Enneagram type 7 — the enthusiast

epicure, entertainer, optimist, adventurer

pleasure seekers and planners, in search of distraction, type sevens are essentially concerned that their lives be an exciting adventure. future-oriented and restless, they are generally convinced something better is just around the corner. they are quick thinkers who have a great deal of energy and make lots of plans. they tend to be extraverted, multi-talented, creative, and open-minded. they are enthusiasts who enjoy sensory pleasures and don't believe in any form of self-denial.

type sevens are practical people who have multiple skills. they know how to network and to promote themselves and their interests. they often have an entrepreneurial spirit and are able to convey their enthusiasm to those with whom they come in contact. when they are able to focus their talents, they are often highly successful. focusing does not always come easily for type sevens, however. their tendency to believe that something better awaits them makes them reluctant to narrow down their options or to pursue their aims with true devotion.

the central problem for type sevens is that their pursuit of pleasure is compulsive. type sevens are fear types who are specifically afraid of the power of negative states of mind. these they avoid by seeking distractions in the external environment: by multi-tasking, by keeping their options open, and by engaging in stimulation seeking of all kinds. for this reason, type sevens are more prone than most to addictions of all sorts, be it to shopping, gambling, drugs, or whatever.

type sevens usually have a high opinion of themselves and their talents; they tend to focus on their strengths and virtues and downplay their flaws and vices. they are often a bit self-centered, which manifests in an unfounded feeling of entitlement. as type sevens don't want to confront their own darker emotions, they also have difficulty acknowledging the pain that others experience, so that they sometimes have a hard time seeing the reality of other people. they are outward looking and not prone to introspection. the extent of the type seven's flight from negative emotions is really a measure of the type seven's mental health — the more that the type seven flees from them, the more their strength grows and the more likely they are to erupt into consciousness in the form of an anxiety disorder or a severe depressive episode.

basic propsition — you can avoid pain and frustration by inventing options, opportunities and adventures.

strengths — adventurous, playful, imaginative, energetic, optimistic, quick-thinking.

challenges — self-referencing, dispersed, uncommitted, impatient, unrealistic.

defense mechanism — rationalization — staying in the head, or explaining away or justifying feelings and behaviors in order to avoid pain or accepting responsibility:

type sevens use rationalization and reframing to avoid suffering and to maintain a self-image of being ok. they tend to see life through rose-colored glasses, reframing everything positively. thinking of new options and possibilities allows type sevens to leave the present moment with its limitations and live in a seemingly boundless future.

type 7 self-mastery indicators

what it means what it looks like in type 7
low
self-mastery
  • primarily reactive
  • low productivity behavior
  • low personality integration
  • deep identification with beliefs
 the frenetic escape artist

consumed by anxiety and alternate between manic behavior (hyperactivity to an extreme) and depression • joyless • prone to causing scenes • flee from self-reflection and blame others for their circumstances • feel cornered, trapped, and engage in self-destructive or self-defeating behaviors.
moderate
self-mastery
  • responds mainly from habit
  • some personality integration
  • more flexible to change
 the simulator

creative and engaging • frenzied and impatient • fast-working minds that jump from one idea to the next • overestimate own competence and knowledge • addicted to the adrenaline rush of new and stimulating experiences, with difficulty focusing and completing tasks • energetic and playful • reframe negative experiences and events.
high
self-mastery
  • aware of inner experience
  • responds productively, flexibly
  • high personality integration
  • self-acceptance
 the focused inspirer

having tamed their highly active minds, can focus on people, tasks, feelings, and learning in depth • complete tasks • listen well • emanate a peaceful joy • spirited and deep • inspire others with their calm, vital presence.

awareness practice

observe your habit of mind or focus of attention — multiple options and idealized future plans — with as little judgment as possible. ask yourself the following questions, while noticing your feelings and how your body responds:

type 7 in business

the accomplished, upbeat type. spontaneous, versatile, impulsive, and scattered. type sevens thrive on change, variety, excitement, and innovation. often articulate and humorous, they are able to get others to support their ideas. they are in touch with the latest trends and are constantly looking for new possibilities and options. they are natural multi-taskers but can also get overextended and lack follow-through. they can deteriorate into endless talk and distractions, scattering their energy and talents and leaving many projects unfinished. at their best, type sevens focus on worthwhile goals and become highly productive and accomplished.

what they look for

stimulation, adventure, excitement, and variety

what gets in the way

insisting on postponing commitments; manipulating by staying upbeat and hyperactive and by insisting that others meet their demands for gratification.

leadership paradigm

focusing on different options, a creative and innovative environment is emphasized, where the organization may take advantage of new and important business opportunities.

natural qualities as leader

the type seven leader’s strengths include their creativity, ability to develop easy rapport with others, as well as their relentless and resilient energy. their visionary capability and quick problem-solving skills engage those who work for and with them. they develop effective teams and easily keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in their fields. type seven leaders are insightful and genuinely liked by others. their enthusiasm can be contagious, and they easily come up with many creative ideas.

areas for development

type seven leaders tend to continually create new projects and, while this may be exciting and creative for them, it may leave employees feeling over-extended. their multitasking may leave others distracted and feeling that they never get the full attention of their leader. it can be difficult for others to give the type seven leader feedback. when the feedback is positive, they tend to discount it, and if negative or constructive, they tend to move into quick defense or explanation.

focal points for self-awareness and leadership

ultimate development goal

  • realizing that to experience life fully we have to be consciously present in the here and now; that we support and sustain ourselves and others by cultivating this conscious presence.

what hinders growth

  • preoccupation with myself and what i want
  • difficulty acknowledging negativities about myself
  • unwillingness to take steps that involve pain or conflict
  • easily distracted and diverted from deeper purposes and commitments.

furthering growth

  • take up a meditation practice. notice the boredom factor in personal growth and stay steady with it.
  • beware the ‘flight into light’ — seeing yourself as enlightened and beyond pain when you have some of the experiences that come naturally with growth.
  • realize that pleasure is only half the story — remind yourself that you may be missing something and include the less positive experiences for the richness and fullness that they provide to life.
  • notice your mind racing and reaching for options — slow down and focus on the present moment whether pleasant or painful; ask yourself what you are avoiding.
  • have fewer options and realize that a deeper focus on fewer things may bring you more valuable experiences.
  • notice yourself rationalizing and re-framing, particularly when criticized. ask yourself “what are the facts?”
  • use your anger as a signal to listen to what the other person is saying and consider its validity; ask yourself what you are avoiding.
  • learn to include criticism and conflict.
  • practice doing, and completing, one thing at a time.
  • practice restraining your impulse to ‘fix’ problems so that everyone can feel good.
  • live life more fully in the moment and less in the future.
  • appreciate more deeply the feelings and concerns of others.

specific leadership development

  • slow your pace — slow your speed to 50% of your natural rate. speak half as fast about half as many items; breathe twice as deeply for twice as long.
  • find the truth in a criticism — instead of defending against a criticism by rationalizing, blaming, or critiquing the critique, ask instead: “what really is true about the criticism and what can i learn from it.”
  • complete your tasks — follow through on every task you start, and don’t start a task that you do not complete.

adapted from different sources including Ginger Lapid-Bogda, Don Riso & Russ Hudson