If you’ve been keeping up with this month’s blog series, you know we’ve been unpacking the three Centers of Intelligence. The Centers refer to grouping of Enneagram types who share similar ways of interacting with and processing life.
Last week, we unpacked the Head Center. This center refers to individuals who rely primarily on logical thought as their means of interpreting the world.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the second of the three Centers of Intelligence: the Heart Center.
The Heart Center is comprised of three Enneagram types:
- Type 2: The Nurturing Supporter
Individuals who seek love and appreciation through offering help and support to others. - Type 3: The Admirable Achiever
“Go-getters” that are motivated by a desire for success and admiration.
- Type 4: The Introspective Individualist
Individuals whose fear of being “just like everyone else” leads them to pursue unique ways to express their individuality.
The Heart Center is often referred to as the “Feeling Center.” As you’ve probably guessed, individuals who rely primarily on this Center of Intelligence tend to utilize their emotions and feelings as their primary means of interpreting and responding to the world around them.
Although each of the three types contained within this triad have their own unique qualities and behaviors that set them apart from other types, there are several characteristics that unite these three groups.
For one, those within the Heart Center tend to be attention-seeking, often deriving their sense of identity or worth from the opinions or approval of others. Although they share this core desire for approval, it presents in vastly different ways depending on the type. For example:
- A type 2 wants to be viewed as helpful, valuable, and needed. They pursue this attention and validation from others by performing acts of service. For this reason, 2’s are often the first to lend a hand or volunteer their support when the occasion arises.
- 3’s seek attention for their achievements. In other words, they want to be viewed as competent, successful, and hardworking. 3’s can be quite the resume builders, putting their efforts into creating long lists of personal and professional accomplishments in an effort to receive the affirmation and attention they deeply desire.
- A type 4 wants to be viewed as unique, special, and unlike any other. This deep longing leads 4’s to pursue many varied interests that they believe will help them stand out from the crowd.
See what I mean?
Although the kind of attention each type wants is slightly different, at their core, each of the three types in the Heart triad seeks affirmation and approval from outside relationships.
Those within the Heart Triad also tend to struggle with feelings of shame. In fact, shame is the primary emotional response they experience in difficult situations.
Whether or not the circumstances are truly their fault, these individuals tend to take the blame upon themselves, feeling that if they could have “done or” or “been more” things may have turned out differently.
Want to learn more about the Enneagram?
Check out the previous blog posts in this series and click HERE to receive notifications about this incredible upcoming blog and podcast content dedicated to unpacking (you guessed it!) the Enneagram.
Article was contributed by: Maria Lees, Team Writer with Sarah Boxx
