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Enneagram 5w4

The Philosopher

What is an Enneagram type 5 wing 4 (The Philosopher)?

People with an enneagram type five wing four personality tend to identify mostly with type fives, but also share traits with type fours. They are curious, creative, and reserved in their behavior. They prefer to be alone to reflect and recharge. They tend to be more emotional and self-expressive than other fives.

Enneagram 5w4 Personality Traits

Basic Fear

Type fives with a four wing are afraid of being helpless and incompetent. They tend to overcompensate for this by spending their time developing new knowledge and skills to feel useful and worthy.

Basic Desire

Their basic desire is to feel helpful and able. They express this by passionately pursuing knowledge and understanding of the world.

Philosopher tend to guard themselves by withdrawing from others, which may lead to loneliness.

In summary, Enneagram 5w4 personalities tend to...

Be guarded or withdrawn from others
Seek new skills and knowledge
Curiously explore new environments
Prefer being by themselves
Fear being helpless or incapable

Enneagram 5w4 Strengths

Every personality archetype has strengths and blind spots, and these are often amplified in professional settings where we often encounter a diverse group of people with vastly different backgrounds and value systems.

Strengths that are typically associated with the Enneagram 5w4 personality include...

Creative thinking and expression
Ability to work well independently
Observing and understanding small details
Deep level of focus and attentiveness

Enneagram 5w4 Weaknesses

Weaknesses that are typically associated with the Enneagram 5w4 personality include...

Tendency to be overly sensitive
Focusing too much on themselves
Distancing themselves from other people
Struggling to think practically or realistically

Free Personality Test

How Enneagram 5w4 personalities like to work

Communicating with an Enneagram 5w4

Address issues clearly; avoid overcrowding them by giving them space to process.

Meeting with an Enneagram 5w4

Avoid unnecessary meetings; communicate directly and allow five wing fours to share ideas.

Emailing an Enneagram 5w4

Be concise and clear when emailing, avoiding casual conversation.

Giving feedback to an Enneagram 5w4

Be sensitive to the feelings of five wing fours; share constructive criticism, while also recognizing the contributions they’ve made.

Resolving conflict with an Enneagram 5w4

Utilize both logical and emotional expressions; be open and allow them space to reflect on and consider your side.

Enneagram 5w4 Motivations

When people experience pain, stress, or dissatisfaction at work, it can usually be attributed to energy-draining activities. Therefore, it’s important to know what kinds of activities energize each personality type and which activities drain them.

Enneagram 5w4s tend to be motivated and energized by...

Learning a valuable new skill
Developing their understanding of the world
Time to reflect and think on their own
Feeling appreciated and admired

Enneagram 5w4 Stress

Enneagram 5w4s tend to be stressed and drained by...

Spending too much time around others
Feeling overwhelmed and incompetent
Being unable to adequately express themselves
Criticism from those around them

Enneagram 5w4 Jobs

Fives with a four wing are imaginative and quiet. They think creatively and philosophically, preferring abstract thought to real-world problem-solving. They thrive in environments that encourage them to learn and grow, while allowing them personal space and independence.

Common jobs for people with Enneagram 5w4 personality types

Engineer
Novelist
Composer
Accountant
Author
Inventor
Scholar
Auditor

Enneagram 5w4 Slide Show

Click through the slides below to learn more about Enneagram 5w4s:

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Enneagram Test

Complete the Enneagram test below to find your Enneagram type.

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Enneagram type 5 wing 4