The 9s, also known as the Peacemakers, desire nothing more than peace and harmony. They are gentle and amiable people who focus on others, support the environment, and avoid conflict. 9s are typically tuned into what others want but have no clear sense of their own ideologies.
Although they appear agreeable, 9s actively oppose external control. They dissociate from their anger or other unpleasant emotions instead of feeling them. These feelings then occasionally appear in large bursts or repressed forms.
They despise being supervised but appreciate a well-organized hierarchy. They are skilled mediators because they can see arguments from multiple perspectives and identify areas of agreement. They are also optimistic, dependable, and kind.
9s are the third member of the body-based triad of the Enneagram, which also includes 8s and 1s.
Key Characteristics
Below are some of the most notable characteristics of the Peacemaker.
Personality Traits
- Express themselves in symbolic ways.
- Restore calm and tranquility to their surroundings.
- Hardworking and persistent.
- Refuse to talk about real problems.
- Engage in wishful thinking.
- Prone to daydreaming.
Motivations
The Enneagram delves deeper into the characteristics of each type by considering our desires and fears, gaining insight into our actions.
Fears
The Enneagram asserts that personality traits are merely coping mechanisms that are ultimately pushed by particular fears.
The Peacemakers’ biggest fears are conflict and being separated from others.
Desires
Each Enneagram type has corresponding desires that are deeply interconnected with their fears.
The Peacemakers’ biggest desire is to create harmony in their environment.
Strengths
- Believe the best about other people and hope for the best for themselves.
- Highly empathetic.
- Responsible and willing to do what needs to be accomplished.
- Steadfast and persistent.
- Can see different points of view.
Weaknesses
- Repress their emotions to avoid conflict.
- Complacent—minimize thinking about upsetting topics.
- Indecisive.
- May lose sight of their own agenda because of the attention they give to others.
- Tendency to be passive-aggressive.
Directions of Growth and Stress
By using the Enneagram, we can see how our personalities develop and alter throughout time. Depending on their personality, a person reacts differently in different circumstances.
These changes are divided into two categories—direction of growth and direction of stress.
Growth Arrow to Three
The 9s acquire the positive qualities of the 3s as they are in the stages of growth. Know that the Peacemaker is still an Enneagram 9 at the core, but they can use and benefit from adopting the positive traits of Enneagram 3s in their own way, while in a growth stage.
An Enneagram 9 in the direction of growth will:
- Schedule daily time to work toward their goals
- Push themselves
- Express their needs
- Put themselves first
- Be comfortable navigating new situations
- Not shy away from confrontations
Stress Arrow to Six
When 9s are stressed, they take on the negative traits of 6s.
They start to take on the negative traits of the Enneagram 6s, but they will still be an Enneagram 9 at their core.
An Enneagram 9 in the direction of stress will:
- Be hard on themselves and others, picking fights over the most trivial things.
- Give off the impression of being lost in their own thoughts and carry an air of rage.
- Repress their negative emotions to the point of numbness.
- Be passive aggressive and not know how to communicate their needs.
Instinctual Variants
Self-preservation, sexual, and social instincts are the three types of instincts. Knowing your Enneagram subtype can help you better understand how you will react instinctively to situations, people, and life in general.
Self-preservation (SP) instinct controls our needs for personal safety and security.
SP 9s are probably the most laid-back 9s, but they also need time alone, away from other people’s opinions and needs. They look for comfort in familiar routines and a welcoming, uncomplicated environment to feel comfortable.
SP 9s are also reserved and favor nonverbal communication. They frequently portray themselves as less knowledgeable than they are—almost as if they want to be taken for granted so they can be left alone. On the plus side, they are patient, have a keen sense of reality, and are wise.
Social (SO) instinct influences our need to be part of a larger group and community and to feel like we belong.
SO 9s look for a sense of well-being through friendship and social interactions. Because they are typically more extroverted, active, and engaged in their surroundings, they may not always seem like 9s. SO 9s express their love and warmth more than other 9s. They serve as the social glue in many organizations and groups because of their tendency toward idealism and their support of causes.
SO 9s do however, continue to be oddly oblivious and unaffected by other people’s problems, even when participating in social interactions. They are drawn to places where they feel like they can fit in, but they also keep themselves separate—typically by keeping a distance emotionally while still being outwardly friendly.
Sexual (SX) instinct controls our sexuality and personal romantic and platonic relationships.
Many SX 9s look for fulfillment by merging with another entity. They seek harmony not only with all that is beautiful and natural but also with unique and perfect companions. However, SX 9s have many concerns about merging too profoundly with another person and losing their identity, resulting in them sometimes coming off as emotionally conflicted and ambivalent—much like a 4 or 6.
Occasionally, they will try to solve the tension between their desire for union and their need for autonomy. In this case, they will be in two relationships at once, each serving a different purpose, and they never give their all to either one. This can lead to arguments, which 9s try to avoid.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Enneagram 9s
Knowing if a person is performing in a healthy, average, or unhealthy range is essential for understanding them and ultimately, helping them. It’s essential to remember that after all, people are changing on a daily basis. One day your best friend might be smiling, feeling at peace, and offering hugs to everyone at the office. The next day they might be unstable, resistant, and refuse to talk to people at all.
Signs of a Healthy Peacemaker
- Represent tranquility, harmony, and peace.
- Empowered, self-assured, independent, and able to endure any adversity.
- No longer wish to avoid suffering or stress because they are fully present in all of their experiences.
- Confident in expressing their needs without the fear of conflict.
Signs of an Average Peacemaker
- Fixated on avoiding conflict—they will avoid it at all costs by repressing their needs.
- Say yes to things that they may not even want.
- Thrive in routines so they don’t step out of their comfort zone.
- Procrastinate and become complacent because they don’t want to be affected by events.
Signs of an Unhealthy Peacemaker
- Escape stress by numbing themselves to the point where they can barely function.
- Experience an odd sense of being out of place—as if they are in a dream.
- Carry out heinous crimes without thinking twice about the repercussions of their choices.
- Severely disoriented and disconnected, abandoning their responsibilities and even themselves.
Growth Recommendations
- Be more assertive. Will always giving in to what other people want get you the kind of relationships that will satisfy you? You have to be yourself and be independent, so that you can be there for others when they need you.
- Stay in the present moment. You tend to daydream or tune out of conversations or situations. To engage fully in the world around you, practice focusing your attention on the here and now.
- It’s okay to experience negative emotions. Whether or not you acknowledge them, negative emotions affect your mind and body. It’s best to get things out in the open, even if it’s just to let yourself know how you feel.
- Engage in physical activities. Taking good care of one’s physical health can benefit one’s mental health and make for a fun and fantastic way to release pent-up emotions.
Enneagram 9 Wings
The Enneagram wings are the number types next to the core type. So, 9s can have either an Enneagram 1 or 8 wing.
9w8
The goal of a 9 is to find satisfaction in the lives of others or the world at large. Enneagram 8s are extremely self-aware and will retaliate violently if they feel their personal space has been invaded. As a result, 9w8s seek to increase their influence on the broader world and safeguard themselves from potential threats.
As a rule, 9w8s prefer to go their own way and get angry if their independence is challenged; otherwise, they have no problem wandering wherever they please. Furthermore, they can be fiercely protective of their friends. The 9 part of their personality allows them to merge with others, and the 8 part of their personality views any attack on friends as a direct assault on themselves.
9w1
Compared to a 9w8, 9w1s are more likely to suppress their anger. They struggle to communicate their needs and desires, leading to resentment that festers before erupting. They might work very hard to understand what others want, so if others don’t put in the same effort, they might feel angry. But instead of facing their anger head-on, they may try to deny it or divert it into other activities.
They are more likely to value others’ well-being than a 9w8 will, and are generally more outgoing. A 9w1 is much gentler than a 9w8, and they often make good team members. The 9w1 is arguably the most tranquil of all the Enneagram types.
Enneagram 9 Careers
9s will likely flourish in a profession that encourages stability and consistency because of their calming nature. They need to feel like they are making a difference, so they will do well in occupations that support this.
9s also need to feel as though they are easing the stress and problems of others. They are motivated by giving others confidence and receiving praise. As a result, slower-paced occupations that encourage social interaction are likely to be successful for them.
9s may become passive-aggressive or completely avoid challenging situations if they are not properly supported, making them unlikely to thrive in competitive and fast-paced environments.
People with an Enneagram 9 tend to gravitate toward the following careers:
- Librarian
- Therapist
- Social worker
- Veterinarian
- Human resources manager
- Editor
- Counselor
- Psychiatrist
- Diplomat
- Entertainment
Enneagram 9 Compatibility With Other Types
Enneagram 9s are most compatible with Enneagram 4s—the Individualists—and Enneagram 6s—the Loyalists.
Both 9s and 4s are intuitive and emotional, making their connection easy and comfortable. Each partner brings something unique to the partnership—the 9 brings calm, non-confrontational acceptance while the 4 brings vivacious creativity and genuine expression.
Compared to the 9s predisposition toward self-neglect, the constant outpouring of honest, genuine speech from 4 is both motivating and admirable. 4s have the power to bring out the passion and openness in 9s, while 9s may help 4s feel like they belong in the world.
Although 9s and 6s are very different, their pairing is easily one of the most stable and common relationships. Both types desire to live based on reliable, strong principles and to be rewarded for their hard work. They rarely disagree and they are able to see things from many angles. These different approaches to preserving balance serve as the foundation for a 9-6 relationship’s strengths and weaknesses.
9s and 6s tend to lead predictable, routine lives and have a strong desire to follow the rules. 6s are aware of probable dangers, calamities, and problems that are unavoidable in a given situation. They spend a lot of time considering how to preserve security. 9s, on the other hand, are laid-back, dependable, trusting, and optimistic. 9s often foster serene settings that are accepting and understanding.
Enneagram 9 is least compatible with another Enneagram 9.
A 9-9 pairing’s consistency and predictability could be the very thing that destroys their romance. They may be wary about changing the status quo or allowing anything to disturb the calm and peace of their world. Despite their outward friendliness, they tend to be isolated and easily lose connections with others.
It can be challenging for 9-9 couples to communicate about serious challenges, due to the need they feel to maintain harmony and peace. After a period, they may no longer communicate much, even though they may still be in love. Most of these feelings will go unspoken and stay in their heads. If they keep quiet about their true feelings, the relationship may suffer from passive-aggressive behavior.
Famous Enneagram Type 9s
Many Type 9 personalities and characters can be found all over the world. 9s are friendly, diligent workers who bring tremendous stability to any situation.
- Scarlett Johansson—American actress and singer
- Keanu Reeves—Canadian actor, producer, director, and musician
- Rihanna—Barbadian singer
- Naomi Osaka—Japanese tennis player
- Carl Jung—Swiss psychiatrist
Conclusion
Since 9s value stability and peace above all else, they are likely to make an effort to be open and receptive to others’ perspectives. They want to avoid any possibility of conflict because they cherish peace and predictability.
They need to realize that the more they try to avoid stress by ignoring issues, the more chaos they will inevitably create for themselves and those around them. Because they try to avoid conflict, they often actually end up having heated disagreements with those around them.
They must remember that they can’t be united with anyone else until they’re united with themselves. They will eventually lose the other person in their relationship if they are too accommodating, simply because they will never have learned to value themselves.
When 9s realize that asserting themselves is constructive rather than destructive, they will be in a position to bring true peace and harmony to their communities.