Lesson Four: All Nine Enneagram Types Explained
Today, you’re getting the full overview of the types in one go. It’s a lot, but by the end, you’ll have a clear sense of all nine types—and maybe even a clue which one feels like home.
Today, you’re getting the full overview of the types in one go. It’s a lot, but by the end, you’ll have a clear sense of all nine types—and maybe even a clue which one feels like home.
If you missed the earlier lessons, I recommend starting there:
Lesson One – Introduction to the Enneagram
Lesson Two – The 3 Centers of Intelligence
Lesson Three – The 3 Instincts (Subtypes)
Let’s do it.
The Passions
Each Enneagram type has a primary emotional driver. This is different from the instincts we discussed yesterday. Ultimately, your primary “passion” (type) will interact with your primary “instinct” (subtype) to place your entry level into the Enneagram at one of the 27 personal descriptors.
The idea of passions is absolutely essential to understanding the Enneagram as a tool. The entire model is rooted in the idea that each of us lacks a fundamental emotional need. We have an unconscious hunger to fill that need and develop (or accept) a way of meeting those needs in a way that blocks us from true fulfillment. The “passions” for each type register to us as traditional vices. (Think of the seven deadly sins, for instance.)
The Enneagram’s greatest gift to us is taking our unconscious passions into the realm of consciousness. Once we do that, we can make changes in our lives from a deep level and stop trying to simply manage our own behaviors. We can become aware of our most inner motivations and make conscious decisions as to how we react to them.
There are many great books on the Enneagram, but I have found The Complete Enneagram by Dr. Beatrice Chestnut to be the most exhaustive and helpful to me. We are just going to be able to barely scratch the surface here. If you are interested in a deeper dive, I highly suggest that book. Much of the information I will be sharing over the next three posts is coming from Dr. Chestnut’s work.
The Body Types: 9, 8, and 1
These types are rooted in the body and primarily driven by anger.
Type Nine: The Peacemaker
Nines want harmony. They’re tuned in to others, often at the expense of themselves. They hate conflict and will do almost anything to avoid it.
Their anger? It’s there—but repressed. It often shows up passively or builds up until it bursts.
Nines are steady, likable, and great at seeing multiple perspectives. But they can also disappear into the desires of others, losing track of what they actually want.
The passion of the Nine is laziness—not physical sloth, but a deep resistance to doing the inner work that might disturb their carefully protected peace.
Some say Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama are examples of Nines.
Type Eight: The Challenger
Eights care about power. Who has it, who doesn’t, and whether they can stay on top. They lead with strength and reject anything that smells like weakness.
Unlike Nines, they don’t repress anger—they lean into it. It’s the fuel they use to protect themselves and push through life. Vulnerability is usually buried deep.
But when they evolve, Eights can become fierce protectors of the vulnerable. Some say Martin Luther King Jr. was an Eight. Some say Mother Teresa was too. (She might have been a Two, though. Tough call.)
Their passion is lust—not just sexual desire, but a hunger for intensity, stimulation, and control.
Type One: The Reformer
Ones want things to be right. They live with an internal ideal about how things should be and are often frustrated when the world (and the people in it) don’t measure up—including themselves.
They’re also driven by anger, but like Nines, they repress it. It shows up more as resentment or irritation, especially when others aren’t living up to their standards.
Their passion is anger—which, in this case, feels like a double-dose. Ones carry frustration about how imperfect the world is, plus shame about their own inability to fix it.
Famous Ones include Steve Jobs, Gandhi, Brene Brown, and Richard Rohr.
The Heart Types: 3, 2, and 4
These types lead with emotion and are primarily shaped by shame.
Type Three: The Achiever
Threes are all about success—or at least the image of it. They measure their worth by what they accomplish and how others perceive them.
Though they live in the Heart triad, Threes often push emotion aside to stay productive. Still, shame is always lurking in the background, which fuels their constant drive to perform.
Their passion is vanity. Not in the “mirror” sense—but in the deep need to be seen as valuable, admired, and put-together. The problem? They often don’t know who they really are underneath the image.
Think Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey, Tony Robbins.
Type Two: The Helper
Twos are warm, generous, and attentive—but they need to be needed. Their identity is wrapped around helping others, and they often ignore their own needs in the process.
They’re charming, empathic, and usually beloved. But when they feel rejected, that cheerfulness can turn quickly into anger or sadness.
Their passion is pride—specifically, the pride of thinking everyone should need them. Their giving can become a covert strategy to earn love and prove their worth.
Mr. Rogers, Dolly Parton, and Desmond Tutu all have big Two energy.
Type Four: The Individualist
Fours are deeply attuned to their feelings and often feel different or misunderstood. They want to be authentic, unique, and emotionally honest—even if that honesty feels a little dark.
They can be intensely creative, but also moody, idealistic, and at times, self-absorbed. Fours often compare themselves to others and find themselves lacking.
Their passion is envy—a longing for something just out of reach. Fours often feel like everyone else has found a wholeness that they can’t quite touch.
Johnny Depp. Bob Dylan. Billie Eilish.
The Head Types: 6, 5, and 7
These types rely on mental strategies and are primarily driven by fear.
Type Six: The Loyalist
Sixes scan for danger. Constantly. They want to be safe, prepared, and aligned with trustworthy authority. Their minds are always spinning through “what if” scenarios.
They’re loyal to people and systems they trust—and suspicious of those they don’t. Their subtype (instinct) often shapes how they respond to fear: some run from it, others freeze, and some counter it with aggression.
Their passion is fear—which gives them both an edge and a burden. Sixes can become anxious, overwhelmed, and paralyzed—or incredibly resourceful problem solvers.
Joe Biden and Bono have been typed as Sixes by some.
Type Five: The Observer
Fives live in their heads. They gather knowledge, observe from a distance, and often avoid emotional entanglements. Feelings feel messy. Data feels safe.
They’re usually introverted, protective of their energy, and more likely to withdraw than engage when overwhelmed. They’re often brilliant—but can come off cold or detached.
Their passion is avarice—a hoarding of knowledge, time, and space, driven by a fear of depletion.
Think Newton. Einstein. Hawking.
Type Seven: The Enthusiast
Sevens are fun. Optimistic. Energetic. They chase possibilities and reframe negative experiences into something hopeful. (They’re also me.)
Sevens want to avoid pain at all costs—especially fear, sadness, and boredom. So they chase stimulation, start a hundred projects, and stay in motion.
Their passion is gluttony—a craving for experience, stimulation, distraction. It’s less about food or drink, and more about not wanting to sit still with discomfort.
People often confuse Sevens with Fours because of their creativity—but Sevens often create to escape pain. Fours create to express it.
Robin Williams. Elton John. Miley Cyrus.
So… Which One Are You?
You might see yourself in several types—or in none of them just yet. That’s totally normal. Let it simmer.
Tomorrow, we’ll explore how each of the nine types interacts with the three instincts to form the 27 Enneagram subtypes. That often helps people finally land on their core type.
Remember: we’re just learning right now. Typing yourself is a process. Even if you “get it wrong” at first, it’s okay. What matters is that you’re doing the work—looking inward so you can get healthier. That’s the whole point.
See you then.
P.S.
More than most series I do, this one builds. By the end of the week, you won’t be an Enneagram expert—but you will have a general understanding of the tool and whether you want to go deeper.
Also, for this week only, I’ve lowered the cost of my 1:1 Consulting Subscription to include a Zoom session with me to discuss either the Enneagram or your personal Call to Adventure. You can adjust your subscription here.