Enneagram Lesson Seven - The 27 "Personalities" (Types x Instincts)
Combining the 9 types with the 3 subtypes gives us 27 potential "personalties"
Today’s post is lesson seven of eight in our study of the Enneagram.
For this one, it’s a must that you feel confident in your understanding of the instincts (subtypes) and the 9 types. Below are the links to the previous lessons. I’ve highlighted the ones you may want to review for today if you aren’t confident in your understanding of them.
While some Enneagram purists avoid the term “personality,” I don’t mind it when talking about the full list of 27 types x subtypes.
For today, we will be relying fully on the work of my friend and Enneagram coach, Deni Tato. Deni first helped me understand the impact of subtypes years ago, and her free resources on her website do a wonderful job of explaining how the three subtypes work with each of the nine types.
Here is how I suggest you do this work today.
And be ye not deceived, today involves some work for you if you choose to do it.
By now you probably have one or more of the nine types that feels “close” to you. Below I will link each type description on Deni’s Corporate Consciousness website so that you can read about how the three instinctual subtypes relate to the types that you are interested in learning more about. Read through them carefully to see which ones jump out and feel the most like you. Of course, you can read all about all 27 if you want, but today we are mainly focused on the ones that feel the closest to your “default” setting.
About halfway down each page, you will see the information on the subtypes.
I will copy an paste the information for the One below so that you know what to look for when you head over there:
Self-Preservation Type Ones: Worry
The SP One is the most repressed with their anger. They disconnect with it to become tolerant and gentle, but the undercurrent of anger remains. They want everything to be planned in advance and tightly controlled. They feel anxious regularly and this sometimes manifests as obsessive thinking and the development of rituals and behaviors that allow them to feel in control. SP Ones remain on high alert so long as they believe they are able to have an effect on a situation by doing so.
Social Interaction Type Ones: Non-Adaptability
Social Ones desires to be the perfect example for those around them. They appear rigid, as they believe they know the exact, correct way to behave and act. Their anger is colder than the SP One; when angry, they appear exceptionally controlled and distant. They are known to take on the role of teacher in an attempt to role model proper behavior, but this can give them a “know-it-all” appearance. It’s difficult to convince a Social One that another’s point of view is valid or right.
One-to-One Bonding Type Ones: Zeal
The One-to-One Bonding One tries to help others be perfect. Less concerned about themselves, they want everyone around them to be continuously improving. They are passionate and excited about this but can also be controlling and demanding as they think they know what’s best for everyone. There’s an intensity to the One-to-One Bonding One that isn’t present in SP and Social Ones and they can appear outwardly angry when others don’t share their desires and motivations.
Just follow these links to the types you wish to research:
Happy researching!
I’m happy to answer any follow up questions you may have here in the comments. Or feel free to DM me as well.
And I know that we are waaayyy into the weeds on this tool now.
Tomorrow is our last day looking at the Enneagram. In many ways, tomorrow’s lesson is the whole point of it all. I will show you how to begin to use the tool on a daily basis for self-awareness and personal growth.
Just wow. I was pretty sure I was a nine (read Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile's book the Road Back to You) but about half expected to find out something different in the subtypes. Instead, it seems I am a SP9. So interesting. Thanks!