In talent acquisition, understanding why people behave as they do can be as valuable as knowing what they can do. The Enneagram is one of the personality frameworks gaining traction in HR, leadership, and organizational development circles, especially for its emphasis on core motivations, fears, and growth paths. In this article, we’ll focus on one specific personality type within the Enneagram, referred as “The Peacemaker” (or “The Mediator”), exploring in depth its defining traits and how they manifest in the workplace.

What is the Enneagram (and why hr & hiring teams care)

The Enneagram symbol was further developed by philosopher Oscar Ichazo and psychiatrist Claudio Naranjo to reflect a personality “archetype” model. Imagine the Enneagram as an ancient map of the human psyche. It's a circular diagram with 9 points, each representing a primary personality type. Each type is defined by a core motivation, a deep-seated desire, and a fundamental fear that largely operates unconsciously.

The nine types are:
Type 1: The Reformer (Perfectionist). Principled, purposeful and self-controlled.
Type 2: The Helper (Giver). Interpersonal, generous and people-pleasing.
Type 3: The Achiever. Success-oriented, adaptive and driven.
Type 4: The Individualist. Sensitive, expressive and dramatic.
Type 5: The Investigator. Intense, cerebral and perceptive.
Type 6: The Loyalist. Committed, security-oriented and engaging.
Type 7: The Enthusiast. Spontaneous, versatile and fun-loving.
Type 8: The Challenger. Powerful, self-confident and decisive.
Type 9: The Peacemaker (Mediator). Reassuring, agreeable and easygoing.

(source)

Each type has characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. That is why the circular diagram is divided into three color-coded sections:

Head for thinking (types 5,6,7)
Heart for feeling (types 2,3,4)
Body for behaving (types 1,8,9)

In each personality type, the Enneagram outlines the strengths and weaknesses, as well as the core motivations and fears. Using a marketing term, it can be seen as a SWOT analysis of personality types, only instead of Opportunities and Threats, we have Motivations and Fears.

Meet Enneagram type 9: The Peacemaker

If you picture someone calm, easygoing, and agreeable, you're likely envisioning a Type 9. They are the gentle souls of the Enneagram, the ones who instinctively seek harmony and strive to avoid conflict. Often described as natural mediators, they have a remarkable ability to see all sides of an issue and make others feel comfortable and understood. They are the glue that holds groups together, the calming presence in any storm.

Core desires and fears

At the heart of every type 9 lies a profound longing for peace of mind, harmony and wholeness. Their core desire is to experience inner peace, to have a sense of deep stability and harmony, and to avoid any kind of disruption or conflict. They want to connect with others, be a part of the bigger picture, and to experience life as a smooth, flowing, and agreeable journey.
Beneath that placid exterior, a basic fear drives the Type 9: the fear of loss and separation. More specifically, they fear losing connection with others, being in conflict, or experiencing any form of discord which might disrupt their inner and outer peace.
This fear can manifest as a deep-seated anxiety about disharmony, leading them to merge with others, minimize conflict, quiet inner voices, and sometimes neglecting their own needs in favor of staying “in the flow.” Because of this, they may also exhibit resistance to change and procrastination.

Key characteristics and traits of type 9

Now that we understand the deep currents flowing beneath the surface, let's explore the observable characteristics and traits that define the Type 9 personality.

The gift of presence and empathy

One of the most beautiful gifts of type 9 is their capacity for presence and empathy. They are often excellent listeners, able to truly hear what others are saying without judgment. They have an innate ability to put themselves in others' shoes, be open-minded and understand different perspectives, making them natural bridge-builders and conflict resolvers.

The tendency towards comfort and harmony

Type 9s are quintessential comfort seekers. They naturally gravitate toward creating and maintaining peaceful surroundings. This often translates into being agreeable, easygoing, and flexible, as they are less likely to rock the boat or insist on their own way if it means disrupting the peace.

Avoiding conflict and inner dissociation

This pursuit of harmony, however, has a shadow side: a deep-seated tendency to avoid conflict and disconnection. Type 9s would rather ignore a problem, minimize its importance, or go along with someone else's agenda than engage in a confrontation. They face difficulties with setting boundaries and saying “no”, and when they can’t avoid conflict, they may become passive-aggressive.

The wings of type 9

The Enneagram acknowledges that no one is purely one type; we all have influences from our "wings", the types adjacent to our core type. For Type 9s, these are Type 8 and Type 1, and they add distinct flavors to the Peacemaker's personality.

The 9 with an 8 wing: The "Comfort Seeker"

This combines the peace-seeking nature of type 9 with the assertiveness and groundedness of the eight wing. This person is still fundamentally focused on peace and avoiding conflict, but they have a stronger sense of self and are more willing to stand their ground when pushed. Think of a gentle giant – usually calm, but capable of a strong reaction when necessary. They want peace, but not at the expense of being completely run over.

The 9 with a 1 wing: The "Idealistic Mediator"

This combination blends the peace-seeking heart of type 9 with the principled and idealistic nature of the one wing. These individuals are still driven by harmony, but they also have a stronger internal sense of right and wrong, and a desire for things to be "correct." They are often excellent mediators, not just because they want peace, but because they want fair, just, and orderly solutions. They might internalize conflict more, feeling a sense of unease or guilt if they perceive something isn't right or if they haven't lived up to their own standards.

Famous type 9 personalities

It's always helpful to see how these traits manifest in real-world figures. While definitive typing can be challenging without direct input, the following are often identified as possible type 9s:

• Abraham Lincoln: Known for his calm demeanor, his ability to unite a divided nation, and his capacity to see all sides of an issue.

• Queen Elizabeth II: Maintained a steady, unifying presence throughout her long reign, often prioritizing continuity and stability over personal opinion.

• Audrey Hepburn: Although perceived as introverted, Hepburn was very intuitive and had a very strong feeling of compassion and general peace. She was a Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF, visiting poor countries or countries at war and offering help.

• Mr. Rogers: The ultimate example of a peaceful, accepting, and empathetic individual dedicated to fostering harmony and understanding.

These individuals exemplify the core desire for peace and unity, and the ability to bring a calming, unifying presence to complex situations.

What the Enneagram reveals that resumes don’t

The Enneagram isn't just another personality test; it's a profound system of self-awareness that describes 9 distinct personality types. But unlike many other frameworks, the Enneagram delves into core motivations, fears, and desires – the 'why' behind actions – rather than just categorizing behaviors. And in hiring, understanding why is often what separates a good placement from a great one.

1. Revealing what drives (and drains) a candidate. Knowing the candidate’s natural drive, can help in the evaluation of whether it aligns with the company’s actual day-to-day culture.

2. Reducing culture-fit guesswork. “Culture fit” can be a tricky metric. The enneagram provides language and structure around it, helping managers build balance instead of just filling seats.

3. Improving team dynamics and onboarding. The Enneagram is a powerful tool for integration. When new employees understand their type, and their teammates’, they gain immediate context for communication styles, potential friction points and personal growth.

4. Enhancing leadership and coaching conversations. A manager who knows their team’s types can tailor motivation, accountability, and recognition strategies accordingly. When leaders adjust their approach to the inner logic of a team member, communication friction drops dramatically, and engagement rises just as fast.

5. Supporting diversity of style (not just demographics). The Enneagram reminds hiring teams that diversity isn’t only about background, it’s also about personality. Teams benefit from a mix of assertive, analytical, and harmony-seeking energies.

The Enneagram 9 in the workplace

The qualities of an enneagram type 9 manifest uniquely in professional settings, often making them valuable, if sometimes overlooked, team members.

As a colleague
As colleagues, they are supportive, collaborative and genuinely enjoy working in a harmonious environment. They're excellent at mediating disagreements among colleagues and are often the ones who diffuse tension before it escalates. They are reliable and don't seek the spotlight, preferring to contribute consistently and effectively without drawing too much attention to themselves.

As an employee
As employees, Type 9s are often dependable, steady, and consistent. They prefer clear instructions and established routines, finding comfort in predictability. They are not usually the ones to challenge authority or push for radical change, preferring to maintain the status quo. Their desire for peace means they'll often go along with what's asked of them, even if it's not their preference. While this makes them agreeable, a challenge for a Type 9 employee can be advocating for their own needs, ideas, or promotions, as they might hesitate to put themselves forward for fear of creating discomfort or appearing boastful.

Best roles for a type 9

While not every type 9 will fit every role, here are domains within hiring/human resources where their skill set can shine:

• Candidate experience & relationships — crafting supportive, human-centered candidate journeys where the “soft touch” matters.

• Stakeholder relationship roles — acting as liaison between hiring managers, HR teams, and candidates.

• Conflict resolution, offer negotiation, or candidate feedback roles — bridging tensions in tricky situations.

• Onboarding & integration — smoothing transitions, ensuring new hires “feel heard,” aligning the cultural fit.

• Team culture, DEI, or inclusion efforts — giving voice to marginal or quieter stakeholders, mediating culture change efforts.

Why understanding people will always be good business

The Enneagram isn’t about labeling people; it’s about understanding them. For hiring managers, that understanding leads to better conversations, smarter placements and teams that function with empathy rather than friction.
When used thoughtfully, the Enneagram encourages curiosity over judgment. It reminds us that every candidate brings a mix of strengths, blind spots, and motivations that shape how they work and how they grow. For HR professionals, recruiters, and leaders, that mindset shift is everything. It’s what turns interviews into meaningful conversations. It’s what transforms workplace tension into collaboration. And it’s what allows teams to grow, not just in numbers, but in understanding.

At its best, the Enneagram helps us remember that successful hiring isn’t about finding perfection; it’s about finding alignment. When we meet people where they are, when we understand why they do what they do, we create workplaces that feel human.

FAQs

What is an Enneagram Type 9 personality?
Enneagram Type 9, also known as The Peacemaker, describes calm, empathetic, and adaptable individuals who value harmony and seek to avoid conflict. They’re natural mediators and promote balance in teams and relationships.

How does a Type 9 behave in the workplace?
Type 9s are cooperative, reliable, and steady team members. They excel at fostering collaboration and resolving conflicts but may struggle to assert their own opinions or push for change when it risks tension.

What roles suit Enneagram Type 9 personalities best?
They thrive in roles that emphasize empathy and teamwork—such as HR, talent acquisition, onboarding, or DEI initiatives—where their diplomatic and understanding nature helps maintain strong relationships.

How can HR teams use the Enneagram in hiring?
The Enneagram helps HR professionals understand candidates’ motivations and communication styles, supporting better culture alignment and onboarding. Combined with validated tools like Bryq’s talent assessment, it strengthens objective, people-centered hiring decisions.