We’re going to talk about enneagram 1 wing 9 in this piece. You might’ve read about the 1w9 enneagram as The Optimist. We like to call them the “Zen Master”. It sounds a bit grand, we know but we have good reason to call it so.
If you didn’t know it already, there are nine types of enneagrams and all of them have two wings. This type has a wing of 9. So, when we say 1w9 we’re talking about the enneagram 1 wing 9. This simply means this enneagram has traits mostly from a 1 but also some from a 9
So, we’ll look at what it means to be type 1 and then dive into what it means to have a wing 9.
Enneagram 1w9 Description
People who are type 1 and wing 9 are often described as more rational in the way they behave. They are also said to be more balanced and calm compared to the other 8 types which is why we like to label them Zen Masters.
These individuals are said to be driven toward equality and justice which pushes them to look at the different sides of any issue. They are also strongly motivated to do the right thing.
Enneagram wings are meant to tell you about the personality of an individual with a little more detail and color. So, when we talk about enneagram 1 w 9, we can say that the wing 9 individuals are said to be perfectionists which is why they are good at spotting inconsistencies in the judgment and reasoning of other people.
In short, if you make a flawed argument in front of a 1w9, they will spot it without breaking a sweat. Whether they point it out or not is a whole other thing.
Enneagram 1w9 Careers
These individuals are said to be conscientious and they thrive when they are in situations where there is motivation to make a positive contribution to the world. So, it shouldn’t surprise you that they often become social workers, journalists, judges and environmentalists, to give a few examples.
Enneagram 1w9 Relationships
Enneagram 1w9s are said to do well when they are with people who belong to types 2 and 7. Since type 1s are said to be perfectionists, they get along well with type 2s who can help them relax and enjoy.
They also offer consistency to their type 2 partners and help them feel more secure. When a type 1 is with a type 7, they are said to be able to be more adventurous and fun-loving. And they give their type 7 partners direction and purpose.
1w9 Enneagram Characters
There are plenty of historical figures and celebrities who fall in the type 1, wing 9 category. Since they are said to have a strong moral compass, you shouldn’t be surprised that Joan of Arc is in this category.
And since we’ve mentioned 1w9s to be conscientious people, you won’t be surprised that the likes of Plato and Immanuel Kant are also in this category.
If you’re looking for a more traditional (and alive) celebrity name, Cate Blanchett is in this category along with Zoe Saldanha.
Enneagram 1w9 vs 9w1: Zen Master vs The Moderator
The first difference between these two types is that 1w9 individuals are said to be moralistic while the 9w1 people are calmer and peace loving. Both types have a sense of right or wrong that they might want to use for the betterment of the world.
1w9s are idealistic, which can make them a bit intense, while 9w1s are a bit more mellow. And while they want to do the right thing, they are not big on confrontation. 1w9s want to stick to the rules when it’s the right thing to do. 9w1s, on the other hand, want to do what’s legal but it’s because they don’t want to ruffle feathers.
Enneagram 1w9 vs 1w2: Zen Master vs The Coach
This is another interesting comparison. It’s within type 1, but the difference between wing 2 and wing 9.
You know that we called the type 1, wing 9 folks Zen Masters. We call the type 1, wing 2 folks “The Coach”. The wing 1 people are said to be extroverts, while their wing 2 counterparts are said to be introverts. But it’s not so much an absolute and more like which wing is dominant.
This video from Dr. Tom LaHue sums up this difference quite well:
You could be a combination that’s 90-10 or 50-50 or 10-90 of both wings. You can aim for balance but it helps to know which one is dominant rather than try to fit in a box for the sake of balance. Always start with what you know and then improve as you might want from there!
