The Enneagram social 9 is a subtype of the typical Enneagram 9. They display psychological laziness, countering the normal Enneagram 9. Their sloth is shown through merging and working hard to support the group’s interest, even putting the group’s well-being ahead of their personal needs.
Social 9s are friendly people who feel they need to be part of things, showing their underlying fear of not fitting in with a group. They have a deep-seated drive to belong to a group and usually don’t fail because they are light-hearted, sociable, and fun-loving characters. This trait makes it easy for them to make friends wherever they find themselves.
A social 9’s most basic desire is inner peace and stability. They have a fear of the opposite, which is to have internal conflict and fragmentation. Because they fear such conflicts, they desire to be part of a group.
This fear also comes with friendliness and generosity. When they find themselves in a group, they give more than 100% because they enjoy participation.
However, they fear exclusion and abandonment underneath their warm, cheerful exterior. Social 9 are insecure about their worth and feel they need to fit somewhere and please others to feel better. This makes it difficult for them to refuse people’s demands or set independent goals.
Some become workaholics and rise to positions of power and leadership, prioritizing other people’s needs ahead of their own.
What are their Strengths?
They are Hard Workers.
This diligence comes from their desire to do what is necessary to get in with the group, but it takes a lot of effort. As said before, they tend to be workaholics, giving themselves much work and putting in lots of energy. Even still, they are friendly and sociable with the people they meet. However, they rarely let people know how much effort they put into their work.
Enneagram social 9s have an energetic and outgoing side, contrasting with the other subtypes of Enneagram 9. Although this makes them sound like they are always extroverts, even introverts have an outgoing nature when energized. Their strength is exceptional, though, due to a desire to fight for the group’s needs.
An extrovert social 9 is more expressive and forceful than their other subtypes. However, they also have a sense of laziness about their own needs and wants. Most introverted 9s behave like the typical Enneagram 9, who is calmer and seen as peacemakers, while their extroverted versions end up like the social 9.
They Make Good Leaders.
An enneagram social 9 has what it takes to make the best kind of leader because they are unselfish people who strive to fulfill their responsibility to the group.
They are great mediators because they naturally want to translate all opinions so everyone is heard and conflict is avoided. When fulfilling their jobs as leaders, they put in a lot of energy and bear a lot. Sometimes, they could even be seen as a “human punching bag.”
They are Adaptable
Because they desire to belong and work in a group, they are very adaptable and flexible. This way, they can serve other people’s needs despite being stressed. Still, they will adapt to different circumstances if it means that they will belong to the group. Unfortunately, this habit extends to important life decisions.
What Are Their Weaknesses?
They Become People Pleasers.
Their goal to work hard for everyone in the group makes them chronic people pleasers. Why? When they try to keep everyone happy, they are quickly taken advantage of. They don’t refuse demands because they want to be accepted by the group.
This lead to them displaying passive-aggressive behavior because they continually do things they don’t desire, making them habitually resentful.
Complacency
While a healthy enneagram social 9 is energetic and happy, they tend to become complacent under severe stress. This complacency primarily refers to their own needs.
They often overwork themselves for their group’s sake, becoming complacent in their school work, job, or even their relationships. So when unhealthy, they tend to ignore problems that could arise in these areas of their lives. This habit leads to more problems.
Enneagram social 9 can deal with their inherent laziness by addressing any underlining sadness that their friendly demeanor may cause. Then they should identify how the diligence they put into the group impairs their ability for their evolution. A social 9 should take the risk of sharing their needs, wants, and feelings with those who care about them.
More importantly, acknowledge your part in the group. Cherish the people who understand your hard work and support as a way of addressing your deeper needs for belonging.
