Enneagram 4 Male: A Detailed Analysis of an Individualist Man

Enneagram 4 male, also known as the Individualist, is a nonconformist who doesn’t care about gender stereotypes. Moreover, he is ready to mythbust all the common prejudices related to masculinity and the role of men in general.

In this article, we’ll explore how different an Enneagram 4 male is from an Enneagram 4 female, what his strengths and weaknesses are, and how he handles cultural stereotypes related to manhood.

Enneagram 4 Male: General Overview

Enneagram 4 males often cultivate the image of rebels without a cause. They aren’t the least concerned with fitting in and adapting to social expectations; they want to distinguish themselves as unique and special individuals.

Therefore, they readily defy the macho stereotype, presenting themselves as sensitive, emotional, and compassionate people.

It is safe to say that the contemporary emancipation of men may have something to do with Enneagram 4 males, as they are the first to defend a man’s right to feel the full spectrum of human emotions.

Furthermore, the Enneagram 4 male is a creative, artistic, and often talented performer. He enjoys being in the limelight and connecting with large groups of people while despising small talk and artificial connections at the same time.

Controversial and unique, the Enneagram 4 male can be both shy and daring, compassionate and egocentric, mature and infantile. He usually has an aura of mystery around him, which makes him very attractive to other people.

It is also important to note that the Enneagram test and theory recognize two Enneagram 4 subtypes, which can have traits of their neighboring types, depending on their Enneagram wing.

So, Enneagram 4 male with a Three wing (4w3) will be more practical and better connected with reality, whereas Enneagram 4 male with a Five wing (4w5) will be even more introverted and detached in communication.

4 Strengths of Enneagram 4 Males

The strengths of an Enneagram 4 male stem from his determination to walk to the beat of his own drum. Bearing this in mind, let’s see some of the most admirable Enneagram 4 male traits:

#1. Independent Thought

Enneagram 4 males have an exceptionally rich inner world and aren’t afraid to challenge tradition and social norms. They are independent thinkers who despise the status quo, loyal only to their own authenticity.

Their unique perspectives distinguish them in their work and in life, and they are often those who make small and big revolutions in their areas of expertise.

#2. Creativity

Type Four men have a powerful imagination, so the combination of their emotional intelligence and curious intellect results in exquisite creativity. Moreover, their free spirit, when combined with this limitless imagination, inspires others to embrace change and introduce innovations and creativity in their lives, too.

Thanks to this, even when their lifestyle or work isn’t in any way connected to art or the creative industry, Enneagram 4 males still find a way to express themselves through their behavior and attitudes.

#3. Insightfulness

Individualists invest a lot of energy in soul-searching as they desire to understand their identity, emotions, and needs. As a result, they develop unusual wisdom and insightfulness that allow them to read other people easily and quickly recognize with whom they can connect on a deep level.

However, their insightfulness isn’t limited to their relationships. They can also analyze and understand social and political changes and global issues of humanity, as their insights allow them to connect seemingly unrelated issues into logical concepts.

#4. Emotional Depth

Enneagram 4 males are exceptionally compassionate. They resist all the common stereotypes of men dismissing their soft side. On top of it, they aren’t afraid of their emotions and look forward to connecting with individuals who share their passion for exploring their inner depths.

Moreover, despite being a predominantly introverted personality type, the Enneagram 4 male establishes connections with other people smoothly, thanks to his emotional depth and insight.

4 Weaknesses of Enneagram 4 Males

The weaknesses of Enneagram 4 males largely stem from their impulsivity. Here, we’ll mention the most prominent ones:

#1. Lack of Emotional Stability

Enneagram 4 males are quite emotionally intense. Their feelings can vary from extreme happiness to profound frustration in a single day, making it hard for them to be consistent in their relationships with other people. These mood swings are also the reason why they often feel misunderstood and even rejected, as other people may react very differently to them.

In addition, their ability to make decisions is also severely strained by their emotional instability, as they tend to act on a whim without thinking through all the possible consequences.

#2. Subjectivity

Due to their hypersensitive nature and tendency to get overwhelmed with emotions, Enneagram 4 males are prone to making very biased judgments. Their view of certain situations and issues may be completely disconnected from reality, leading to bad decisions, strained relationships, and missed opportunities.

#3. Egocentrism

Enneagram 4 males are highly introspective, and that’s generally a good thing as it enhances their self-awareness and emotional insights. However, they may get too involved in exploring their identity, sometimes to the point of being self-absorbed and egocentric.

Plus, when preoccupied with their own feelings, Type Four men may easily neglect other people in their lives, which can result in misunderstandings and unnecessary distance.

#4. Envy

Type Four men don’t have a stable sense of identity because they allow emotions to overwhelm them. Additionally, they easily lose their inner compass and start comparing themselves to other men. As a result, they often come to believe that all other people have something that they inherently lack, ending up feeling resentful and dissatisfied.

3 Growth Tips for Enneagram 4 Males

The great thing about Enneagram 4 males is that they are very open to personal development. Here are some efficient strategies that can significantly support their growth:

#1. Learn Emotional Regulation Skills

The major cause of Enneagram 4 male impulsivity and emotional instability is a lack of emotional regulation skills. By learning how to recognize, name, express, and handle their intense emotions, Type Four men can achieve an enviable level of personal stability.

Moreover, their compassion and understanding of other people will also reach a new level, and they will experience an improvement in all their relationships. When they become the master of their feelings, and it’s not the other way around, Type Four men will also have more energy to dedicate themselves to developing their creativity and talents.

#2. Introduce Self-Discipline and Structure Into Everyday Life

Individualists are prone to believing that any kind of discipline and structure can damage their creative potential. For this reason, they typically glorify spontaneity and wait for the perfect moment to start something.

While creativity is indeed unpredictable, the truth is also that self-discipline and reasonable structure can only have a positive, not limiting, effect on creativity and success.

Therefore, Enneagram 4 males need to gradually introduce some kind of self-discipline into their everyday activities. This will prevent them from getting overwhelmed with emotions and completely taken off by their mood swings. Needless to say, sticking to a certain routine will give them a much-needed sense of security.

#3. Foster Close Connections

Enneagram 4 men tend to self-isolate, especially when they feel vulnerable. They can suddenly cut off any contact with the outer world and become completely immersed in their inner preoccupations. This can strain their relationships and push away people they love and appreciate.

So, it is essential for Fours to learn to communicate their need for some alone time instead of suddenly disappearing and reappearing as they please. Due to their unpredictable behavior, other people may feel taken for granted, disrespected, or abandoned.

In addition, while Fours may believe that solitude is good for them, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, they would benefit more from sharing their burdens with people who love them and who want to support them.

Enneagram 4 Male in Relationships

Enneagram 4 males are very passionate and involved in their romantic relationships. They believe in special bonds and look for kindred spirits. However, while searching for their soulmates, they may make quite a few stops to engage in exciting adventures since they easily wander off, led by their impulsive desires.

Nevertheless, when he feels he has found the real thing, an Enneagram 4 male in love is the most devoted, thoughtful, and caring partner anyone could wish for. His impulsivity and artistic nature may portray him as an unreliable romantic partner, but deep inside, he seeks security and a truly profound connection.

Who Is Enneagram 4 Male the Most Compatible With?

An Enneagram 4 male is most compatible with compassionate, grounded, and strong personality types. In general, they can match well with all types, depending on their level of emotional maturity. Nevertheless, some combinations are more promising than others:

• Enneagram 4 and Enneagram 2: Two's emotional generosity and warmth are precisely what Fours needs to find stability in life. Both value deep emotional connection, so they easily establish emotional intimacy.
• Enneagram 4 and Enneagram 1: One’s strong sense of structure and sensitivity can help Fours find a balance between spontaneity and discipline. Meanwhile, Fours’ creativity inspires Ones to come to look at things from new perspectives.
• Enneagram 4 and Enneagram 9: Nines’ compassion and acceptance help Fours heal their deepest childhood wound and overcome their feeling of being flawed. Plus, they both have a strong artistic streak and a love for the finer things in life.

How to Interact With an Enneagram 4 Male

Interacting with an Enneagram 4 requires tact and patience. They are very intuitive individuals who trust their judgment, so if they feel you don’t understand them, they will withdraw without giving you a chance to prove them wrong.

Nevertheless, they value honesty regardless of whether they estimate you as someone who could understand them. Moreover, they can’t stand superficial, shallow connections, so they will not waste time with people who aren’t genuinely open to such an exchange.

Therefore, be honest, truthful, and authentic, and Enneagram 4 males will appreciate it.

How Can Enneagram 4 Males Build Stronger Relationships?

Enneagram 4 males can build stronger relationships by improving their emotional regulation skills and learning to control their impulsivity. Their impulsivity is the reason why Enneagram 4 male relationships are generally characterized by instability.

It is also important for them to overcome the belief that they are less worthy than other people, as such a belief can latently sabotage their connections.

In general, it is crucial for Fours to cultivate self-compassion and resist the urge to self-isolate when they feel vulnerable, but to reach out and ask for support.

Enneagram 4 Male: Working Style & Best Career Paths

The working style of Enneagram 4 males reflects their high level of emotional insight and creativity. They have a strong sense of aesthetics and art, and their free-spirited nature defies typical 9-to-5 office jobs. Plus, they excel in settings that challenge their creativity and require them to experiment and come up with new ideas.

So, with that in mind, here are some of the best career choices for Enneagram 4 males:

• Graphic designer
• Game artist
• Artist
• Writer
• Painter
• Actor
• Musician
• Psychotherapist
• Counselor

Reveal the Truth About Yourself!

Take our free Enneagram test to find out what your type is and learn how to use all your talents to live the life you always wanted!

Key Takeaways

Enneagram 4 males are everything but stereotypical men, and they fascinate and surprise us in more than one way. If you want to learn more about them and about this type in general, you can always explore:

• Enneagram 4 celebrities
• Enneagram 4 fictional characters

Learning about these products of popular culture can provide a better insight into the inner emotional landscape of this type.

There’s no doubt that Enneagram 4 males are responsible for revolutionizing the typical gender stereotype of men being uninterested in or incapable of having certain emotions. We can only hope other Enneagram males will accept Four’s leadership in this domain and embrace all their feelings.