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The Best Enneagram Type 9 Careers [+Worst Careers]

17 August 2023

Enneagram Type Nines are commonly known as humble peacemakers who excel at conflict resolution. However, do not be fooled by their modesty—they have many other talents as well! By learning more about ways in which Nines are gifted, you’ll see there is more than one perfect Enneagram Type 9 career path.

Understated and subtle, these individuals are not consumed by their ambitions but rather choose to take it one step at a time, putting their inner peace first.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the diverse talents, aspirations, and abilities that Nines possess. Let’s jump right into it!

Enneagram Type 9 Overview

Enneagram Type Nine is all about being in harmony with their surroundings and themselves. While this sounds so simple and unpretentious, it actually requires a profound understanding of other people's behavior and a high level of emotional literacy.

Therefore, Nines are exceptionally perceptive, intuitive, and sensitive to the needs of others. People love them because they offer unconditional acceptance and understanding. They are natural caretakers and friends you can always rely on.

When there is harmony in their lives, Nines can be playful and enthusiastic and frequently display a great sense of humor. When there is disharmony, they may procrastinate, withdraw, and often seem like there’s nothing in the world they would love to do.

Nines have a tremendous capacity to endure difficult conditions for extended periods of time and remain resilient in the face of adversity. Even though this undoubtedly presents a benefit in situations where stress is unavoidable, it also has the potential to encourage them to maintain unhealthy relationships and cling to the wrong people.

In terms of their career, this may mean they are prone to holding on to jobs that don’t satisfy them, failing to see that they could use all that energy spent on persevering to progress and develop.

What Do Enneagram Type 9s Look For in a Career?

For Nines to be happy, their job needs to offer more than just a way to ensure their financial stability. They want to feel their efforts have a greater purpose, so they are naturally drawn to careers that promise an impact on humanity as a whole.

On the other hand, regardless of how meaningful their work may be, they will only be able to achieve a state of contentment if they are regularly engaging and connecting with other people. Relationships are the center of their lives and their biggest source of motivation. Driven by the fear of abandonment, Nines seek to belong and connect with others.

In most cases, Nines will seek to connect with others by offering them help. Nines often enjoy hobbies like gardening or yoga, which help them stay balanced and maintain focus in their careers.

Assuming the role of a savior is utterly fulfilling for these kind souls who feel empowered by supporting others. Nines enjoy seeing other people glow and making them happy, partly because they unconsciously believe that by pleasing others, they ensure they won’t be abandoned.

However, even though they need to feel connected, they also need to maintain a certain level of distance in their relationships with other people. As a result, they tend to gravitate toward jobs that are as independent as they are humane. If you're curious about how Enneagram compares to other personality frameworks, exploring Enneagram vs DISC can offer valuable perspectives.

Enneagram Type 9 Career Struggles

Nines are hyper-attuned to other people’s needs and find it easier to adapt to others’ plans and agendas than to stick to their own.

They usually don’t even recognize their biggest talents, as they often forget about themselves and take care of others.

But, even when they become aware of what they are good at, speaking up and asserting themselves feels like a mission impossible to them. They struggle with saying no, which often leads to procrastination as they can stay stuck between two choices for a very long time.

While they are great mediators in conflicts between other people, being in direct conflict with someone is excruciatingly stressful for them. Therefore, Nines may avoid conflicts even to the point of missing some great chances for promotion or bearing someone else’s blame.

8 Enneagram Type 9 Career Options

No matter what career path they choose, Nines eventually take on the responsibility of being the group's mediator, peacemaker, or caretaker. Their talent for making connections and understanding other people opens many doors for them, despite their lack of assertiveness and initiative. Here are some of the Enneagram Type 9 best jobs:

#1. HR Professional

Compassionate yet objective, relaxed yet responsible, Nines have all that it takes for a stellar career in HR. They would excel as recruiters, talent managers, and training specialists, as they have the unique ability to see the potential in others. Because of their inherent urge to maintain harmony and take care of everyone, the role of HR manager fits them perfectly. An Enneagram 9 male in HR might leverage his natural mediating skills to resolve conflicts smoothly and create a balanced work environment.

Careers in HR allow Nines to use all their greatest gifts, like conflict resolution skills and emotional intelligence, and help others from a safe distance. They may occasionally struggle with making big decisions, but the versatile field of HR surely offers many different paths that would suit them.

On top of that, HR careers also provide plenty of room for growth and development, which is something Nine cares about.

#2. Teacher

For Nines, teaching is an act of love. They are patient and kind teachers who hold a special place in our hearts long after we’re done with school. They connect with their students and show incredible faith in their capacities, so they earn the respect of even the most challenging individuals.

Teaching engages Nines in more than one sense. It gives them room to develop genuine connections, practice their conflict management skills, inspire their students, and support their dreams. They get to be mediators, peacemakers, and caretakers all at the same time.

#3. Therapist

Nines understand that healing happens on many different levels better than any other personality type. Whether they are attracted to physiotherapy, psychotherapy, or some other sort of healing practice, their approach will always be holistic.

As therapists, they enjoy witnessing how people get better because of their skills. Their calm and warm nature is medicine in and of itself, which is probably the biggest reason why they often become successful therapists.

#4. Writer

As we already mentioned, Nines are usually so immersed in the lives of those around them that they often overlook their own creative potential. However, if they are lucky enough to settle in a harmonious environment, their artistic talents will flourish. The release of creativity may also come after they reach a certain level of maturity and let go of the need to save everyone and everything.

Artistically inclined Nines are frequently extremely private individuals who relish their solitude and use it to recreate the beauty they see in the world. They find great fulfillment in writing and other forms of art because it allows them to venture into their own minds, sort through their thoughts and feelings, and ultimately find a place of calm within.

#5. Psychologist

Nines frequently gravitate toward the study of psychology because they are constantly driven to discover more effective ways to understand and help others and foster harmony. Moreover, they have very contemplative minds and enjoy diving deeply into everything related to human emotions.

Psychology is a great choice for Nines, not just because they are naturally inclined to it but also because it will help them understand who they are and consequently live more fulfilling lives. The more they learn about themselves, the easier it becomes for them to overcome their typical weaknesses.

#6. Musician

Girl playing guitar in her room by the window

If there's one type that has a very refined sense of art, it's type Nine. They have a natural sense of quality and are exceptionally good at identifying great music, regardless of whether they are performers or composers.

Music is a medium through which Nines can express the complexity of their inner worlds in all of its nuances and layers. As with almost everything Nine tackles, music also transforms into a tool for healing in their hands. They will gladly use their talent to bring people together and remind them of all the beauty there is in the world.

#7. Diplomat

The ability to accumulate a lot of knowledge, stay objective in the face of adversity, keep their calm, and find common ground with others, however different they may be, makes Nines ideal diplomats. No other Enneagram personality type has such a unique gift for bringing people together and cultivating harmonious relationships.

The diplomat position calls for all the Nines’ typical strengths while also providing them with a higher purpose. They will enjoy balancing different influences while protecting their community.

#8. Social Worker

This is also a very logical choice for Nines, inspired by one of their most prominent character traits—compassion. Nines are deeply concerned with questions of social justice, and even when they have no idea what they want to do in life, they never miss a chance to stand up for the underdog or help those in need.

As social workers, Nines get the chance to make a positive impact on their communities, improve the lives of the most vulnerable groups, and actively participate in protecting the peace and well-being of people in their environment.

Discover the best-suited fields for your Type with our Academic Exploration Test.

Enneagram Type 9 Wings Impact on Career

You’ve probably noticed that many Enneatypes display some uncommon traits for their type. That is because each Enneagram type has two wings—the neighboring types on the left and right sides of the Enneagram circumference. Wings supplement your primary Enneagram type, adding new dimensions to it.

In the case of Type Nine, the wings can be Type Eights or Type One. Though every Enneagram type can have both wings pronounced, it is far more common that one wing is more dominant.

So, Nines with an Eight wing tend to be more assertive, direct, and less conflict-avoidant than typical Peacemakers. Their tendency to protect the vulnerable is even more pronounced, and they are generally more socially engaged and extroverted than typical Nines. The Eigths’ need to have everything under control makes them more responsible too.

Therefore, 9w8s are more inclined to choose jobs in public administration, politics, and even business management. They make excellent judges, HR managers, sales managers, journalists, publicity writers, police officers, and paramedics.

On the other hand, 9w1s are even more secluded and private people who hold on firmly to their values and principles while trying to make the world a better place. They would be drawn to careers such as MD, nurse, veterinarian, human rights activist, mediator, etc.

Enneagram Type 9: Careers to Avoid

Careers to avoid for Enneagram type 9 include CEO, lawyer, investment banker, prosecutor, army officer, and the like. Nines should generally avoid jobs that expose them to high levels of risk, stress, and conflict. Even though they are rather flexible, Nines are also highly sensitive. Therefore, it’s best for them to stay clear of jobs that put too much emotional strain on them. Here’s a closer look at some jobs Enneagram type 9 should avoid:

CEO. Since Nines are natural-born nurturers and caretakers, any job that requires tough decision-making and confrontations on a daily level is too stressful for Type 9. They would end up spiraling and constantly analyzing whether they made the right call and hurt anyone while doing so.
Lawyer/Attorney. A lawyer's job involves conflicts, heated discussions, and confrontations on a daily level, which is just too exhausting for a Nine who strives for harmony and wants to make everyone happy.
Investment Banker. Taking risks with unpredictable outcomes, making fast decisions, and focusing on profit is the opposite of what motivates the Peacemaker. No matter how hard they tried, they just wouldn’t feel good in such a job.
Prosecutor. Nines are one of the rare types who are capable of seeing the good and empathizing with everyone. They believe that everyone should be given a second chance, which is not an ideal viewpoint for someone who is in a position to prosecute people who broke the law.
Army Officer. Careers that limit Nines' independence and creative expression easily make them depressed and frustrated. They need versatility, flexibility, and room to make genuine connections with their coworkers, which is not standard in such rigid environments based on fixed protocols and stiff discipline.

What Kind of Organizational Culture Would Enneagram Type 9 Prefer?

Though Nines are usually great at managing stressful situations, they can only flourish in harmonious, peaceful environments that promote cooperation and kindness. Fast-paced, profit-oriented, and rigid organizational cultures put Nines in survival mode, where they cannot show any of their greatest talents.

Nines need to feel they belong and, therefore, value environments that foster inclusivity and mutual support. They are not the least competitive and would rather withdraw than compete with the people they work with. Transparency and room for creative expression are also something they need to feel fulfilled at work.

A supportive, warm, inclusive, and flexible corporate culture brings out the best in Nines, who not only get to show their compassionate and humane side but also shine with their creativity and original ideas.

How Do Enneagram Type 9s Act in Teams?

Nines are the closest a person can be to a perfect team player. Working in teams feels natural to them, and they don’t like working any other way. Their calming presence and genuine understanding of everyone make them natural harmonizers in every team.

In addition, because they are such good listeners, they give everyone the impression that they are valued and respected, which motivates them to perform their best at work. Their ability to see the good in others also allows them to intuitively grasp others’ talents, so they are great at encouraging and supporting others.

They are excellent at resolving conflicts within the team, but they frequently struggle with asserting their own needs or points of view. Because of this, they may require support from their manager or coworkers to help them do for themselves what they so generously do for others.

Explore the personalities of your colleagues and their impact on teamwork with our Type Guesser Workplace test!

Enneagram Type 9 as a Manager

The challenges and responsibilities that come with managerial roles may often seem too stressful for a typical Nine who just wants to be at peace with everyone. However, thanks to their high social intelligence and ability to inspire others, they can become great leaders and managers.

Mature Nines are compassionate managers who like to include everyone in the company's decision-making processes, encourage teamwork, and foster the spirit of collaboration. They approach conflicts with tact and grace, making sure everyone feels respected.

As a result of their unwillingness to put up with any form of bullying, excessive competitiveness, or rigidity, Nines are most likely to achieve managerial positions in industries that encourage creativity, flexibility, and inclusivity.

Key Takeaways

Enneagram Type Nines, also known as Peacemakers, are humanitarians who excel in fields that require compassion, collaboration, and harmony. They like to feel they contribute to a greater purpose, so profit and status are never enough to motivate them for a role. That is why they make great psychotherapists, teachers, social workers, and diplomats.

Apart from their natural gift for nurturing and supporting other people, resolving conflicts, and protecting harmony, they are also very creative people with a delicate and refined sense of art.

Though quiet and introverted, they enjoy being surrounded by people, and a sense of belonging is very important to them. Therefore, they love teamwork and roles that allow them to connect with others.

Find out the ideal and least suitable career paths for your Enneagram type in these articles: