The descriptions for Enneagram type 2 in books and on the Internet often emphasize a particular school's interpretation or borrow elements from various interpretations. Although these descriptions of type 2 can be similar in many ways, there can also be differences.
Below are samplings from some of the more popular interpretations. Click on the sources after the descriptions to further explore these interpretations.
The Helper, The Caring, Interpersonal Type: Generous, Deomonstrative, People-Pleasing, and Possessive1
Basic Fear: Of being unloved and unwanted for themselves alone1
Basic Desire: To feel loved1
Basic Proposition: You gain love and approval, and fulfill your personal needs, through giving to others.2
Strengths: Caring, helpful, relationship-oriented, generous, sensitive to others’ feelings, supportive and exuberant2
Challenges: Prideful, dependent on approval of others, intrusive, demanding, entitled2
Energy goes into: Sensing the emotional needs of others and doing what pleases them. Feeling good about being able to meet others’ needs so well. Creating good feelings in others. Maintaining others’ acceptance and approval. Romantic attachment.3
The Helper: Warm, caring and giving, they are motivated by a need to be loved and needed, and to avoid acknowledging their own needs.4
Helpers are warm, concerned, nurturing, and sensitive to other people's needs.5
Focus of Attention: Twos focus on relationships, gaining approval, and seducing others through helpfulness as a strategic way to get their disowned needs met. Twos actively “read” the people around them and align with (what they perceive to be) their moods and preferences in order to maximize the potential for positive connection.6
Sources
1Book: The Wisdom of the Enneagram; Website: The Enneagram Institute
2Website: The Narrative Enneagram
3Book: The Essential Enneagram; Website: Dr. David Daniels
4Book: The Road Back to You
5Book: The Enneagram Made Easy
6Book: The Complete Enneagram; Website: Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy
