The Enneagram Triads

Centers of Intelligence

Each Enneagram type is based in one of three primary centers of intelligence: the heart, the mind, and the body. These groupings are often called “triads.” Everyone engages in all three centers as we go about our days, but one center is where we find ourselves experiencing the world most frequently. Knowing which center of intelligence is your “go to” helps to understand your communication style, decision-making process, your energy, primary emotional response, orientation to the world, and main sensitivity. Although one center is dominant in your life, the goal is to seek balance between all three. In other words, striving for a grounded body, open heart, and curious mind.

A circular enneagram diagram with numbered points from 1 to 9, connected by lines forming a complex geometric pattern inside the circle.

These three types first experience their world through bodily sensations. They’re the types with a strong “gut instinct.” Their primary emotional response is anger and are oriented to that which is fair and unfair. They have a particular sensitivity toward feeling dismissed or seen as unimportant.

Body Types (8, 9, 1)

A black enneagram geometric inner star shape with numbered orange segments 2, 3, 4, and a shaded gradient background within a circle.

These types first experience their world through their feelings and emotions. Their primary emotional response is shame that can easily morph into sadness. They are concerned with image, relationships, and connection. They are oriented toward quality connections, with a strong sensitivity toward feeling unloveable.

Heart Types (2, 3, 4)

A circular enneagram geometric diagram with intersecting lines forming various polygons, some shaded in greenish tones, numbered from 5 to 7 along the edges.

Head Types (5, 6, 7)

These types first experience their world through their mind, analysis, and reason. Their primary emotional response is fear. They are concerned with safety, security, gathering information, and predictability. They are oriented toward information. They have a strong sensitivity toward being seen as incompetent.

Stances (Hornevian Triads)

Every person attempts to get their needs met by either moving toward other people, away from other people, or by standing independently from other people. This is the wisdom of German psychoanalyst, Karen Horney. Within each center of intelligence triad, one type moves toward, one type moves away from, and one type stands independently from other people. This creates three new groupings of 3 types called the Hornevian Triads (often called “stances” in some Enneagram circles). These triads help to describe our social style, how we get our needs met, and which of the three centers of intelligence is least accessible to us when operating on automatic.

An enneagram circle with numbers 1 through 9 around it, containing a shaded triangular area connecting points 1, 2, and 6, with additional lines connecting various points inside the circle.

Dutiful Types (1, 2, 6)

These three types tend to move toward other people. They have a sense of harmonizing energy and feel a sense of duty to be of service to other people. When they encounter stress or difficulty, they are compliant to their critical self-conscience. These three believe they have to earn what they want from the world.

They are responsive to their internalized “should’s,” “ought’s,” and “must’s.” Their service and responsibility to others can cause a sense of superiority over other people.

For them, the head center is least accessible.

A enneagram featuring a circle with numbered points from 1 to 9 around its circumference, connected by black lines forming various triangles and polygons. An orange shaded area highlights a specific triangle with vertices at points 3, 7, and 8.

Assert Types (3, 7, 8)

These three types tend to move against other people, or at the very least, attempt to stand independently from others. When they encounter stress or difficulty, they build up, reinforce, and inflate their own ego. They are the ones who will make you deal with them. They tend to believe that anything meaningful that happens around them happens in relation to them.

They have a lot of active energy. They can make and implement decisions very quickly, causing them to be impatient with those who need more time. They will demand what they want.

For them, the heart center is least accessible.

A enneagram diagram featuring a circle divided into 9 sections with points labeled 1 to 9. There are lines connecting these points forming a star pattern inside the circle. The diagram includes a shaded triangle connecting points 4, 5, and 9.

Withdrawing Types (4, 5, 9)

These three types tend to move away from others. When faced with stress or difficulty, they want to take a step back. They will withdraw into whatever feels comfortable for them. They’re able to think multidimensionally and consider long-term strategies. They are not quick to act and want to consider all the options to make the best possible decision.

These types tend to feel out of place a lot of the time and like they don’t belong. They don’t have much differentiation between their conscious self and their unconscious. This means they can have a lot of unprocessed thoughts, feelings, or impulses that they ignored when they withdrew.

For them, the body center is the least accessible.