Obviously I can talk at length about being an Enneagram 6. After all, knowing my type is a great tool for growth and learning about myself. However, I feel like it is also possible to learn a lot by observing the Enneagram types of others. It’s easy to get caught up in wishing you were a different type, or judging people of other types for their shortcomings. Today I want to focus both on what I admire and what seems challenging when observing other Enneagram types. (Full disclosure, a few of these I’m making observations of based on guessing at the types of a few people rather than being certain I know people with that type.)
Enneagram 7
What I Admire
The Enneagram 7s that I know do NOT have any trouble having a good time. They are able to navigate life with a different kind of joy than I see in most other types. 7s are able to be silly and enjoy the things they do with abandon. These people seem to have a kind of optimism that says there are MANY good things in the world to discover and enjoy.
What Seems Challenging
The flip side to the optimism of all the good things in the world is that they seem to struggle with sticking to things. When there is a perception that there is always something better or more fun to experience, it looks like it is difficult to be committed to the things the 7s are already doing. Whether it’s a better job or a better romantic partner, it seems like these fun-loving types have a hard time finding joy in what they already have.
Enneagram 8
What I Admire
You never have to question where you stand with the Enneagram 8s that I know. They are going to be forthright and up front with you… whether you like it or not. 8s also have a strong sense of taking care of others in addition to themselves. It’s different than Enneagram 2s because 8s tend more toward protection than a tender kind of care. But if you have an 8 on your side, they will protect you fiercely.
What Seems Challenging
In my experience, it is hard for Enneagram 8s to soften their approach with others. While their directness can be a real benefit, sometimes other people have difficulty with it because they need a softer approach. It seems to me as though 8s feel like this is somehow being manipulative or dishonest, when in reality it’s just that others may feel like this directness comes across as rude.
Enneagram 9
What I Admire
The Enneagram 9s that I know are maybe the gentlest of the different types. They want everyone to get along, and they seem really good at being a catalyst for that. These 9s have a great ability to listen attentively to multiple sides of a situation and really weigh each perspective. It makes them great at navigating hard conversations between other people because they bring calmness and balance when others are having a hard time seeing past their own feelings and opinions.
What Seems Challenging
Because Enneagram 9s want everyone to get along and minimize conflicts, I have observed how difficult it is for them when they feel like they cause a conflict. When it’s time to lay down the law, it creates a lot of discomfort. I have also witnessed that 9s struggle with taking on the feelings of others. Their quest for peace and harmony makes it hard on them when they aren’t able to create these qualities for others. It really weighs on them because of their strong sense of empathy for other people.
Enneagram 1
What I Admire
I debated whether or not to include type 1 in this post since I have a LOT of Enneagram 1 qualities myself. Since I’m primarily an Enneagram 6, though, I decided to include how I observe how this type manifests in other people I know.
Ones definitely know their mind. They feel very strongly about the right way and the wrong way of doing things, and they will let you know. That said, Enneagram 1s will hold themselves accountable for right and wrong, as opposed to only expecting you to do it.
What Seems Challenging
Enneagram 1s can be very hard on themselves. Because their standards are so high and decisive, nobody will be more frustrated with an Enneagram 1 than they are with themselves. I have watched other 1s beat themselves up for not getting something exactly right. It can be very ugly to give in to that inner critic.
Enneagram 2
What I Admire
It seems like I know more Enneagram 2s than any other type, and I admire each and every one of them for how easily they care for others. These people are the best at making someone really feel SEEN. Even though it would be easy to assume that 2s are helping out of some kind of obligation due to their personality type, what I have witnessed couldn’t be further from that. All the 2s I know genuinely want to help others.
What Seems Challenging
The flip side I have seen for the 2s in my life are that they do get burned out from helping. Though the desire to help is genuine, there is also an obligation that makes it hard for them to take care of themselves. Whether it’s prioritizing tasks based on what someone else needs or simply ignoring their own needs, it is sometimes hard to watch an Enneagram 2 with this struggle.
Enneagram 3
What I Admire
Enneagram 3 is the type where I am largely guessing, but I know a couple of people who I think are 3s, so here goes! They work HARD. These are people who want to produce a high-quality product, and they’ll put in the hours to make sure it happens. It’s also fun to watch these dedicated, hard-working 3s often get recognized for their accomplishments.
What Seems Challenging
The flip side to that hard work is that they have a hard time “turning off.” It is very difficult for the 3 (I think) I know to feel as though they can STOP working. They will put in long hours beyond what is good for their health, and they will struggle to relax when they aren’t getting things done.
Enneagram 4
What I Admire
The Enneagram 4s I know feel their feelings, and they aren’t afraid to show them. They are very in tune with themselves. In addition to being in tune with their feelings, they aren’t afraid to spend time in the darker places instead of just avoiding anything unpleasant. These 4s also throw themselves fully into their creative projects. And while they want to share, they don’t usually worry about how their creativity is going to be perceived. They do it because they want to, they need to, and they find satisfaction in it.
What Seems Challenging
Sometimes they struggle to turn off their feelings. Because they feel so strongly, they can be consumed by their feelings. Those feelings can also consume their relationships with others. While I really do admire how deeply they feel, I also feel bad for them when they get bogged down in the negative parts of their reality.
Enneagram 5
What I Admire
The Enneagram 5s in my life are a wealth of knowledge! They spend a lot of time reading and learning about all kinds of things. I would definitely pick an Enneagram 5 first to be on my trivia team. That’s not to say what they know is only trivial, though. 5s may know a wide variety of things, but they also become experts on topics that really interest them. I really enjoy an in-depth conversation with the 5s in my life because I always learn something from them.
What Seems Challenging
The challenge I observe with Enneagram 5s is that sometimes it’s hard to engage with other people. I’d say they are probably the most introverted people I know. Not that it’s bad to be alone and recharge, but 5s sometimes take this to the extreme.
Learning from Observing Enneagram Types
As an Enneagram 6, observing other Enneagram types is really interesting. It’s easy to get caught up in our own perspective, but understanding the unique strengths and challenges of each Enneagram type helps me appreciate the complexity of human personality. Nobody is just one thing – we’re all a mix of admirable qualities and struggles.
These observations aren’t about putting people in boxes or finding fault. They’re about understanding. Each type brings something special to the table – the joy of a 7, the protection of an 8, the depth of a 4. By looking beyond our own type, we can develop more empathy and connection with the people around us. I highly recommend observing Enneagram types and not only using it as a tool to learn about yourself!
