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How you use one of your connected numbers – your enneagram security number – with those you feel secure with.
Each enneagram type has two lines attached to it or paths if you will. You can easily see this in the enneagram symbol. These lines connect to two other types; it is these types that you’ll want to learn about as they show you how to grow and areas to watch out for.
Within the enneagram world, you often hear about your growth number and stress number but those numbers (or paths or arrows or points) also represent your security number and missing piece number!
There are two numbers but in actuality it’s more like they are four!
I and many other enneagram teachers now give these numbers four different names to show how they are used in four ways.
There are still just two connecting lines (two numbers) but since we can use each number in an unhealthy or healthy way, we’ve labeled then as a total of four number names.
- Growth number (this is the same “growth number” that’s been used for decades – healthy)
- Stress number (this is the same “stress number” that’s been used for decades – unhealthy)
- Security number (this is your “growth number” used in average to unhealthy ways)
- Missing Piece number (this is your “stress number” used in healthy ways)
When an enneagram type 1 uses the healthy traits of 7, they are using 7 as their growth number… but what about when a q uses the average to unhealthy traits of 7?
When the average to unhealthy traits of 7 are used, that’s when a 1 is going to 7 in security.
This is not to say that a 1 uses these traits to feel secure but rather a 1 uses these traits only with the people they feel secure with – typically close friends and family.
Much like our stress number, we want to be aware that we can fall into the unhealthy traits a little too easily.
Our friends and family (our secure people) will put up with these traits because they love us but we don’t want to use these traits poorly.
That said, I find that the average traits of our security number can often be used to help us shift a bit form our usual main enneagram type.
Ideally, we want to be able to show the world these growth traits but that tends to involve a longer process with our growth number. It’s often easier to show our close friends and family these average traits which is why it’s our security number.
In this way our security number is like training wheels that provides some security while we try out some growth.
Not sure which enneagram type you are? You can check out my posts on how to find your enneagram type and how to confirm your enneagram type to help figure things out.
Enneagram Security Number
Enneagram 1 Security Number
Type 1’s security number is 7.
When an enneagram 1 learns and uses the healthy traits of 7, they are using 7 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 7, they are using 7 as their security number.
What might this look like? A rigid and orderly type 1 might become more indulgent (stress eating anyone?) or they might say “yes” to too many things.
But it can also mean they might become a bit more playful around those they feel secure around (dancing and singing into spoons in the kitchen in front of their kids for example…. yeah, that’s me I’m a 1)
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 1 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
Enneagram 2 Security Number
Type 2’s security number is 4.
When an enneagram 2 learns and uses the healthy traits of 4, they are using 4 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 4, they are using 4 as their security number.
What might this look like? A selfless, self-sacrificing type 2 might focus a bit more focused on themselves too much or become stubborn.
But it can also mean they might become a bit more honest with those they feel secure with and actually let those people know that they too have needs.
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 2 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
Enneagram 3 Security Number
Type 3’s security number is 6.
When an enneagram 3 learns and uses the healthy traits of 6, they are using 6 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 6, they are using 6 as their security number.
What might this look like? A self-sufficient and positive type 3 might become overly loyal (loyal even when they shouldn’t be) or pessimistic.
But it can also mean they might become a bit more honest with those they feel secure with and actually express their worries.
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 3 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
Enneagram 4 Security Number
Type 4’s security number is 1.
When an enneagram 4 learns and uses the healthy traits of 1, they are using 1 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 1, they are using 1 as their security number.
What might this look like? An emotionally aware and sensitive type 4 might critical or resentful.
But it can also mean they might become a bit more structured and dedicated with those they feel secure with.
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 4 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
Enneagram 5 Security Number
Type 5’s security number is 8.
When an enneagram 5 learns and uses the healthy traits of 8, they are using 8 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 8, they are using 8 as their security number.
What might this look like? A calm and objective type 5 might become forceful and argumentative (such as forcing overly firm boundaries when they are not needed).
But it can also mean they might become a bit more decisive with those they feel secure with and take action more quickly.
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 5 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
Enneagram 6 Security Number
Type 6’s security number is 9.
When an enneagram 6 learns and uses the healthy traits of 9, they are using 9 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 9, they are using 9 as their security number.
What might this look like? A committed and loyal type 6 might become action avoidant and too trusting (such as believing a loved one who has proven untrustworthy).
But it can also mean they might become a bit more relaxed with those they feel secure with and not worry about figuring everything out before hand.
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 6 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
Enneagram 7 Security Number
Type 7’s security number is 5.
When an enneagram 7 learns and uses the healthy traits of 5, they are using 5 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 5, they are using 5 as their security number.
What might this look like? A positive and always on the move type 7 might become stingy and cynical.
But it can also mean they might become a bit more calm and objective with those they feel secure with and not feel like they have to seek excitement all the time.
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 7 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
Enneagram 8 Security Number
Type 8’s security number is 2.
When an enneagram 8 learns and uses the healthy traits of 2, they are using 2 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 2, they are using 2 as their security number.
What might this look like? An assertive and bold type 8 might become possessive and martyrish (giving too much of their time for loved ones).
But it can also mean they might become a bit more empathetic and intuitive with those they feel secure with and be aware of what others need.
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 8 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
Enneagram 9 Security Number
Type 9’s security number is 3.
When an enneagram 9 learns and uses the healthy traits of 3, they are using 3 as their growth number but when they use the average to unhealthy traits of 3, they are using 3 as their security number.
What might this look like? An relaxed and harmonious type 9 might become competitive and impatient.
But it can also mean they might become a bit more confident and worthwhile with those they feel secure with and actually speak up with their opinions.
Remember these security number traits can help balance the type 9 but if used poorly it can have negative results.
