The Enneagram Circle Characteristics of Type 5 - The Analyst

Find out about the different characteristics, stresses, management styles and ways you can assist a 'Type 5 Personality'.

Whether you feel you fit within this characteristic type or a colleague or loved one, learning more about the different character types of the Enneagram circle can assist you in your work and home life.

(Also called the Observer, Thinker, Philosopher, Sage, Investigator, Recluse)

CHARACTERISTICS AND COMMON TRAITS OF 'THE ANALYST'

  • Psychological defence  involves being rational, logical and analytical
  • Knowledge and understanding are vital
  • Focus on observing and thinking as a way of ensuring an emotional separation from others and relationships, which can be draining.
  • Can experience emotions and feelings as overwhelming.  Often detach emotionally, but make cool, rational decision makers.  
  •  Highly protective of their privacy, self-sufficiency and independence.
  • Try to avoid looking foolish.
  • Often have in-depth knowledge of a particular subject.

EXAMPLES OF TYPE 5 PERSONALITIES:

- Albert Einstein

Key Goal - Knowledge

Traits - Retentiveness, pathological detachment, objectivity, autonomy, hypersensitivity, procrastination whilst analyzing, fast decision maker when enough information is available

Where the attention goes - To observing, to thinking, to reducing feeling, to reducing needs, to detachment, to compartmentalization, to self-containment

Pre-occupations - Guarding privacy of time and space, limiting needs and wants, avoiding intrusions, thinking through in advance, strict separation of work and private life, acquisition of knowledge, reflection

Difficulties produced for self - Isolation from own feelings, detachment from relationships, emotional distance

What causes me stress - Failing to maintain sufficient privacy, boundaries and limits, becoming fatigued, trying to learn everything there is to know before taking action

What makes me angry - Being considered factually incorrect, excessive demands and intrusions, an overload of emotional input, not having enough private time to restore my energy, invasion of privacy or personal space, injustice

Nature of my anger - Self-containment and withholding, tension and disapproval, short bursts of temper

Gifts - Scholarly, knowledgeable, thoughtful, logical, calm in a crisis, dependable, ascetic

Basic strategies for development - Pay attention to feelings –connect emotionally, do as well as think

Daily activity:  Allow yourself to need others, connect with and express your feelings, increase your capacity to engage rather than withdraw

Management style - Type 5’s exercise task focused management based on sound information, relationship management can sometimes be more difficult

Leadership strengths - Analytical, insightful, objective, systematic, thorough planning, excellent in crises, persistent, expert, strong

Improve leadership by - Focus on action as well as strategising, pay attention to the social relationships

Stress point - Type 5 moves in the direction of Type 7 when under pressure or feeling stress. The characteristics at this point could appear to be:

  • Abundant thoughts and ideas that may not be followed through
  • Humour used as a protective device
  • Charming and positive

Relax point - Type 5 moves in direction of Type 8 when in a relaxed state. The characteristics at this point that may then appear are:

  •  Less thinking, more action
  •  Feelings more on the surface
  • Strong, determined, committed

How to get along with a Type 5

  • Type 5 does not usually flaunt the expertise, ask them what you need to know
  • Give them time to analyse the data and come to a decision
  • Spontaneous mini-meetings are not a 5 strong point
  • Excellent at written communication and report writing
  • More comfortable with email rather than face to face or phone

 For any further information regarding the enneagram personalities please contact administration@griffithconsulting.com