The Instincts

The Instincts described in the Enneagram are basic human survival strategies. Thinking back to prehistoric times, humans’ primary survival needs were: food, water, shelter, social (group/tribe) relations, finding a mate, and finding new lands.

The three instincts are in line with those basic needs:

Self-Preservation / Farmer
🌱 Focusing on home, health, and resources

Social / Teamer
🤝 Focusing on groups, "reading the room,” and finding and filling social roles

Sexual / Hunter
⛰️ Focusing on risk-taking, delving into new things, and showcasing self

Each of us has a primary instinct that we naturally prioritize over the other two, a secondary, supporting instinct, and one weaker instinct that is more neglected. Similar to the types, as we understand our instincts, we are better able to see our blind spots and our strengths. Equipped with this insight, we can better live into our primary instinct without letting that instinct dominate to the detriment of the other two. The goal is to draw on all of the instincts for healthier, balanced, and more joyful functioning.

When we combine our personality type (our “why”) with our instinct (our “how”), we can even better zoom in on ourselves and our relationship with others. For example, a Social Five will look very different from a Self-preservation Five. The type and the instinct together are sometimes called a “subtype.” The insight of the instincts increases our ability to know and live into our best selves.

If you would like to explore how your instincts influence and manifest within your type, schedule a coaching session with Barbara or Tricia. You can also take a free instinct test from the Art of Growth.

Thanks to Art of Growth, for core material.