Enneagram type 9, also known as “The Peacemaker”, tend to avoid conflict and prefer harmony in relationships. They are receptive, laidback, and supportive. When it comes to careers, Enneagram 9s thrive in positions that allow them to use their strengths of diplomacy, compassion, and patience.
What are Enneagram 9 Personality Traits?
Some key traits and characteristics of Enneagram 9 personalities include:
- Peaceful
- Conflict-avoidant
- Supportive
- Receptive
- Loyal
- Patient
- Calm
- Diplomatic
- Nurturing
- Mediating
Enneagram 9s tend to avoid conflict and prefer maintaining harmony. They have a laidback, go with the flow attitude. Nines are usually warm, welcoming, and want people to get along.
What Motivates Enneagram 9s?
Here are some of the key motivations for Enneagram type 9 personalities:
- Creating peace, harmony and cooperation
- Connecting with others
- Being easygoing and receptive
- Offering stability and support
- Avoiding conflict
- Being helpful, nurturing and reassuring
- Maintaining positive relationships
Enneagram 9s like to maintain balance and be agreeable. They want to create goodwill and provide stability for others. Nines enjoy being helpful, supportive team players.
What Careers are Best for Enneagram 9?
Here are some of the top careers that allow Enneagram 9s to use their strengths:
Counselor
Counselors provide guidance and support for people dealing with personal, emotional, career or substance abuse issues. This role allows 9s to utilize their strengths of being nurturing, understanding and helping others. They can create a trusting, calm environment to help clients work through challenges.
Teacher
Teachers interact with students daily to educate and guide their learning process. For 9s, teaching lets them share their knowledge in a warm, patient and supportive way. They enjoy developing meaningful connections with students and creating a harmonious classroom environment.
Social Worker
Social workers assist people in dealing with issues like poverty, mental health, abuse and disabilities. Enneagram 9s are well-suited to this role which requires compassion, active listening skills and conflict resolution abilities. They can advocate for clients in a diplomatic manner.
Nurse
Nurses provide medical care and emotional support for patients in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings. For 9s, nursing allows them to use their calm and caring nature to comfort patients and create a peaceful healing environment. They are attuned to patients’ needs.
Administrative Assistant
Administrative assistants provide organizational and clerical support in office settings. As detail-oriented 9s, they can handle scheduling, documentation, communications and coordination effectively. They enjoy being helpful team players.
Mediator
Mediators facilitate discussions between opposing parties to promote understanding and negotiation. This role suits the strengths of Enneagram 9s who can create harmony, uncover common ground, and mediate compromise using their inherent diplomacy skills.
Human Resources
Human resource professionals handle policies, employee relations, recruitment and training. Enneagram 9s are well-suited to HR roles which require diplomacy and maintaining balance in the organization. They can resolve conflicts and create cooperative work environments.
What Jobs Should Enneagram 9s Avoid?
While Enneagram 9s can succeed in many careers, there are some jobs that may not be the best fit due to the environment or duties.
Law Enforcement
Law enforcement careers often involve high-pressure conflict situations, which 9s prefer to avoid. Negotiating disputes or pursuing investigations may not come as naturally to conflict-averse 9s.
litigator
Litigators argue legal cases in court settings. The adversarial nature of this job does not suit harmony-seeking 9 personalities who shy away from debate, disagreement and high-tension disputes.
Critic
Critics appraise and judge the merits of literature, art, film, food or other subjects. Delivering harsh feedback clashes with the supportive, optimistic nature of Enneagram 9s who dislike creating conflict.
Military
Military careers often involve strict hierarchy, intense pressure and life or death consequences, which can deeply challenge more conflict-avoidant and easygoing Enneagram 9s.
Collection Agent
Collection agents pursue payment on overdue accounts which requires assertiveness and handling rejection. Enneagram 9s would struggle with the confrontational aspects of this job.
Best Careers for Enneagram Type 9 by Field
Here are some of the top careers suited for Enneagram 9s organized by field:
Medical Field
- Nurse
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech Pathologist
- Massage Therapist
Counseling & Social Services
- Social Worker
- Marriage and Family Counselor
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Career Counselor
- Substance Abuse Counselor
Education
- Teacher
- School Counselor
- Librarian
- Curriculum Developer
- Education Administrator
Creative Fields
- Interior Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Photographer
- Craft Artist
- Art Therapist
Business & Administration
- Office Manager
- Executive Assistant
- Mediator
- Human Resources
- Technical Writer
Tips for Enneagram 9s Seeking Fulfillment at Work
Here are some tips to help Enneagram 9s find satisfying and growth-oriented work:
- Look for roles that allow you to create harmony and help others
- Find meaning in your work by connecting deeply with people
- Seek environments that are predominantly positive and avoid highly contentious fields
- Speak up about your needs and push past conflict avoidance tendencies
- Be mindful of playing the role of peacekeeper and forgetting your own desires
- Develop your communication skills to articulate needs and address issues
- Explore leadership opportunities to inspire cooperation and teamwork
- Consider growth-oriented challenges to become more decisive and energetic
- Remember your core motivations and do not lose yourself pleasing others
Famous Enneagram 9s
Many famous people exhibit the traits of the Enneagram type 9 personality. Here are a few examples:
| Celebrity | Profession |
|---|---|
| Princess Diana | British Royal |
| Audrey Hepburn | Actress |
| Queen Elizabeth II | British Monarch |
| John Lennon | Musician |
| Fred Rogers | TV Personality |
Conclusion
Enneagram type 9s tend to thrive in supportive, harmonious work environments that allow them to help others. Ideal jobs include counselor, nurse, teacher, social worker, mediator, and human resources. Key strengths like compassion, diplomacy and patience help them excel in these service-oriented roles. While Enneagram 9s may struggle with avoiding conflict, by developing communication and leadership skills they can find great fulfilment making a difference through their careers.
