What’s My Wing?
Understanding your Enneagram wing is one step in self-discovery and personal growth. Your wing complements your core Enneagram type, adding unique flavors and nuances to your personality. In this blog post, we'll explore the nine Enneagram types and their wings, helping you determine which wing resonates most with you.
On a scale of 1-10, 1 being the least important aspect of the enneagram and 10 being the most important- wings are at about a 4. It’s important to understand the best way to utilize your wing for personal growth and development. Don’t just use it as an identifier and static.
The Enneagram System in Brief
Before we delve into the wings, here's a quick overview of the nine Enneagram types:
The Moral Perfectionist (Type 1) - Driven by a desire for perfection and the fear of making mistakes.
The Supportive Helper (Type 2) - Motivated by a need to be needed and to help others, sometimes at their own expense.
The Successful Achiever (Type 3) - Success-driven, with a fear of failure and a desire for recognition.
The Romantic Individualist (Type 4) - Focused on uniqueness, often experiencing intense emotions and a fear of being ordinary.
The Thoughtful Observer (Type 5) - Driven by a thirst for knowledge, with a tendency to withdraw from emotions.
The Loyal Skeptic (Type 6) - Seeking security and guidance, often experiencing anxiety and indecision.
The Enthusiastic Optimist (Type 7) - Motivated by a desire for new experiences, often avoiding pain and discomfort.
The Protective Challenger (Type 8) - Assertive and protective, with a fear of vulnerability and being controlled.
The Peaceful Mediator (Type 9) - Focused on maintaining peace and avoiding conflict, often neglecting their own needs.
What Are Enneagram Wings?
Wings are the adjacent types on the Enneagram diagram that influence your core personality type. For example, if you're a Type 3, your wings would be Type 2 and Type 4. Your dominant wing is the one that strongly influences your personality.
Let's explore the wings of each type:
The Perfectionist (Type 1):
1w9 (The Idealist): A bit more reserved, seeking inner peace.
1w2 (The Advocate): More outwardly helpful and nurturing.
The Helper (Type 2):
2w1 (The Servant): Balanced between giving and perfectionism.
2w3 (The Host/Hostess): More image-conscious and achievement-oriented.
The Achiever (Type 3):
3w2 (The Charmer): More outgoing and people-oriented.
3w4 (The Professional): Tend to be introspective and artistic.
The Individualist (Type 4):
4w3 (The Aristocrat): More image-conscious and success-oriented.
4w5 (The Bohemian): Embrace introspection and intellectual pursuits.
The Investigator (Type 5):
5w4 (The Iconoclast): Embracing emotions and individuality.
5w6 (The Problem-Solver): More focused on practical concerns.
The Loyalist (Type 6):
6w5 (The Defender): More self-reliant and independent.
6w7 (The Buddy): More outgoing and sociable.
The Enthusiast (Type 7):
7w6 (The Entertainer): Balancing spontaneity with responsibility.
7w8 (The Realist): More assertive and competitive.
The Challenger (Type 8):
8w7 (The Maverick): More adventurous and enthusiastic.
8w9 (The Bear): Tend to be more gentle and patient.
The Peacemaker (Type 9):
9w8 (The Referee): More assertive and confrontational when necessary.
9w1 (The Dreamer): Strive for a greater sense of purpose and ideals.
Finding Your Wing
To determine your wing, reflect on the characteristics of the two adjacent types and observe which resonates with you the most. Remember that you may have traits from both wings, but one typically plays a more dominant role in your personality.
Generally:
One is more extroverted and one is more introverted
You may lean heavily into one wing when you are younger and shift into another when you are older.
You may utilize one at work and one at home more often.
It’s important to use the wings for personal growth and development and not just as a personality identifier.
If you’re curious to determine your wing and subtype I have a session in which we can explore that together. Sign up for that session Here!
