The Enneagram Series: Types 1 and 2
Ambar Khawaja
Last week, you were introduced to the basics of the Enneagram. Now, let’s dive in and explore the individual types, their behaviors and how they can optimize their leadership skills.
Each type has a “direction of growth” and a “direction of stress”. The direction of growth shows up when a type is acting in a healthy and balanced manner. When this occurs, the type takes on some of the positive traits of another type, as indicated by the growth arrow in the diagrams below. Conversely, the direction of stress shows up when a type is acting in an unhealthy or stressed manner. When this occurs, the type takes on the negative traits of another type, as indicated by the stress arrow.
In the previous article, I mentioned each type’s “centre”. The enneagram is split up into three triads, each with a primary emotion:
Types 2, 3, 4: Feeling Centre - Shame
Types 5, 6, 7: Thinking Centre - Fear
Types 8, 9, 1: Body Centre - Anger
The primary emotion for each centre is the one that has the most dominance over each type’s actions when they are acting in an unhealthy manner. Recognizing this will help you understand when you are behaving in an unhealthy manner, so that you can take a step back and engage in a healthy manner instead.
Type 1: The Reformer
When type 1 is stressed, they become moody and irrational like an unhealthy 4. When they are in growth, they become spontaneous and joyous at a healthy 7.
At their healthy levels: realistic, noble, discerning, humane, inspiring, self-disciplined, rational
When Type 1’s are in a healthy state of mind, they strive to make a difference and lead by example by overcoming moral adversity. They inspire others through their personal sacrifice in order to pursue their mission of reducing the chaos they see in the world.
At their unhealthy levels: controlling, rigid, self-righteous, intolerant, inflexible, judgemental, emotionally constricted
When Type 1’s are in an unhealthy state of mind, they become absolute in the sense that they are right and everyone around them is wrong. They are afraid of making mistakes that go against their morals, lose the ability to trust themselves, and can be highly critical of themselves and others. They have a tendency to act out of anger in this state.
Type 1’s in Leadership
Lead through: example, organization, responsibility, attention to detail
Struggles: being overly involved, critical, and inflexible
Optimization: trust your team, do not hover, learn to relax and become flexible, be patient with yourself and others
Famous Type 1’s: Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Michelle Obama, Noam Chomsky
Type 2: The Helper
When a type 2 is stressed, they become aggressive and dominant like an unhealthy 8. When they are in growth, they become self-nurturing and emotionally aware like a healthy 4.
At their healthy levels: unselfish, humble, altruistic, compassionate, sincere, empathetic
When Type 2’s are in a healthy state of mind, they help others see the positive qualities in themselves, and are patient and accepting, yet know when to let go of toxicity. They embody love and warmth, exuding it wherever they go. Able to show unconditional love for others, they are altruistic and unselfish.
At their unhealthy levels: people-pleasing, intrusive, self-serving, possessive, coercive, overbearing
When Type 2’s are in an unhealthy state of mind, they become people pleasers and neglect their own needs to fulfill others’. This leads to 2’s feeling resentful and angry, manipulating those around them in order to have their emotional needs met. Their selflessness becomes tainted with the intention of wanting to receive the kind of love they give. They act out of shame and the feeling that they are not worthy of love.
Type 2’s in Leadership
Lead through: supportiveness, resourcefulness, creating relationships
Struggles: setting healthy boundaries, imbalance between relationships and accountability
Optimization: self-care, recognize how others help you, focus on tasks and goals
Famous Type 2’s: Bishop Desmond Tutu, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder
See you next week for types 3 and 4!