Your tri-center consists of your dominant type in each of the three centers of intelligence with a preferred ordering of the centers (types). The preferred ordering of the 8-2-7 is:

1. Primary Center: Gut (Type 8)
2. Secondary Center: Heart (Type 2)
3. Tertiary Center: Head (Type 7)

Type 8 is located in the 891 triad which is often described as the gut or body-based center.

There are several ways to interpret what the gut or body types represent. They may be thought of in terms of sensory-somatic (bodily felt sensation), sensory-motor (physical movement and activity), or instinctual (gut decision making).

This may involve taking action based on one's gut instinct, getting pulled along by the agenda of others, and actively trying to correct what's seen as wrong in the world.

Type 8 can be very direct in going after what they want. There's a big energy available that they often have to sit on so that others aren't overwhelmed by it. The desire is to freely express it and be true to it. They often jump into action by making decisions from the gut instead of taking time to carefully think it through. While this gets things moving and makes things happen it can sometimes cause problems or damage that may have to be repaired later.

Type 8 Anger

The anger triad consists of types 8, 9, and 1. Anger for these types involves the gut or body center. It can be thought of as an energy of will that pushes against obstacles to create movement or resists being pushed.

This may involve pushing through obstacles to get what one wants, stubbornly resisting attempts to be pushed in an undesired direction, and getting people to see what's right and correcting things not done right.

Anger for type 8 is an energy readily drawn upon when needed. It's used to push through obstacles and make things happen. Confrontation often comes easy. It clears the air and gets at the truth of things. When the type 8 or others are unfairly taken advantage of it can sometimes come back as a vengeance to get even or rebalance the scales of justice.

To learn more about Enneagram personality type 8 click here.

Type 2 is located in the 234 triad which is often described as the heart or heart-based center.

The heart types are focused on interpreting, expressing, and reacting to one’s own emotions or the emotions of others. More specifically, the heart center focuses on what's emotionally significant in the sense that emotions are an indication of how strongly a person resonates with or against something or someone.

This may involve being attentive to the emotional needs and desires of others, seeking emotional affirmation for oneself from others, and expressing one's own unique emotional impression of the world.

Type 2 pays attention to the needs and desires of others along with their emotional states. They also can be very emotionally seductive in an effort to pull people closer to them or to manipulate others into giving them the response they desire. Because type 2 reads and expresses the emotional cues underlying the words being said, there can be a sense of knowing what someone is feeling even when it contradicts what the other person is saying.

Type 2 Shame

The shame triad consists of types 2, 3, and 4. Shame for these types involves the heart center. It can be thought of as a feeling of deficiency for not living up to a more idealized sense of self.

This may involve initiating connection with others to avoid feeling unlovable or unimportant in the lives of others, finding value and worth through performance and accomplishment, and finding significance by cultivating and expressing one's uniqueness.

Type 2 shame can arise when they are thought of as selfish, unlovable, unwanted, and unimportant in the lives of significant others. They want to be perceived as selflessly giving and caring as well as lovable and often have an unconscious need to be needed by others.

To learn more about Enneagram personality type 2 click here.

Type 7 is located in the 567 triad which is often described as the head or head-based center.

Although the head types can be thought of in terms of reasoning, analyzing, and other typical thinking functions, a useful distinction from the other two centers can be made in terms of anticipating and preparing for future possibilities.

This may involve gathering data and facts in order to better predict outcomes, preparing for negative potentialities that might occur, and planning or pursuing activities that provide enjoyment and avoid discomfort.

Type 7 avoids pain and limitations while seeking what's interesting and exciting. It's hard to commit to just one thing. Options are kept open because there's always the possibility of an interesting opportunity suddenly presenting itself. When interest in what's going on begins to wane then attention can quickly turn to what's next. There can be a living in the future approach to life where the type 7 wants to always have something exciting to look forward to.

Type 7 Fear

The fear triad consists of types 5, 6, and 7. Fear for these types involves the head center. It can be thought of as a negative anticipation of future possibilities and wanting to prepare for or avoid those possibilities.

This may involve learning as much as possible in order to feel competent and knowledgeable, imagining worst-case scenarios and preparing for them, and having alternatives available to avoid being trapped in discomfort or pain.

Type 7 has a fear of pain, boredom, and limitation. The future is anticipated and choices are made that avoid the negative and pursue the positive. Often when a choice has the possibility of going down a path that leads to what's feared, they'll quickly choose another path or distraction that avoids it.

To learn more about Enneagram personality type 7 click here.

Asserting-Connecting-Anticipating

The tri-center focus looks at your dominant type in each center through the core focus.

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."

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:

• 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

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."

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:

• 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

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."

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:

• 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

Dominant Type in Each Center with Wings Test
This test determines your dominant type in each center (aka tri-center, trifix, tritype, truetype) along with the wings of those types.
Use when you want to know your tri-center or tri-center with wings.

Enneagram Type Preference Test
This test produces a scored list of all nine types.
Questions are forced-choice, similar to the method used by the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indictor (RHETI).
Use to determine type, wings, gut/heart/head types, and tri-center.

Center Type Comparison Test
This test scores the three types in a given center to determine your dominant type within that center (gut, heart, or head type).
Use when you don't know your dominant type for one of the centers.

Type Comparison Test
This test compares any two types, producing a score for each.
Use when unsure of your tri-center order or which of two types is preferred for a center.