I take specific pleasure in mentioning that one of my heroes, Dag Hammarskjöld, is often identified as an Enneagram Nine. An often-overlooked diplomat (though posthumous recipient of the Noble Prize) Hammarskjöld served as Secretary General of the United Nations. Often identified as the diplomat who “built the UN”, Hammarskjöld brought together widely diverse (and often contentious) perspectives and interests among the initial UN members. Hammarskjöld was the quintessential mediator and moderator.
In shifting our attention to the Enneagram Nine’s anticipations, I would suggest that the Nine’s positive anticipations would be associated with their presence in a setting where it is possible to bring multiple parties together on behalf of a viable resolution. Much as Dag Hammarskjöld, George Mitchel and Jimmy Carter were often appointed as “peacemakers” later in their life, so the Enneagram Nine is likely to “light up” when receiving an invitation to assist a peace-making process—even though they may later regret this invitation given the grinding work of coming to a peaceful resolution.
More generally, the Enneagram Nine likes finding themselves in a setting where one can appreciate multiple perspectives and values regarding a specific stress-filled issue. They are the ultimate “relativists” who can appreciate both sides of an argument. When serving in an active “peace-making” role, they also embrace what William Perry (1970) identifies as “commitment in relativism”—meaning that they see both sides of the issue but are committed to finding a resolution rather than just appreciating both sides.
A strong set of negative anticipations is to be found in the Enneagram Nine’s psyche. The fear of being overlooked and taken for granted tops the list—though the Enneagram Nine might not admit to this fear (or even be fully aware of its lingering presence). The self-fulfilling prophecy reenters the picture. Not wanting to be rejected for inserting their own needs and perspectives into the mediation process, the Enneagram Nine will often withhold their own needs and perspectives, thus fulfilling their fear of being overlooked.
Negative anticipation is also found in the Enneagram Nine’s psyche when they find themselves in a setting where there is no possibility of successful resolution. Having a record of successful negotiations in previous settings, the Enneagram Nine, as mediator, is expected to be successful and may even be held responsible for the resolution of a long-standing conflict. One wonders about Hammarskjöld’s own mental and emotional state when finding little success in leading a UN mediation of conflict in the Congo. What was on his mind when his plane crashed in a mysterious manner while flying to the Congo?
There is one other way in which negative anticipations are likely to plague an Enneagram Nine and throw their somatic template out of kilter. The Enneagram Nine fears being bypassed as a “peacemaker.” What is they are no longer invited in? What if they find themselves in a setting where we are one of the contentious parties? Hammarskjöld found himself in contention against the constitutionally elected government of Lumumba. He took a stand (“commitment in relativism”), but this commitment got him in trouble. Beginning in childhood, the Enneagram Nine is tiptoeing between firmness and weakness, between concern for resolution and concern for upholding one’s own values and sense of justice. As Kermit the Frog declared, “It’s not easy bein’ Green.” It’s also not easy being an Enneagram Nine.
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