Out of the Box Coaching and
Breakthroughs with the Enneagram, Mary R. Bast, Ph.D. 
Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved. Revised: January 18, 2012
  

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Style Seven Subtypes*
Taking charge to align with vision

Self-Preservation (Family):

Family doesn’t need to be “blood” family; comforted by having own positive beliefs reflected back by people who share same values and sense of pleasure. Epicurean, sensuous, focused on tastes, colors, tactile stimulation. A little cynical like the Eight, not so gullible as other Seven subtypes. Pain is not felt directly; transforms lemons to lemonade. Good at business.

At best earthy, entrepreneurial, democratic/family-oriented, team-builder
At worst opportunistic, selfish, cynical, too pleasure-seeking, addictive (you name it)

One-to-One/Sexual (Suggestibility):

Prestidigitator, more the dreamer, the “charmed charmer.” The most narcissistic of the Seven subtypes. More enthusiastic (like being in love, a rush of initial attraction), manic. Not so much into pleasures of this world, more extraterrestrial. Commitment is difficult, feels limiting because of gluttony for one-to-one contacts. Riveted by brief encounters and magnetized by peoples’ stories.

At best enthusiastic, aesthetic, in business ensures state-of-the-art focus on products/services
At worst narcissistic, manic, too easily enthused, not down-to-earth enough, cheers people on in too many directions

Social (Service or Sacrifice):

More ambitious, Six-like, willing to accept a lack of personal freedom in service of recognition, also very helpful/giving of love in search of recognition: sweetness in exchange for service. Creating an imaginary “perfectionism,” an idealized social order, forming long-range interests in the cause, the community, the church. “Good” people. Important to equalize authority: they hate the limitations of rules and equality ensures their personal freedom.

At best ambitious, responsible, in business keeps employees upbeat, focused on solutions
At worst a "do-gooder" perfectionist, sensationalist, "hyperactive"

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*According to Peter O'Hanrahan, the subtypes "show how the ruling emotion of our type is expressed through our instinctual behavior." The above descriptions also draw from Helen Palmer's The Enneagram in Love & Work and workshops with Dr. Claudio Naranjo.

Subtype Test     Answers to Subtype Test