How to Use Your Enneagram Wings in the Right Way

Have you ever seen a bird try to fly with only one wing? 

That would look pretty silly, wouldn’t it? 

Watching the bird trying to take off and seeing it distorted on one side as it tries desperately to get off the ground. It will need two pretty equal-sized wings if it wants to soar.

It’s the same concept when using our Enneagram Wings. Birds need two wings to fly, and so do we.

I hear many people use one of their wings to describe their type, which makes me cringe every time. 

Only using one wing to understand your Enneagram type won’t help you fly to great heights within your personal development. But understanding how to use each of your wings will.

What are the Enneagram Wings?

Your wings are the two types on either side of your primary type on the Enneagram symbol.

For example, Type Two’s wings are One and Three. Type Two can use the strengths of these numbers to their advantage when working on their development, such as the One’s ability to have structure and order and the Three’s ability to work on goals and tasks. 

Wings are there to guide us and help us live up to our true potential.

Using the Enneagram wings is a great first step in breaking out of your ego patterns to becoming your true self.

How Should the Enneagram Wings Be Used?

Many people use their wings to help describe their type when they should be using their subtype instead. (Read more about using subtypes over wings here.) 

The Enneagram wings should be used as growth stretches. It’s true that we may lean more heavily on one wing over the other, but for optimal growth, we should be using the strengths of each of our wings.

Each type should start the growth process by implementing the strengths of the number to the left (counterclockwise) before moving on to the number on the right (clockwise). This path follows the direction of the symbol itself. 

Below you will find each Enneagram type’s wings and suggestions on how the type can use each of the wings for growth.

Enneagram Type 8’s Wings

⃔ Seven

First, use Type Seven’s ability to interact with others in more fun ways instead of being intense all the time.  Try to take on a more imaginative and innovative mindset. It will help you be less rigid and sure that everything you say is the right thing.

⃕ Nine

Next, adopt Type Nine’s ability to listen to others and make an effort to consider their point of view.  Be more diplomatic and less combative to avoid any unnecessary conflicts.

Enneagram Type 9’s Wings

⃔ Eight

First, use Type Eight’s assertive nature to start standing up for yourself and going against others’ opinions when you disagree with them.  Take on conflict more often, and don’t be afraid of it. Engage in conflict constructively so that it will help get your point across.

⃕ One

Next, integrate Type One’s ability to create personal goals and tasks. Use logical steps to achieve your goals and take the right action.  Look at the bigger picture and see how your efforts will help everyone around you by integrating yourself more fully into the world.

Enneagram Type 1’s Wings

⃔ Nine

First, learn from Type Nine’s tendency to go with the flow and create harmony around them.  Nines are good at seeing all sides of an issue, something you could implement to see there is more than one right way to do things.

⃕ Two

Next, implement Type Two’s ability to focus more on relationships and less so on completing tasks. Tune in to how other people feel and share your emotions with them too.

Enneagram Type 2’s Wings

⃔ One

First, adopt Type One’s tendency for self-discipline and use logic over emotions.  Focus more on your self-care and get in touch with your body by exercising and doing breathwork more frequently.

⃕ Three

Next, implement Type Three’s ability to focus more on doing than feeling.  When you’re feeling particularly emotional, concentrate on completing tasks that will benefit you or satisfy your own needs as opposed to always tending to the needs of others.

Enneagram Type 3’s Wings

⃔ Two

First, use Type Two’s ability to focus on relationships to build better rapport with people.  Practice empathy and listening to others in how they are feeling. It will help you get in touch with your own emotions.

⃕ Four

Next, use Type Four’s ability to connect deeply with emotions by getting in touch with your own more frequently.  Learn to value all of your feelings and be more authentic to yourself and what you really want and need.

Enneagram Type 4’s Wings

⃔ Three

First, adopt Type Three’s ability to prioritize tasks over feelings. Focus on your goals and to-do list to distract yourself from your intense feelings.  Lean into positive emotions when you complete a task and experience how good it feels.

⃕ Five

Next, use Type Five’s objectivity and logical thinking to move more from your heart to your head.  Take the information from your feelings to analyze what is happening. Use your thoughts, not your emotions, to do so.

Enneagram Type 5’s Wings

⃔ Four

First, use Type Four’s ability to focus on emotions and really feel them instead of just thinking about them.  Be more open with information about yourself to others and try to get more in touch with your creative side.

⃔ Six

Next, integrate Type Six’s consciousness to fear by being less calm and more anxious. Actually feel your fear and anxiety and know these are natural occurrences of being human.  Access fear to motivate you into action instead of always sitting on the sidelines.

Enneagram Type 6’s Wings

⃔ Five

First, adopt Type Five’s ability to remain calm and see things through a less fearful lens.  Investigate your fear by looking into it more objectively. Look at the evidence of what is scaring you instead of letting the fear run your thoughts involuntarily.

⃕ Seven

Next, adopt Type Seven’s sense of adventure and go out and have more fun without worrying about what will happen to make it go wrong.  Take on a more positive attitude. Be more spontaneous and plan less.

Enneagram Type 7’s Wings

⃔ Six

First, channel Type Six by paying more attention to potential risks you may create when you don’t follow through with plans.  Analyze your relationships and be more loyal and less superficial to those most important to you.

⃕ Eight

Next, use Type Eight’s ability to prioritize what matters. Adopt Type Eight’s motto of “work before play.” this includes doing essential tasks instead of what will be the most fun.  Also, be more clear and direct when communicating with people instead of jumping around in conversation.

Resources:

The Enneagram Guide to Waking Up by Beatrice Chestnut and Uranio Paes

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