Enneagram Framework: Part II
In part two of examining the Enneagram, we’ll take a look at wings and stress/growth points. Our personalities are complex, and under the Enneagram framework, one dominant type number doesn’t do justice in summing up who we really are. Learning about wings and stress/growth numbers can help us more fully understand our personalities.
Wings
Wings are the two numbers adjacent to your dominant type on the Enneagram diagram¹. While you may have traits from both wings, most Enneagram experts agree that having one dominant wing is the norm. Your dominant type depicts your overall personality, while your wing adds more flavor, blending different traits and characteristics into your personality profile. For example, a 1w2 (type 1 wing 2) is compassionate, conscientious, and drawn to people. On the other hand, a 1w9 (type 1 wing 9) is more reserved, calm, and contemplative.
A wing can exist in the same or a different triad than your dominant type. Taking another look at Ones ‐ a 1w9 has both a dominant type and wing in the Gut triad, while a 1w2 has a dominant type in the Gut triad and a wing in the Heart triad. Having a wing in a different triad than your dominant type can bring a unique element to your overall personality.
1w9: The Idealist
1w2: The Advocate
2w1: The Servant
2w3: The Host/The Hostess
3w2: The Charmer
3w4: The Professional
4w3: The Aristocrat
4w5: The Bohemian
5w4: The Iconoclast
5w6: The Problem Solver
6w5: The Defender
6w7: The Buddy
7w6: The Entertainer
7w8: The Realist
8w7: The Maverick
8w9: The Bear
9w8: The Referee
9w1: The Dreamer
Stress & Growth Numbers
A stress number is the direction your personality takes when you’re overburdened, pressured, or just plain frazzled¹. Your stress number is represented by an arrow directed away from your dominant type number. When stressed, you begin taking on unhealthy qualities of your stress number. For example, a stressed out One takes on the negative tendencies of a Four, while a Four takes on the negative tendencies of a Two.
A growth, or security, number is the direction of your personality when you are moving towards a healthy place and are feeling secure¹. Your growth number is represented by an arrow in the opposite direction, pointing towards your dominant type. For example, a secure Three takes on the healthy qualities of a Six, and a Six shows the healthy qualities of a Nine.
Understanding your stress and growth numbers can help you more easily identify how you’re doing mentally and emotionally, and recognize when you’re responding to circumstances in a healthy or unhealthy manner. If you begin to notice yourself regularly displaying some unhealthy characteristics of your stress number, you may find yourself more equipped to handle those things earlier on and make better choices going forward. In the same way, if you see yourself adopting some healthy qualities of your growth number, you might find yourself feeling more at ease and comfortable in your daily life.
Not sure yet about your dominant type, wing, or stress / growth numbers? Take a look around The Enneagram Institute to get more familiar with the types, learn about the characteristics and motivations of each number, and determine how to categorize your personality. Then give us a shout @myuserguide letting us know your type and wing.
[1] Cron, Ian Morgan, and Suzanne Stabile. The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. InterVarsity Press, 2016.
