The Observer Back to Enneagram
Type Five
The Intellectual, Analytical and Aloof Person
AKA: The Investigator, The Thinker, The Loner
Typically: Fives are intellectual, analytical, independent, innovative thinkers. They are keen observers of the world and collectors of information. They value knowledge, objectivity, and logical reasoning. They are good at intellectual analysis, reflecting on and understanding ideas, and developing theories. They display insight and a profound perception. Fives strive to become masters of all the facts in their given field.
When stressed: Fives withdraw into their thoughts, while avoiding direct emotional contact or social involvement, especially when they fear being overwhelmed by the demands of people. They try to maintain their own space and privacy, and attempt to create a sense of safety by becoming reclusive. They tend to overanalyze and over-collect data, and to be frozen in inactivity.
Point of View: "It is important to me to know as much as possible about what interests me."
Examples: Bill Gates, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, Bobby Fischer, Stephen King, Jane Goodall, Peter Gabriel, Georgia O’Keefe, Greta Garbo
Focus on: Trying to understand their environment.
Important Issues: knowledge, observation, independence, postponement of action, anxiety, intellectual arrogance
Approach to Problem Solving: "Let’s make sure we have all of the facts."
What They Like in Others: Intelligence, innovation, curiosity.
What They Dislike Like in Others: Emotional reactions, high pressure, crowds.
How They Frustrate Others: Lack of action, intellectual arrogance, withholding of emotions.
Chief Asset to Team: Insight. Fives have the capacity to analyze their environment quickly and synthesize their observations into the big picture. They see things that others don’t.
Core Struggle: Fives feel isolated and barren. Their longing to understand and gather as much data as possible is an attempt to fill an inner emptiness and to feel a sense of connection-at-arms’-length.
Unconscious Contradiction: Fives have a strong desire for others to feel their power, but they feel uncomfortable asserting themselves. They want to embrace life fully, but remain removed and at a safe distance from it.
Coping Strategy: Isolation. To avoid their anxiety and sense of emptiness, Fives withdraw into their heads where they can become absorbed in their thoughts.
Vice: Avarice, which is manifested by hoarding their reservoir of energy.
The Lie Fives Tell Themselves—"I’ll be safe if no one knows what I truly think or feel."
Counterproductive Trap—Observing. Fives seek security by standing on the sidelines and observing rather than participating. They would rather miss out on the experience than risk the myriad of dangers inherent in engaging in life.
Area of Avoidance— Emptiness. Fives distract themselves from their inner sense of emptiness by their intense engagement with their thoughts. To experience the emptiness would be to invite shame at not knowing how to solve their dilemma.
Anti-Self Behavior—Self-Hiding. Fives cheat themselves of the connection and fulfillment they yearn for by hiding their true selves. People cannot connect with what they do not see.
Potential Strengths as Leaders: Have great vision; can see big picture; seek constant improvement and growth.
Potential Weaknesses as Leaders: Can become mired in detail and inaction; may have poor interpersonal skills.
