak—it makes them even stronger. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself:
❓ Am I holding on too tightly because I don’t trust others, or because I don’t trust myself to be vulnerable?
❓ What would happen if I let go, just a little?
💭 The fastest way to grow isn’t through more control—it’s through trust, connection, and knowing when to share the load.
Coaching Tips for Type 8s
1. Shift from Controlling to Empowering Leadership
Try this: Instead of taking charge in every situation, ask your team: What do you think is the best course of action? and let them lead.
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 8s are natural leaders, but true leadership isn’t just about taking control—it’s about developing others to step up with confidence. By trusting your team, you create a culture of empowerment, not just authority.
2. Reframing Conflict: From Confrontation to Collaboration
Try this: Before reacting to a disagreement, pause and ask: Am I trying to win this, or am I trying to understand?
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 8s are bold communicators, but directness can sometimes feel intimidating to others. Instead of pushing your point harder, approach conflict with curiosity—seeking mutual understanding instead of dominance.
3. Balancing Strength with Vulnerability
Try this: The next time you feel the urge to power through a challenge alone, share your thoughts with someone you trust and ask for their perspective.
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 8s are wired for independence, but showing vulnerability strengthens relationships. Letting others see your fears or uncertainties doesn’t make you weak—it makes you a more respected and relatable leader.
4. Channeling Energy into Strategic Patience
Try this: Instead of jumping into action immediately, ask yourself, Will this decision still feel right tomorrow?
💡 Coaching Insight: Type 8s thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure situations, but not everything requires immediate action. Practicing strategic patience allows you to make smarter, more sustainable decisions—without burning out or overwhelming your team.
How Cloverleaf Helps Type 8s Thrive
You already know how to take charge, make bold moves, and push through obstacles. But sustaining success without burning out—or pushing others away—requires more than just strength. It takes balance, trust, and strategic influence.
☘️Cloverleaf’s personalized coaching insights help Type 8s:
✅ Channel their intensity into leadership that empowers rather than overwhelms.
✅ Build trust and collaboration—leading with strength while allowing space for others to contribute.
✅ Recognize when to soften their approach—so passion doesn’t come across as forcefulness.
✅ Manage stress without powering through—learning when to push forward and when to pause.
👉 And the best part? These insights don’t sit in a report—you get them exactly when you need them. Whether it’s a reminder before a tough conversation, a coaching tip in your inbox, or a team insight inside your daily tools, Cloverleaf helps you to keep growing in real time.
