The Road Back To You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile

The Road Back To You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile introduce the Enneagram as a tool for understanding personality and uncovering patterns that shape behavior, relationships, and personal growth. They explain how each of the nine types perceives the world, responds to stress, and interacts with others. The book emphasizes self-awareness and compassion as keys to deeper connection and meaningful change.

Enneagram Overview

• Overview
  • 9 personality types, formed in childhood
  • Each type has a distinct worldview and core motivation
  • No type is better/worse
  • Types are not gender-based
  • Same type can manifest in infinite ways
• Other Influences
  • Wing: one of the two adjacent numbers, add traits from that type
    • Type 4 with a Type 3 wing = more outgoing, seek recognition
  • Stress Type: adopted qualities under stress, arrow away
    • Type 7 = adopts Type 1’s rigidity
  • Security Type: adopted qualities when secure, arrow toward
    • Type 7 = adopts Type 5’s appreciation for simplicity

The Types

• Type 1: The Perfectionist
  • Ethical, dedicated, reliable
  • Motivated to live rightly & improve the world
  • Avoids fault
• Type 2: The Helper
  • Warm, caring, giving
  • Motivated by need to be loved and needed
  • Avoids acknowledging own needs
• Type 3: The Performer
  • Success-oriented, image-conscious, productive
  • Motivated to be or appear successful
  • Avoids failure
• Type 4: The Romantic
  • Creative, sensitive, moody
  • Motivated to be understood & experience deep feelings
  • Avoids being ordinary
• Type 5: The Investigator
  • Analytical, detached, private
  • Motivated to gain knowledge & conserve energy
  • Avoids reliance
• Type 6: The Loyalist
  • Committed, practical, witty
  • Motivated by need for security
  • Worst-case-scenario thinker
• Type 7: The Enthusiast
  • Fun, spontaneous, adventurous
  • Motivated to be happy & seek stimulating experiences
  • Avoids pain
• Type 8: The Challenger
  • Commanding, intense, confrontational
  • Motivated to be strong
  • Avoids feeling weak or vulnerable
• Type 9: The Peacemaker
  • Pleasant, laid-back, accommodating
  • Motivated to keep peace & merge with others
  • Avoids conflict

The Triads

• Each tied to core emotion & body center; how we process life
• Anger / Gut Triad (8, 9, 1)
  • Driven by anger: 8 expresses outwardly, 9 forgets it, 1 turns it inward
  • Instinctive, body-based processing
  • Honest, direct, action-oriented
• Feeling / Heart Triad (2, 3, 4)
  • Driven by emotion: 2 focuses on others’, 3 disconnects from own, 4 focuses on inner world
  • Image-conscious, identity-focused
  • Make decisions from the heart
• Fear / Head Triad (5, 6, 7)
  • Driven by fear: 5 detaches, 6 absorbs it, 7 distracts from it
  • Thinkers and planners
  • Relate to life primarily through the mind

Deadly Sins

• 1s – Anger
  • Strive to perfect the world; hold impossibly high standards
  • Resentment toward flaws in self and others
• 2s – Pride
  • Overfocus on others’ needs, ignore their own
  • Believe they’re indispensable and know best
• 3s – Deceit
  • Craft a likable image, confuse it with real identity
  • Prioritize appearance and achievement
• 4s – Envy
  • Feel something essential is missing inside
  • Long for perceived wholeness of others
• 5s – Avarice
  • Hoard time, energy, and resources to stay self-sufficient
  • Hold back emotional availability
• 6s – Fear
  • Anxious, imagine worst-case scenarios
  • Seek structure, guidance, and external security
• 7s – Gluttony
  • Chase stimulation to avoid discomfort
  • Constant pursuit leaves them unsatisfied
• 8s – Lust
  • Crave intensity, excess, and control
  • Tough exterior masks deeper vulnerability
• 9s – Sloth
  • Spiritually disengaged, avoid asserting themselves
  • Lose touch with desires and priorities