In its simplest form, the Enneagram teaches that humans have three centers of intelligence: doing, thinking and feeling. Most of us don’t use all of them to the same extent. We are very skilled in using one of our intelligences and (unconsciously) underuse another. One key of becoming a well-rounded human being is to integrate and balance the three centers of intelligence. A first step is to explore which center you repress. The answer might surprise you, but holds some of the most important clues to personal development that the Enneagram has to offer. Stances The Enneagram categorizes its nine personality types into three groups: compliant (also called dependent), aggressive (also called assertive) and withdrawn. They are grouped on the basis of how individuals relate to the world around them and which center of intelligence—doing, feeling, or thinking—is repressed for each group. Let’s explore these stances and their associated repressed centers of intelligence, and, most importantly, what you can do to develop your repressed center. 1,2 and 6: compliant or dependent stance Thinking repressed Ones, Twos and Sixes may be suprised to hear that they repress thinking – they think all the time! And don’t we all? But what the Enneagram means is not that these types don’t think, but that their thinking is ineffective. These Enneagram types often struggle with overthinking, self-criticism, and rigid adherence to their beliefs and values. Their thinking often takes the shape of a conversation with an inner critic, a kind of commentary on life instead of objective analysis and productive thinking. Developing their thinking center can help Ones, Tows and Sixes to achieve a more balanced perspective and become more open to diverse viewpoints, while at the same time be more in tune with what they really want. 6 tips to develop your repressed thinking center 3,7 and 8: assertive or aggressive stance Feeling repressed Enneagram types Three, Seven and Eight are classified as feeling repressed because they tend to prioritize action, achievement, and control over their emotional experiences. Of course they have feelings, but these types may struggle to connect with and express their own emotions and can sometimes overlook the emotions of others. Feelings often just stand in the way of what they want! Developing their feeling center can help Threes, Sevens and Eights become more empathetic, emotionally aware, better at connecting with both themselves and those around them, and find which goals truly matter to them. 6 tips to develop your repressed feeling center 4, 5 and 9: withdrawn stance Doing repressed These Enneagram types are labeled as doing repressed because they have a tendency toward introspection, contemplation, and avoidance of conflict or action. They may even have problems with procrastination, inaction, and a lack of motivation to initiate tasks or projects. Again, this is of course not to say that they never do anything – but it may take a long time before they take action and lead to unproductive busywork. It’s not as easy to get away with not doing as it is to get away with not feeling or not thinking – it’s easier to get caught and be held accountable. Enneagram teacher Suzanne Stabile describes this as a disadvantage that is also an advantage: take this as an external stimulus to work on your repressed center of intelligence! Developing their doing center can help Fours, Fives and Nines become more goal-oriented, proactive, determined, and engaged in the external world, leading to a more fulfilling and productive life. 6 tips to develop your repressed doing center Working with the Enneagram is about finding balance. Understanding what center of intelligence your type represses is a first step; the next is to work on engaging it so you can add it to your toolbox to navigate life and relationships. Remember that it may not be easy, but hopefully the above tips give you some ways to get started. Need help? Do you need help exploring your Enneagram type and how it can help your personal growth? Consider booking an Enneagram coaching session or package. The painting at the top of this article is Chair Car (1965) by Edward Hopper.