Enneagram Type 2 Personality - The Helper - Considerate Helper

Enneagram 2 - Considerate Helper Description

Enneagram Twos have a motivational need to be liked and appreciated. Twos value relationships and as a result kindness, generosity and self-sacrifice are important to them. Twos strive to make the world a more loving place, primarily by offering support and attention to those they care about. At their best, Twos are unconditionally supportive, able to practise self-care and offer the gift of humility to themselves and the world around them. Less-healthy Twos may seem flattering and manipulative as they 'give to get', motivated by a deep belief that they don't deserve to be loved for who they are.

The gifts of the Enneagram Two include:

• Warm: Their demonstrative and warm nature makes it easy for others to connect with Twos and they are generally very likeable.
• Giving: Twos are caring and have the capacity to anticipate the needs of others, generously giving of themselves to others.
• People-Centered: The Two's focus on building relationships will impact positively on their capacity to step into roles where client and people relationships matter.
• Sacrificing: To support and be there for others, Twos will put their own needs and feelings on the backburner.
• Praising: Being around complimentary, supportive Twos can make people feel very special, giving them a confidence boost.

Typical Feeling Patterns:

Others are likely to experience Twos as considerate, consistently warm-hearted, generous and friendly. Being helpful is very important to Twos. This type sits in the feeling or heart Center of the Enneagram and their feeling and emotional energy are projected externally towards others in empathic and supportive ways. Enneagram Twos have well-developed empathy and they are easily able to sense the feelings and needs of others. Although Twos are generally friendly and warm, they can surprise people with their anger when they feel that people are taking advantage or undervaluing them. Twos want to take care of and support those they see as being treated unfairly and they can be quite assertive in doing so, especially for those they love and are close to. While they struggle to ask for it, Twos also need appreciation and may experience emotional pain and anger if they are ignored, brushed aside or made to feel unappreciated.

Typical Action Patterns:

Twos value relationships and will, therefore, put effort and energy into the development of them. This enables them to establish several deep friendships and connections, drawing people to them through the expression of their generosity. Twos are likely to be generous with compliments, praise and positive feedback to people around them, as they want their people to feel special, motivated and well-treated. They often enjoy expressing their appreciation of others in their own way. Often Twos act when it is needed by others. They find it easy to give advice to people and do so freely; they will respond when someone needs a favour, advice or a helping hand. Twos will be quick to act if they sense that someone wants to harm a person they have chosen to protect.

Typical Thinking Patterns:

As Twos are very thoughtful and considerate, they are finely attuned to the needs of others, including those needs others are not even aware of themselves. Since Twos spend a lot of mental energy on connecting to the needs of others, their thoughts are likely to be filled with other people and their needs, futures or desires, while rarely centering on the Two's own needs, future and desires. The Enneagram Two enjoys being valuable and important to people or groups and feeling indispensable connects them to a sense of pride and self-worth. This pride may be expressed as an inflated self-importance in being needed and of service to others, which may impact on interpersonal dynamics. Because Twos are very attuned to and aware of the social relationships of the people around them, they may needlessly worry about the people in their significant relationships.

Blind Spots

• Twos may not be aware of the subconscious or hidden intention behind their generosity, caring and supportive activities. Being helpful may mask deeper motivations.
• Twos may pay attention to people and then disengage quite quickly once they lose interest in them.
• Their attention may become confused when Twos are trying to be helpful to more than one person with different needs.
• The Two's focus on others may cause them not to be consistently tuned into their own needs and desires.

Growth through the wings

Click below to explore the Wings

Type 2 Wing 1: Be assertive, learn to discern   Type 2 Wing 3: Step into leadership

Enneagram 2 Subtypes

The Enneagram Two's drive to earn love and appreciation is expressed differently by the three Subtypes.

Self Preservation
Instinct

Subtype Key:
Privilege (countertype)

This SP dominant instinct Two countertype may mistype with Type 7 or 6. They are “cute”, often child-like in that they are slightly shy but charming and inspire protective instincts in others. The SP Two wants to be taken care of but resists being dependent on others, hesitant and self-protective in taking on long-term commitments and responsibilities. They feel hurt or withdraw when they feel or fear rejection from others.

One-on-One
(Sexual) Instinct

Subtype Key:
ENCHANT

This Two focuses their talents, seductive abilities and energy on attracting and building strong, intimate relationships. In close relationships they are then able to feel trust and assert their needs more clearly or demands personal attention through seduction. They are strong-willed, flexible and passionate - even wild at heart - which may cause mistyping with Enneagram 4. Highly devoted in close relationships, they may find it difficult to accept limits, keeping personal boundaries or take "no" for an answer.

Social
(Or Group) Instinct

Subtype Key:
Ambition

This Two uses their seductive powers in a more intellectual way to attract and engage groups, communities and broader systems. They stand out from the crowd, often taking a central or genuine social leadership role. They enjoy being ‘in the know’ and build their influence on their competence and connections. Giving more than they get may be a strategy to distract them from uncomfortable feelings. Less childlike than other Twos, their ambition and influence can mistype as a type Three or Eight.