Enneatype’s Blindspot

Enneatype’s Blindspot

Enneatype 1: Criticism

Ones are often unaware of their tendency to be critical and its affect on their relationships. They are on a mission to set the world straight. Their attempt to do so often comes across as criticism and nagging. Ones believe that they know how things should be and feel that they have an obligation to fix the flaws in their environment. They feel that they are only trying to be helpful and are often surprised when others interpret their comments as a criticism. 

Enneatype 2: Demandingness 

Twos are often unaware of their tendency to be demanding and its affect on their relationships. Twos may act like a spoiled and pampered prince or princess and demand that they are appreciated. They exert pressure on others to meet their needs, but feel they deserve this special treatment because they do so much, and care so much, for others. They express their entitlement as, “That’s what I would do for you.”

Enneatype 3: Inauthencity

Threes are often unaware of their tendency to be inauthentic and its affect on their relationships. Because of their desire to put a positive spin on everything they do, Threes fall into the habit of deceiving themselves, and sometimes others. Because they are pragmatists, they look for the best solution and the most effective action even if it involves shading the truth. They do not consider their deceit as lying, but rather as reframing or “spinning.”

Enneatype 4: Self Absorption 

Fours are often unaware of their tendency to be self absorbed and its affect on their relationships. They find their own lives and internal states far more interesting than anybody else’s. Because they feel they have been cheated by life, but no one else has, they feel that the focus should be on them and their problems.

Enneatype 5: Intellectual Arrogance

Fives are often unaware of their tendency to be intellectually arrogant and the effect it has on their relationships. They spend much of their time thinking about and analyzing life, while other people spend more time actually living life. Consequently, Fives think that other people are less thoughtful and insightful and in the extreme, stupid and dull

Enneatype 6: Complaining

Sixes are often unaware of their tendency to complain and its affect on their relationships. Because Sixes do not trust their own thought process they are constantly trying to gauge other people’s reactions (to test the waters) to a given stimulus to see if there is a threat that needs attention. They complain to see if people agree or disagree with them as a way of finding where people stand.

Enneatype 7: Distractibillity

Sevens are often unaware of their tendency to be easily distracted and its impact on their relationships. Sevens continually attempt to avoid unpleasant thoughts, feelings, and experiences. By not focusing on any one thing for too long, Sevens avoid the possibility of something becoming unpleasant. Because they move from topic to topic so quickly, others may feel ignored or left in the dust.

Enneatype 8: Abusiveness

Eights are ofen unaware of their tendency to be abusive and its affect on their relationships. They don’t see that others view their “straight talk and tough love” as abuse. Although they claim that they are trying to help by being honest and fair, they are often lashing out at the weakness and incompetence they see in others and fear seeing in themselves.

Enneatype 9: Passive-Aggressiveness.

Nines are often unaware of their tendency to get their way passively rather than actively and the impact this has on their relationships. For instance, they may get out of performing an unpleasant task by dragging their feet, being forgetful, making promises that they do not keep, and so forth. Others are often frustrated by their seeming stubbornness.