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Determines Basic Type, Candidate Types, Preferred Wings, Tri-Center (aka trifix, tritype)


Core Focus of the Enneagram Types: A new approach to the types


The core focus is a new approach to understanding and using the Enneagram types that is being introduced for the first time on this website. A book going into more detail is planned for 2023.


Sections: Top | Type 1 | Type 2 | Type 3 | Type 4 | Type 5 | Type 6 | Type 7 | Type 8 | Type 9



The core focus of Enneagram type 1: Acceptability through Behavioral Correctness

Enneagram type 1
Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.
- Pope John Paul II

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 1 Initial Self-Belief: “I am unacceptable as I am.”

    Type 1 Compensation: "I must monitor, correct, and improve myself in order to be acceptable and remain above criticism."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 1 Core Focus: Acceptability comes from doing things right and acting appropriately according to internalized standards for what that is. This requires I discern what’s right and monitor, correct, and improve my behavior so I don’t fall short of these standards. Others should do the same.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 1 core focus include:

    • Monitors and corrects self-behavior by way of an Inner Critic
    • Avoids making mistakes that can be criticized by others
    • Compares the world to standards for how things should be
    • Tends to look for one right way of doing things
    • Strives toward an ideal of perfection
    • Attention goes to what needs to be corrected or improved
    • Critical of others when they disregard implied rules of behavior
    • Tries to be good by modeling appropriate behavior
    • Feels responsible for getting things right

Click here for more about Enneagram type 1



The core focus of Enneagram type 2: Appreciation through Emotional Connection

Enneagram type 2
Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.
- Mother Teresa

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 2 Initial Self-Belief: “I am unappreciated as I am.”

    Type 2 Compensation: "I must find appreciation from and connection to people by responding to their needs and desires."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 2 Core Focus: Appreciation comes from responding to the emotional needs and desires of others. This requires that I read their unspoken emotional cues in order to find a way to connect to and support them. From this I also find my role in the world and others' lives.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 2 core focus include:

    • Represses own needs in service of others' needs
    • Desires to be liked and important in the lives of others
    • Shifts image to become what others desire or need
    • Gets their own needs met by meeting the needs of others
    • Emotionally seduces others to bring them closer
    • Feels more comfortable giving than receiving
    • Pays attention to emotional cues more than verbal content
    • Thinks they know your needs better than you do yourself
    • Unconsciously expects something in return for what they give

Click here for more about Enneagram type 2



The core focus of Enneagram type 3: Esteem through Emotional Ambition

Enneagram type 3
The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.
- Vince Lombardi

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 3 Initial Self-Belief: “I am not valued as I am.”

    Type 3 Compensation: "I must become accomplished and prove myself to gain value and regard in the eyes of others."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 3 Core Focus: Esteem comes from being valued and having the positive regard of others. This requires that I not only package myself and perform in ways that will garner that recognition and positive regard but also find ways of measuring my success toward those ends.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 3 core focus include:

    • Looks to external indicators for how well they're performing.
    • Packages and markets self-image that's admired by intended audience.
    • Pushes aside feelings that get in the way of achieving goals.
    • Sense of self-value comes from what they produce or accomplish.
    • Competes in arenas where there is someone to beat and someone to notice.
    • Chamelon-like shifts of image occur to match situational expectations.
    • Confuses self-presentation with who they truly are.
    • Avoids failure by avoiding pursuits where failure is a possibility.
    • Gives priority to goals and achieving them over other things.

Click here for more about Enneagram type 3



The core focus of Enneagram type 4: Significance through Emotional Authenticity

Enneagram type 4
You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost.
- Martha Graham

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 4 Initial Self-Belief: “I am lacking as I am.”

    Type 4 Compensation: "I must find and cultivate what's authentic and uniquely special about myself to stand out from the ordinary."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 4 Core Focus: Significance comes from cultivating what is unique and emotionally authentic in myself. This requires that I discover and stay true to what has emotional meaning for me and find ways to express that through my own identity and in the world around me.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 4 core focus include:

    • Cultivates and maintains moods they identify with
    • Holds in disdain what's common in pursuit of what's special
    • Stirs up or intensifies emotional states to feel more alive
    • Feels more emotionally sensitive and deeper than others
    • Takes things personally even when not intended that way
    • Notices what's missing or lacking in self compared to others
    • Creates idealized self from what they emotionally resonate with
    • Looks for ways to express their inner emotional world
    • Wants to deal with internal emotions before moving forward

Click here for more about Enneagram type 4



The core focus of Enneagram type 5: Comprehension through Mental Observation

Enneagram type 5
A man should look for what is, and not for what he thinks should be.
- Albert Einstein

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 5 Initial Self-Belief: “I am uninformed as I am.”

    Type 5 Compensation: "I must objectively observe the world as it is in order to clearly make sense of and navigate it."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 5 Core Focus: Comprehension comes from objectively observing the world and logically distilling the facts. This often requires that I detach from experiences as they happen in order to see things clearly and not feel overwhelmed. I need time and space to later process those facts and experiences.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 5 core focus include:

    • Narrows area of interest to specialized niche
    • Minimizes needs to avoid dependency on others
    • Guards against intrusions upon privacy
    • Lives life from the sidelines instead of fully participating
    • Withdraws when feeling overwhelmed by people
    • Postpones action in favor of more research and analysis
    • Detaches from emotions by going into the head
    • Delays experiencing life in the moment, rehashing it when alone
    • Requires time to think and reflect before responding

Click here for more about Enneagram type 5



The core focus of Enneagram type 6: Assurance through Mental Questioning

Enneagram type 6
Freedom from the desire for an answer is essential to the understanding of a problem.
- Jiddu Krishnamurti

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 6 Initial Self-Belief: “I am uncertain as I am.”

    Type 6 Compensation: "I must search for someone or something that I can depend on that provides the assurance to move forward."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 6 Core Focus: Assurance comes from determining what can be trusted so that internal doubts can be resolved. This requires that I find something outside myself that provides support and can be relied upon by questioning the intentions and thoughts of authorities, systems, other people, and even myself.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 6 core focus include:

    • Plays the devil's advocate through contrarian thinking
    • Tends to notice what could go wrong in situations
    • Mentally prepares for worst-case scenarios
    • Becomes suspicious when people behave inconsistently
    • Projects imagined thoughts and feelings onto others
    • Can be very loyal once someone has earned their trust
    • Scans the environment and people for possible threats and danger
    • Disarms others through warmth and self-deprecation
    • Seeks advice and reassurance when making decisions

Click here for more about Enneagram type 6



The core focus of Enneagram type 7: Enthusiasm through Mental Possibility

Enneagram type 7
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.
- Joseph Campbell

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 7 Initial Self-Belief: “I am not satisfied as I am.”

    Type 7 Compensation: "I must stay open to exciting possibilities that may become available in life and avoid limitations on my pursuits."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 7 Core Focus: Enthusiasm comes from possibilities that lead to something interesting, exciting, or satisfying. This requires that I anticipate whether a path might lead to something positive or negative. The positives are pursued while the negatives are avoided, reframed, or escaped from.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 7 core focus include:

    • Likes to keep options open for fear of missing out in life
    • Escapes pain and boredom by quickly moving on to something else
    • Avoids commitments/obligations that feel limiting and restrictive
    • Equalizes relationships with authority to avoid being limited by them
    • Attempts to lighten up situations when they become too serious
    • Mind quickly jumps between possibilities when excited about an idea
    • Lives in anticpation of fun and exciting future possibilities
    • Difficulties following through to completion on projects
    • Skates on the surface of feelings for fear of getting stuck in them

Click here for more about Enneagram type 7



The core focus of Enneagram type 8: Empowerment through Behavioral Assertiveness

Enneagram type 8
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 8 Initial Self-Belief: “I am disempowered as I am.”

    Type 8 Compensation: "I must be direct in going after what I want and stand strong against being controlled or taken advantage of."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 8 Core Focus: Empowerment comes from being in control and not being controlled by people or rules. This requires that I confront obstacles and people that are in my way and move directly toward what I want. Don't show weakness in a world that takes advantage of innocence and vulnerability.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 8 core focus include:

    • Takes action decisively and sometimes impulsively
    • Fills up the space around them with their presence and big energy
    • Speaks directly and bluntly when making a point
    • Often guards against vulnerability by denying softer emotions
    • Naturally assumes role of leadership when there's a power vacuum
    • Directly confronts others to reveal the truth of a situation
    • Protects or seeks justice for those unfairly taken advantage of
    • Anger arises in service of making things happen/getting things moving
    • Prefers to make their own rules rather than follow others' rules

Click here for more about Enneagram type 8



The core focus of Enneagram type 9: Harmony through Behavioral Accommodation

Enneagram type 9
We all have to live together, so we might as well live together happily.
- 14th Dalai Lama

Early in life we develop an initial belief about ourselves and a compensation for that self-belief.

  • Type 9 Initial Self-Belief: “I am not in unity as I am.”

    Type 9 Compensation: "I must accommodate others' agenda and opinions in order to feel at ease and in harmony with them."

Over time this gets generalized beyond the self into a core focus that also shapes how we perceive and interact with the world at large.

  • Type 9 Core Focus: Harmony comes from getting along with others and falling into comfortable routines. This requires that I accommodate others by finding common ground and minimizing my own agenda when around others as well as finding comfort and peace of mind for myself.

    Personality characteristics that might arise from the type 9 core focus include:

    • Loses sight of own agenda in favor of the agenda of others
    • Smooths over conflict in order to keep the peace and feel more at ease
    • Has difficulty establishing goals and following through on them
    • Struggles with inertia: getting going or changing course once underway
    • Gets lost in peripheral activities that don't serve the primary objective
    • Avoids creating separation from people by going along to get along
    • Supresses anger which may surface as stubbornness or passive-aggressiveness
    • Finds it difficult to prioritize because everything can seem equally important
    • Numbs themself through comfort seeking and getting lost in routine

Click here for more about Enneagram type 9


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