How to Guess Someone’s Enneagram Type: Fun Tips and Tricks

When you learn how to guess someone’s Enneagram type, you’ll see those around you in a brand new light. Not only will you better understand their traits, strengths, and weaknesses, but you’ll also realize why you naturally connect with some people better than others.

In this article, we’ll explore different ways of guessing someone’s personality based on behavior while highlighting all the nine Enneagram types’ characteristics. By the end, you’ll find it much easier to recognize specific patterns of different Enneatypes in other people’s personalities.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the characteristics and clues that can help you guess someone's Enneagram type.

The 9 Enneagram Types: A Quick Breakdown

Learning how to guess someone’s personality type starts with exploring the nine Enneagram types. Once you’re familiar with each one’s core traits, you’ll start to notice patterns in people’s behaviors and motivations that can reveal in which Enneatype they might fit.

With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the nine Enneagram personality profiles:

#1. Enneagram 1: The Perfectionist

As their nickname suggests, Perfectionists are idealistic people whose life purpose is to create a better world for everyone. They’re natural-born leaders with a strong sense of personal responsibility and social justice. However, due to their innate perfectionism, a tiny mistake can make Ones believe they’re unworthy of acceptance.

#2. Enneagram 2: The Helper

Twos, also known as Helpers, are caring and compassionate individuals who find meaning in helping others. Their generosity often knows no bounds, which is why they may disregard their own needs in favor of being there for those around them. Still, their empathy and strong sense of responsibility allow them to effortlessly form meaningful connections.

#3. Enneagram 3: The Achiever

Threes aren’t nicknamed Achievers for nothing—these individuals see success as their strongest motivator and ultimate goal. Ambitious, action-oriented, and pragmatic, they have their eyes on the prize, always giving their all to achieve the best results.

While their resolve is admirable, Threes’ self-esteem is closely tied to their accomplishments—to them, failure seems like the end of the world.

#4. Enneagram 4: The Individualist

Eternally immersed in their inner world, Individualists are on a lifelong quest for their true selves. This isn’t surprising, given that they tend to form their persona around their emotions, which are ever-changing by nature.

Still, as they strive to become different and unique, Fours might not realize they already are—their creativity and insightful nature set them apart in whatever they choose to do.

#5. Enneagram 5: The Investigator

Investigators are on a never-ending pursuit of knowledge, finding in it a safe haven from life’s uncertainties.

Thanks to their powerful minds and insatiable curiosity, these people often excel in their fields of interest, yet they never seem to stop learning. This is because the very idea of incompetence terrifies them—lacking skill in the face of a problem makes them feel like they’re losing control.

#6. Enneagram 6: The Loyalist

Sixes are reliable individuals who are always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. For this reason, their loved ones feel they can count on them, which is something Loyalists live for.

These individuals strive to belong somewhere and highly value a sense of community. In fact, losing the support of those closest to them is their greatest fear, which is why they work hard to earn others’ affection and respect.

#7. Enneagram 7: The Enthusiast

Enthusiasts are social butterflies known for their lively spirit and bright nature. They seek to experience everything life has to offer, so they often hop between interests, not wanting to miss out on anything.

Unfortunately, this is why they may not fully develop their many talents—persistence and focus aren’t their strong suits. Still, as creative and energetic as they are, Sevens usually amaze those around them with their ideas and vibrance.

#8. Enneagram 8: The Challenger

Assertive, confident, and charismatic Eights aren’t afraid to go for what they want despite the obstacles. In fact, challenges only fuel their drive, pushing them to work harder, hence their nickname.

They can come across as aggressive on their path to success, though it’s mostly because they fear losing their independence. For them, being controlled instead of being in control equals failure.

#9. Enneagram 9: The Peacemaker

Empathetic and open-minded Peacemakers strive to live in harmony with others. They often assume the role of the mediator—after all, their compassionate nature and interpersonal skills make them perfect for it. Still, Nines also seek to find inner peace and balance independently from their surroundings, which can prove to be challenging due to their reluctance to say ‘no’ and their people-pleasing attitude.

How to Guess Someone’s Enneagram Type

Now that we’ve covered the theory, it’s time to learn how to guess someone’s Enneagram type in practice. Some of the Enneagram test clues you should pay attention to are their body language, reactions to stress, and conflict-handling style.

That said, let’s dive into the fun ways to figure out someone’s personality type:

#1. Look for Patterns in Actions

The best way to identify a person’s Enneagram type is to look for patterns in their behavior, especially when it comes to decision-making. In those moments, you can gain insight into their priorities, values, and core motivations.

For example, Ones are generally objective, putting what’s morally right ahead of their own interests. For this reason, they find it easy to make choices regarding their career but may struggle with personal decisions.

Meanwhile, Fours focus more on their individual values than social norms. In fact, their desire to be unique can even drive them to make an unconventional decision at all costs, even if it’s not in their best interest.

#2. Pay Attention to What They Talk About

What someone talks about can say a lot about their interests and concerns, offering a glimpse into what drives them.

To put this into perspective, Twos often talk about other people, which is unsurprising, given their altruistic nature and a need to build deep and meaningful connections.

On the other hand, the most likely topics of discussion for Threes include their personal achievements, goals, and success. The happy-go-lucky Sevens, however, enjoy discussing new experiences, adventures, and possibilities yet to be explored.

#3. Consider Their Body Language

If someone isn’t much of a talker, pay attention to their body language—it can reveal as much about a person as their verbal cues. By observing their gestures, you can tell whether they’re confident or shy, laid-back or energetic, and how they engage with the world around them.

For instance, Eights typically have a self-assured, assertive posture. Their confidence seems to take up space, and they have no problem maintaining direct eye contact. In contrast, Nines’ stance doesn’t make them stand out. Instead, they blend with their surroundings and usually have soft, relaxed gestures.

#4. Observe to See Whether They Are Private or an Oversharer

Yet another way in which you can try to guess someone’s Enneagram type is by determining if they’re private or tend to overshare. This reflects how comfortable they are with vulnerability, how they connect with others, and what they value in relationships.

As you might expect, Fives are typically very private individuals. They prefer to keep an emotional distance and only share their personal information with a small circle of trusted people. Unsurprisingly, Sevens are the complete opposite. While they may avoid emotionally charged discussions, they enjoy talking about their interests and plans openly.

#5. Watch Their Reaction to Stress

A person’s stress response can reveal their deepest fears and insecurities. However, it can also highlight their resilience and preparedness for unexpected circumstances.

On that note, Sixes are known for expecting the unexpected. They always try to be one step ahead of potential problems, worst-case scenarios, or anything that could threaten their sense of security.

Therefore, it’s unsurprising they tend to be anxious in stressful situations. Moreover, they may also become preoccupied with their public image and rely on external validation in such cases.

Meanwhile, Eights, a force to be reckoned with, refuse to depend on anyone. Even when under stress, they take matters into their own hands, gathering all the available resources to confront the issue head-on.

#6. Watch How They Handle Conflict

Since each Enneagram type has a distinct conflict style, you may guess someone’s personality type by observing their behavior in confrontational situations. The way they handle these speaks volumes about their coping mechanisms, emotional triggers, and communication styles.

For example, with their strong sense of objectivity, Ones base their arguments on solid facts even when facing conflicts, always striving to reach a morally just resolution. They typically remain in control of their emotions, as they believe conflict is a matter of the mind, not the heart.

On the other hand, Fours will likely handle conflicts by taking a disagreement personally due to their sensitive nature. Their perspective is subjective, and their reactions are impulsive—if they feel misunderstood or disrespected, they may express their hurt dramatically.

The Importance of Not Overly Simplifying and Labeling

Now that you know how to guess someone’s Enneagram type, it’s important to remember not to oversimplify the concept of personality or label people too quickly.

While the Enneagram offers valuable insights into our core behaviors and motivations, it’s merely one lens through which we can observe our inner world and our interactions with the world around us.

Namely, each individual is shaped by a mix of experiences, emotions, and values, and these factors are constantly shifting. Enneagram types are a helpful framework, but they don’t capture all the nuances of someone’s personal journey.

With this in mind, instead of applying labels, it’s more productive to appreciate personality as fluid. Embracing this complexity allows for a more open-minded approach to understanding ourselves and others.

Find Out for Sure What Enneagram Type You Are

When it comes to you, there’s no need to guess—we have a surefire way to determine your personality type. With our Enneagram test, you can gain deeper self-awareness and a better understanding of your compatibility with those around you.

Not only will you discover your core type, but you’ll also learn about your Enneagram wings—those subtle nuances that shape your behavior and relationships. From personal growth tips to career advice, you can get all the insights in your personalized report!

Key Takeaways

Once you learn how to guess someone’s Enneagram type, meeting new people will always be a fun exploration of their traits, values, and motivations.

Observing their behavior in everyday situations will help you figure out what makes them tick and what triggers them, gradually putting together the puzzle pieces of their personality. This can help you get to know them better and determine the best way to approach them in different situations.

That said, it’s important to remember that personality is a nuanced concept and that the Enneagram is only one point of view. After all, getting to know a person requires spending time with them and understanding the complexity of their emotions and experiences beyond any label.

How to Guess Someone's Enneagram Personality FAQ