Type Comparisons

What’s similar: As wings to each other, Perfectionists (1) and Givers (2) place a high value on giving, focus intense energy on the improvement or well-being of others, and think they know what is best for others. Both types also suppress or repress their own needs and desires.

What’s different: Perfectionists concentrate, often inflexibly, on others’ needs based on their own inner standards, while Givers often alter themselves to make others happy. Although both strive for self-sufficiency and independence, Givers are very relationship-oriented, and often find themselves over-connected and even indispensable to others.

What’s similar: Perfectionists (1) and Performers (3) can be look-alike types because they are both goal-oriented, high achievers with workaholic tendencies.

What’s different: Perfectionists are more likely to be hounded by their inner critic, which motivates them to do what is judged right by their own high standards. Performers are more driven to succeed and will change their approach, even cutting corners if necessary, to reach their goal and be recognized for their accomplishments.

What’s similar: The Perfectionist (1) is the Romantic’s (4) security point, and the Romantic is the Perfectionist’s stress point. Both often express idealism, intensity, sensitivity, integrity, authenticity, self-reproach and a concern for self-improvement. Perfectionists in stress become discouraged and feel deficient. Romantics in security can express a critical idealism and demand perfection or exactness.

What’s different: Perfectionists’ idealism concerns correct behavior and getting it right, while Romantics’ idealism revolves around possibilities for ultimate fulfillment. Additionally, Perfectionists generally are self-restrained and suppress personal desires, while Romantics experience strong longings and desires, sometimes to the point of self-absorption.

What’s similar: Perfectionists (1) and Observers (5) can be look-alike types because they are both intellectual, and can become retracted or internalized when trying to figure things out.

What’s different: Perfectionists are quite intense, suppress their feelings and desires, and actively engage to improve themselves and others. Observers detach from feelings to protect themselves from being intruded upon, usually displaying a calm exterior, and to conserve energy.

What’s similar: Perfectionists (1) and Loyal Skeptics (6) can be look-alike types because both can be very watchful, anxious and worried, and intent on figuring things out.

What’s different: Loyal Skeptics, by doubting, try to figure out what could go wrong and look for worst-case scenarios in efforts to gain a sense of safety and certainty. Perfectionists, by judging and comparing, try to figure out how to prevent mistakes or to correct what is wrong to avoid self-criticism and criticism from others.

What’s similar: The Perfectionist (1) is the Epicure’s (7) stress point, and the Epicure is the Perfectionist’s security point. Both are idealists who want a better world, show intensity and helpfulness, and value self-reliance. Perfectionists in security often feel a release from feelings of responsibility, and will relax into pleasure, personal desires and playfulness. Epicures in stress can become quite critical, exacting and determined.

What’s different: Perfectionists are often serious, austere, self-restrained and limit their desires. In contrast, Epicures spurn limits, seek out pleasures, and are fun-loving and expansive.

What’s similar: Perfectionists (1) and Protectors (8) are body center types concerned with rightness, justice, truth and fairness.

What’s different: Perfectionists tend to suppress their anger and impulses, becoming resentful and tense until their anger spills out in righteousness. In contrast, Protectors state their truth openly, express their anger directly, and go from urge to action easily.

What’s similar: Perfectionists (1) and Mediators (9) are body center types and wings of each other. They both easily forget or suppress their own needs and desires. They value steadiness, organization and routine, and work hard for others with a concern for harmony.

What’s different: Perfectionists hold to their positions and standards, often rigidly, while Mediators readily accommodate others. Thus, Perfectionists appear tense and will press others to change, while Mediators go along with others’ agendas and requests, often losing sight of their own.

What’s similar: Givers (2) and Performers (3) are heart center typesandeach other’s wings. They have an active “doing” energy, and both are oriented toward accomplishment and helping. They can be exuberant yet practical. To seek approval, they can alter themselves to fit whatever image is required.

What’s different: Givers habitually focus on relationships and on others’ feelings and needs, while Performers push aside feelings and habitually focus on tasks, goals and being recognized for their accomplishments.

What’s similar: The Giver (2) and the Romantic (4) are heart center types attuned to feelings. The Giver is also the Romantic’s (4) stress point, and the Romantic is the Giver’s security point. Both are sensitive, relationship-oriented, helpful and emotionally intense. They each have a romantic flare and are concerned with image. Givers in security become more internalized, self-oriented, nostalgic and uniquely creative. Romantics in stress become more pleasing, outer-directed, and focused on others and giving.

What’s different: Givers are outer-directed and orient to others, actively focusing on others’ needs, and altering themselves as necessary to meet those needs. In contrast, Romantics are inner-directed and self-referencing, thus focusing on their own specialness, authenticity or sense of feeling deficient or melancholy.

What’s similar: Givers (2) and Observers (5) can be look-alike types because they are both sensitive to the claims and needs of important others, are quite giving and typically do not attend to their own feelings.

What’s different: Givers sustain the giving mode, moving forward to connect with others so they can meet others’ needs, often losing their personal boundaries in the process. Observers have intermittent periods of giving and responding to claims made by others. The times in between are punctuated by distinct periods of moving away, and disconnecting to recharge and protect personal boundaries.

What’s similar: Givers (2) and Loyal Skeptics (6) can be look-alike types because both can be warm and friendly, sensitive to others, disarming or seductive, and will defer to what others want or need. (This applies especially to the more phobic or accommodating Six.) They also can both be anxious.

What’s different: Givers’ self-identity is invested in giving, and they will move forward with active energy, focusing on others’ needs. In contrast, Loyal Skeptics will please others in order to gain certainty and security rather than a sense of self-worth. They tend to warily hold back, doubting themselves and other people. Also, Givers often feel indispensable, while Loyal Skeptics tend to spurn indispensability.

What’s similar: Givers (2) and Epicures (7) can be look-alike types because both want to be liked, and are active, upbeat, energetic, charming or seductive, friendly and selective in relationships.

What’s different: Givers alter themselves and move toward others, orienting primarily to the likes, wants and needs of others. Epicures can get absorbed in their own intellectual pursuits, are self-referencing, and tend to maintain their separateness.

What’s similar: The Giver (2) is the Protector’s (8) security point, and the Protector is the Giver’s stress point. Both show active energy, assertiveness, intrusiveness, generosity, protectiveness toward others and attraction to power. Givers in stress become more direct and forceful, readily expressing anger. Protectors in security can be openhearted, expressing feelings, softness and sensitivity to others.

What’s different: Givers employ their active energy to move toward others with a strong sensitivity to others’ feelings, altering themselves to please others and repressing their own needs. By contrast, Protectors use their active energy to act forcefully in a way that often intimidates others, asserting their own position, wants and needs.

What’s similar: Givers and Mediators can be look-alike types because they both want to please others and meet others’ wants and needs. In the process, they orient toward the claims made upon them by others, losing awareness of their own needs and priorities.

What’s different: Givers are more active in focusing attention and energy on what others need, and they alter themselves to meet those needs. Mediators are more reactive, allowing themselves to be pulled by whatever claims are made upon them. They blend in and disperse their energy to make things comfortable without changing their image.

What’s similar: Performers (3) and Romantics (4) are both heart center types and each other’s wings. They share a concern for approval and recognition, and feel the need to maintain their image. Both are often intense, competitive and have a creative, inventive orientation.

What’s different: Performers sustain a “go-ahead” goal orientation, which requires them to suspend their feelings and alter themselves. Romantics, on the other hand, have difficulty sustaining a goal orientation due to deep and fluctuating feelings brought on by their preoccupation with relationships.

What’s similar: Performers (3) and Observers (5) can be look-alike types because both can be oriented toward tasks, activities and getting things done. They also detach from or suspend their feelings to avoid being overly influenced by them.

What’s different: Performers experience an abundance of energy often engaging in continuous activity, with a concern for presenting a good image. In contrast, Observers believe they have a limited amount of energy, and consequently are active and energetic in bursts. Highly mental, they intersperse their activity with distinct periods of retraction to allow time to recharge and think things over.

What’s similar: The Performer (3) is the Loyal Skeptic’s (6) stress point, and the Loyal Skeptic is the Performer’s security point. Both types are personable, practical, hard workers and highly active. Performers in security are more questioning, reflective and trusting in others to get things done. Loyal Skeptics in stress move into action, get concerned with their image, and press to get goals accomplished.

What’s different: Performers sustain a goal orientation with their active, “go-ahead” energy. They thrive on success, compliments and recognition. Loyal Skeptics, on the other hand, need to get mobilized for action, overcoming perceived pitfalls and doubts. They are uncomfortable with compliments and tend to doubt them.

What’s similar: Performers (3) and Epicures (7) can be look-alike types because both are energetic, assertive, upbeat, task-oriented, activity-oriented and often overbooked. They tend to avoid negative feelings.

What’s different: Performers are driven to succeed because they want to maintain a good image and receive external approval for what they accomplish in order to sustain their self-worth. Epicures naturally focus on their own pleasures and interests, and experience a sense of personal entitlement, especially to keeping their options open.

What’s similar: Performers (3) and Protectors (8) can be look-alike types because they are assertive, determined, action and goal-oriented, and willing to take charge. Both can radiate competence and confidence, and may inadvertently step on anyone who gets in their way.

What’s different: Performers will shift gears, alter themselves and change direction somewhat like chameleons to accomplish their goals. Their anger mostly comes up when they feel obstructed in reaching a goal. In contrast, Protectors will hold to a position, become confrontational, and express anger directly and easily.

What’s similar: The Performer (3) is the Mediator’s (9) security point, and the Mediator is the Performer’s stress point. Both are personable, practical, amiable and competent. They also both depend on external support and approval. Performers in stress are more likely to go along, putting aside personal agendas and image. Mediators in security become more singularly focused on their own goals, more efficient and more image-oriented.

What’s different: Performers are fast-paced, efficient, focused on achieving goals, and impatient when obstacles get in their way. Mediators are slower paced, react to the opinions and claims made on them by others, and substitute others’ agendas and goals for their own.

What’s similar: Romantics (4) and Observers (5) are each other’s wings. Both can be analytical, introspective, internalized, sensitive and shy (yet appear superior). Depending on how much their wings influence them, some Romantics will appear more detached, and some Observers more in touch with their feelings.

What’s different: Romantics are the most feeling and emotional of the nine types. They often want more from others, and have difficulty keeping their personal boundaries. In contrast, Observers are the most detached of the nine types. They want less of others, and are more self-contained with clearer personal boundaries.

What’s similar: Romantics (4) and counter-phobic Loyal Skeptics (6) can be look-alike types because both tend to be contrary, question and magnify situations, oppose authority, get reckless, break rules, defy dangers and have periods of self-doubt.

What’s different: Romantics are attracted to feelings and longings, become expansive and want to be affected emotionally. Loyal Skeptics, on the other hand, don’t want to become trapped in feelings or longings. Furthermore, Romantics look for what is missing that could be fulfilling, while Loyal Skeptics look for what might go wrong so they can avert or challenge it.

What’s similar: Romantics (4) and Epicures (7) can be look-alike types because they are both intense and idealistic. They want life to be adventuresome and highly stimulating, and approach life with their attention going to what they want, think and feel.

What’s different: Romantics tend to go into melancholy and deep feelings, and accept pain as part of life. Epicures are just the opposite. They are the most upbeat or pleasure-seeking type, avoiding pain and negative feelings whenever possible.

What’s similar: Romantics (4) and Protectors (8) can be look-alike types because both show intensity, depth and directness of expression (even flamboyance), a lot of energy or emotion, a desire for authenticity and tendencies toward recklessness, impulsivity and opposition.

What’s different: Romantics go deeply into their feelings, often falling into inaction and losing direction. In contrast, Protectors surmount their feelings and sustain action with considerable energy.

What’s similar: Romantics (4) and Mediators (9) can be look-alike types because they are relationship-oriented, caring and empathic. Both can get lost or absorbed in their circumstances, feel deficient, become self-depreciating and lose their impetus for action.

What’s different: Romantics orient toward themselves, are attached to being special or extraordinary, and will readily go to extremes or depths of emotions to experience vitality and aliveness. In contrast, Mediators orient toward others, blend in, avoid conflict, and like to keep life steady so that they can feel comfortable.

What’s similar: Observers (5) and Loyal Skeptics (6) are both head center types and each other’s wings. Both can be analytical, reflective, thoughtful, retracted and hesitant to take action (especially the more phobic Six).

What’s different: Observers detach from or dampen their feelings, compartmentalize circumstances and usually delay their responses. Loyal Skeptics, on the other hand, react immediately to circumstances and magnify perceived dangers, often intensely and with fear.

What’s similar: Observers (5) and Epicures (7) are head center types. In addition, the Observer is the Epicure’s security point, and the Epicure is the Observer’s stress point. Both types love ideas and are self-reliant, knowledgeable and inventive. They also avoid painful feelings. Observers in stress become more externalized, social, active and oriented toward possibilities. Epicures in security become more internalized, solitary, observant and inwardly oriented.

What’s different: Observers avoid strong feelings, contain their needs and desires, simplify life and retract to protect their boundaries. In contrast, Epicures actively seek positives, express their needs and desires, become expansive and overbooked, and spurn boundaries and limits.

What’s similar: The Observer (5) is the Protector’s (8) stress point, and the Protector is the Observer’s security point. Both types are curious, value respect and truth, resist control, and become possessive of space and key resources. Observers in security become more engaged, outgoing and expressive of their desires, feelings and anger. Protectors in stress become more retracted, restrained and reflective.

What’s different: In general, Observers are the most retracted, contained and measured of the nine Enneagram types. They tend to conserve their energy, reduce their needs and think before acting. Protectors, by contrast, are the most expansive, expressive and excessive of the nine Enneagram types. They expand energy, directly expressing their desires and anger, and often act before thinking.

What’s similar: Observers (5) and Mediators (9) are considered look-alike types because both can be retracted, introverted, thoughtful and unobtrusive. They tend to withdraw or pull back from being overly influenced by their surroundings.

What’s different: Observers habitually detach from others and assert their boundaries in self-protection, whereas Mediators are the least able to detach from others. They habitually blend with or go along with others to keep life harmonious and comfortable.

What’s similar: Loyal Skeptics (6) and Epicures (7) are head center types and each other’s wings. Both can interrelate diverse ideas and are mentally quick, often sharp-witted, analytical and imaginative.

What’s different: Loyal Skeptics often put a negative spin on experiences, seeing worst-case possibilities and pitfalls, while Epicures put a positive spin on their experiences, planning for multiple pleasurable possibilities. Loyal Skeptics welcome reassuring limits and seek to gain certainty. Epicures abhor limits and seek to expand their options. Pleasure and personal desires are secondary concerns for Loyal Skeptics, but for Epicures they are primary.

What’s similar: Counter-phobic Loyal Skeptics (6) and Protectors (8) are considered look-alike types because both can be aggressive, challenging and confrontational. They can seem fearless and will fight for causes. They share a view of the world as unfriendly and untrustworthy.

What’s different: Differences arise in how the two types take action. Loyal Skeptics will usually have moments of fear or hesitation before taking action – magnifying the dangers and sometimes giving way under pressure as doubts and questions arise. By contrast, Protectors will react from instinct – taking action without hesitation, minimizing or denying dangers, and holding their ground while denying their vulnerability.

What’s similar: The Loyal Skeptic (6) is the Mediator’s (9) stress point and the Mediator is the Loyal Skeptic’s security point. Both Mediators and the more phobic Loyal Skeptic can be agreeable, accommodating, friendly, anxious to please, self-effacing, sensitive and eager to avoid conflict. Loyal Skeptics in security are more at ease, relaxed and accepting of life as it is. Mediators in stress become fearful, questioning and wary.

What’s different: Loyal Skeptics keep some personal distance, orienting to danger and what could go wrong, while Mediators, the most “other-referencing” type, often lose themselves in the requests and claims that others make upon them. Loyal Skeptics test and question before going along with others, whereas Mediators go along with others before testing and questioning.

What’s similar: Epicures (7) and Protectors (8) are each other’s wings. Both are self-assertive, express their wants and desires, believe in their own power and ability, resist limits and controls, and are pleasure-oriented. They have high energy and little inner restraining force.

What’s different: Epicures avoid pain, explain away or rationalize difficulties, escape conflicts and go into future planning. In contrast, Protectors accept pain, engage in difficulties, confront conflicts directly and live mostly in the present.

What’s similar: Epicures (7) and Mediators (9) can be look-alike types because they want life to be pleasant and upbeat. Both conflict-avoiders, they want to be liked and to get along.

What’s different: Epicures are more frenetic and fast paced, while Mediators are more even-tempered and slower paced. Epicures orient toward themselves, knowing and expressing their own wants, agendas and opinions. In contrast, Mediators orient toward others, forgetting or deferring their own wants, agendas and opinions.

What’s similar: Protectors (8) and Mediators (9) are body center types and each other’s wings. They enjoy earthy pleasures, respond with gut reactions, seek comfort, and are friendly and steadfast. Both get diverted from essential priorities.

What’s different: Protectors welcome conflict and even anger, while the Mediators avoid these. Protectors are decisive, and will express and defend their own opinions as fact, whereas Mediators orient to others’ opinions and views, losing their own positions in deference to others. They are often indecisive and “go along with others to get along.”