People with an Enneagram Type 2 personality tend to be generous, altruistic, and empathetic in their behavior. They are hardworking and motivated people with a drive to connect with the world. They love attending to other people and feeling helpful.
Enneagram 2 Personality Traits
Basic Desire
The most basic desire of the Type 2 is to be fully loved and accepted. They often express this by being extremely attentive to the needs of those around them and helping other people in any way they can.
People who identify as a Type 2 may repress their own negative emotions or channel them into more positive or typically acceptable emotions, in order to be perceived as more desirable.
Basic Fear
The Type 2 has a basic fear of being unwanted or unloved by those around them. A Type 2 may believe, consciously or subconsciously, that love is only gained and earned by serving others.
In summary, Enneagram 2 personalities tend to...
Easily perceive and understand the needs of others
Seek acceptance and love from people
Attend to the needs of those around them
Repress their own negative emotions
Fear being unwanted or disliked
Enneagram 2 Strengths
Every personality archetype has strengths and blind spots, and these are often amplified in professional settings where we often encounter a diverse group of people with vastly different backgrounds and value systems.
Strengths that are typically associated with the Enneagram 2 personality include...
Supporting and encouraging those around them
Ability to naturally recognize the needs of others
Warm, loving, positive attitude
Persistence and dedication to the tasks at hand
Drive to get to know other people
Enneagram 2 Weaknesses
Weaknesses that are typically associated with the Enneagram 2 personality include...
Seeking and needing approval from others
Being perceived as overbearing at times
Difficulty recognizing and acknowledging their own needs
Disliking or being easily offended by criticism
Enneagram 2 Growth
Growth opportunities that are typically associated with the Enneagram 2 personality include...
Remembering to attend to their own personal needs
Learning to accept help from other people
Recognizing that their value lies beyond what they can offer others
Acknowledging and work through negative emotions, rather than avoiding them
Be attentive and encouraging; help them to recognize their own value.
Meeting with an Enneagram 2
Listen to and engage with them; allow them to help problem-solve any issues.
Emailing an Enneagram 2
Create casual conversation while addressing the purpose of the email; include an appreciation of their hard work.
Giving feedback to an Enneagram 2
Avoid being overly critical; instead, help recognize their contributions and share any concerns with sensitivity.
Resolving conflict with an Enneagram 2
Address conflict clearly, sharing your own perspective and listening to theirs, while also helping them to feel loved and valued.
Enneagram 2 Motivations
When people experience pain, stress, or dissatisfaction, it can usually be attributed to energy-draining activities. Therefore, it’s important to know what kinds of activities energize each personality type and which activities drain them.
Enneagram 2s tend to be motivated and energized by...
Feeling loved and welcome
Remembering to attend to their own needs
Being helpful and accomplishing goals
Meeting and befriending new people
Serving others who are in need
Enneagram 2 Stress
Enneagram 2s tend to be stressed and drained by...
Disregarding their own personal needs
Facing criticism or neglect from others
Feeling overwhelmed by everyone else’s needs
Rejection from job opportunities
Enneagram 2 Careers
Type Twos tend to thrive in environments that allow them to make new friends and help others. They enjoy building strong, working relationships and using their skills and abilities to serve those around them.
Enneagram 2s feel energized at work when...
They are asked to help someone with a personal problem.
Their boss appreciates their hard work.
Their peers listen to and affirm them.
Their direct reports do something nice without being asked.
Enneagram 2s feel drained at work when...
They are ignored or criticized frequently.
Their boss neglects to value their effort.
Their peers are cold and unwelcoming.
Their direct reports dislike them.
Type twos love being able to make a difference in other people’s lives. They can be selfless and hard-working, choosing to sacrifice their own time to help those around them.
Common jobs for people with Enneagram 2 personality types
When type Twos work alongside others who are driven and focused, they make great supportive, attentive colleagues. If they work with another type Two, there needs to be a clear, recognized division of responsibilities, to avoid overwhelming them.
Enneagram 2s tend to work well with others who...
Recognize and appreciate their help
Take time to get to know them personally
Have their best interest at heart
Enneagram 2s may hit obstacles in professional relationships when they...
Act out after feeling underappreciated
Become too involved in colleagues’ personal lives
Neglect their own work after spending too much time focused on others
Enneagram 2 Relationships (Romantic)
Type Twos can be healthy, attentive, caring partners when with someone who reminds them to take time for themselves. When in a relationship with someone who is less focused on others, they should be careful to communicate their need for appreciation and acts of service.
In a romantic relationship, Enneagram 2s bring strengths like...
Natural attention to and care for their partner
Communicating appreciation and affirmation
Being comfortable playing a supporting role
In romantic relationships, Enneagram 2s may have trouble...
Accepting constructive criticism from their partner
Recognizing and directly expressing their needs
Acknowledging boundaries and giving personal space
