Emotional Patterns by Enneagram Type

We all have emotional patterns that become well-worn ruts in our being. A feeling that dominates our heart when we are operating on automatic. For some it is an intensity for all that life has to offer, and for others, it is a longing for peace and deep satisfaction. It was a pattern that helped you when you were younger - maybe it motivated you to reach for more or kept you out of trouble. But over time, it becomes so comfortable that you stopped trying other ways of being and forget that another choice is even available to use. ⁣

Knowing your Enneagram type is like having x-ray vision into your unconscious motivations. Each of the 9 types has a specific emotional pattern that runs the show unconsciously:

Enneagram 8 Emotional Pattern = Lust

A lusty appetite for the intensity of life⁣

You prefer to do everything in excess, even going to extremes. You have an insatiable appetite for the intensity of life, which can show up in how you take care of yourself physically or how you pursue pleasure, food, shelter, or influence.

But this isn't just a sense of wanting things - your lust is more about a driving need to fill an inner emptiness. Sometimes this causes you to overindulge or ignore the consequences of your choices on yourself or others.

Enneagram 9 Emotional Pattern = Self-forgetting

Forgetting to consider yourself in order to keep the peace⁣

You can be lazy about paying attention to yourself and what you need. And this tendency to neglect yourself makes you believe that you don't matter. Your self-forgetting allows you to avoid making decisions and postpone action because it might lead to a conflict.

This inaction and lack of attention to yourself contributes to a sense of numbness, which further alienates you from your real feelings, urges, preferences, and inspiration. Which makes it hard for you to discern what is important or needed, ultimately making it even harder to take action.

Enneagram 1 Emotional Pattern = Anger

Simmering frustration and anger with the way things are⁣

Your idealism causes a lot of frustration about the way things are. You tend to feel personally responsible that things are not right, which creates hostility toward others - who you feel should agree with you and be more on top of things! You can't help pointing out their faults or trying to fix a situation.

All of this fixing that needs to be done is a burden that prevents you from relaxing until everything feels just right. But it never feels the way you want it to - so resentment builds, and you get angry with yourself and others for not being good enough.

Enneagram 2 Emotional Pattern = Pride

Pride in your ability to show up for people and meet their needs⁣

You're a natural helper in a world that needs help. You take pride in being needed because it makes you feel relevant, important, and valued. But your sense of pride depends on how people see you and not necessarily on who you really are. You may not go around bragging, but you do use humility and flattery to connect to others and influence how they see you - because deep down you are looking for love.

You think you have more energy and time to help others and don't need to focus on yourself or replenish your stores. And that's because your identity comes from being needed - not needy!

Enneagram 3 Emotional Pattern = Deceit

Deceit in how you present yourself to the world⁣

You spend a lot of time cultivating your image because you need to be seen as successful. Deceit creeps in as you carefully craft and present what you want people to see, hiding the less desirable or vulnerable parts of you from view. You can read others easily and find ways to connect and create rapport - much like a chameleon who takes on the colors of their environment.

Deception can show up in a number of ways - in the disconnect between your image and real self, in your ability to say what is needed but conceal your truth, or in your ability to present yourself in a way that will earn the approval of people you admire.

Enneagram 4 Emotional Pattern = Envy

Envious longing for the things others seem to have ⁣

Your driving need to be unique and stand out from the crowd leads you to compare yourself to others and notice the ways they have something you don't. This comparison provokes envy - as the things that would make you feel satisfied seem just out of reach and everyone else seems to have it easier than you.

You are idealistic about the way things should be (or the way it seems they are for others), but this world only exists in your imagination. You can feel hopeless about finding that essential thing for yourself, and your sadness and longing for more prevents you from appreciating the gifts and talents you already have.

Enneagram 5 Emotional Pattern = Avarice

Holding onto things and information in order to conserve your energy and feel safe⁣

You prefer to be self-sufficient and in your comfort zone, especially if you feel vulnerable or exposed. So to avoid being dependent on others, you will hoard whatever resources you might need. This isn't about gathering more resources as much as it is about holding onto what you already have. Avarice can show up as holding onto money or stuff or in resisting to share your thoughts with others.

Your pattern is to withdraw from life and to conserve and safeguard instead. A deep fear of not having enough prevents you from being too needy and causes you to avoid people and situations that are too demanding. You feel separate and isolated from others and this contributes to an inner emptiness.

Enneagram 6 Emotional Pattern = Doubt

Doubting in order to test the security of everything and everyone⁣

You see the world as a dangerous place and you never know if you have what you need to survive what's coming next. So you doubt everyone and everything - thinking that if you can just test this out, you might prove to yourself they can be trusted.

You are naturally hyper-vigilant, always on the lookout for coming threats. You've seen people act in their own self-interest enough times that you believe that genuine goodness and the support you are looking for is just not out there. You even doubt positive things - like your motivations and impulses or your capacity to handle things.

Enneagram 7 Emotional Pattern = Gluttony

Insatiable greed to indulge your desires

Your optimism and sense that everything's okay allows you to constantly seek enjoyment - if a little is good then more must be better! You can be greedy about indulging in your desires - trying to satisfy a hunger for new sensations, pleasures, experiences, or ideas. You can't get enough of the good stuff or sample all that life has to offer.

But this is driven by a sense of dissatisfaction and each new experience doesn't necessarily satisfy the real urge you are after. You take in so much, but never quite feel full. For some, this can show up in addictive cycles of fun (but not fulfilling) experiences. Which makes you want to go out and try something new, because you never know, that just might be the ticket!

⁣Check-in:

How does this pattern show up for you? Building your emotional intelligence is one of the most powerful things you can do as a leader. But bringing awareness to these patterns and how they play out in your life is big work! We tend to operate on autopilot and don’t see how our habits may be limiting us. ⁣

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I hope this helps you look inward and better understand your motivations. ⁣If you are unsure of your Enneagram type, I am happy to help you figure out which one fits you. Just send me a message and we can get started.

Note: These descriptions are modified from Integrative Enneagram Solutions. You can view a graphical version of these insights on my Instagram account here.

For more information on the Enneagram system, check out my Enneagram 101 page here.