Enneagram Type 2

Enneagram Type 2: The Caregiver

The enneagram 2 or “Caregiver” personality types are caring, generous, kind, and helpful. An enneagram 2 is also known as the helper enneagram type, because of their passion for helping and caring for others.

What Are Enneagram 2 Personality Traits?

Basic Fear

An enneagram 2 has a basic fear of being unloved, unwanted, or not fitting in. An enneagram 2 feels that their self worth is defined by helping with other people’s lives.

Unhealthy twos may become too focused on making themselves valuable (by helping others). When this happens they neglect to set boundaries and drain their physical and emotional energy.

Basic Desire

An enneagram 2 has a basic desire to feel loved and accepted. Type twos feel that the way to achieve their desire is to serve and help others.

Twos tend to hide negative emotions and instead will act positive (which they perceive to be a more acceptable form of emotion). This can lead to emotional outbursts.

To Summarize:

  • Pick up on the needs of others.
  • Look for acceptance and love from others.
  • Cater and serve those around them.
  • Push aside their own negative emotions.
  • Twos fear being disliked and unloved.

What Are The Strengths Of An Enneagram 2?

When placed in a setting of various backgrounds- whether it be a diversity of beliefs or upbringings, a personality types’ weaknesses and strengths will be intensified.

An Enneagram 2 Personality Type Shows The Following Strengths:

  • Encouraging others.
  • Natural ability to identify others’ needs.
  • Warm and positive disposition.
  • Determined to finish tasks.
  • Desire to meet new people.

Enneagram 2 Weaknesses

An Enneagram 2 Personality Type Shows The Following Weaknesses:

  • Basing their self worth off of the approval of others.
  • Can be viewed as over bearing.
  • Struggles to recognize their own needs, overlook their self care.
  • Sensitive, easily offended by criticism.

Growth Opportunities For An Enneagram 2

An Enneagram 2 Personality Type Shows The Following Weaknesses:

  • Basing their self worth off of the approval of others.
  • Can be viewed as over bearing.
  • Struggles to recognize their own needs, overlook their self care.
  • Sensitive, easily offended by criticism.

Work Life With An Enneagram 2

When Communicating With An Enneagram 2:

  • Show an enneagram 2 that they are valuable, help them see their worth.
  • Be encouraging and always listen.

Enneagram 2 In Meetings:

  • Be engaging and listen.
  • Let them help with any problem solving.

Emailing An Enneagram 2:

  • Throw in casual conversation into your email, but make sure to address the purpose.
  • Mention your appreciation for their efforts.

Sharing Feedback With An Enneagram 2:

  • Avoid negative criticism, any concerns should be shared sensitively.
  • Help type twos recognize their contributions.

Conflict Resolution With An Enneagram 2:

  • Let them know they are loved and appreciated.
  • Discuss your side and listen to theirs.

What Motivates An Enneagram 2

Each Enneagram will have different motivators, since they are all driven by different value systems. Enneagram twos are motivated by feeling loved and nurturing others.

Here Are Some Examples:

  • Feeling like they are a special person and are loved.
  • Taking care of their own needs.
  • Achieving their goals.
  • Making new friends and having meaningful relationships.

What Are The Stressors For An Enneagram 2?

Every Enneagram responds to stress differently and will have different triggers.

An Enneagram 2 will be stressed by:
  • Too much self sacrifice, not taking care of themselves.
  • Receiving criticism or negative feedback.
  • Being overwhelmed by other’s needs.
  • Getting rejected from job positions.

Enneagram 2 In The Workplace

  • Feeling ignored or consistently receiving negative feedback.
  • Having their work go unappreciated by their boss or coworkers.
  • Being surrounded by unwelcoming coworkers.
  • Are disliked by their direct reports

The enneagram type 2 is willing to go out of their way and sacrifice their time to help others. Type twos are hardworking and strive to make a difference in others’ lives.

If they get too carried away with helping their colleagues, they may end up behind on their own work.

Jobs That Best Suit An Enneagram 2

  • Working at a Non-Profit
  • Religious Leader
  • Nurse
  • Teacher
  • Customer Service Representative
  • HR Manager
  • Counselor/Therapist
  • Humanitarian

set boundaries

Enneagram 2 In A Relationship (Professional)

Enneagram type twos work well along side motivated and focused individuals. A type 2 is extremely supportive of their colleagues is always willing to help. When healthy twos have a strong sense of their own worth, they can be the best coworkers you could ask for.

If a type 2 works along side another type 2, expectations and responsibilities for each individual need to be clearly expressed. Otherwise, they’ll get overwhelmed.

An Enneagram 2 Will Work Best With People Who:
  • Acknowledge and appreciate their help.
  • Get to know them.
  • Care for their best interests.
An Enneagram 2 Might Clash With Coworkers When They:
  • Lash out after feeling unappreciative.
  • Becoming too closely involved in coworker’s non-professional lives.
  • Spend more time focused on helping others do their job, and neglect their own.

Enneagram 2 In A Relationship (Romantic)

An enneagram 2 in romantic relationships can be caring and loving as long as they remember to take care of themselves.

A type 2 is willing to offer their unconditional love and support, in hopes that they’ll receive it back. If a 2’s partner isn’t very focused on them, the 2 should voice their needs.

Twos do best with a partner that is willing to join them in valuing warmth, acts of service, and personal contact.

In A Romantic Relationship, An Enneagram 2 Brings These Strengths To The Table:
  • Care for their significant other.
  • Verbally communicates their affection and appreciation.
  • Are supportive.
In A Romantic Relationship, An Enneagram 2 May Have Difficulty:
  • Receiving negative feedback from their significant other.
  • Voicing and understanding their own needs.
  • Giving personal space.

Who Are Some Famous Enneagram Type 2's ?

Mr. Rogers
Mother Theresa
Stevie Wonder
Dolly Parton

Conclusion

Out of all the enneagram types, the enneagram two is one of the most loving and caring. They have a natural instinct to serve and care for those around them.

A type two has a strong desire to nurture and care for those they love. As long as they’re healthy, they kind find a good balance between helping others while nurturing their own personal growth.

If a two is unhealthy, they may lose their sense of self and only focus on those around them. It is a two’s greatest fear to be unloved, and if they become to focused on that fear there will be negative repercussions.

In order for an enneagram 2 to remain healthy, they need to focus on themselves and take time for self care. It is important that they do not push aside their negative feelings and bottle them up.

If you want to work well along side a caregiver, make sure that they know their hard work has not gone unnoticed. Since many 2s determine their self worth on how they help people, it makes them feel good to know their good deeds are appreciated.

Be sensitive when giving feedback to a 2, because they have a hard time processing negative feedback. Hearing that they did something wrong may make them feel their efforts have not been helpful.

The enneagram type 2 personality will do best in a work environment where they get to make meaningful connections and help others. Being in a role that allows them to make new friends will boost the moral of a two. You’ll find that as long as a two is happy they will go out of their way to help those around them.

The key to employing a two is to make sure that they do not focus so much on everyone else’s tasks that they forget to manage their own. Since serving others is a two’s nature, it can be easy for them to try and help every one at once.

As long as a 2 is surrounded by superiors and coworkers who respect and appreciate them, they will thrive in the work place.

My Own Terms

My Own Terms is a company founded by Joshua T. Osborne to help people take back control of their lives and live life on Their Own Terms.

Want More?

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