Enneagram 7: The 'Enthusiast' Personality Type

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Discover personal growth tips for this gregarious personality type

Co-authored by Sophie Burkholder, BA Reviewed by Allison Broennimann, PhD

Last Updated: January 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Type 7 Personality Traits
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• Relationships & Compatibility
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• Levels of Development
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• Personal Growth Advice
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• How to Identify a Type 7
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• Tips

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It’s easy to spot an Enneagram 7 in any room, as they’re most likely the one lighting it up. Otherwise known as “The Enthusiast,” the Type 7 personality is known for their vibrant energy, positivity, and constant desire for new and spontaneous experiences. If this sounds like you (or someone you know), read more about the go-getting Enneagram 7’s traits, behaviors, and approaches to life and relationships.

Things You Should Know

• The Enneagram 7, known as “The Enthusiast,” is incredibly optimistic, curious, and social. They have seemingly endless skills, interests, and wide circles of friends.
• Enneagram Type 7 seeks out satisfaction and happiness through new experiences and adventures.
• However, their constant drive toward pleasure and contentment sometimes means they ignore more negative emotions or hesitate to address conflict.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Enneagram 7 Personality Overview

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1. 
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   The Enneagram Type 7 is known as “The Enthusiast.” Type 7s are go-getters who approach life with infectious optimism and positivity. They strive to make the best out of any situation and bring fun to everything they do.

   • Core Desire: Being happy and satisfied.
   • Core Values: New experiences, open-mindedness, and happiness.
   • Core Fear: Being trapped in painful or difficult situations.
   • Core Motivation: Being free and happy without missing out on memorable life experiences.
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   Type 7s are sociable and friendly. They typically have a wide circle of friends, acquaintances, and loved ones. A Seven can always be found at the center of an energetic conversation. Their wit and humor helps them get along with just about anyone—and they’ll never be the first to leave a party!
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   Type 7s are quick thinkers and learners. They also have a “Plan B” prepared for any situation. They problem-solve easily and can come up with new plans, ideas, and solutions on the fly. Type 7s are also interested in many different types of hobbies and take quickly to new skills and disciplines.
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   Type 7s enjoy variety in their lifestyle and surroundings. Many Sevens are frequent travelers who want to see everything the world has to offer. They seek pleasure and joy within all things, meaning they resist restrictions like schedules, routines, and long-term commitments.
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   Sitting with negative emotions is a challenge for the Seven. Type 7s avoid experiencing sadness, fear, or anger. Sometimes, this is good, as they don't dwell on past mistakes and disappointments. However, they may avoid resolving conflict and dealing with their emotions in order to heal and move forward.

   • Friends and family of Type Sevens may feel like they have to walk on eggshells around them and avoid bringing up difficult subjects or issues in their relationship.
   • In extreme cases, a Type 7’s need to avoid pain and seek pleasure may expose them to drug, sex, or gambling addictions.
   • However, these qualities or conditions can be managed by finding a support group, seeing a therapist, or developing a healthy self-awareness.
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   Enneagram 7s are enthusiastic and skilled workers. They approach new projects with optimism and flexibility and often have successful careers. The 7’s only challenge in the workplace is being able to focus on one goal at a time.

   • They lose interest and excitement quickly and need to be reminded of what’s important and what work should be prioritized.
   • The best careers for Enneagram Sevens are creative and fast-paced roles in marketing, sales, or the travel industry.
   • Type 7s also excel in jobs with lots of novelty and change, so they may make great chefs, pilots, event planners, bartenders, or entrepreneurs.
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   Type 7 is a head type, as opposed to heart or body types. Sevens trust their intellect and wit over gut instinct or emotion. Their minds are extremely active, and they spend much of their time daydreaming about the future.
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   Type 7 is the third most common personality type. About 14.0% percent of the world population is an Enneagram 7. Included in this number are celebrities like Tom Holland, Robin Williams, Jennifer Lawrence, Miley Cyrus, and Freddie Mercury.

   • Fictional characters can also be Sevens, like Fred and George Weasley (Harry Potter), Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean), and Alexis Rose (Schitt’s Creek).
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   The core Enneagram 7 personality has two subtypes: 7w6 and 7w8. Some Type 7s, but not all, may share the qualities of their adjacent Enneatype. For the Seven, that’s either Type 6 or Type 8. These subcategories of the Seven are known as “wings.”

   • A 7w6 is a Type 7 with a Six-wing. Known as “The Entertainer,” this personality combines the optimism of a Seven with Type 6’s drive for purpose and security.
   • A 7w8 is a Type 7 with an Eight-wing. Known as “The Realist,” this personality combines their core Seven’s desire for beauty and pleasure with Type 8’s practical approach to getting what they want.
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Section 2 of 5:

Enneagram 7 Relationships & Compatibility

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   Type 7s look for freedom and excitement in a relationship. They want to feel grounded and present without feeling trapped or stuck. They benefit from partners who will help them make decisions and be more practical while still being game to join them on new adventures and experiences.

   • An unhealthy or less self-aware Seven may run away from relationships once they become serious.
   • They are afraid of giving up their freedom to be in a relationship.
   • However, a healthier Seven is extremely loyal and will work hard to build a long-lasting relationship.
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   Someone dating a Seven must understand their love for adventure. They must embrace the Type 7’s enthusiasm and appreciate their unique optimism and need for variety. Someone who is romantically interested in a Seven should also:

   • Be flexible and willing to go on spontaneous or unplanned adventures.
   • Encourage their innovative ideas and support them in exploring creative outlets.
   • Stay positive and focus on problem-solving solutions rather than dwelling on issues.
   • Provide realistic feedback and perspectives to help the Seven make important decisions.
   • Respect the Seven’s need for space and give them time to recharge alone.
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   Enneagram 7 is most compatible with the equally optimistic Nine. While Type 7 encourages Type 9 to try new things, Nine helps steady the Seven. This pair sometimes encounters conflict because they both tend to avoid uncomfortable feelings, but their partnership can thrive by reminding each other that a tough conversation isn’t the end of the relationship.

   • Type 7 & Type 1 Compatibility: The reliable One and life-loving Seven bring balance to a relationship, but the One can sometimes take on a parenting role in this pairing.
   • Type 7 & Type 2 Compatibility: The Seven inspires the Two to dream bigger, but the Two needs a deeper emotional connection than the Seven naturally provides.
   • Type 7 & Type 3 Compatibility: These adventurous and social personalities pair well together, but conflict arises between 7’s lively spirit and the 3’s constant productivity.
   • Type 7 & Type 4 Compatibility: Both these types value excitement, but the Four can feel neglected by the Seven’s emotional unavailability.
   • Type 7 & Type 5 Compatibility: Sevens help Fives to get out of their head, while the Five’s observational skills match Seven’s curiosity and investigative nature.
   • Type 7 & Type 6 Compatibility: These kindred spirits balance enthusiasm with stability. But the Six’s love of predictability can struggle to pair with the spontaneous Seven.
   • Type 7 & Type 7 Compatibility: Two Sevens match well together, but these twin personalities must address conflict immediately and ignore urges to sweep it under the rug.
   • Type 7 & Type 8 Compatibility: The Seven helps lighten up the realistic Eight, but this strong-willed pair may fall apart over their mutual need for control and autonomy.
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Section 3 of 5:

Enneagram 7’s Healthy Levels of Development

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1. 
   Every Enneatype can be broken down into 9 Levels of Development. These levels reveal the different traits and behaviors that can exist within one single personality based on the healthiness and self-awareness of the individual. The scale moves from levels 1-3 (healthy range) to 7-9 (unhealthy range), with most people being in the average range of 4-6.

   • Level 1: Grateful and appreciative, in awe of life’s joys and wonders.
   • Level 2: Excited and invigorated by new experiences.
   • Level 3: Productive jack-of-all-trades, trying out new skills and areas of interest.
   • Level 4: Seeks more choices and adventure, focused on money and trends.
   • Level 5: Performing for others and struggling to identify their true needs.
   • Level 6: Unsuccessfully trying to find joy in material things.
   • Level 7: Trying to manage their anxieties with escapist behaviors.
   • Level 8: Avoiding frustrations with mood swings and impulsive behavior.
   • Level 9: Health and energy impacted by pleasure-seeking behavior. In extreme cases, this level may link to clinical depression or substance abuse.
   • Reaching Level 9 is the furthest extreme of an Enneagram Seven. Many steps can be taken to prevent getting to this stage or helping people if they’re already there, such as getting counseling or reaching out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Section 4 of 5:

Personal Growth Tips for Type 7

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1. 
   Enneagram 7s can become healthier by embracing negative emotions. In order to grow as a person, a Seven must take the time to understand their feelings and the feelings of those around them, even if it’s challenging or uncomfortable. For more personal growth, a Type 7 should also:

   • Develop willpower and control their need for instant gratification.
   • Remind themselves that fear and sadness are normal parts of the human experience—everyone has bad days!
   • Invest in genuine relationships with people that they care about.
   • Be vulnerable with their loved ones.
   • Remember that only dealing with happy emotions will deprive them of deeper and more meaningful experiences.
   • Find contentment in the present moment rather than always focusing on the next exciting thing.
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Section 5 of 5:

Identifying a Type 7 Personality

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   Spot a Type 7 by their high-spirited and playful energy. Sevens walk through the world with an almost child-like wonder and curiosity. They have extensive interests and talents and are always chatting about their newest project or upcoming trip.

   • The Enneagram 7 always seems to have new and interesting things to talk about, and their charisma attracts all types of people to them.
   • Know the most popular person in a lunchroom, the chattiest member of a friend group, or an acquaintance who always seems to be posting about a new country on their Instagram? All likely to be Enneagram 7s.
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   Sevens may easily be misidentified with other social Enneatypes. Understanding the nuances of each personality type is essential to identify if someone is a Seven. Here is a guide to distinguishing Type 7 from their most similar personality types:

   • Type 2: Twos are more emotional but less dramatic than Sevens, and Twos are more interested in and dependent on others than the autonomous Seven.
   • Type 3: Type 7’s core motivation is stimulation and novelty, but Type 3’s core desire is to feel and be perceived as superior to others.
   • Type 6: Sevens are extremely optimistic and seek out distraction in the face of anxiety, while Sixes tend to dwell on negative thoughts and self-doubt.
   • Type 8: Eights care more about intense and meaningful experiences than variety, while Sevens want to experience as many different things as possible.
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Tips

• To know for certain what someone’s Enneagram personality is, they should take a legitimate Enneagram test like the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator.
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