THE INVESTIGATOR

Enneagram Fives have the motivational need to know and understand. Fives value making sense of the world around them and, as a result, objectivity and knowledge are important to them. Fives strive for independence, appreciate privacy and tend to conserve their resources to ensure future independence. At their best, others will experience Fives as visionary and mindful. They offer the gift of non-attachment to themselves and the world. At their worst, others may experience a Five as stingy, intellectually arrogant and disconnected from their heart, as they retreat into their mind to avoid being engulfed or intruded on.

GETTING TO KNOW THE TYPE FIVE:

  • Basic Fear is that of being useless or incompetent

  • Basic Desire is to feel helpful and knowledgable

  • Basic Strengths are thinking through complex problems, observing, remaining calm in crisis

  • Blind Spots are difficulty relating to emotions of others, being condescending and detaching themselves

  • Motivated by discovering new things in the world, alone time, learning a new skill

  • Drained by large groups of unfamiliar people, emotional situations, having to meet other people’s needs and lack of peace

  • Best Jobs: engineer, computer programmer, scientist, mathematician, author, technician, scholar

  • Perceptive: Fives offer objective, in-depth and insightful observations of situations and information. They are able to hold complex problems and data.

  • Curious: Their interests and intellectual ideals enable Fives to explore and build expertise in a variety of fields, topics and theories.

  • Unsentimental: Fives approach life in an unsentimental way and can put emotions aside when needed.

  • Self-Sufficient: The independent Five will protect their autonomy and privacy. They prefer to ask little of others and are able to minimise their own needs.

  • Inventive: Fives’ unconventional ideas and depth of knowledge enable them to be inventive, visionary and pioneering.

RELATIONSHIPS

IF YOU LOVE A FIVE:

In relationships, Fives need space to process. They need time to translate their feelings into thoughts before responding, and need conflict to be minimal and straightforward. They need a gentle push to engage with their emotions. Keep reminding them that their vulnerability is a gift, and not a burden.

RELATING TO A TYPE FIVE

Type 5 or the Investigator is the cerebral kind. They are also known to be observers. However, this type does not like to mingle with people. They want to stand back, watch the world and do their research from a distance. Don’t be surprised if the Investigator does not invite you to their home for a while as they are extremely private.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE

Fives work professionally best with others who are productive during meetings and those who ask Fives for insight or observations. Skip the small talk and be clear and concise in written mail. Criticism needs to be constructive. Work together and consider both sides to find a compromise in times of conflict. Fives thrive in environments that allow them space to reenergize alone and yet still encourages their specific talent. Type Fives work best with those who give personal space and time to think. They appreciate working with those who are not overly emotional and express thoughts clearly and logically. Fives are respectful, non-intrusive and curious communicators. When they are not in a healthy state, they can be overly brief, cold and intellectually arrogant. They also withdraw and detach occasionally.

WORKING WITH A FIVE

Communicating: Allow them plenty of personal space and time to think; avoid being overly emotional and express thoughts clearly and logically.

Meetings: Meetings should be productive and worthwhile; ask fives for insight or observations.

Emailing: Skip small-talk; be direct and clear when emailing.

Giving feedback: Be honest about growth areas and offer constructive criticism.

Resolving conflict: Explain the situation logically and encourage fives to consider both sides; work together to find a compromise.

ROMANTIC LIFE

Romantically, Fives are calm and helpful partners when they feel supported during tense moments. They work logically through problems and respect their partner’s independence. They have issues when conversations become difficult. Opening up emotionally, offering verbal affirmation or appreciation are also hard for a Five to bring to a relationship. The Investigators are often introverted, so they need a partner who can respect their need for privacy and is not pushy. Enneagram Type 5 in relationships need space to process their feelings, and they will come out when they are ready. You would think this is the least-romantic type; however, if Enneagram Type 5 connects with you well, then you will be in for a treat as they can be quite passionate in bed. Type Five loves eclectic, bizarre and a positive mindset.

HOW TO LOVE, SUPPORT and GET ALONG WITH YOUR TYPE FIVE:

  • Shared interests are pivotal. Shared information is a bond. Find a common point.

  • Don’t take it personally if your Five has interests and friends separate from you. They prefer to compartmentalize friendships to keep things emotionally “organized” 

  • They prefer to feel emotions in the privacy of their own space. 

  • They are loyal friends so long as the central focus is about your life.

  • Expect Fives to not ask for help, but to do it themselves.

  • Intimacy is often expressed in non-verbal ways.

  • “Negatives” like possessiveness might be a sign of caring.

  • Be clear and direct

  • Fives have very little energy reserves. They need more time to recharge than others

  • Give them a “head’s up” when needing to work out an issue

  • They fear being incompetent so tread very lightly if you must bring up an issue

  • When a Five talks…listen

  • Don’t push a Five to socialize.  They do not respond well to being pushed.

  • Don’t just spring conversations on the Five

  • Respect their boundaries.

  • Understand that Fives may not be able to give you entirely what you need.

  • Be patient. Don’t push them to share if they are not ready to be fully open with you.

  • Do not share information about me without my knowing.

  • Keep your conversations confidential. They value privacy and expect you to do the same in return.

  • Always provide a safe space for them to process their thoughts, feelings and needs.

  • Let me think.

  • Let me explore and learn on my own time.

  • Catch me when I unhealthily start to isolate myself.

  • Don’t abuse my competencies.

  • When my expertise is needed, be sure to validate me.

GROUPINGS WITH A TYPE FIVE

To see more pairings by type, click HERE

*Words of Gentle Caution: Keep in mind that much variation exists within a “typical” pattern based upon the level of personal development, cultural background, gender, the influence of other types, and life experience in general. Thus the characteristics and attributes presented for each combination are typical or “classic” for these two types.

GROWTH

GROWTH FOR A TYPE FIVE

Growth for a Five comes when they begin to feel useful and competent. They have a strong sense of paranoia that they are less than and unable to do things that others can do. A Five also withdraws from others emotionally and physically. This may make them feel safer, but typically leads to loneliness.

GROWTH AREAS FOR THE TYPE FIVE

  • Fives are thinkers and often guard themselves by withdrawing from others

  • Taking more time to listen and hear others share

  • Fives tend to come across as unappreciative of others

  • Working through and connecting to their emotions

  • Learning to recognize when they are withdrawing

  • Choosing to engage with others rather than withdrawing

  • Fives need to connect with their own feelings

  • Fives often feel very incompetent

  • Fives tend to remain quiet when something bothers them.

SUBTYPES FOR INVESTIGATORS

THE HEAD CENTER {GREED: Greed: Guards Self Very Tightly and Become Detach from Emotions}

  • SUBTYPE: CASTLE

    Very protective of personal space and privacy, this type sets clear limits and boundaries and is very comfortable living a relatively solitary life with just a few close friends. They would much rather observe social life than participate in it. Often truly introverted, they prefer not to reveal much of their inner self, finding it difficult to lower their guard for fear of losing their privacy or sense of safety. Avarice is expressed through the concern of guarding personal space and time very tightly. Does not reveal much of personal life to others, only allowing a few close friends in it. Needs clearly defined boundaries. Truly comfortable with solitude. Limit their needs and wants to prevent themselves from being dependent on others. Able to survive with few resources.

  • SUBTYPE: CONFIDANT {COUNTERTYPE}

    The typically cool, analytical Five connects to passion in this subtype, focusing that passion on one or two people in an otherwise reserved life. They experience strong ‘chemistry’ with another person, enjoying the connection and trust and openness this permits. They risk depending on this other person to make them feel vibrant and alive, leading them to ‘test’ their partner’s loyalty or resist sharing them with others.

    Secret Agent: Avarice is expressed through an ongoing search for a connection that will satisfy their need for an experience of an idealized union. Values one-to-one or intimate connections – be it love, good friends, or spiritual teachers. Can be intense, romantic, and more emotionally sensitive. What gives them meaning is that search for an idealized version of love and relationships. Might become possessive in intimate relationships.

    Might resemble Type 4s to a certain extent

  • SUBTYPE KEY: TOTEM/PROFESSOR

    The SO Five searches for the essence or meaning of situations, with a focus on the big questions as they pursue wisdom and knowledge. They connect with groups or experts who share their brilliance and high ideals, often disconnected from everyday issues or emotions. While sharing values and ideals with energy and enthusiasm, they may resist sharing space, time or inner resources, disconnecting from the people around them.

    Passion of avarice is connected to knowledge. Their needs get displaced into a thirst for knowledge. Be part of intellectual groups. Can be philosophical about situations and seeks to understand the various systems and symbolisms found in society. Looking for the ultimate meaning in life. Can be mysterious and inaccessible, or fun and intellectually engaging. Can be fairly outgoing and show a lot of excitement about interesting ideas and people.

CENTERS OF INTELLIGENCE

The Head Center

The Head Center (or Thinking Center) is home to enneagram types 5, 6, and 7.
While these numbers all seem rather different, they share them same head instincts (as opposed to the gut or heart centers.)

5’s, 6’s, and 7’s all take in life through their thinking (with their head) and generally respond based on what their minds are telling them to do.

5’s, 6’s, and 7’s are all:
Concerned with: Strategies
Seeking: Security
Underlying Issue: Fear

Each of these enneagram types all deal with anxiety or fear as their head center issue. However, each types deals with the anxiety very differently.

5’s tend to be anxious of the outside world (and thus try to isolate themselves)
6’s tend to be anxious internally (and thus are always playing worse-case-scenarios)
7’s tend to try to deny their anxiousness (and thus are always keeping their minds and bodies busy)

Advice for those in the Head Center: Instead of acting based on your thinking, allow yourself to “be” first. Think about how your fear/anxiety (which is likely the deep underlying cause of your thinking reaction) affects you and those around you. Don’t let that fear stop you from being your actual self with others.

MOVEMENTS OF STRESS AND INTEGRATION

When 5’s are stressed, they first dip into their unhealthy traits as a 5 (withdrawing, cynical, stingy). However, after that level, if they are still stressed or the stress increases they will move towards type 7 and pick up the average to unhealthy traits of 7. Under stress, Type Five's feel stressed when someone asks them a question they fear will make them look stupid. As type five's get caught in stress, they evacuate into their imaginary world to survive. It is easy for them to forget they have bodies that need looking after. They feel most satisfied when immersed in their area of expertise. Five's wants to learn everything there is to know on the topic. They hate going to parties and usually sit in a corner observing from a distance, not wasting time on a conversation that seems irrelevant. Under stress, type fives move to the unhealthy side of Type Seven. They take on more projects than they can handle.  They double-book themselves because they don't want to miss out on anything exciting. They have a hard time finishing projects they begin. Five's get bored quickly, becoming scattered and distracted.

Average to unhealthy traits of 7 include: becoming restless, dissatisfied, indulgent, distracted, distracting yourself from fears by bouncing from activity to activity (or from idea to idea).

Type 5’s can use their stress number in healthy ways by making use of the healthier traits of 7. This can mean being more adventurous (try something out of your regular routine), imaginative, future thinking (think of solutions that reach into the future), confident that everything will work out.

Quick tips for 5’s in stress: Go ahead and indulge in healthy ways (order in food for dinner, buy a new video game, spend a day reading) but don’t allow that indulgence to keep you from living life. Brainstorm with trusted people on how to conquer problems. Connect with friends and doing something fun.

In growth, a Type Five takes on the higher qualities of the Enneagram Type 8. Instead of hiding yourself in your head, you become decisive, direct and tough. Drawing on your intellectual capacity, you are able to create positive changes in others. By applying your intellectual capacity with insight, you become a true master of life. You also grow when you learn to access your feelings. Instead of being fixated with your own thoughts, find safe ways to express them whether through writing or poetry. Instead of isolating yourself, learn to reach out to your family and friends for support and assistance.

WINGS

IMPORTANCE OF WINGS

Understanding Enneagram wings is important because the wings of each personality type affect each type in significant ways and can be used to understand the motivations of an individual further.  Recognizing each enneagram wing’s influence can help you avoid their weaknesses or lean into their strengths when needed. The wings of each type can seemingly contradict the dominant Enneagram personality types they are attached to.  Learning about enneagram wings can help you discover, enhance your journey of self-discovery, better understand others, and strengthen relationships. Once you understand your Enneagram wing type, you can use the knowledge you’ve gained to better yourself as a person by recognizing your behaviors.  This process can help you develop desirable qualities so that you avoid blindly hurting yourself and others.

WING OVERVIEW | TYPE 5 | INVESTIGATOR

  • THE PHILOSOPHER

    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.

    5W4’s are 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. Their basic desire is to feel helpful and able. They express this by passionately pursuing knowledge and understanding of the world. Philosophers tend to guard themselves by withdrawing from others, which may lead to loneliness.

    STRENGTHS

    Creative thinking and expression

    Ability to work well independently

    Observing and understanding small details

    Deep level of focus and attentiveness

    WEAKNESSES

    Tendency to be overly sensitive

    Focusing too much on themselves

    Distancing themselves from other people

    Struggling to think practically or realistically

    MOTIVATIONS

    Learning a valuable new skill

    Developing their understanding of the world

    Time to reflect and think on their own

    Feeling appreciated and admired

    STRESSORS

    Spending too much time around others

    Feeling overwhelmed and incompetent

    Being unable to adequately express themselves

    Criticism from those around them.

  • TYPE FIVE: INVESTIGATOR

    Fives are private individuals who live in an active mental space. They enjoy observing and exploring how the world works. They struggle to share thoughts and feelings and may seem socially awkward or disinterested. They tend to compartmentalize their lives and emotions.

    Type Fives tend to be curious, independent, and observant in their behavior. They love to pursue knowledge and seek a deeper understanding of the world around them. They often prefer privacy and time alone to think, which may lead them to withdraw from others.

  • THE TROUBLESHOOTER

    An enneagram 5w6 tends to be more anxious and cautious influenced by both types. However, you have a more social life than the 5w4, and you are loyal to your loved ones. You are aware of your fear, which is why you surround yourself with people. You can also sometimes come off as socially awkward. They tend to be practical, independent, and logical in their behavior. They are much more cooperative than other five types and have a passion for using their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

    They fear being useless or incapable. They seek to improve the world around them in order to feel worthy. Their basic desire is to be competent and useful. They usually show this by picking up new skills and pieces of knowledge that can be of benefit.

    Troubleshooters may withdraw from others to cope with stressful situations, which can tend to make them feel lonely.

    STRENGTHS

    Being focused and well-organized

    Passion for learning and growing

    Solving difficult or complex problems

    Remaining calm in times of crisis

    WEAKNESSES

    Struggling to relate to and understand others

    Tendency to be private and defensive

    Being perceived as cold or aloof

    Difficulty taking action when uninspired

    MOTIVATIONS

    Personal and professional growth

    Accomplishments and achievements in the workplace

    Feeling validated and accepted

    Forming a deeper understanding of themselves

    STRESSORS

    Spending too much time around others

    Needing to be emotionally vulnerable

    Feeling unwanted or rejected by others

    Self-doubt and insecurity

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