Wings are a great way to learn more about the different parts of yourself. Your wings are the two types in the Enneagram circle that are next to your core type. The two wings for Enneagram 2 are 1 and 3.
In this article, we’ll talk about Enneagram 2 with wing 1.
Key Characteristics
Below are the notable characteristics of 2w1s.
Personality Traits
- Use positive encouragement rather than merely giving orders.
- Take a principled stand for what they believe in and use that conviction to make the world better.
- Sensitive and impulsive—acknowledgments and tiny gestures mean a lot to them.
- Have to work much harder to keep the criticism at bay.
- Keep an upright posture and act slightly more formally and sophisticated than is necessary for a situation.
- Aggressive as well as self-aware, which makes it difficult for them to achieve their goals.
Motivations
Compared to other personality tests, the Enneagram explores each type’s personality traits in great detail. It analyzes the motivations underlying our desires and fears to understand better how and why we behave the way we do.
Fears
- Enneagram 2w1s’ biggest fear is feeling lonely, being abandoned or rejected by others.
Desires
Each Enneagram type has corresponding desires that are deeply interconnected with their fears.
- Enneagram 2w1s most desire to be needed by others.
Strengths
- The moral clarity of the 1 inspires the 2 to help anybody in need, not just those they like.
- Adhere to standards and are rule-sticklers.
- Incredibly productive and make sure to produce quality and almost perfect results.
- Are truthful to themselves and set clear limits.
- Channel their emotions into making things better.
Weaknesses
- People-pleasing tendencies.
- Give unsolicited advice.
- Hurt feelings could lead to criticism and anger when pressed.
- Put in too much effort to achieve fairness under any circumstances.
Directions of Growth and Stress
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a static world. One day we’re at the top and on the next day, we might be at the bottom. Enneagram recognizes that our personalities are not monuments and they will absolutely change in time, depending on stress or peace factors.
In the Enneagram system, those changes are reflected in two different ways—direction of growth and direction of stress.
Growth Arrow to Four and Seven
2w1s, similar to their core type, go to Enneagram 4 during growth. However, there will be some differences in the nuances due to the presence of the 1 wing. This, in times of personal development, could lead to some qualities of Enneagram 7 leaking in.
The traits of Fours (Two Integration) that would make their mark in 2w1 Enneagram types during integration, would lean toward:
- Being warm, generous, and loving, with a bit of moral obligation and determination thrown in.
- Desiring to do good in the world and help others.
- Using their kindness for social justice and improving the world through their work.
- Feeling unapologetically authentic and expressive of their needs.
- Being creative in their approach to solving problems for the greater good.
Because of their One wing, they may also integrate to Seven. So, they would probably:
- Be more fun-loving and less inclined to perform only for praise.
- Be more adventurous and inspiring others to join them in their activities.
- Have an affinity for organizing with their abundant energy.
- Enjoy engaging with others, due to their charming natures.
Stress Arrow to Eight and Four
Since 2w1s are still Type 2 at their core, their stress goes in an Enneagram 8 direction. However, with the 1 wing present, there are still small changes in how they react at certain times. If their One wing is highly dominant, these integrative aspects would surface from Enneagram 4.
In disintegration, Eights (Two Disintegration) would influence 2w1 Enneagram types. This could cause them to:
- Start interfering in other people’s lives and trying to help them by telling them what to do.
- Ignore their bodies, combining Enneagram 1’s need for physical perfection with 2’s body shame, resulting in intense exercise routines, food disorders, or physical neglect.
- Fear that people will stop approaching them if they stop being so kind and helpful.
- React in anger and aggression when anyone or anything presents a challenge.
- Become impatient and unwilling to wait for others.
- Turn confrontational or to blame others for anything that may cause them stress.
Because of their One wing, they may disintegrate to Fours. This might result in them:
- Being fixated on achieving perfection due to the influence of the 1 wing.
- Growing depressed and disillusioned with life and love.
- Showing envy toward the lifestyles or relationships of others, or what they believe others are capable of.
- Descending into a sense of helplessness.
- Feeling inadequate.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Enneagram 2w1s
People are constantly changing, nobody stays in the same frame of mind all of the time. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of a healthy, average, and unhealthy 2w1. We’ll explore all of these below.
Signs of a Healthy 2w1
- Approach serving others with great generosity and less self-importance.
- Make particularly good leaders and parents due to their emotional warmth.
- Diplomatic when resolving conflict and able to make compromises.
- In tune with themselves while still able to show up for others.
Signs of an Average 2w1
- Want to feel needed, so they put others first.
- Give unsolicited advice.
- Productive—resent being lazy and value being hard working.
- Obligated to act morally for others, they might even feel guilty if they fail to do so.
Signs of an Unhealthy 2w1
- Empathizing with others is difficult if their principles clash with their impulses.
- Controlling—other people and themselves.
- Critical of themselves when they fall short of their moral standards, making them susceptible to shame and self-condemnation.
- Rigid in their beliefs and unable to budge from their point of view.
- Quick to judge others and deny any aggressive tendencies they may have.
Growth Recommendations
- Learn to carve out time for yourself. When you prioritize self-care, you can expect numerous benefits in a variety of areas, including your physical well-being, mental outlook, professional performance, and personal aspirations.
- Handle criticisms gracefully. Treat criticisms as constructive feedback on your performance rather than a reflection of who you are. Doing so will allow you to remove yourself emotionally from the criticism and identify what has to be done.
- Don’t base your sense of worth on other people. Concentrate on improving your sense of worth. Remember that no matter what happens, you are a remarkable, fantastic, and stunning person. There should be no one who can make you feel insecure about who you are.
- Be your authentic self. To be authentic, it takes guts and confidence to communicate who you are and what you do well in the world.
Famous Enneagram Type 2w1s
These famous individuals have the personality Type 2w1:
- Saoirse Ronan—American-Irish actress
- Meryl Streep—American actress
- Eleanor Roosevelt—Former First Lady of the United States
- Ron Howard—American film director
- Mother Teresa—Albanian-Indian Catholic nun
Enneagram 2w1 vs 2w3
Below, we’ll compare Type 2w1 and Type 2w3 personalities.
Key Similarities
- Take tremendous satisfaction in being available and are respected for their ability to listen and offer support.
- Fear that they are unworthy of love.
- Motivated by their desire to win others’ acceptance.
- They complete tasks and are willing to put their feelings aside to accomplish goals.
- Polite and adept at communicating with others.
Key Differences
- 2w1s are more concerned with helping individuals, whereas 2w3s are more concerned with serving society as a whole.
- 2w1s are the more restricted wing—they are more reserved, structured, disciplined, and concerned with maintaining the environment.
- Goals, rather than standards, are what motivate 2w3s—they are more concerned with getting the work done than with the specifics of how it is done.
- 2w3s are better equipped to conceal their feelings—they devote the majority of their energy to achieving their objectives.
- 2w1s are much less adept at masking their annoyances and disappointments.
- While 2w3s strive for excellence to combat feelings of shame, 1s strive for perfection to combat their insecurities.
- 2w1s strive for perfection and order in all aspects of their lives in order to manage both themselves and their environment and avoid faults and failures of all kinds.
- 2w3s are more adaptive and will swiftly change strategies if they do not see the desired results.
Conclusion
2w1s are altruistic people who will happily offer encouragement and help others who are struggling. Enneagram 2w1s may recognize their growth areas and maintain a laser-like focus when performing tasks.
2w1s can be very emotional people who are often self-critical and insecure during difficult times, which can seriously impact their mental health. When they serve others, they often compromise their wants for the sake of the other party’s satisfaction, seeking validation and appreciation that they may not always receive in return. They are sensitive people who find it difficult to accept criticism.
They must learn to rely on their senses to recover when upset and move on with their lives while also monitoring their mental status. They can be proud of their work and use it to inspire others.