The word Enneagram derives from the Greek words ennea (“nine”) and gram (“something written or drawn”) and refers to this nine-pointed figure inscribed in a circle. The enneagram symbol conveys a great deal of knowledge about the nature of change, both in the human psyche and other natural systems.

The Enneagram system of personality types situated around the enneagram symbol offers profound insights into the way people think, feel, and behave. It lays out nine distinct personality types and the patterns and habits that characterize them. Its great power lies in the accuracy and depth of the personality descriptions and the transformational path it offers those who wish to grow to reach their fullest potential.

The Enneagram describes three centers of human intelligence — the head, heart, and body — nine interconnected personality types, and 27 subtypes — three versions of each of the nine types, based on whether a person has a predominant drive toward Self-Preservation, Social interaction in groups, or One-to-One bonding. I’m describe Claudio Naranjo’s most recent articulation of the subtypes in detail in my book, The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge. I believe these subtype descriptions offer an even more nuanced view of the possible manifestations of the human personality, shedding light on our most automatic functioning so we can become more self- aware.

Three Centers and Nine Personality Types and 27 sub-types: What they are and how they aid in self-development.

The nine points on the Enneagram represent nine distinct personality types – nine distinct worldviews or ways of paying attention associated with different patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

The Enneagram model suggests that each individual views 360 degrees of reality through a narrow slice of perception based on early coping strategies that were used to adapt to the environment in childhood. These coping strategies grow into patterns of perceiving the world and shape what we pay attention to and what we don’t pay attention to.

These adaptive strategies help us to survive and thrive in childhood, but after we reach adulthood, they can represent overused strengths and an overly narrow set of habits through which we interact with the world.

Studying your personality as defined by the Enneagram map can help you to see more clearly what you tend to think, feel, and do habitually and automatically. By becoming more aware of your unconscious habits, you can expand your capacity to interact with the world in more effective ways, and direct your behavior more from conscious choice rather than unconscious habit.

   The Boss or The Challenger

Type Eight is sometimes called The Boss or The Challenger. Eights tend to be oriented toward strength and power. Eights usually move toward conflict and confrontation more easily than other types. They also have more ready access to anger than most of the other types. Eights focus their attention on creating order out of disorder, the big picture, and who has the power. They have big energy, though they can underestimate their impact on others. They can be excessive, impulsive, generous, and protective of others. They are natural leaders, but can have a blind-spot when it comes to expressing vulnerability.

   The Mediator or The Peacemaker

Type Nine is sometimes called The Mediator or The Peacemaker. Nines make good mediators because they can naturally see all sides of an issue and feel motivated to reduce conflict and create harmony. They are usually affable and easy-going, and they focus their attention on getting along with other people. They tend to be out of touch with their own anger and their own agenda, because having anger or strong opinions might invite conflict with others, which they dislike and so habitually avoid. Nines often have a hard time saying no and taking a stand for their own desires, and so can say yes when they mean no, and can be passive-aggressive when their unacknowledged anger leaks out or gets acted out.

   The Perfectionist or Reformer 

Type One is sometimes called The Perfectionist in that they tend to view the world in terms of how it matches (or doesn’t match) what they view as perfect or ideal. Their focus of attention is on whether things are right or wrong, doing the right thing, noticing and correcting errors, and working hard to improve things. They have a strong internal critical voice that comments on the things they do, and they can be critical and judgmental of others. They usually conform to rules and standards and tend to be idealistic reformers. They are often people of high integrity. Central challenges include managing their own anger and self-criticism.

   The Befriender

Type Two is sometimes called Givers or Helpers, but an even better title is The Befriender, as Twos want to create rapport and connection with people. They usually give strategically in that they can be afraid to ask for what they need, so they give to others as a way of making themselves important and implicitly inviting others to meet their (unspoken) needs. They tend to be friendly, upbeat, and generous (to a fault). Their focus of attention is on other people, on important relationships, and what other people think and feel about them. They pay a lot of attention to whether or not others like them and they strive to be indispensible and approved of in the eyes of others. They are very empathic with others, but they can be out of touch with their own feelings and needs and overgive compulsively to others.

   The Performer or Achiever

Type Three is sometimes called The Performer, and they tend to view the world in terms of tasks, goals, and achieving success. Their focus of attention is being perceived as successful and getting a lot done. They are good at matching the ideal model of how something should be done in terms of material success and cultural ideals of achievement. They usually focus on doing at the expense of feeling (emotions) and being. They can have a difficult slowing down and knowing what they are feeling, but they are very good at getting a lot done in the most efficient way. Their main challenges are knowing what they really think and feel (and not just what looks good to think and feel) and slowing down and not doing anything.

   The Artist

Type Four is sometimes called The Artist. They tend to have an artistic or aesthetic sensibility, they value emotions and authenticity, and they are typically comfortable with a wide range of emotions, including pain. Because they live more in their feelings than other people, they can at times over-identify with their emotions. They focus their attention on their own internal world, the status of their connections with others, and the aesthetic aspects of their environment. In relationships, they value depth and the genuine expression of feeling. They tend to be idealistic and creative, but they can at times get caught up in longing, melancholy, or a focus on the past.

   The Observer

Type Five is sometimes called The Observer. They tend to be introverted and shy, and less expressive emotionally than other types. They focus their attention on thinking, on interesting intellectual pursuits and interests, and creating boundaries to maintain privacy. They often have the sense that they have a limited amount of energy and they are sensitive to other people potentially draining them of their finite stores of time of energy. They are usually well-boundaried and can withdraw to a safe place if they feel threatened by intrusion. They can be overly boundaried at times and can have a hard time sharing themselves with others in relationships.

   The Devil’s Advocate or The Contrarian

Type Six is sometimes called The Devil’s Advocate or The Contrarian because they can be contrary in their thinking. They have a rebellious streak and usually have some authority issues – both wanting a good authority and feeling a sense of mistrust in the presence of authority figures. They focus their attention on detecting threats to their safety and preparing in case something dangerous happens. They are naturally vigilant, and can be either actively fearful (phobic) or strong and intimidating as a proactive move against fear (counter-phobic). They tend to be loyal, analytical, and good at trouble-shooting, but they can also struggle with paranoia and indecision.

   The Epicure or The Adventurer

Type Seven is sometimes called The Epicure or The Adventurer. Sevens tend to be energetic, fast-paced, and optimistic. They focus their attention on fun and stimulating things to think about and do, on creating many options, and planning. They are usually enthusiastic, fun-loving people who dislike feeling uncomfortable feelings including sadness, anxiety, boredom, or pain. They are good at reframing negatives into positives, they usually have many interests, and they usually enjoy engaging socially with others. Their central challenges include dealing with difficult or uncomfortable emotions, showing up for conflict in relationships, and focusing on one thing at a time.