A Guide to the 9 Enneagram Personality Types and How to Find Yours, According to an Expert

Here's everything to know about Enneagram personality types, according to expert Nanci Garoon, business operations manager at the Enneagram Group

The Enneagram is an ancient system designed to help you learn more about yourself. Much like your astrological birth chart or the Myers Briggs personality test, the Enneagram can be a useful resource to inform you about your inner workings — why you do the things you do, how you approach life and how other people relate to you.

"The Enneagram is a powerful tool, a treasure map, for understanding yourself better and becoming the best version of you," Nanci Garoon, business operations manager for The Enneagram Group tells PEOPLE.

"With its nine points symbolizing different aspects of human nature, this ancient system holds deep insights into our motivations and behaviors. Think of it as your guide to figuring out who you are, what drives you and how to navigate life’s twists and turns."

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Learn more about the different Enneagram personality types below, including what they represent and how to take the quiz.

What are the Enneagram personality types?

There are nine Enneagram personality types, each with their own distinct characteristics that describe the people who fall under that specific category. Below, is a breakdown of each personality type.

Type 1: The Perfectionist/Reformer

Think of these people as highly principled, disciplined, with perfectionist tendencies. The reformers are morally astute and have a very strong sense of what is right and wrong. These personality types are very detail-oriented and have high expectations and standards. Because they're so tenacious, they can sometimes come off as too critical to others and can be overwhelmed by their own ambitions.

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Strengths: Reliable, self-disciplined, hardworking, high standards.

Weaknesses: Perfectionism, critical of self and others, righteous.

Biggest Desire: Want to be perceived as good and always doing the right thing.

Biggest Fear: Being wrong, bad, angry or inappropriate.

Type 2: The Giver/Helper

Waiting in the wings to give you a helping hand, setting aside their own desires for the betterment of the ones they love are the type 2 personalities: the helpers. While they are genuinely kind and generous, great listeners and the ultimate supportive friend, this personality type can sometimes struggle with self-worth. "This inner conflict often leads them to compare themselves to others and neglect their own well-being, highlighting the complexities of their compassionate yet self-sacrificing nature," says Garoon.

Strengths: Supportive, empathetic, giving, people-centered.

Weaknesses: Negligent of their own needs, believe they're unworthy of love, compare themselves to others.

Biggest Desire: Want to be viewed as helpful, kind and likable.

Biggest Fear: Rejection or being perceived as needy.

Type 3: The Performer/Achiever

Need help with a comprehensive work report? Want to get back into a proper workout routine? Then you're in search of the type 3 personality: the performer. This Enneagram personality is all about results, results, results. They're hard workers, highly competent and full of boundless energy to meet any deadline and surmount any roadblocks. Be warned, though, as "their drive for success is deeply tied to their self-image, making them adaptable like chameleons and averse to anything that might feel like failure," notes Garoon. This personality type is a mix of ambition and fear of falling short, which ultimately makes for an interesting dynamic.

Strengths: Self-assured, great problem-solvers, efficient, practical, motivational.

Weaknesses: Self-image tied to achievements, chameleon-like, failure-averse.

Biggest Desire: Want to be seen as competent, efficient and successful.

Biggest Fear: Failure, making mistakes and disapproval.

Type 4: The Individualist/Romantic

Full of passion, whimsy and a zest for life, these personality types are "driven by a desire for authenticity and meaning," says Garoon. "They have a unique, intuitive approach to life but can also experience intense emotions and focus on what they lack, occasionally feeling envious. Despite this, their creativity and empathy make them innovative, fascinating and truly genuine individuals."

Strengths: Passionate, imaginative, unique, idealistic, authentic, intuitive, empathetic.

Weaknesses: Overly emotional, focused on "what’s missing," jealous.

Biggest Desire: Want to be thought of as authentic, deep, soulful and unique.

Biggest Fear: Being seen as ordinary, shallow or inadequate.

Type 5: The Observer/Investigator

You know that one friend who is an avid reader, knows random facts about Timbuktu and can be relied on for trivia night? They might be a type 5 Enneagram personality: the observer. These personality types are known for their analytical minds, self-sufficiency and trustworthiness. The observers tend to approach things more rationally and always seek to look at each situation objectively. That big brain of theirs can sometimes work against them, as they can be overly analytical and can overthink, causing them to withdraw emotionally.

Strengths: Analytical, self-sufficient, trustworthy, calm, rational, objective, perceptive.

Weaknesses: Emotionally withdrawn, overwhelmed easily, isolated, overly-analytical.

Biggest Desire: Want to be perceived as knowledgeable, wise and unattached.

Biggest Fear: Painful feelings, incompetence and not knowing.

Type 6: The Loyalist

Dedicated, reliable, warm and supportive, this personality type is great to forge relationships with. They are great planners and problem-solvers and are always keen to take on new challenges with their logical and practical approaches to things. Grounded as they are, "their minds can sometimes veer towards skepticism, magnifying danger and making them suspicious," says Garoon and this can cause some friction in their relationships as they can have moments of insecurity and indecision.

Strengths: Responsible, planner, problem solver, loyal, warm, logical, practical.

Weaknesses: Skeptical, insecure, magnify danger, suspicious, indecisive.

Biggest Desire: Want to be seen as practical and responsible.

Biggest Fear: Pain of their own insecurity, uncertainty.

Type 7: The Enthusiast/Epicure

The enthusiast/epicure looks to explore all the wonders of life and are always on the hunt for new experiences and adventures. Eternally optimistic, this personality type is always upbeat and allows for their "imaginative and visionary outlook to fuel their energetic spirits." On the flip side, type seven personalities "tend to lose focus, avoid discomfort by discounting reality and rationalize how their choices can sometimes lead to challenges," Garoon tells PEOPLE.

Strengths: Optimistic, upbeat, curious, adventurous, imaginative, visionary, energetic.

Weaknesses: Lose focus, avoid discomfort, discount reality, rationalize bad behaviors.

Biggest Desire: Want life to be thought of as happy.

Biggest Fear: Pain and suffering.

Type 8: The Challenger/Boss

As implied by their title, this personality type is here to set things in order. They're powerful, intense and unlike other personalities that tend to be indecisive, this group has no issue laying the law of the land for those in their orbit. Their assertiveness can leave a bad taste in some peoples' mouths, however, coming off as controlling, too blunt, and impatient.

Strengths: Intense, powerful, decisive, natural leader, protective, straightforward, energetic, confident.

Weaknesses: Bossy, controlling, impulsive, intolerant, impatient, excessive.

Biggest Desire: Want to be viewed as strong, powerful and in control.

Biggest Fear: Weakness, vulnerability, being perceived as incapable.

Type 9: The Mediator/Peacemaker

Again, much like their name suggests, these personality types want to bring unity and harmony to their circle. Not only are they adaptable and accommodating, they're also great at "creating inclusive and collaborative environments, always seeking harmony and balance." Their proclivity for harmony and non-confrontational nature sometimes lead to passive-aggressive behavior, while their tendency to be overly accommodating may also result in indecisiveness.

Strength: Adaptable, accommodating, collaborative, peaceful.

Weakness: Passive aggressive, stubborn, indecisive, overly accommodating.

Biggest Desire: Want to be perceived as peaceful and comfortable.

Biggest Fear: Conflict, making waves and taking a strong stand for themselves.

What are the Enneagram triads?

Enneagram triads are groups made of personality types that share similar characteristics. "These triads are based on how each type relates to their emotions and way of dealing with the world," Garoon explains to PEOPLE. Below is a description of the various Enneagram triads.

The thinking/head triad

Made up of type 5, 6 and 7 personalities, this triad consists of personalities that tend to be objective and analytical in their approach. This trio focuses on details, ideas and possibilities. They can sometimes veer of into the realm of overthinking and ruminating simply because they are big thinkers.

The feeling/heart triad

This triad consists of types 2, 3 and 4, who are known for their emotional depth and focus on relationships. This group can be overly sensitive to the point where they're overwhelmed by their emotions. They also tend to focus too much on their image.

The body/gut triad

The gut triad is made up on types 1, 8 and 9 who are largely driven by instinct, gut impulse and "tend to focus on practical matters and making things happen." These types often have a hard time staying focused which then leads to "unproductive actions and reactive, controlling behaviors."

How to find your Enneagram personality?

Several websites offer the Enneagram personality test, including The Enneagram Group, The Enneagram Institute and the Enneagram Universe.

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Read the original article on People.