TYPE 2    THE HELPER

Two’s identify easily with the emotional needs of others, and then actively and expertly respond to them.  They are often the power behind the throne in both business and personal situations.  They are responsible, accountable, and perhaps the most interpersonal of the Enneagram types.    Two’s have an internal drive to help others even when they are feeling overwhelmed themselves.  (Some Two’s, however, rebel against this compulsion and attempt to refuse their internal inclination toward helpful behaviors.)  Two’s also have a compulsive need to feel loved and accepted by others.  Because they display affection and love by noticing and attending to the needs of others, they assume that others will reciprocate in a similar fashion.  When their emotional needs aren’t noticed or met, Two’s can become resentful of all the time and effort they devote to others.  They like to feel indispensible, and have a tendency to orchestrate their life so that others appear to be dependent upon them. 

ALTERNATE NAMES OF TYPE TWO
Giver
Caretaker
Enabler   

SOME POSITIVE TENDENCIES OF TWOS
Supportive
Empowering
Empathic
Generous
“People” person
Encouraging
Optimistic

SOME CHALLENGES OF TWOS
Resentful when unappreciated
Accommodating
Indirect expression of disappointment
Obtain identity through the accomplishments of others
Overextend
Know others needs more acutely than own

TRIAD
Two's, Three's and Four's comprise the Feeling Triad. The strengths and challenges of these types are related to their ability to navigate and obtain their sense of identity and value.  Each of these types has a tendency to confuse who they are with the role they play or the images they portray to others.  Two’s overly identify with and concede to others in their search for their own identity.
 
WINGS
Those who are influenced by a stronger One wing tend to help others with the goal of perfection.  They want to empower others to do things the “right” way.  When they are healthy, this is done with unconditional caring.  However, less healthy 2w1’s will experience some incongruence with genuine feelings of empathy coupled with feelings of judgment.    

Those who are influenced by a stronger Three wing tend to help others with the goal of success or achievement. They have a tendency to be self-assured and free spirited when healthy.  They enjoy sharing tips with friends and strangers alike and genuinely enjoy helping others to achieve their goals.  However, when less healthy 2w3’s can become manipulative and exploitive.

DISINTEGRATION POINT (stress point)
Under stress, Two's may begin to display aspects of low side of Type 8.  They may become pushy and bossy with a tendency to push past others to accomplish the task at hand.

INTEGRATION POINT (security point)
When Two's are feeling more secure they may begin to display aspects of the high side of Type 4. They may develop a greater capacity to recognize and acknowledge their own needs and claim.  They also have a greater tendency to act upon their own aspirations when in a mental space of security.

CHARACTERISTICS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT

HIGH FUNCTIONING
Compassionate
Sympathetic
Caretaker
Nurturing
Charitable
Unselfish
Tender
Warm
Passionate
Giving
Sensitive
Intuitive
Physically Affectionate
Recognizes needs of others

AVERAGE FUNCTIONING
Appreciative
Demonstrative
Complimentary
Flattering
Indispensible
Encouraging
Generous
Emotional
People Focused
Intimate
Sensitive (thin-skinned)
Catering
Affirming

LOW FUNCTIONING
Manipulative
Possessive
Guilt-instilling
Dominating
Justifying
Patronizing
Repressive
Effusive
Coercive
Prideful
Entitled
Flatterer
Intrusive

STRENGTH
Genuinely unconditionally caring

AVOIDANCE
Their own needs
Recognizing & acting on their own identity

COMPULSION
To help others become the best they can be.
Recognize strengths in others they may not recognize themselves.

INTERNAL MANTRA
"I understand all types of people"
"I am helpful."

FALSE BELIEF
I simply don’t have many needs of my own and I like to care about the needs of others.
My needs are less important than others.

FAMOUS TYPE TWOS
Brigitte Bardot, Christina Onassis, Celine Dion, Farah Fawcett, Melissa Gilbert, Catherine Hicks, Richard Simmons, Patsy Ramsay, John Lithgow, Rev. Robert Schuller, Craig Kielburger, US Senator Ron Wyden, Profiler John Douglas, Alan Alda, Tammy Faye Bakker, Harry Belafonte, Child psychologist T. Berry Brazelton, Filmmaker Ken Burns, Leo Buscaglia, Barbara Bush, Glenn Close, Bill Cosby, Self-help author Barbara de Angelis, Princess Diana, Faye Dunaway, Mia Farrow, Feminist Betty Friedan, Kathie Lee Gifford, Danny Glover, Melanie Griffith, Jesus Christ, Diane Ladd, Monica Lewinsky, Jerry Lewis, Susan Lucci, Madonna, Alma Mahler, Florence Nightingale, Merlin Olsen, Yoko Ono, Jack Perkins, Priscilla Presley, Nancy Reagan, Della Reese, Mr. Rogers, Family therapist Virginia Satir, Danielle Steel, Sally Struthers, Mother Teresa, Marlo Thomas, John Travolta, Ivana Trump, Desmond Tutu.

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