Description of Types

1

The perfectionist, the reformer

FOUR WORDS: Idealist, principled, independent, critical.

Root motivation: the need to be perfect or good. 

The one is honest, fair and well-balanced. They are self-motivated and committed to service and idealism. You can rely on them to show integrity, set a good example  and be responsible. They make very good teachers and like to show others how to achieve. 

Ones are committed to duty and feel a lot of ‘shoulds’ and ‘oughts’.  They are dissatisfied with the world and see its brokenness. They want everything to be resolved – the  way it should be. Ones are hard on themselves and feel disappointed that they can never live up to their own standards. They repress their anger and work hard to perfect themselves, finding it difficult to relax or have fun. Being a one can be a burden.

2

The helper, the giver

FOUR WORDS: resourceful, relational, insecure, self-unaware.

Root motivation: the need to be needed.

The two is generous, caring and appreciative. They like to help others realise their potential and are a valuable friend to have. They can identify the needs of others and will stand by those who may be struggling. 

Twos need to be needed and love to be loved. They may serve for love, not from love. ‘If I’m not needed, I am not wanted. When I am needed I am loved.’ They can tell who is in need, and  seek to alleviate but can be manipulative and motivated by self-interest. Often they are unaware of their own needs and struggle with self-identity. They need validation and to fill an inner void.

3

The performer, the achiever

FOUR WORDS: ambitious, motivated, adaptable, image-conscious.

Root motivation: the need to achieve and look good to others.

The threes are efficient, confident and competent. They inspire and motivate others and there is usually a positive ambience around them. They see what needs to be done and then adapt to accomplishing it. 

Threes like image, achievement, and success. They are driven by comparison, competency and competition, always looking ahead for the next venture. The three values efficiency but suppresses effectiveness to meet their own goals. They prioritise the external over the internal, often losing sight of their own inner longings. They are hard to read and suppress their disappointment – they hate and avoid failure.

4

The individualist, the romantic

FOUR WORDS: dramatic, artistic, melancholic and intuitive.

Root motivation: the need to be unique and special.

The fours are creative, artistically gifted and can express themselves in many different ways. They have a wide range of emotions and can sense the moods and feelings of others. They know how to be with those in pain; are able to be in their presence without needing to say or solve anything. 

Fours want to be unique and see life through a different lens to everyone else. They like to put their own stamp on everything; they see themselves as authentic and may view themselves as tragic victims. They dwell on what’s missing and struggle to be satisfied. The four is attracted to extremes and can manufacture drama just to feel alive. Relationships can be difficult as they love the pursuit and the game, but once they have secured the relationship, they may get bored with the attainment.

5

The investigator, the observer

FOUR WORDS: perceptive, informed, introverted, detached.

Root motivation: the need to be competent and capable.

The five is gentle, loving and polite. They are good listeners and pay close attention to what is being said. They are original thinkers, researchers and innovators. They are objective and will help others to see the truth less subjectively. 

Fives are the most emotionally detached of all types and find it challenging to be in touch with their emotions. Rather than dwell on their feelings, they are able to let them go. Independent and introverted, fives struggle to trust others and don’t need anyone to like them. They have a greed for knowledge; love data, information and read a lot, however they don’t want to share their knowledge as knowledge equals power. Fives are prone to live in the world of theory and concepts, which preoccupy them. They need time to process, think, plan and organise, and they value their privacy.

6

The loyalist, the sceptic

FOUR WORDS: fearful, loyal, procrastination, committed.

Root motivation: the need for security and support.

The six is faithful, warm and funny. They make a loyal and trustworthy friend and will do anything for those they love. They are dependable, honest and reliable, and make great team players. 

Sixes are full of self-doubt and lack self-confidence. They are continually fearful and unsure who they can trust, but are searching for security. They need order, plans, and rules but are skeptical about them and want to discover the right system. Sixes like the law, community, education, church, military and family institutions. Although they worship authority, they fear it. Sixes are suspicious of praise, and often hesitant and distrustful.

7

The enthusiasts, the epicure

FOUR WORDS: entertainer, manic, accomplished, uninhibited.

Root motivation: the need to escape emotional pain.

The seven is cheerful, optimistic and exudes enthusiasm. They are relaxed and full of joy. They help others to see and enjoy the bright side of life, for which they have a boundless love. They are adventurous and like to plan ahead. 

Sevens reframe everything, which could be perceived as sad or a failure. They divert their attention from unacknowledged loss and anxiety, which haunts them, and run from their own pain in their need to avoid it. They will edit the tape and make it beautiful, when it wasn’t. Sevens are future oriented and rarely present in the moment, rather thinking of the next bigger and better event. They go into their heads to plan as much fun as possible. Travel is popular because they can escape from reality.

8

The challenger, the protector

FOUR WORDS: self-confident, decisive, a just leader.

Root motivation: the need to be in control of their own life.

The eight is strong, reliable and trustworthy. They have a tremendous sense of responsibility and make great leaders, often champions for the weak. They can intuitively expand to meet any demands. They are more tender than they appear and understand vulnerability. 

Eights learn that being soft is disadvantageous, so they compensate with strength and directness. They are quite confrontational, passionate and intense. They can be perceived as brutal. Eights rarely apologise or admit mistakes in case they admit a weakness. They have realised they need to order others around, so no-one orders them. Willing to exert control early helps to ensure no-one can control them. They are unlikely to confirm or adhere to the rules.

9

The peacemaker, mediator

FOUR WORDS: reassuring, neglectful, peaceful and complacent.

Root motivation: the need for peace.

The nine is unselfish, agreeable and humble. They can see all the viewpoints from the other eight types and make effective arbitrators and judges. They are peaceful and calm, however they are committed to justice and fairness. 

Nines may feel numb to the world, and out of touch with their own emotions and feelings. They don’t need to exert their own opinion, maybe they are unable to acknowledge what it is. They may not consider themselves important enough to assert their attributes on others. The nines find it difficult to decide what’s urgent and what is not, due to a lack of focus. They replace essential tasks with non-essential substitutes, often putting off what needs to be done; they may struggle with laziness and low energy.