Centers of Intelligence

The enneagram is mapped around three distinct centers of intelligence, each shaping how we take in information, make decisions, and show up to life:

Body Types: 8s, 9s, & 1s

Heart Types: 2s, 3s, & 4s

Head Types: 5s, 6s, &7s

The Body Center (Types 8, 9, 1) is rooted in sensation, driven by a sense of justice and fairness, with an internal compass that guides them - they operate from a gut “knowing” what to do, what is right or wrong, good or bad.The primary emotion sitting right below the surface for Body Types is anger. Since they are concerned with issues of fairness and justice, much of this experience of anger is a posture of standing against whatever they see as unfair or unjust. Wired for action, each body type is in a relentless pursuit of autonomy and control.  

The Heart Center (Types 2, 3, 4) navigates life through emotion, prioritizing connection and image. Beneath their outward presentation lies a deep well of sadness, a longing for validation that fuels their relational strategies. Each heart type is in a relentless pursuit to alleviate the sadness of not having been able to internalize unconditional affirmation of their inherent value as young people.

The Head Center (Types 5, 6, 7) seeks understanding through logic and analysis, inhabiting the realm of thought and imagination. The primary emotion sitting right below the surface for Head Types is fear. They use the head to try to make sense of things and they feel more fear than other types over what they cannot predict. Each head type is in a relentless pursuit of certainty, which is unattainable. 

Ideally, the 3 intelligence centers work in harmony, offering us a balanced perspective. But we rarely operate in this ideal state. Each Enneagram type leans primarily on one center and under-utilizes the other two centers. This imbalance creates a disconnect, hindering our ability to see our situations clearly, make informed decisions, manage stress, and have a fuller and more rewarding lived experience. Part of the growth work the enneagram offers involves re-integrating all 3 intelligence centers. 

Survival Instincts:

In addition to 3 centers of intelligence, another important part of building self-knowledge and self-awareness through the lens of the enneagram, is to understand that we all have instinctual biases. These biases directly influence how we show up and what we pay attention to.  Instincts are common to all animals, of course, and are meant to switch on and off as needed, and only when needed - we don’t “think” or “feel” them into functioning, they just happen (i.e. we hear a loud sound behind us and our bodies move before we turn around to evaluate . They are body-based survival strategies that are a product of biological evolution. 

In most animals these instincts function as intended. However, as humans, our instincts become distorted as an outcome of experiencing abundance and/or lacking as young people. The result is that we end up with a dominant instinctual drive (an instinct that is switched ‘on’ even if we don't need it on). The energy that is directed to this dominant instinctual drive being stuck in the ‘on’ position, steals energy from the other two primary survival instincts, creating an “instinctual sequence”:  We wind up with a dominant Instinctual Drive, supported by a secondary Instinctual Drive, and a repressed Instinctual Drive (an Instinct that doesn’t turn “on” even when we DO need it to).

Our Dominant Instinct is, in part, the result of us perceiving that this survival need wouldn’t easily be met, so energy is directed here to ensure this need is always met. In the same way, the repressed instinct is, in part, the result of us perceiving that this survival need also wouldn’t be met, but we unconsciously decide that we’ll just learn to live without it. 

The dominant instinct creates an alchemy with the emotional vice of our dominant enneagram type and creates a “subtype” (described below). Variations in subtype are why people who lead with the same enneagram type may show up very differently from one another. 

Self Preservation (SP) 

People dominant in this instinct are concerned with physical survival needs. Largely centering around matters of physical security, comfort, well-being & material resources, they possess an instinctual drive to prioritize anything that feels essential to their daily bodily well-being and survival - from perhaps thinking about what to have for dinner while they’re eating breakfast, to meticulously checking the expiration dates on items in the grocery store, to arriving at the airport 3 hours before their flight. But beyond one’s personal safety and well-being, people dominant in this instinct may also be concerned about the physical well-being of the people they care about, as knowing if their loved ones are alright makes them feel safe and secure in their own bodies. Self-Preservation dominants are more conscious of risks than others, so they tend to be a little more anxious. They are more attuned to their physical environment, always evaluating if they will be comfortable or not. They are generally more tuned-in to physical health maintenance, like scheduling and keeping doctor’s appointments or, perhaps, ensuring they have ordered their vitamins and supplements. They are also more likely to focus on maintaining traditions (which also make them feel safe in their bodies). There may be an internal tension and observable contradiction between cautious and indulgent behaviors - they may want to build up their retirement account, but also want a new sofa. They can adopt a “me-first” posture (e.g. I want to share as long as I have enough for me).

Social (SO):

People dominant in this instinct are concerned with their standing in the group. There is safety in numbers and status directly affects the Social-dominant's feeling of well-being. This instinct is orientated around power and influence, so they exchange information from the motivation of wanting to know who they can or can’t rely on. They build networks and work to connect others. They are concerned with group cohesiveness and are skillful politicians. They easily identify and understand social hierarchies. There may be an internal tension between pursuing social acceptance and image management - expressing only what will make you like them, hiding what won’t, and constantly wrestling with how much of themselves they can truly reveal. There can be an observable contradiction between connecting with others and judging them, as they can adopt a posture of superiority and try to “win” standing in the group.

Sexual (SX):  

People dominant in this instinct are concerned with one-to-one relationships. They focus on survival through intimate bonds, which fuels a habit of drawing attention to the particular messages they want to convey which will be attractive to others. They focus on seducing and conquering, and often adopt a posture of rivalry and competition. This is the most intense of the 3 instincts and they use their energy for attracting and impressing potential friends or romantic partners. They tend to have lower inhibitions than others and orient around charming, making an impact, and leaving a legacy. They tend to put themselves on display even when it feels exhausting, as they don’t know any other way to be. There may be an internal tension and observable contradiction between the need for building a strong, impenetrable bond with someone and the need for experiencing something brand new. They prefer one-to-one meetings and may consider many group meetings a waste of time (particularly where the Social Instinct is repressed). They have a tendency to be so expressive that they often don’t allow enough space for others to talk, sometimes leaving people to feel more like an audience member than an equal participant in the conversation.

Type Descriptions:

Body Types (8,9,1) Common emotional experience: Anger

Type 8: 

• Core Theme: Eights are decisive leaders who drive change and influence outcomes with their strong will and strategic vision. They excel at taking charge, advocating for justice, and protecting their teams.

• Core Motivation: To exert control, drive results, and protect themselves & others.

• Avoids: Being vulnerable or controlled by others

• Superpower: Decisive doers who make things happen. Filled with passion, Eights are willing to step up, speak up, and take charge. 

• Focus of Attention: Identifying power dynamics, advocating for fairness, and driving strategic initiatives with a focus on impact.

• Communication Style: Direct, assertive, and results-oriented, using clear and decisive language to influence outcomes.

• Physical Profile: Powerful and assertive, with a tendency to project strength and control.

• How Eights Deal with Anger: Directly expressing anger to drive action and influence outcomes. May experience it as passion and intensity more than “anger”, which energizes them.

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Lust - making themselves bigger than they are / wanting more.

• Virtue (when in higher awareness): Innocence.

The 3 Subtypes of 8:

SP: “Satisfaction” - Expresses the passion of lust through a drive to get what’s theirs. They are a more defended, self-reliant type of 8 than the other subtypes. 

SO: “Solidarity” - Expresses the passion of lust in service of others. They are a more social, friendly, and helpful type of 8 than the other subtypes. 

SX: “Possession” - Expresses the passion of lust through outspoken rebellion. They are a more energetically dominating and charismatic type of 8 than the other subtypes. 

Type 9: 

• Core Theme:Nines are diplomatic mediators who foster harmonious collaboration and build consensus within teams. They excel at seeing multiple perspectives and creating a supportive and balanced work environment."

• Core Motivation: To maintain peace and harmony and create a stable and supportive environment.

• Avoids: Conflict, or anything that will disrupt their internal or external equilibrium. 

• Superpower: Exceptional ability to mediate conflict, build consensus, and create a calm and supportive work environment."

• Focus of Attention: Identifying areas of agreement, facilitating collaboration, and minimizing conflict to maintain harmony.

• Communication Style: Inclusive, diplomatic, and collaborative, prioritizing consensus and avoiding confrontation.

• Physical Profile: Calm and composed, with a tendency to minimize their own voice and be non-assertive.

• How Nines Deal with Anger: Falling asleep to it, numbing it with various routines and going along to get along, which can lead to anger being expressed through passive/aggressive behaviours. 

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Sloth - neglecting to act fully on one’s own behalf.

• Virtue (when in higher awareness):  Right Action.

The 3 Subtypes of 9:

SP: “Appetite” - Expresses the passion of sloth by losing themselves in routines and merging with experiences that maintain a sense of comfort and physical satisfaction. They are a more practical, concrete, and noticeably stubborn 9 than the other subtypes. 

SO: “Participation” - Expresses the passion of sloth by merging with, and working on behalf of, the group’s interests. They are a more jovial, generous, and overachieving type of 9 than the other subtypes.   

SX: “Fusion” - Expresses the passion of sloth through merging with someone else, adopting the feelings, attitudes, and beliefs of another to compensate for loss of touch with themselves. They are a more tender and less assertive 9 than the other subtypes.

Type 1: The Reformer (Integrator/Ethical Leader)

• Core Theme: Ones are driven by a commitment to excellence and ethical integrity. They are highly focused, responsible, and trustworthy, as they set and uphold their high standards. They work to improve systems and processes, believing in the power of principled action to drive positive change.

• Core Motivation:To achieve an ideal of perfection, drive continuous improvement, and ensure ethical integrity in all endeavors.

• Avoids: Being bad, making mistakes. 

• Superpower: Unwavering commitment to quality, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong ethical compass. They drive process improvement and establish robust systems.

• Focus of Attention: Identifying inefficiencies, inconsistencies, or anything that is wrong/not ideal. 

• Communication Style: Task-focused, precise, structured, and filled with descriptions of an ideal picture of reality. 

• Physical Profile: Tends to be higher energy and busy with the tasks that need doing each day. May experience physical rigidity in the body, including a clenched jaw and an observable resentment about the way things are. 

• How Ones Deal with Anger: By actively suppressing it. Believing anger isn’t “good”, they will sometimes channel their anger into righteous indignation over a cause, while telling themselves and others that they’re not angry.

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Anger - a resentment about the way things are. 

• Virtue (when in higher awareness): Serenity.

The 3 Subtypes of 1:

SP: “Worry” - Expresses the passion of anger by repressing it and transforming its heat into a warmer, gentler emotional expression. They are a more worried, anxious, and excessively responsible type of 1 than the other subtypes. 

SO: “Rigidity” - Expresses the passion of anger by keeping it half-hidden and maintaining control while modeling the “right” way to be. They are a more unconsciously “superior”, teacher type of 1 than the other subtypes. 

SX: “Zeal” - Expresses the passion of anger by focusing on perfecting others. They are a more externally-focused, fervent reformer type of 1 than the other subtypes. 

Heart Types (2,3,4) Common emotional experience: Sadness

Type 2: 

• Core Theme: Twos are natural relationship builders, fostering collaborative environments and supporting the growth of others. They are empathetic, service-oriented, and excel at building strong professional networks."

• Core Motivation: To build strong, supportive relationships and contribute to the success of others, gaining validation through their contributions.

• Avoids: Being dismissed or rejected

• Superpower: Exceptional ability to build rapport, foster team cohesion, and provide personalized support, creating positive and inclusive environments.

• Focus of Attention: Identifying who to connect with and who may need their assistance. May use flattery and unsolicited advice as a means to feeling wanted and appreciated. 

• Communication Style: Concerned with people over tasks, they offer warm, empathetic, and feeling-oriented conversation to foster connection.  

• Physical Profile: Energetic and engaging, with a tendency to lean-in toward others. May experience tension in the chest, as they wait for important others to respond to their supportive efforts. 

• How Twos Deal with Sadness: Seeking validation through befriending, pleasing, and acts of service, often avoiding direct connection with their own personal wants and needs.

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Pride - adopting an idealized self-perception of their generosity and ability to make others like them.

• Virtue (when in higher awareness): Humility.

The 3 Subtypes of 2:

SP: “Privilege” - Expresses the passion of pride through charming those around them with a youthful cuteness in order to get what they want without having to ask. They are a more fearful, dependent, and emotionally expressive 2 than the other subtypes. i

SO: “Ambition” - Expresses the passion of pride through cultivating an image of influence and commanding an audience. They are a more status-seeking, ambitious, competitive, and “adult” 2 than the other subtypes. 

SX: “Seductive” - Expresses the passion of pride through the need to be appealing and desired by the other. They are a more generous, impassioned, action-oriented 2 than the other subtypes. 

Type 3: 

• Core Theme: Threes are driven, results-oriented achievers who excel at reaching their goals and driving success. They are adaptable, strategic, and skilled at presenting a polished image.

• Core Motivation: To achieve measurable success, gain recognition, and maintain a positive image.

• Avoids: Failure / feeling worthless. 

• Superpower: Strategic execution, persuasive communication, and the ability to inspire and motivate people to achieve ambitious goals.

• Focus of Attention: Identifying the desires, expectations, values, climate, clothing, and overall vibe of any room, and then automatically adapting to become the best representation of that environment in order to impress and win the approval and admiration of others. 

• Communication Style: Goal-oriented, persuasive, and adaptable, tailoring their message to resonate with their audience.

• Physical Profile: Dynamic and energetic, with a focus on efficiency and productivity, potentially suppressing or dismissing emotions in order to maintain focus.

• How Three's Deal with Sadness: By focusing on goals, achievements and external validation, while denying and repressing their own authentic wants and emotions.

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Self-Deception - convincing themselves that they are not adapting who they are according to the room they are in, and that they are not an emotional type. 

• Virtue (when in higher awareness): Authenticity. 

The 3 Subtypes of 3:

SP: “Security” - Expresses the passion of self-deception through the vanity of having no vanity, wanting others to see them as attractive and successful without them knowing that they want this. They are more focused on being good, maintaining their ethics, and being self-sufficient than the other subtypes. 

SO: “Prestige” - Expresses the passion of self-deception through being the most chameleon of all ennea-types, and pursuing more recognition and admiration. They are more likely to keep people at arm’s length in order to maintain a positive image than the other subtypes. 

SX: “Masculinity/Femininity” - Expresses the passion of self-deception through creating an attractive image and working to promote others’ success, whlie actively avoiding acknowledging or connecting to the deep sadness they often feel inside. They are a sweeter and shyer 3 than the other subtypes. 

Type 4:

• Core Theme: Fours are creative visionaries with unique perspectives, depth, and an innovative mindset. They are deeply committed to authenticity and pursuing significance, as they strive to create meaningful experiences in their own lives and those with whom they live and work. 

• Core Motivation: To express their individuality, create meaningful work, and find deep emotional connection."

• Avoids: What feels inauthentic or ordinary. 

• Superpower: Exceptional creativity, access to their emotions, and the ability to inspire others with their unique vision and perspective.

• Focus of Attention: Identifying what is missing and looking for opportunities for creative expression, seeking deeper meaning, and navigating complex emotional landscapes, often comparing their current experience with an idealized version of a past experience. 

• Communication Style: Expressive, creative, emotionally resonant, and inclined toward feeling words. May be self-referencing and overly focused on the negative. 

• Physical Profile: A tendency to oscillate between lethargy and pronounced expressions. Emotions may sometimes feel like they are pooling in the chest, leading to experiences of anxiety and/or melancholy. 

• How Fours Deal with Sadness: Channeling sadness into creative expression and seeking meaningful connections, often focusing on cultivating unique experiences. Fours can usually connect deeply with sadness and are often gifted at turning it into beautiful outward messages for the world. 

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Envy - a constant comparison of themselves to others. 

• Virtue: Equanimity 

The 3 Subtypes of 4:

• SP: “Tenacity” - Expresses the passion of envy less than the other subtypes and, instead, takes on too much suffering, enduring pain without wincing and exhibiting almost masochistic type behavior. They are a more nurturing, sunnier 4 than the other subtypes.

• SO: “Shame” - Expresses envy through continual comparisons, suffering, and lament, finding comfort in the familiarity of pain. They are a more timid and dramatic 4 who feel more shame about their wants and needs than the other subtypes. 

• SX: “Competition” - Expresses envy through competition and anger. They are a more intense, shameless, and demanding type of 4 who refuse to suffer and insist on their needs being met more than the other subtypes. 

Head Types (5,6,7) Common emotional experience: Fear

Type 5: 

• Core Theme:  Fives possess an amazing ability to observe and evaluate the interconnectedness of all things. They are analyticals who excel at understanding complex systems and providing insightful solutions. They are independent, intellectual, and value knowledge. 

• Core Motivation: To acquire knowledge, maintain independence, and avoid feeling overwhelmed or incompetent.

• Avoids: Being depleted, surprised or overwhelmed.

• Superpower: Exceptional analytical skills, deep expertise, and the ability to provide objective and insightful perspectives.

• Focus of Attention: Assessing who or what may steal energy from them, and then creating emotional buffers between themselves and those perceived threats. Analyzing data, identifying patterns.

• Communication Style: Analytical, objective, calm and rational, focusing on delivering clear and concise information. May listen more than speak, except in safe environments when speaking about topics in which they have expertise.

• Physical Profile: Reserved and contemplative, with a tendency to withdraw from emotionally demanding situations.

• How Fives Deal with Fear: Withdrawing to analyze and understand complex situations, seeking knowledge as a means for reaching conclusions and attaining a feeling of certainty. 

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Avarice - a guarding and withholding of energy and resources. 

• Virtue: Non-Attachment. 

The 3 Subtypes of 5:

SP:”Castle” - Expresses the passion of avarice through finding protection and refuge behind walls. They are more guarded, have more boundaries, and are more self-sufficient than the other subtypes. 

SO: “Totem” - Expresses the passion of avarice through procuring knowledge, the search for meaning through the intellect, and attempting to meet all of their needs through the mind. They tend to hide behind expertise and are more idealistic than the other subtypes.

SX: “Confidence” - Expresses the passion of avarice through the search for the ideal partner and mentally escaping into fantasies of finding unconditional love. They are more romantic, assertive, and sensitive than the other subtypes.  

Type 6: 

• Core Theme: Sixes are strategic planners and risk managers who excel at anticipating potential challenges and developing contingency plans. They are loyal, reliable, and value security and stability."

• Core Motivation: To feel secure and supported by others, and to pursue certitude in all things that may affect them. 

• Avoids: Being without support or safety

• Superpower: Uncanny ability to anticipate risks, question assumptions, and challenge ideas. Deeply loyal, wonderful team members who are often very calm in an actual crisis, because they’ve already anticipated it. 

• Focus of Attention: Scanning for potential hazards and threats in order to feel safe and prepared for anything that might go wrong and cause themselves, or others, harm. 

• Communication Style: Tend to ask a lot of questions and process their concerns aloud, often playing “devil’s advocate” to any and all ideas. Usually transparent and direct with their words.

• Physical Profile: Fight or flight. When presented with conflict, Phobic Sixes tend to physically and/or mentally withdraw, while Counterphobic Sixes go up against the thing that scares them with strength and aggression. Both types of Sixes tend to carry tension in their muscles and may exhibit a shallow breathing pattern

• How Sixes Deal with Fear: By questioning things. Sixes may also over-identify with certain authority figures and/or belief systems as a way to feel safe, or they may doubt and reject authority and choose to go up against their fears head on. 

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Fear - a general anxiety over anything they cannot predict. 

• Virtue (when in higher awareness): Courage.

The 3 Subtypes of 6:

SP: “Warmth” - Expresses the passion of fear building alliances and finding protection in relationships. They are warmer, friendlier, more hesitant, indecisive, and uncertain than the other subtypes.

SO: “Duty” - Expresses the passion of fear through finding an authority or an ideology to rely on. They are more concerned with the rules, knowing who the “good guys” are, and feeling certain than the other subtypes. 

SX: “Strength/Beauty”  - Expresses the passion of fear by combating it with strength. They embrace a “best defense is a good offense” approach to life, and are more aggressive and intimidating than the other subtypes. 

Type 7: 

• Core Theme: Sevens are visionary innovators who bring a dynamic and optimistic approach to strategic planning and problem-solving. They excel at identifying opportunities and inspiring teams with their enthusiasm and forward-thinking ideas.

• Core Motivation: To maximize opportunities, drive innovation, and maintain a stimulating and engaging work environment."

• Avoids: Being trapped in pain or boredom.

• Superpower: Exceptional ability to generate creative solutions, inspire teams with their vision, and maintain a positive and energetic environment.

• Focus of Attention: Scanning for all the possible opportunities to enhance their experience while also (though less consciously) scanning for possible limitations and constraints to avoid. 

• Communication Style: Persuasive, engaging, and forward-looking, using storytelling and strategic vision to inspire action.

• Physical Profile: High-energy and dynamic, with a tendency to move away from uncomfortable feelings by being up in their heads. They struggle to remain grounded and present in their own bodies. They often radiate a contagious exuberance for life. 

• How Sevens Deal with Fear: Focusing on future possibilities and reframing challenges as opportunities, often avoiding direct confrontation with difficult emotions.

• Emotional Vice (when in lower awareness): Gluttony - wanting to experience a little bit of all possibilities.

• Virtue: Sobriety.

The 3 Subtypes of 7:

SP: “Keepers of the Castle” - Expresses the passion of gluttony through making alliances, being opportunistic, and pragmatic about getting what they want. They are more networking, materialistic, and pleasure-seeking than the other subtypes.

SO: “Sacrifice” - Expresses the passion of gluttony through actively working against it, getting by on less and ensuring that they don’t exploit others. They postpone their desires for the ideals of a better world, and are more service oriented than the other subtypes.

SX: “Suggestibility” - Expresses the passion of gluttony through abundant optimism, dreaming and imagining a higher, more heavenly world. They have a need to see things for what they could be instead of what they are, and are more likely to dream, idealize, and avoid painful feelings.