Core Motivations of Enneagram Types

TYPE 1 Core Fear

Being wrong, bad, evil, inappropriate, unredeemable, or corruptible.

TYPE 1 Core Desire

Having integrity, being good, balanced, accurate, virtuous, and right.

TYPE 1 Core Weakness

Resentment-Repressing anger that leads to continual frustration and dissatisfaction with yourself, others, and the world for not being perfect.

TYPE 1 Core Longing

"You are good."

TYPE 2 Core Fear

Being rejected and unwanted, being thought worthless, needy, inconsequential, dispensable, or unworthy of love.

TYPE 2 Core Desire

Being appreciated, loved, and wanted.

TYPE 2 Core Weakness

Pride-Denying your own needs and emotions while using your strong intuition to discover and focus on the emotions and needs of others.

Type 2 Core Longing

"You are wanted and loved."

TYPE 3 Core Fear

Being exposed as or thought incompetent, inefficient, or worthless; failing to be or appear successful.

TYPE 3 Core Desire

Having high status and respect, being admired, successful, and valuable.

TYPE 3 Core Weakness

Deceit-Deceiving yourself into believing that you are only the image you present to others.

Type 3 Core Longing

"You are loved for simply being you."

TYPE 4 Core Fear

Being inadequate, emotionally cut off, plain, mundane, defective, flawed, or insignificant.

TYPE 4 Core Desire

Being unique, special, and authentic.

TYPE 4 Core Weakness

Envy- Feeling that you're tragically flawed, that something foundational is missing inside you.

Type 4 Core Longing

"You are seen and loved for exactly who you are-special and unique."

TYPE 7 Core Fear

Being deprived, trapped in emotional pain, limited, or bored; missing out on something fun.

TYPE 7 Core Desire

Being happy, fully satisfied, and content.

TYPE 7 Core Weakness

Gluttony-Feeling a great emptiness inside and having an insatiable desire to 'fill yourself up' with experiences.

Type 7 Core Longing

"You will be taken care of."

TYPE 5 Core Fear

Being annihilated, invaded, or not existing; being thought incapable or ignorant.

TYPE 5 Core Desire

Being capable and competent.

TYPE 5 Core Weakness

Avarice-Feeling that you lack inner resources and that too much interaction with others will lead to catastrophic depletion.

Type 5 Core Longing

"Your needs are not a problem."

TYPE 8 Core Fear

Being weak, powerless, harmed, controlled, vulnerable, manipulated, and left at the mercy of injustice.

TYPE 8 Core Desire

Protecting yourself and those in your inner self.

TYPE 8 Core Weakness

Lust/Excess-Constantly desiring intensity, control, and power.

TYPE 8 Core Longing

"You will not be betrayed."

TYPE 6 Core Fear

Fearing fear itself, being without support, security, or guidance.

TYPE 6 Core Desire

Having security, guidance, and support.

TYPE 6 Core Weakness

Anxiety-Scanning the horizon of life and trying to predict and prevent negative outcomes.

Type 6 Core Longing

"You are safe and secure."

Type 9 Core Fear

Being in conflict, tension, or discord; feeling shut out and overlooked.

TYPE 9 Core Desire

Having inner stability and peace of mind.

TYPE 9 Core Weakness

Sloth- Remaining in an unrealistic and idealistic world in order to keep the peace.

Type 9 Core Longing

"Your presence matters."