There are two types of arrows that branch off of your dominant Enneagram Type. These arrows express your Direction of Growth and your Direction of Stress, which means how you will likely act in different scenarios.
Look at the image below to help you further understand what the arrows mean. For example, when under a great deal of stress, a Type 1 will exhibit the unhealthy characteristics of Type 4, and when experiencing growth, a Type 1 will display the healthy attributes of Type 7.
The Stress Arrows point to how the type is likely to act out if they are under increased stress and pressure—when they feel they are not in control of the situation. For Type One, the stress arrow points to Type Four.
The Growth Arrow points to the type representing how a person behaves when moving toward health and security. For Type One, the growth arrow points to Type Seven.
Enneagram Growth Arrows
Your Direction of Growth represents the behaviors you exude when experiencing growth. The sequences are 1-7-5-8-2-4-1 and 9-3-6-9.
So, again if you are an Enneagram One, your Direction of Growth is Seven. This arrow generally represents positive action that will lead to improvement over time. In times of growth, a One will likely behave like a healthy Seven.
Enneagram Stress Arrows
Your Direction of Stress represents how you act under stress. The sequences are 1-4-2-8-5-7-1 and 9-6-3-9.
Returning to the Enneagram One for our example, their Direction of Stress is toward Type Four. Under stress, a One may behave like an unhealthy Four. This arrow generally represents a negative and a downhill course of action; until it is recognized, it could have an unfavorable effect on you and others.
THE ENNEAGRAM GUIDE TO HEALTHY TEAMS
- A breakdown of each Enneagram type and their work style
- How to recognize the motivations of each type to mitigate conflict
- Tips for using the Enneagram to improve communication among team members
- Activities to help develop your team
Enneagram Arrows Explained For Each Type
Enneagram 1 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to Four
Stress impacts ones with a sense of hopelessness, becoming overly self-conscience and critical.
When Secure
Move to Seven
When ones feel secure, they enjoy having fun and are more spontaneous.
Enneagram 2 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to Eight
Stress can cause twos to become aggressive (especially when they don’t feel appreciated) to the point of attacking, blaming, and seeking to control.
When Secure
Move to Four
When twos feel secure, they are more transparent, possess creative potential, are aware of their feelings, and are honest about their full emotions.
Enneagram 3 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to Nine
Stress can cause threes to become passive-aggressive, avoiding, and vengeful.
When Secure
Move to Six
When threes feel secure, they become more committed and invest in causes they truly believe in (not just what makes them look good).
Enneagram 4 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to Two
Stress can cause fours to become codependent or manipulative and attention-seeking.
When Secure
Move to One
When fours feel secure, they act on their ideals to be more objective and less self-absorbed.
Enneagram 5 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to Seven
Stress impacts fives toward becoming easily distracted, insensitive, and withdrawn by spending too much time/money on their interests.
When Secure
Move to Eight
When fives feel secure, they will exude more energy and action, taking the initiative with a greater sense of living in the moment.
Enneagram 6 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to Three
Stress can cause sixes to seek to impress or use others for their gain.
When Secure
Move to Nine
When sixes feel secure, they develop a calmness about themselves and are more trusting of others rather than suspecting their motives.
Enneagram 7 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to One
Stress impacts sevens toward self-criticism, fault-finding, and blaming others.
When Secure
Move to Five
When sevens feel secure, they accept the good and the bad, the happy and the sad aspects of life, while practicing self-discipline.
Enneagram 8 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to Five
Stress can cause eights to withdraw or become paranoid.
When Secure
Move to Two
When eights feel secure, they relate successfully to people with warmth and compassion.
Enneagram 9 Arrows
Under Stress
Move to Six
When nines experience stress, they feel a sense of being overwhelmed by anxiety and indecisiveness.
When Secure
Move to Three
When nines feel secure, they tend to be more practical, productive, focused, and confident.
The nine Enneagram personality types are not static categories and can change over time. The growth and stress lines within the Enneagram symbol are not arbitrary. These inner lines connect the types in a sequence that denotes what each type will do under different conditions.
In other words, different situations evoke different responses from each type’s personality, and these lines help make sense of these responses.
In both arrows, a person can access both the resourceful (positive) and non-resourceful (negative) tendencies of the arrow type.
Did you know that Cloverleaf can help you use your Enneagram results to sharpen your professional development and work environment?
Do you need help navigating your work relationships or developing a work culture where people can thrive? Download the free Enneagram Guide To Healthy Teams In The Workplace.
Do you need help figuring out your dominant Enneagram Type? Take our free Enneagram Test to receive in-depth, accurate information to help you identify your type.
