The Enneagram: Understanding our personalities 161Type Six: The Loyal Skeptic/Loyalist
10 Habitual doubters, Sixes fear power and authority. As a result, they either rebel and gravitate
toward underdog causes, or toe the line. Afraid to act on their own, Sixes are given to procrastina-
tion and mental anguish. hey shy away from success to avoid attention from hostile authorities,
and they oten change jobs or fail to complete projects. Suspicious to the point of paranoia, Sixes
believe that they can see others’ bad intentions. Once Sixes get out of their heads and free them-
selves from the turmoil of worst-case scenarios, they can ind the courage to act. At their best
reliable, resourceful, and responsible, Sixes will do all in their power for those they care about.
Type Seven: The Epicure/Enthusiast
11 Light-hearted, eternally optimistic, and enthusiastic, Sevens like adventure, and their appe-
tite for excitement drives them to seek new experiences. Sevens have abundant energy and many
talents, but they can become scattered and easily distracted, with their imagination swinging like
a monkey from branch to branch. Sevens escape fear by planning and keeping their options open.
When facing a potential conlict, their irst line of defense is to turn on the charm. Undeveloped
Sevens tend to be impulsive and narcissistic, and they will try to avoid pain by seeking pleasure.
When Sevens settle down and get serious, they can channel their creative energy and accomplish
great things.
Type Eight: The Boss/Challenger
12 Eights view themselves as protectors of the weak. Aggressive and assertive, they thrive on
conlict and will start a ight or push others’ buttons to test their weaknesses. Because they prefer
predictability, Eights are preoccupied with being in control, and they become bored when not
faced with a challenge. Given to excess, Eights will follow their impulses and indulge in extreme
behavior in an all-or-nothing style, which causes sufering to themselves as well as to others.
Eights who approach new situations unarmed can be generous, committed, self-conident, and
strong leaders capable of choosing the right course of action.
Type Nine: The Mediator/Peacemaker
13 Born peacemakers, Nines can support and sympathize with all points of view. Nines ind it
hard to say no, and they will sometimes go along with what others want for the sake of harmony.
When it comes to conlict, Nines sit on the fence or space out. Rather than taking a stand, Nines
resort to stubborn inaction as a defense, and they avoid critical matters by busying themselves
with trivialities or by hoping trouble will go away. Undeveloped Nines lazily let priorities slide
and indulge in the comfort of food, sleep, or television. Developed Nines who do not let them-
selves be distracted or dulled, are attentive listeners, compassionate healers, skilled mediators,
and trustworthy facilitators.
14 Our personalities are a complex and fascinating subject indeed, but why we are who we are
need not elude us. Whereas many personality theories tend to ofer simplistic formulas, the
Enneagram approaches personality holistically, comprehensively, and dynamically. By recogniz-
ing our preoccupations and passions, we can learn to overcome our laws—and return ultimately
to our essence, our true selves. hrough self-understanding, we can also gain insight into our
family members, partners, associates, and humanity as a whole, and forge healthy, meaningful,
and lasting relationships.After reading
In the Pre-reading section, check to see if your predictions about the reading text were correct.