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Enneagram Type 2 Wings: 2w1 and 2w3


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The core focus of Enneagram type 2

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



The wings of Enneagram type 2

Type 2 Wings

The wings are represented by the numbers on either side of a given type as seen on the Enneagram symbol or diagram. These types are said to have an additional influence upon the type being looked at. The wing types for type 2 are type 1 and type 3.

Although type 2 is influenced by both wings, an individual will generally be influenced more by one of the wings than the other. The wing with more influence is said to be the preferred or dominant wing.

  • 2 wing 1 (2w1) - preferred 1 wing
    Common Name: The Servant

    • more dutiful, of service
    • more self-critical and unselfish
    • more emotionally restrained
  • 2 wing 3 (2w3) - preferred 3 wing
    Common Name: The Host/Hostess

    • more ambitous and goal oriented
    • more attention seeking and image oriented
    • more direct about what they want



What Enneagram authors say about 2w1 and 2w3

Enneagram 2w1 Enneagram 2w3

Below are samplings from some popular or well-known Enneagram authors. Click on the sources after the descriptions to further explore these interpretations.

  • The Two with a One-Wing: The Servant
    People of this subtype combine warmth with seriousness of purpose, as they strive after personal goodness and selfless service. They can become extremely self-critical and neglectful of their health, denying their personal needs and tending to play the martyr.1

    The Two with a Three-Wing: The Host/Hostess
    People of this subtype are more outgoing: they seek love through the creation of personal connection and making others feel good. They are not typically into overt care-taking; more often they consider their freindship and the quality of their attention to be a sufficient gift to others.1

  • Two with a One Wing (2w1): These Twos tend to be more dutiful and directly service-focused people. They feel their helping is serving a cause. Some take pride in simplicity.2

    Two with a Three Wing (2w3): These Twos are more image-oriented people, and their helping is often more outward. They use charm and flair to engage others.2

  • Twos with a One wing may be more serious, critical, and dedicated to work.3

    Twos with a Three wing may be more in the spotlight and focused on being successful.3

  • Enneagram Type 2w1 by Ian Morgan Cron

    Enneagram Type 2w3 by Ian Morgan Cron

    Twos with a One wing (2w1) are concerned about doing things properly. They want to be seen as dependable and responsible. With a One wing these Helpers are more critical of themselves, more controlling and more prone to guilt.4

    Twos with a Three wing (2w3) are more ambitious, image-conscious and competitive. Extroverted and sometimes seductive like the Three (the Performer), they are more concerned about relationships and connections than Twos with a One wing.4

  • Twos with a stronger One wing tend to be more idealistic, objective, critical, and judgmental.5

    Twos with a stronger Three wing tend to be more self-assured, ambitious, outgoing, and competitive.5

  • Two With a 1 Wing
    This wing brings conscience and emotional containment to the basic Two style. May hold themselves to high standards. More discreet and respectful of other people’s boundaries.6

    Two With a 3 Wing
    This wing brings Twos an extra measure of sociability and the capacity to make things happen. Really get things done, serve effectively on projects that involve the well-being of others.6



To learn more about the basic type 2 or one of the wing types click on a link below.



Enneagram Tests to Help Determine Wing

Enneagram wings

The wing types of an Enneagram type are the types on either side of a type as seen on the Enneagram symbol.

Although both the wing types have an influence on the type between them, one wing type is often preferred over the other.

This preferred wing type has a stronger influence than the non-preferred wing type and creates a variation of the type (e.g., 9w8 vs. 9w1).


Click here for the Complete Guide to the Enneagram.

This free guide explains
  • the nine Enneagram personality types
  • the many type variations within type
  • where the types came from (origins and history)
  • how the types use the Enneagram symbol

Click here for Enneagram tests.

These free tests help you find your
  • primary type
  • candidate types
  • preferred wing
  • intinctual subtype
  • instinctual variant stacking
  • center types (gut, heart, and head)
  • tri-center with wings


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