Myth Busting: Type 2 The People Pleaser
When people describe or think of Enneagram Type 2 The People Pleaser, you often hear about a selfless person, Mother Teresa, self-sacrifice for the benefit of others … The moon to the sun … Someone who may not take care of his or her appearance while preoccupied with taking care of and pleasing others … Someone who is worn down and worn out … A doormat.
The stereotype: The nurse, the social work, the volunteer at the homeless shelter, the doctor, the nurturer …
Let’s bust this myth. Type 2s can be hedonistic–pleasure seekers–something oft attributed to Type 7 The Enthusiast or Type 8 The Boss.
For Type 2, physical attractiveness is important. Type 2s are the great seducers of the Enneagram and appearance is an important part of that. Type 2s are Image Types (along with Types 3 The Achiever and 4 The Individualist).
This means they are attentive to the image they project to others by what they say, how they look and what they do. They care about what others think often more than the other Types, and are more likely to take things personally.
Type 2s and Type 3s: Type 2s can be well groomed, well coiffed and dressed to suit the situation. Type 3s are often described as the chameleons of the Enneagram, however Type 2s can share this same ability by becoming what others need them to be. They tend to be quite empathic and are able shapeshift to endear themselves to important others. Type 3s are also considered “sparkly” yet many Type 2s also fit that description. Like Type 3s, they can be social climbers–they just go about it differently and for different reasons.
Type 2s are not always behind the scenes–the power behind the throne or the moon to the sun. While this can be true, what is also true is that many Type 2s are ambitious.
Type 2s I know lead organizations, start their own for-profit and non-profit organizations, are VPs of Human Resources, sales directors, run customer service departments, manage medical staff, own and operate social media organizations and yoga studios … they perform, sing, act, paint.
Type 2s are happy to go after their dreams and make them a reality.
Type 7 The Enthusiast and Type 3 The Achiever are often described as charming and to some extent, so is Type 8 The Boss. However, Type 2s are also known to be quite charming in order to achieve their ends. They can be competitive, organized, and perfectionistic.
They take strong stands, are willful, make demands and fully assert themselves.
In other words, people don’t just walk all over them. They are not doormats. But they can be.
At this point, you may be wondering, “What’s the difference then, between Type 2 and Type 3 or some of the other Types if they share common behaviors?”
Great question!
IMPORTANT: What distinguishes one Type from another is not so much the behaviors we see, but why the different Types do what they do. In other words, what are their underlying motivations–what needs are they trying to get met and what are they trying to avoid?
Type 2s’ strategy is to please others in order to garner appreciation and make themselves indispensable. Much of their self-worth is based upon feeling valued, needed, and appreciated by others. On a deeper level, Type 2s’ self-perception is that they are unloveable. When they feel appreciated, desired, indispensable and valued, they temporarily feel lovable.
None of the Enneagram Type strategies work over time, but they give us the sense that our needs are being met, much like eating provides a temporary sensation that we are full and satisfied.
For this reason, Type 2 wants to avoid loss of connection–loss of love and their source of appreciation–and will go to great lengths to maintain those connections, often at risk of harm to themselves, and to others. This is when some of the more stereotypical behavior can show up.
Another reason Type 2 can share common behaviors with Type 3 The Achiever and Type 1 The Perfectionist is that these Types are the Wings of Type 2. The theory I find most useful and the one that maps to my observations, is that Type is a blend of the two Wings. From my book, InsideOut Enneagram: The Game-Changing Guide for Leaders:
Wings: The points on both sides of your Type are called your Wings, and they influence the ways you express the characteristics of your Type. Some people relate more to one Wing than another. Others feel that they share qualities with both Wings. You’ll hear people say, “I’m a 2 with a 3 wing.” In other words, Type 2 blends Type 1 and Type 3, and displays characteristics of all three Types. When we don’t relate to one of our Wings, it is probably because it lives outside of our conscious awareness.
Points of connection: Look at the Enneagram symbol and you’ll see that Type 2 is connected to Types 8 and 4. Under certain circumstances, Type 2 has access to many of the characteristic behaviors of these two Types.
At their best, Type 2s are warm, reliable, able to receive help graciously … They give without expectation, build powerful and durable alliances, are brilliant at making connections and building relationships and know who they are, what they stand for and that they are lovable for who they are and not what they do.
I hope this post offers a more well-rounded picture of Type 2 than the one you may have had. Remember, there is a Type 2 People Pleaser in all of us!
Please comment and let us know your own experience with Type 2s or from the perspective of Type 2. We would all benefit from your stories.
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Postscript: A couple of years ago, in a conversation with Bea Chestnut, PhD Psychologist, Coach, Enneagram teacher and Type 2 … she noted that most people don’t get the hedonistic side of Type 2. I thought, “she’s right!” We over-focus on other aspects. It is in the spirit of illustrating a much broader picture of Type 2, that I wrote this blog. Thank you, Bea!
Check out these links for more information:
InsideOut Enneagram: The Game-Changing Guide for Leaders
Blog Posts:
- Q & A About the Enneagram
- The Three Instincts
- It’s The Journey, Not the Destination
- Misunderstood: Type 4 The Individualist
- A Story of Team Dynamics
- Case Study: Type 8 & 9 (Boss and direct report)
- Use of Typing Cards for Your Relationship
- Coaching Type 2 The People Pleaser
- Enneagram Typing Using a Narrative Approach
Sue Garland
Wendy, your Enneagram course last year was a real eye-opener for me, and it truly has enhanced my self-awareness in a way that nothing else has done. Maybe I was just “ready”, who knows?
I am a toughTwo. I have spent the past 25 years working my way out of destructive patterns and relationships and building a satisfying and healthy life. And, thanks to a compassionate and insightful therapist some years back, I’ve gained a lot of insight into my past. However, now looking at myself through the eyes of Enneagram, I’ve been able to evaluate present relationships and present behavior and begin instantly to make improvements. Not always comfortable, but unmistakably right.
Most significant was a relationship I had cultivated for over 20 years, trying all the time to ingratiate, be useful and important, and — toward the end — be an instrument of this person’s healing. When I realized my own hidden motivation in this activity, it was like having a bright light shined on the whole picture, with all the shadows revealed for what they were! I knew I had to stop.
With sudden clarity, I realized that I had to walk away entirely from the relationship. And I did it without drama or elaborate explanation, and without imposing mystery. There have been questions, of course, and I’ve answered in terms of other aspects of my life getting in the way, making it sound like the natural order of things — which, in a way, it is. After a while I realized, with some humor, that by now I’m probably just a remembered name. So much for “indispensable”.
I can’t tell you how freeing this has been, or how much light it has shed on other aspects of my life. I’m still working on the part where I look appreciatively at all my Two characteristics — there’s a lot to reflect back on and re-evaluate — but I’ll get there! You’re a blessing!
Wendy Appel
Dear Sue,
I am deeply touched by your comments–not just because of your kind words, but because of your honest self-disclosure and the courageous path you are on.
The phrase you used at the end, “I can’t tell you how freeing this has been,” is one of the most significant gifts from work with the Enneagram. We attain freedom from our patterns, our roles; we are free to choose. We don’t have to “do our Type.” Sounds like you are breaking free!
I have to tell you that every time I see your email address, I read “sugarland.” And you are as sweet as sugar!
Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your journey. I know it will be useful to many others.
LC
Hi Wendy,
I just ‘discovered’ I’m a two last night. Thank God, I did because it gave my sanity something to grasp and a realization of how dark my life could become if I didn’t put the brakes on. The most eye-opening thing, for me, was how I expect people to know “how much I sacrifice for them”, however, they have no idea of what I actually do! Then, of course, there’s no “love” from all this sacrifice (since, to them, it doesn’t hit their radar), so I try even harder to please them! Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’m broke and exhausted and still not personally satisfied.
I need a nap from living this crazy loopy loop!
Wendy Appel
Hi Lisa,
Smiling at, “a realization of how dark my life could become if I didn’t put the brakes on.” True for us all … when we wake up and realize we’ve been asleep to our habits and patterns. The good news is that when we see it, we are at choice and can take back control of our lives. Most important is to explore: what is the payoff for continuing “as is?” We all do stuff because we are getting something out of it. Until the cost becomes greater than the payoff (which it appears it has for you), we are not apt to choose differently. It takes a strong commitment. My next post is on this subject.
Meanwhile, it sounds like you are ready to try something new. Let me know how it goes for you. Thanks for sharing your story. It will be helpful for many others.
With gratitude, Wendy
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Elan BenAmi
Great post, its nice to move beyond the caricature of a two to more subtle qualities. I also know 2’s leading organizations etc. Thanks for sharing!
Wendy Appel
Hi Elan, thanks for stopping by to comment. Yes, there is a lot of misinformation out there and ‘caricatures’ as you say.
Jeromy
Wendy, I’ve dabbled in the enneagram for the last 9 years or so. I’ve used it within my ministry as a military chaplain on several occassions. I’m hoping to have the opportunity to invest more time in learning about it through group participation or week long training. Finger’s crossed…
This article was helpful in some ways. I have a tendency towards 4 and 9 more than i do 1 and 3. I did feel like this article helped explore the myths of two.
I will check out your book inside out. Thanks for sharing your work.
Wendy Appel
Hi Jeromy,
When you are looking to identify your best fit Enneagram Type, look at the underlying motivations for the ones you are considering. That is what distinguishes one Type from another. Behaviors can be attributed to more than one Type, but it is what is driving the behaviors (fears and desires) that is at core.
Type 9 is fearful of losing connection and they “believe” conflict will cause a loss of connection. Type 9 desires peace and harmony within and therefore ‘without’ They are driven to maintain comfort. They accommodate others to keep the peace and in the process, may suppress their own wants and desires (as well as anger and strong feelings).
Type 4 is fears not being a unique expression in the world so they strive to be unique and different in some way. They long for or envy others for seemingly having what they believe they don’t (this is not necessarily of a material nature). Their life script is to find and express their themselves and their authenticity.
Hope this helps! Of course, there is more to it but this can give you a start at seeing the distinctions. Glad you are continuing to explore …
Warmly, Wendy
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