The Nicest Enneagram Type: Which One Is the Kindest of All?

If being nice means being kind, compassionate, supportive, and helpful, then Twos would undoubtedly take the title of the nicest Enneagram type. However, being nice can mean many different things for different people, so it is safe to say that every Enneagram type can be nice in their own way.

In this article, we’ll explore which Enneagram types are considered the nicest and what makes them so likable using the Enneagram test and theory as a framework.

Let’s dive in!

What Is Enneagram and How Does It Influence Kindness?

The Enneagram is a personality system that categorizes people into nine personality types based on their core motivations, strengths, fears, and desires. It blends influences from ancient traditions and philosophies with the modern psychology of personality, offering a holistic approach to understanding human character.

The Enneagram fosters empathy, kindness, and connection by elucidating the needs that motivate the behavior of each type. In addition, Enneagram helps people understand themselves better, thus indirectly encouraging self-compassion and self-love.

Consequently, this holistic theory of personality influences kindness in general, while it also explains how different personality types express and perceive kindness.

According to the Enneagram, every personality type can be kind depending on their psychological and emotional maturity level. Nevertheless, each expresses kindness uniquely, aligning with their values and beliefs and the culture they were raised into.

Moving away from ego-driven actions toward genuine, selfless giving, this framework also provides insights into how each type can cultivate kindness.

How Nice Are Enneagram Types: From Kindest to the Least Kind

While some Enneagram types are naturally kind, warm, and supportive, others may display these traits only in specific circumstances and toward particular people.

In addition, exploring the nicest Enneagram types also explores how Enneagram and emotional intelligence are connected. Let’s analyze how nice Enneagram types are and how they can become even nicer!

Enneagram 2: The Essence of Kindness

Twos’ core desire is to be loved and accepted by others, and they believe that the best way to earn the love they need is by catering to others’ needs. Their intuition is impeccable, and they read others’ emotions spontaneously, always ready to offer support and encouragement, which is why they are often considered the nicest Enneagram type.

How they express kindness: Twos also called the Helpers, express kindness toward all the people they cross paths with, without any judgment, offering their help even when it’s not asked for or expected. They also shower their closest ones with love and are known for small acts of kindness and nice gestures.

Tip for cultivating kindness: It may sound contradictory, but the best way for Twos to cultivate empathy is to be less kind, meaning they need to understand the importance of boundaries.

Otherwise, they may end up resenting others for not showing gratitude.

Enneagram 9: The Art of Making Friends

Nines, also known as the Peacemakers, are very similar to Twos because they prioritize others' needs over their own. However, they are more focused on the community as a whole than on individual connections. Driven by the need to belong and protect peace around and within them, Nines give their best to make everyone feel good.

How they express kindness: Genuinely openminded, Nines express kindness by being thoughtful listeners, while their calm presence brings comfort to everyone. They also never refuse to provide help and support and have a unique ability to understand others’ needs on a profound level.

Tips for cultivating kindness: Nines must learn the difference between being genuinely nice and avoiding conflict. Sometimes, being honest is the nicest thing to do despite the fact that honesty can often feel uncomfortable.

Enneagram 6: Niceness as a Defense Mechanism

Sixes, or the Loyalists, are hardworking, responsible, and anxious about the future. They are deeply loyal to their loved ones and always ready to provide them with support and protection. Tradition, morals, and social etiquette are also important to them, so they are generally nice because that’s how they were raised to be.

How they express kindness: Sixes show kindness by providing emotional support, doing favors, and helping others organize their lives better. They are the kind of friend everyone relies on in tough times, but they are not as ready to extend their kindness to people they don’t know well.

Tip for cultivating kindness: Though they are one of the nicest Enneagram types, it would be useful for Loyalists to understand that kindness is the bridge that connects people and that showing it to more people would make their lives more fulfilled.

Enneagram 1: The Principle of Kindness

Ones, also called Perfectionists, are driven by the need to do everything right to make the world better by adhering to their strict moral principles. They have a strong sense of justice, and their kindness is a matter of principle; they believe being kind is the right way to be.

How they express kindness: Ones show kindness through offering guidance and support to people, by being honest, and by investing effort in improving the world around them.

Tip for cultivating kindness: Ones tend to have very high expectations of other people, which may make them seem unapproachable and distant. Showing more warmth and understanding in connections with others will allow them to understand that kindness is more than a principle—it is a way of accepting others for who they are.

Enneagram 7: Kindness as Openmindedness

Sevens, or the Enthusiasts, are kind of the way kids are kind—without any interest, expectation, or hidden agenda. Their kindness is spontaneous and unbiased, and they extend it to everyone they meet.

However, it is unpredictable as it does not result from any conviction or conscious intention. As a result, they sometimes behave like the nicest Enneagram type while other times they can be very rude.

How they express kindness: Sevens express kindness by being warm and affectionate. They spontaneously compliment others, bringing them joy and inspiration. When they are asked for help, they generously provide it.

How to cultivate kindness: Sevens first need to become aware that they are nice, and bring more intention to their kindness. This will also help them manage their impulsivity and foster more meaningful connections.

Enneagram 3: Convenient Kindness

Enneagram Type 3, or the Achiever, is recognized for their drive to succeed. Energetic, ambitious, and determined, the Threes see kindness as a means to achieving their goals. Although they are sometimes genuinely kind, more often, their kindness is calculated and aimed at ensuring their public image.

How they express kindness: The most typical way Threes show kindness is by pushing others to live up to their potential and go after their dreams.

How to cultivate kindness: Threes must overcome their competitive tendencies to show genuine kindness more often. As long as they see everyone as their rival, it is impossible to be genuinely kind. By fostering collaboration and team spirit, Threes can learn that kindness is the key to healthy connections.

Enneagram 4: Honest but Unpredictable Kindness

The Individualist, Type Four, is motivated by a deep desire to understand who they are. They are immersed in their inner world and have highly developed intrapersonal intelligence. So, their emotional insights allow them to understand others on a very deep level and show them unique kindness.

On the other hand, they are often too preoccupied with themselves to notice others’ need for their kindness.

How they express kindness: They are exceptional listeners who offer very thoughtful advice to others and validate their feelings, creating a sense of true connection and belonging.

How to cultivate kindness: Fours should remind themselves to shift their attention from their feelings to those of others regularly, not just when someone asks them to.

Enneagram 5: Caution Before Kindness

Enneagram Type Five, also known as the Investigator, is driven by a desire to understand the world. They are independent, cautious, and reserved, and they prefer to solve their issues independently without involving anyone. Curious and insightful, they share their kindness and wisdom with others, however, they are far from being one of the nicest Enneagram types.

How they express kindness: Fives believe that the ultimate kindness is to be honest and to help by offering practical solutions and respect to others.

How to cultivate kindness: Fives should acknowledge that other people often don’t need ready-made solutions to their problems, but just a warm hug and a listening ear. By involving themselves more on an emotional and not intellectual level, Fives will be able to extend more kindness to everyone while also strengthening their connections with others.

Enneagram 8: Honesty Is the Highest Form of Kindness

Type 8, the Challenger, is bold, direct, and energetic, and not the least interested in taking the title of the nicest Enneagram type. These individuals are driven by a desire to have power over their lives. They are pragmatic and goal-oriented and often perceive traditional kindness as a waste of time. For them, being kind means being honest and nothing more or less than that.

How they express kindness: Eights express kindness by encouraging others, motivating them to work toward their dreams, and demanding their best. They also express kindness by fiercely protecting and standing up for their loved ones.

How to cultivate kindness: Challengers have to learn that being unnecessarily honest is the opposite of being kind. Honesty that doesn’t help anyone is simply rudeness, so Eights need to think before they speak up. In addition, they should also develop empathy and invest more effort into understanding others’ perspectives.

Build Stronger Relationships with Enneagram!

Knowing your Enneagram type offers many advantages, from heightened self-awareness and improved communication to building more meaningful relationships with others. Take our free Enneagram test today and learn how to create more compassionate and purposeful interactions in all areas of your life!

Key Takeaways

The Enneagram test and theory provide valuable insight into the relationship between personality type and kindness, perceive and express kindness, and connect with others. Understanding yourself and others with Enneagram can improve communication, foster empathy, and build deeper relationships.

So, bearing that in mind, let’s conclude with a few key insights from this article:

• Twos, Nines, and Sixes have a reputation for being the nicest Enneagram types. They are helpful, warm, and supportive by nature.
• Fours, Fives, and Eights are considered the rudest Enneagram types because of their independent nature and unwillingness to conform to social norms.
• Every Enneagram type can be kind depending on their level of emotional maturity.

Nicest Enneagram Type FAQ