The levels of development by Don Riso and Russ Hudson serve as a profound roadmap for personal growth and transformation, driving people towards self-improvement.
The concept of “Levels of Growth” is undoubtedly one of the key contributions to the Enneagram theory and Enneagram system made by Don Riso and Russ Hudson. It not only helps explain differences and variations among individuals of the same personality type but also provides a framework for understanding our behaviors across a continuum from healthy to unhealthy.
Delving deeper into the 09 levels of development allows us to identify our current level of health, develop genuine self-awareness, and become the best version of ourselves by working towards habits and healing to move into higher and higher levels of health.
The Levels of Development, simply put, are a framework of 9 different levels, depicting a spectrum from healthy to unhealthy behaviors within each personality type. These nine levels of development are grouped into three main categories: Healthy (Levels 1, 2, and 3), Average (Levels 4, 5, and 6), and Unhealthy (Levels 7, 8, and 9), in which “1” is the healthiest level while “9” is the unhealthiest level of development and growth existing within a personality.
The concept of “Levels of Development” emphasizes the dynamic nature of Enneagram types, illustrating that they are not static or unchanging. Looking at each type’s nine levels of development, we can understand why individuals of the same personality type are not necessarily always going to have the very same way of thinking and behaving. Instead, they can display different aspects of their core Enneatype on different days, depending on the level of health and growth they currently reside.
As for the origin, this concept was pioneered by Don Riso in 1977 and further developed with Russ Hudson in the 1990s. It's a significant contribution to the Enneagram theory and understanding of the complexity and diversity of personality, as it accounts for the variations among individuals of the same type and the shifts in personality over time.
As stated recently, within each core type are nine different levels of development, ranging from healthy to unhealthy levels. At the healthiest level (level 1), a person manifests the most positive and adaptive traits of their type. Conversely, at the lowest level (level 9), the traits may become maladaptive and potentially destructive.
These nine development levels are also categorized into the Healthy, Average, and Unhealthy range.
Below are brief descriptions of what each Enneagram type looks like when healthy, average, or unhealthy:
When healthy, individuals with Type 1 are calm, accepting, inspiring, and organized, embodying qualities of integrity, responsibility, and wisdom. They are still hard-working and strive for perfection but in a balanced and constructive manner.
When average, Type 1s start becoming judgmental, struggling with imperfections, and having strict or rigid rules on how things should be done.
When unhealthy, Type 1s may become obsessed with perfection and overly critical of themselves and others. They tend to be inflexible, irrational, highly self-righteous, and increasingly judgmental.
When healthy, Type 2 people are compassionate, selfless caregivers. They are thoughtful, generous, supportive, humble, adaptable, and able to freely give unconditional love and find their self-worth inside themselves.
When average, Type 2 people start to seek validation through their giving and become a bit more people-pleasing. They are still helpers but likely to expect something in return.
When unhealthy, Type 2 may exhibit manipulative behavior, emotional manipulation, and a deep fear of rejection. They lose sight of their self-worth and identity and tend to base their self-worth on the opinions of those they have helped.
When healthy, Threes are self-aware, energetic, emotionally honest, kind, driven, and authentic, excelling at channeling their ambition towards meaningful endeavors while staying true to themselves.
When average, Threes tend to be more concerned and focused on success, image, and external validation, seeking recognition to boost their self-worth.
When unhealthy, Threes lose touch with their genuine selves and values, likely becoming too obsessed with their successes, achievements, and images. They may also exhibit narcissistic tendencies, manipulation, excessive competitiveness, a deep fear of failure, and even deceptiveness.
When healthy, Fours are self-aware, introspective, and emotionally honest, exuding creativity, authenticity, and emotional depth. They find their true selves, able to embrace their individuality while maintaining a sense of balance with their environment, and use their creativity to inspire others.
When average, Fours may become moody and introverted and spend a lot of time delving into their emotions and their fantastical realms. Average Fours may also struggle with feelings of envy and sudden mood swings.
When unhealthy, Fours may exhibit a deep sense of melancholy and self-pity and become excessively moody, dramatic, depressed, and detached from not only others but also themselves.
When healthy, Type 5 people are visionary, open-minded, innovative, and exceptionally perceptive, able to become thought pioneers in fields and areas of their expertise. In this state, Fives can confidently engage with others and share their wisdom while maintaining their independence and privacy.
When average, Type 5s may become more withdrawn, preoccupied with their thoughts, and highly concerned with gathering resources and information, leading to isolation and a reluctance to share ideas.
When unhealthy, Type 5s may exhibit extreme isolation, become emotionally detached, and start neglecting real life. They obsessively focus on hoarding knowledge and keep developing ideas they suppose will make them competent.
When healthy, Sixes are courageous, independent, and trusting of themselves and others. They are dedicated and not afraid to stand up for themselves and those they believe in, positively contributing to their communities with enthusiasm, reliability, and dedication.
When average, Sixes tend to become more concerned with being prepared for problems or risks and putting efforts into staying secure. They may question everything and become cautious, indecisive, and procrastinate.
When unhealthy, Sixes may exhibit increasing anxiety, a deep fear of abandonment, and even paranoia, becoming highly anxious and panicky. They are distrustful of themselves and often find dangers all around.
When healthy, Sevens are practical, multi-talented, joyful, productive, and able to balance their enthusiasm with discipline and practicality. They can accept life as it is and no longer be afraid of being unsatisfied or unhappy.
When average, Type 7 people fear being bored and become more focused on seeking exciting things all the time. They tend to be more restless and scattered, often finding it hard to keep themselves focused on something for a long period of time.
When unhealthy, Enneagram Sevens are likely to become more and more scattered, undisciplined, and burnout as constantly pursuing novel experiences to distract themselves from their own problems. They tend to be prone to addiction.
When healthy, Eights are assertive, self-confident, and protective, using their strength and abilities to protect and empower others. Embodying qualities of strength, leadership, and justice, healthy Challengers are natural leaders who easily earn the respect of others.
When average, Type 8 people may become competitive, confrontational, controlling, and struggle with vulnerability and weakness, using their power to dominate and protect themselves from perceived threats.
When unhealthy, Eights tend to become domineering and excessively confrontational. They may exhibit a deep fear of being controlled and an addiction to power and strength. These Eights are never willing to let anything stand in their way.
When healthy, Nines are self-trusting, easygoing, patient, and inclusive, and excel at creating a sense of unity and understanding among others. They are also adaptable yet have a strong sense of self and assert their opinions calmly.
When average, Type 9 people tend to overlook themselves and become more fearful of conflicts. They say yes even when they don’t want to, leading to passive-aggressiveness and conflict avoidance.
When unhealthy, Enneagram Type 9s may display a deep fear of conflict. Their wish to maintain peace and harmony tends to drive them to avoid all types of conflicts at all costs. They are neglectful of themselves and struggle with making decisions and taking action.
The importance of the Enneagram's levels of development lies in its power to foster self-awareness. It also serves as a profound roadmap for personal growth and transformation, driving you towards self-improvement and becoming the best and healthiest version of yourself. Here are further details about three reasons why levels of development hold significant importance for personal growth and understanding:
The Enneagram's Levels of Development provide a framework for understanding the dynamic nature of our personality. Every type at the healthiest level is an exceptional human being with excellent talents and admirable qualities. On the other hand, any type at their worst or healthiest level is struggling with serious challenges that seem so hard to deal with.
Most people, most of the time, reside within the average levels (levels 6, 5, and 4), displaying the typical characteristics of their type but also facing challenges in self-awareness and behavior. Of course, individuals’ level of development doesn’t remain the same for their whole life; instead, it can change or fluctuate based on many factors, such as life circumstances, stress levels, mood, mental health, conscious effort towards personal growth, etc.
Therefore, it’s not unusual or rare if you see yourself move between different Enneagram levels of development, becoming healthier or less healthy, during a given period of time.
The Enneagram's Levels of Development offer a multifaceted view of our personality, providing a profound framework for self-discovery and growth. By delving into the depths of each personality type and understanding the nine associated growth levels, we can gain valuable insights into their motivations, fears, and potential pathways to transformation. And importantly, whether we find ourselves in the healthy, average, or unhealthy range, there is always room for improvement and transformation. It’s totally possible to become the best and healthiest version of ourselves.
On our website, you can read more useful articles, one of which is Enneagram Chart Explained: Meaning, Key Elements, Reading Guide.
