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
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?
