Motivation, which can be an internal drive or an external stimulus, propels our behavior. It might be toward something we want or, conversely, away from something we don’t want.
Each Enneagram type comes with specific motivators, ones that propel people of that type forward in a specific direction, as well as key demotivators, intense avoidances that also drive their responses and behavior.
The core motivators and demotivators can be thought of as 1st level motivators and demotivators for each type. In addition, there are 2nd and 3rd level motivators for each type; 2nd level motivators are type-based improvements, while 3rd level motivators are deeper longings and higher aspirations.
ENNEAGRAM NINES
Core Motivator: Harmony and comfort
Nines love their comfort as much as they relish harmony between and among people. They sense harmony and disharmony somatically, and disharmony deeply disturbs them to the point of anxiety and sleepless nights.
Comfort comes in many forms: food, sleep, routines, collections of sentimental items, chatting, walking, Googling, shopping, and more. What comforts one Nine may not be what comforts another Nine, but the feeling of being comforted is what matters.
Core Demotivator: Direct conflict and ill will
Nines really dislike conflict when they are directly involved. Relational harmony, which is so important to them, feels deeply threatened by unresolved conflict. However, when Nines are third parties to conflict, but others are directly involved, Nines step in as talented mediators and fluid facilitators.
2nd Level Motivators: To express themselves clearly and directly with greater influence and more authority. To transform conflict into deeper and more connected relationships instead of avoiding it.
Nines truly want to influence people and situations in positive directions, but tend to do so indirectly rather than directly. They just don’t want to make waves, draw attention to themselves, or upset anyone. However, being able to be more direct and clear about what they want and the direction to be taken, without worry about relationships being disrupted, is a very important motivator.
3rd Level Motivators: To engage with other people while feeling completely alive and awake. To have such a strong, deeply held sense of personal power that they feel empowered to act with great impact.
Being alive and awake means being fully embodied. It is from this place that deep personal power emerges and strong, big and clear action arises. Nines sense this is possible, but to be able to do so is a key and high-order motivator.
This completes the series on the motivational structures for the nine Enneagram types.
About Ginger
Ginger Lapid-Bogda PhD, author of nine Enneagram books including The Art of Typing, is a speaker, consultant, trainer, and coach. She provides certification programs and training tools for business professionals around the world who want to bring the Enneagram into organizations with high-impact business applications. TheEnneagramInBusiness.com | ginger@theenneagraminbusiness.com
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