enneagram

calendar

articles

workshops

biography

home

links

email

Point Nine - The Mediator
Balanced at the top of the Enneagram, Nines are the most basic or undistorted personality type. People of this type come in all shapes and sizes, but they share a common problem with inertia (or momentum). Whether they are lazy in the traditional sense or hard workers continually on the move, "Nines" have a basic problem with priorities. It's hard to change directions or shift attention to what is most important. They are what we call "self forgetful." Nines excel at seeing all points of view. This can make it difficult for them to make personal decisions, but at the same time, they can be excellent mediators and peacemakers for others. Nines seek harmony in their environment. They are body-based types, with a strong instinctual center, although they can at times be out of touch with their bodies.
Strengths: Balanced, accepting, harmonious.
Problems: Stubborn, ambivalent, conflict avoidant.
Speaking Style: Inclusive and welcoming at their best, Nines may have trouble getting to the point. They can be linear and controlled, or they can be quite dispersed.
Lower emotional habit: Laziness of attention, or heedlessness, makes it hard for them to face priorities or conflict.
Higher emotion: Right action, which is the willingness to do what needs to be done and use oneself well in the process.
Psychological defenses: Nines use the defense mechanism of narcotization to avoid conflict and to maintain a self image of being "comfortable or harmonious." (Narcotization is using food and drink, reading, TV, or simply repetitive patterns of thinking and doing to put oneself in a state of reduced consciousness).
Somatic patterns: Nines tend to stay comfortably undercharged. Good at belly breathing, they may avoid breathing into the chest. Low energy Nines suffer from inertia and physical laziness, while high energy Nines tend to constantly discharge in order to keep a safe equilibrium. The lower back is a particularly vulnerable area. Since Nines so easily "merge" or blend with other people or the environment from their belly center, they have difficulty establishing personal boundaries.
Famous people: Julia Child, Gary Cooper, John Goodman, Loni Anderson, Paul Hogan, Woody Harrelson, Nancy Kerrigan, Grace Kelley, Mary Steenburgen, Clint Eastwood, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia · Ronald Reagan, Dwight Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth, Dan Quayle · John Steinbeck, Gregory Bateson, Carl Jung, Carl Rogers, the Dalai Lama.

Tips for relating to Nines:
To create rapport: Take the time to talk about things and establish a common ground. Listen to them; stay peaceful.
Try to avoid: Coming on too strong, getting impatient.
Join them in: Setting the context and looking at the big picture. Body-based activities, including walking, exercising, cooking, eating, music, etc.
To handle conflict: Fairness is a crucial issue for Nines. Since they avoid conflict and anger, they are more likely to withdraw or become passive/aggressive, with occasional eruptions. Try to find out what's going on inside and let them know you won't abandon them. When and if they do blow up, help them set boundaries on their rage.
To support their growth: Give them personal attention. Help Nines create structures and schedules for their lives to keep them on track with priorities. Ask for their cooperation rather than trying to push them around. Challenge them on their need to be comfortable, and help them take risks. Be accepting, but persistent.