The Enneagram is a powerful personality typing system designed to foster self-awareness, personal growth, and better relationships.

Represented by a nine-pointed diagram, it outlines nine distinct personality types, each reflecting unique perspectives and ways of responding to the world. Rather than boxing people in or creating stereotypes, the Enneagram helps us uncover motivations, build empathy, and navigate life's challenges with greater understanding.

Think of the types as nine differently colored lenses, each offering a unique way to view life. 👓

Enneagram Core Motivations

The Enneagram delves beneath surface behaviors to uncover the Core Motivations that drive us. Each of the nine types has unique motivations that shape how they see the world and respond to it. These Core Motivations reveal why we think, feel, and act the way we do:

Core Fear: What we most want to avoid.
Core Desire: What we strive for to feel fulfilled.
Core Weakness: The recurring struggle that keeps us from growth.
Core Longing: The deep message our heart longs to hear and believe.

Understanding these motivations allows us to see the "why" behind our patterns, helping us better understand ourselves and others. This clarity provides the foundation for personal growth, healthier relationships, and a deeper sense of compassion.

Learn More About Core Motivations

Enneagram Strategies

Each type within the Enneagram universe relies on distinct strategies to navigate life, shaping how they approach relationships, challenges, and opportunities.

Type 1 (Principled Reformer): Strives for Perfection to avoid mistakes.

Type 2 (Nurturing Supporter): Focuses on Helping to feel valued.

Type 3 (Admirable Achiever): Centers on Achieving to prove worth.

Type 4 (Introspective Individualist): Seeks Creating to express uniqueness.

Type 5 (Analytical Investigator): Uses Thinking to feel competent.

Type 6 (Faithful Guardian): Leans on Preparing to feel secure.

Type 7 (Enthusiastic Optimist): Embraces Planning for joy and excitement.

Type 8 (Passionate Protector): Protects through Strength to stay in control.

Type 9 (Peaceful Accommodator): Withdraws into Harmony to avoid conflict.

Why It Matters and Where to Go From Here

Most people begin with an Enneagram test to narrow down their main type, but the Enneagram isn’t a one-and-done assessment; it’s a lifelong journey of transformation. By engaging with its principles, you can develop healthier habits, nurture stronger relationships, and live with greater intention.

Which Enneagram type are you most curious about?

Let’s dive in and discover your main type!

What is the Enneagram and Why Does it Matter?

Imagine feeling stuck in the same patterns of frustration, miscommunication, or self-doubt. You try to change, but it feels like no matter what you do, you end up in the same place. This is the struggle for so many people who haven’t yet discovered the “why” behind their thoughts, feelings, and actions. The Enneagram is the tool that changes all that.

The Enneagram is a powerful personality typing system that doesn’t just describe what you do—it reveals why you do it. Represented by a nine-pointed diagram, it identifies nine unique personality types, each with its own perspective, motivations, and way of interacting with the world. Think of it as nine different lenses that shape how people see life.

This isn’t about putting you in a box or labeling you. Instead, the Enneagram helps you understand the box you’re already in and shows you the way out.

The Pain Points: Why Self-Awareness Feels Hard

Many people struggle with self-awareness because uncovering what’s beneath the surface is hard. Maybe you’ve tried personality tests before but found them shallow or unhelpful in real-life situations. They often tell you what you are but rarely explain why. Without understanding your motivations, lasting change feels impossible.

This is where the Enneagram is different. It dives deep into your core motivations, the driving forces behind your struggles and strengths.

Whether you’re navigating personal growth, family relationships, or workplace dynamics, the clarity the Enneagram provides is a game-changer.

The Core Motivations: The Key to Transformation

At the heart of the Enneagram are the Core Motivations that drive each of the nine types. These include:

Core Fear: What you most want to avoid.
Core Desire: What you long for to feel fulfilled.
Core Weakness: The recurring struggle that trips you up.
Core Longing: The deep message your heart longs to hear.

When you understand your type’s motivations, you can stop running from your fears, stumbling over your weaknesses, and chasing after temporary fixes. Instead, you can move toward lasting transformation.

To determine your main type, identify the one whose core motivations align with you the best.

Here’s a look at the Core Motivations for each type:

Type 1 (Principled Reformer)

Strives for goodness and integrity, avoiding criticism and imperfection.

Core Fear: Being wrong, bad, evil, inappropriate, unredeemable, or corruptible.

Core Desire: Having integrity, being good, balanced, accurate, virtuous, and right.

Core Weakness: Resentment—Repressing anger that leads to continual frustration and dissatisfaction with yourself, others, and the world for not being perfect.

Core Longing: “You are good.”

Type 2 (Nurturing Supporter)

Desires to be loved and needed while avoiding feelings of rejection.

Core Fear: Being rejected and unwanted, being thought worthless, needy, inconsequential, dispensable, or unworthy of love.

Core Desire: Being appreciated, loved, and wanted.

Core Weakness: Pride—Denying your own needs and emotions while using your strong intuition to discover and focus on the emotions and needs of others, confidently inserting your helpful support in hopes that others will say how grateful they are for your thoughtful care.

Core Longing: “You are wanted and loved.”

Type 3 (Admirable Achiever)

Longs to be valued for who they are, not just what they do.

Core Fear: Being exposed as or thought incompetent, inefficient, or worthless; failing to be or appear successful.

Core Desire: Having high status and respect, being admired, successful, and valuable.

Core Weakness: Deceit—Deceiving yourself into believing that you are only the image you present to others; embellishing the truth by putting on a polished persona for everyone (including yourself) to see and admire.

Core Longing: “You are loved for simply being you.”

Type 4 (Introspective Individualist

Seeks authenticity and significance, fearing they are fundamentally flawed.

Core Fear: Being inadequate, emotionally cut off, plain, mundane, defective, flawed, or insignificant.

Core Desire: Being unique, special, and authentic.

Core Weakness: Envy—Feeling that you’re tragically flawed, something foundational is missing inside you, and others possess qualities you lack.

Core Longing: “You are seen and loved for exactly who you are—special and unique.”

Type 5 (Analytical Investigator)

Desires knowledge and competency while avoiding depletion.

Core Fear: Being annihilated, invaded, or not existing; being thought incapable or ignorant; having obligations placed upon you or your energy being completely depleted.

Core Desire: Being capable and competent.

Core Weakness: Avarice—Feeling that you lack inner resources and that too much interaction with others will lead to catastrophic depletion; withholding yourself from contact with the world; holding onto your resources and minimizing your needs.

Core Longing: “Your needs are not a problem.”

Type 6 (Faithful Guardian)

Craves security and guidance, fearing abandonment or uncertainty.

Core Fear: Feeling fear itself, being without support, security, or guidance; being blamed, targeted, alone, or physically abandoned.

Core Desire: Having security, guidance, and support.

Core Weakness: Anxiety—Scanning the horizon of life and trying to predict and prevent negative outcomes (especially worst-case scenarios); remaining in a constant state of apprehension and worry.

Core Longing: “You are safe and secure.”

Type 7 (Enthusiastic Optimist)

Longs for joy and satisfaction, avoiding pain and limitation.

Core Fear: Being deprived, trapped in emotional pain, limited, or bored; missing out on something fun.

Core Desire: Being happy, fully satisfied, and content.

Core Weakness: Gluttony—Feeling a great emptiness inside and having an insatiable desire to “fill yourself up” with experiences and stimulation in hopes of feeling completely satisfied and content.

Core Longing: “You will be taken care of.”

Type 8 (Passionate Protector)

Desires control and strength, avoiding vulnerability.

Core Fear: Being weak, powerless, harmed, controlled, vulnerable, manipulated, and left at the mercy of injustice.

Core Desire: Protecting yourself and those in your inner circle.

Core Weakness: Lust/Excess—Constantly desiring intensity, control, and power; pushing yourself willfully on life and people to get what you desire.

Core Longing: “You will not be betrayed.”

Type 9 (Peaceful Accommodator)

Craves harmony and peace, avoiding conflict or disconnection.

Core Fear: Being in conflict, tension, or discord; feeling shut out and overlooked; losing connection and relationship with others.

Core Desire: Having inner stability and peace of mind.

Core Weakness: Sloth—Desire to remain unaffected by life and live in an idealistic, peaceful world by resisting fully awakening to their desires, needs, and abilities. Instead, they prioritize making others happy by merging with them to avoid tension and conflict.

Core Longing: “Your presence matters.”

The Enneagram as a Tool for Growth

Think of the Enneagram as your personal GPS. It shows you where you are, highlights your healthiest destination, and warns you when you’re drifting off course. Whether you’re dealing with stress, a challenging relationship, or a major life transition, the Enneagram helps you navigate life with clarity.

It also acts like a rumble strip on the highway, alerting you when you’re veering away from your healthiest path. For instance, a Type 1 might notice they’re becoming overly critical, or a Type 7 might realize they’re chasing distractions to avoid deeper issues. These signals give you the chance to pause, reflect, and course-correct.

Practical Steps to Get Started

You don’t have to be an expert to begin using the Enneagram. Here’s how you can start today:

1. Take a Test or Read About the Types

Begin narrowing down your potential type by exploring descriptions or using our trusted Enneagram test.

2. Reflect on Your Core Motivations

Think about what drives your actions. What are you afraid of? What do you long for?

Use the AWARE Method:

Awaken to your thoughts and feelings,

Welcome them without judgment,

Ask for guidance,

Receive the truth, and

Engage with others from a place of growth.

3. Stuck? Need help?

Hire one of our certified Enneagram coaches who can help you quickly discover your main type.

4. Apply Insights to Your Relationships

Use your new understanding to foster empathy and improve communication with others.

Why It Matters

The Enneagram isn’t just a tool for self-discovery; it’s a pathway to transformation. By understanding your type, you’ll see yourself and others with astonishing clarity. This newfound awareness can improve every area of your life—your personal growth, your relationships, and even your spiritual journey.

So, what are you waiting for?

Start your Enneagram journey today and experience the freedom, clarity, and growth that come with knowing who you are and why you do what you do.

Start Your Journey Here