The Enneagram for Educators Types 2, 3, and 4  S. 3 E.36

Listen to this episode to learn the behavior, thought, and motivation patterns of  Enneagram types 2, 3, and 4. 

Show notes:

Episode Summary:

We are back again today with another episode to help you understand the Enneagram and how Enneagram patterns play out in your life and in others’ lives. This is part three of our Enneagram series. We have already shared an overview of the Enneagram in episode 34, and discussed types 8, 9 and 1 in episode 35. Today we are talking about the heart types- you might be one or you certainly know one. What does it look like to be a heart type? Stay tuned and find out.

In this episode:

Note: The following is not a word for word transcript of the episode. If you want to hear our stories and examples, please listen to the podcast.

Welcome back to part 3 of our special series on the Enneagram for Educators. If you haven’t listened to parts one and two, you might want to go back and check out episodes 34 and 35.

In episode 34 we introduced you to the Enneagram and gave an overview. In episode 35 we introduced the instinctive types, types 8, 9, and 1.

We love talking about the Enneagram, no matter what type we are talking about. We love to teach the Enneagram, and we both got certified because we see the uses in our lives. This has been life changing for us, and we hope it is for you too. If you don’t know your type, we will probably see yourself in this series.

If you listened to episode 34 where we introduced the types, you might remember our Wizard of Oz analogy. We talked about the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as representing the head type, heart type and gut type. Today we are going to take a look at the heart types-if you remember the Tin Man, you will remember that he was looking for a heart.

Sometimes the world can feel cold or cruel, and we can all use a little more heart. These are the people who will bring heart.

This podcast is meant for educators, and if you are an educator, you are well represented with heart types. The heart types are Type 2, 3 and 4.

We’re going to talk about the patterns of the heart types. Before we jump in, a reminder that they number is less important than the patterns. If you know your number, but don’t know what that means in terms of behaviors and thought patterns, then it isn’t very useful for you.

Let’s start by learning more about Type 2. This is Paula’s type.

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 2

Type 2s are sometimes known by the labels of The Loving Person, or The Helper. We are not into labels so we often don’t use the labels but refer to the number and the patterns.

What are some of the patterns of the type 2? Remember that all types have positive patterns and negative patterns, and that you don’t have to have all the patterns of your type. When we talk about patterns, every type has both positive patterns and patterns that are potentially troublesome.

Positive patterns of the 2:

• caring
• helpful
• generous
• supportive
• nurturing
• self-sacrificing
• empathetic
• thoughtful
• warm
• friendly

Negative patterns of the type 2:

• they can over reach in helping, smothering
• approval seeking, 2s want everyone to like them
• overly people pleasing
• feel martyr like when people don’t acknowledge all that they do
• can feel unworthy or unloved
• don’t always care for themselves in the ways they care for others

Type 2 basic fears and way of seeing the world:

Twos want to be loved. They help and care for others as a way to both express love and feel worthy of love. They love to be needed and appreciated. 2s get their approval from helping others.

Twos bring love, kindness and caring into a world that very much needs their heart centered touch. It can be easy to take all they do for granted or even to take advantage of them by letting them do things for you. Find the twos in your life and let them know they are appreciated.

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 3

Threes are known as The Effective Person or The Achiever. Of all of the types, threes know how to get things done!

Positive patterns of the Type 3:

• ambitious
• self-assured
• motivated and can motivate others
• they can read the room
• productive
• efficient
• capable
• savvy
• sociable and relational (this is where you see the heart)
• energetic
• hard working (many types can be hardworking- but three’s thrive on it)

Challenging patterns of the Type 3:

• overwork and exhaustion
• they can be addicted to tasks and things to accomplish
• they can be overly competitive
• they don’t feel worthy of love if they don’t produce enough
• they can be very image conscious- they need the latest clothes, tech toys, cars, or expensive and showy things
• they can disconnect with their feelings and with others in the drive to produce and achieve more and more

3s basic fears and way of seeing the world:

Threes want to achieve so they can distinguish themselves. They want to be successful and admired. They love to impress others. They feel valuable and lovable when they achieve. Achieving helps them to find their self-worth.

An example in school is the student who is in every club and sport, feels they must maintain a 4.0, works without enough sleep, and is very hard on themselves. They don’t allow themselves to relax. They may feel that if they don’t achieve enough, they are not lovable. This can lead to depression or other mental health issues.

On the other hand, threes make great team members. They get things done and motivate those around the them.

Characteristics of Enneagram Type 4

The type 4 is known as The Original Person or The Individualist. Of all the types, sometimes fours can be misunderstood and unappreciated.

Positive patterns of the Type 4:

• creative
• love beauty- to see it, create it, bring it into their spaces
• highly connected to their emotions and emotionally honest
• sensitive and empathetic- a four will cry with you and feel it
• unique and original
• imaginative
• stylish- maybe even flamboyant
• can be deeply joyful
• can have high highs and low lows

Challenging patterns of the Type 4:

• moody
• overly dramatic
• self-absorbed with their emotions
• not feeling good enough
• compare themselves to others and come up short
• self-loathing
• depression
• seeks someone to rescue them

4s basic fears and way of seeing the world:

Fours want deep connections with others. They can bring beauty and creativity to the world. They want and need to share their feelings and moods and can sometimes get lost in their feelings.

For example, type 4 children can have big feelings. Particularly young fours can often have big feelings and yet they don’t have the experience or strategies to control their feelings. This is what leads to temper tantrums or outbursts.

As a teacher, you have these kids in your classroom. It may seem like they are trying to annoy you. On our last episode we talked about the gut types. You have a mix of students, and knowing the Enneagram can only help you work with students and understand why they’re doing what they do. They are doing what makes sense to them.

4s are interesting and bring much goodness to the world.

Together, the heart types bring caring, kindness, empathy and many other gifts to the world. 

Recap:

Heart types  2, 3, and 4 lead with their heart. Twos bring their help, caring and friendliness to us. Threes accomplish much, while building strong relationships. Fours are creative and artistic and bring love, beauty and acceptance to the world.

Where do you see these patterns in people you know? When we recognize these patterns we can support people in using their gifts in positive ways.

Related Episodes/Blog Posts:

Episode 34 The Enneagram for Educators

Episode 35 The Enneagram Types 8, 9, and 1

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