Subtypes add richness to the Enneagram, revealing why people of the same type can look so different—and why countertypes can feel like they don’t fit at all.

In this episode, I’m unpacking the often-overlooked layer of the Enneagram: subtypes. Each type has three (self-preservation, one-to-one, and social) that influence how core motivations are expressed in daily life. I also dive into the fascinating concept of countertypes, which challenge the typical patterns of their type.

I talk about:

What subtypes are and why they matter.
How the three instincts—self-preservation, social, and one-to-one—impact our dominant type (spoiler alert: we’re using Type 3 for this!).
Why subtypes create so much variation and how they contribute to mistyping.

Episode Links

Disclaimer: Some links in this episode are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you use them.

Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery by Riso and Hudson

Be a Guest!

#31: Beyond Your Number: Understanding Enneagram Subtypes