Concept
Your Enneagram wing is one of the two types adjacent to your core type on the Enneagram circle. This neighbouring influence adds depth, complexity, and unique flavour to your personality, creating subtle variations within each type.
Whilst your core Enneagram type remains dominant throughout your life, you're also influenced by one of the two types adjacent to yours on the Enneagram circle. This neighbouring type is called your "wing" and adds complementary - and sometimes contrasting - characteristics to your personality.
Wings create the beautiful diversity we see within each Enneagram type. They explain why two people of the same type can express their personality quite differently, adding layers of complexity to the nine basic types.
Possible Wing
The Achiever
Core Type
The Individualist
Possible Wing
The Investigator
In this example, a Type 4 can have either a 3 wing (4w3) or a 5 wing (4w5), creating two distinct variations of the Type 4 personality.
Your wing influence shows up consistently in how you approach life. Notice which adjacent type's characteristics resonate more strongly with your experience.
Read detailed descriptions of both possible wings for your type. One will typically feel more accurate and familiar than the other.
Notice how you behave in different contexts. Your wing often becomes more apparent in close relationships or under stress.
Your wing influence can shift throughout life. What felt true in your twenties might differ from your experience in later decades.
Explore how each Enneagram type expresses itself differently depending on which adjacent type serves as their wing. These variations create the rich diversity we see within each type.
More philosophical, calm, and withdrawn. This wing brings a peaceful quality to the One's perfectionism. They're more likely to see the bigger picture and be less reactive to imperfections.
• Strengths: Wise, serene, objective, principled
• Challenges: Can be overly detached or inflexible
More interpersonal, warm, and action-oriented. This wing adds a helpful, teaching quality to the One's desire for improvement. They actively engage with others to create positive change.
• Strengths: Inspiring, helpful, passionate, engaging
• Challenges: Can be critical or controlling with others
More serious, duty-bound, and idealistic. This wing brings structure and principles to the Two's helping nature. They serve others with a strong sense of what's right and proper.
• Strengths: Altruistic, reliable, conscientious, selfless
• Challenges: Can be self-critical or martyrish
More ambitious, charming, and image-conscious. This wing adds achievement orientation to the Two's helpfulness. They want to be seen as valuable and successful helpers.
• Strengths: Charismatic, efficient, confident, adaptable
• Challenges: Can be overly competitive or inauthentic
More interpersonal, warm, and engaging. This wing softens the Three's competitive edge with genuine care for others. They achieve through collaboration and inspiration.
• Strengths: Motivating, personable, generous, encouraging
• Challenges: Can be overly focused on others' opinions
More introspective, creative, and authentic. This wing adds depth and originality to the Three's achievements. They seek to excel in unique or artistic ways.
• Strengths: Innovative, sophisticated, intuitive, authentic
• Challenges: Can be moody or pretentious
More ambitious, outgoing, and image-conscious. This wing adds drive and adaptability to the Four's uniqueness. They want to be special AND successful.
• Strengths: Dynamic, ambitious, charming, practical
• Challenges: Can be competitive or image-focused
More withdrawn, intellectual, and unconventional. This wing adds depth and observation to the Four's emotionality. They express uniqueness through ideas and creativity.
• Strengths: Original, insightful, creative, independent
• Challenges: Can be isolated or overly eccentric
More creative, intuitive, and emotionally intense. This wing adds imagination and personal expression to the Five's intellectual focus. They seek both understanding and meaning.
• Strengths: Visionary, creative, perceptive, original
• Challenges: Can be impractical or nihilistic
More analytical, systematic, and collaborative. This wing adds practicality and loyalty to the Five's knowledge-seeking. They want to understand in order to be helpful.
• Strengths: Scientific, thorough, loyal, disciplined
• Challenges: Can be anxious or overly sceptical
More introverted, intellectual, and independent. This wing adds analytical thinking to the Six's anxiety. They seek security through knowledge and competence.
• Strengths: Insightful, focused, serious, expert
• Challenges: Can be isolated or pessimistic
More outgoing, playful, and optimistic. This wing lightens the Six's anxiety with enthusiasm. They seek security through connections and positive experiences.
• Strengths: Engaging, funny, sociable, supportive
• Challenges: Can be scattered or dependent
More responsible, loyal, and grounded. This wing adds commitment and teamwork to the Seven's enthusiasm. They're fun-loving but also reliable and connected.
• Strengths: Productive, loyal, engaging, responsible
• Challenges: Can be anxious or indecisive
More aggressive, competitive, and materialistic. This wing adds power and intensity to the Seven's enthusiasm. They're determined to experience life fully on their terms.
• Strengths: Confident, quick, bold, entrepreneurial
• Challenges: Can be excessive or insensitive
More enthusiastic, entrepreneurial, and sociable. This wing adds optimism and variety-seeking to the Eight's power. They're bold leaders who inspire through energy.
• Strengths: Charismatic, enterprising, energetic, fun
• Challenges: Can be impatient or reckless
More steady, receptive, and gentle. This wing softens the Eight's intensity with calmness. They're powerful but also comforting and protective leaders.
• Strengths: Supportive, steady, inclusive, warm
• Challenges: Can be stubborn or complacent
More assertive, confident, and action-oriented. This wing adds strength and directness to the Nine's peacefulness. They're mediators who aren't afraid to take charge.
• Strengths: Strong, grounded, protective, decisive
• Challenges: Can be confrontational or controlling
More idealistic, orderly, and principled. This wing adds purpose and refinement to the Nine's peace-seeking. They want harmony that aligns with their values.
• Strengths: Imaginative, orderly, gentle, fair
• Challenges: Can be critical or overly idealistic
Your wing influence isn't static - it can shift and develop throughout your life journey. Understanding these patterns helps you recognise periods of growth and change.
In childhood and youth, we often lean heavily on one wing as we develop our identity. This wing typically feels more natural and comfortable.
During midlife, many people begin accessing their less-developed wing more consciously, seeking balance and wholeness in their personality.
In later life, the healthiest individuals can access both wings flexibly, using whichever qualities best serve the situation at hand.
Our comprehensive assessment helps you identify not just your core Enneagram type, but also your dominant wing influence. Understand the unique flavour of your personality and unlock deeper self-awareness.
Begin Your DiscoveryTakes approximately 10-15 minutes • Detailed wing analysis included • AI-powered insights
Take the free 54‑question assessment and unlock deeper insights into your personality, motivations, and relationships.