Personality Types Explored: Type 9 of 9

Personality type 9 explored

Core Motivation: feel accepted;                                                                   

Action Goal: find places and ways to belong

Type 9 people are the most diverse group among the nine personality groups.  At their core, they are extremely adaptable to their environment, and tend to be very open to others’ preferences for how to live or do things.  Unless specifically influenced by someone with an intolerant personality, they readily empathize with other people’s feelings and perspectives and are generally reticent to choose one side over another.    Under duress, type 9 people are the most strongly influenced by their personality wings (8 on one side, and 1 on the other).  Typically, trauma or severe stress will elicit reaction from either the 8 (power seeking) wing, or the 1 (safety seeking) wing.  9 type people who are not directly influenced by an outside attitude, and are not processing extreme trauma or stress tend to be very easygoing in both work and home environments.

If you are wondering if someone you know is a type 9, it may help to ask the following questions:

1.   Do they seem happiest when they feel part of a defined group?

2.   Does their behavior change significantly in response to their environment?

3.   Is it difficult to say exactly who they are and what they want?

4.   Do they focus their identity on the roles they play relative to others?

5.   Do they seek a clear structure or power role when stressed?

All of these statements would be true for most 9 types.  As mentioned, wings influence the core type, so there may be minor exceptions.   On a personal level, I think 9 types could be compatible with 1 types, 2 types, 3 types, 6 types, 7 types and 8 types.  If you have a type 9 person in your life, it may help to realize that they are particularly susceptible to the effects of stress and trauma.  Although, at their core, they put high priority on pleasing others, stress and trauma tend to undermine their sense of self at a very fundamental level.  As a result, they may begin to live purely in reaction to the threat they feel.  It may be useful to support them in identifying a social or professional group that can guide them back to a part of their identity that fulfills them.