Think of the last time when you almost got into a conflict with someone. What was the discussion about and how did you diffuse it? Or rather, did you manage to avoid conflict altogether through some peacemaking strategies?
If you found a way to avoid the conflict, maybe through problem solving or being a good mediator, you may have peacemaker personality traits. You have a basic desire for harmony focused on the relationship with the other person rather than the issue at hand.
Perhaps you are not a natural mediator but you know someone who can build a comfort zone during times of stress. Whether this be for themselves or others, a peacemaker can maintain above average levels of external peace.
But, what exactly does it mean to be a peacemaker?
A type 9, peacemaker, is a very significant component of the enneagram personality types. Otherwise known as Enneagram Type 9, a peacemaker’s core desire is for peace and stability. They bring a true nature of harmony to the world around them through their wishful thinking.
It seems appropriate too that peacemakers as Enneagram Type 9 create the crown of the enneagram. With an instinctual energy for the awareness of others, they are natural mediators in social situations across all enneagram types.
Peacemakers are people-focused, knowing how to connect with others. They build long-lasting and strong relationships, and listen throughout any given situation. Being of high interpersonal intelligence, they are sort of spiritual seekers in the way they seek a peace of mind for everyone around them.
All of these skills require empathy, of which peacemakers have nearly unhealthy levels. They can easily put themselves in another’s shoes, envisioning themselves in the other person’s situation. Instead of making judgements, they’re visualizing the hard time another person is having.
Peacemakers, or type 9s, have these and many other distinguishable personality traits. Some may be obvious, yet others somewhat surprising.
So, what are some personality traits of a peacemaker?
Now that we have a general idea of a Type 9 peacemaker, we can dive deep into their personality traits. You’ll find out later how these personality traits play into their strengths and weaknesses.
If you connect with some of these, you may be a peacemaker yourself. Taking a test is the best way you can find out, but regardless, you may relate to some characteristics which peacemakers have.
1. They are gentle
They don’t come off as too strong or overbearing. As peaceful people, they’re gentle towards their peers, friends, and family members. Their closest companions may feel the most comfortable coming straight to them when in deep need of help. Sometimes this is taken to the point where a peacemaker may be nicknamed a ‘counsellor.’
Type 9s empathize with other people’s emotions and sympathize with their choices, instead of critiquing them. They support their closest friends and acquaintances with whatever they do. Peacemakers have a deep need to help others find a better place for themselves.
2. They strive for stability and consistency
Type 9s are often motivated by stability, which is one of their often most inner desires. This may be because of their need to seek peace and a comfort zone. And perhaps, peace may translate to more stability and consistency in routine.
3. They would rather not dwell on the challenges
When peacemakers sense a challenge, they would rather not stay in that negative space. Instead, they will focus on activities which bring them a sense of comfort. Challenges are often disruptive and sometimes a peacemaker’s internal conflict results in thinking life may be better if such events weren’t occurring.
4. They feed off of the energy around them
The mood and identity of a Type 9 is impacted by the people who they interact with. They may notice that their characteristics shift depending on who they meet and what they are exposed to. So, a peacemaker’s personal identity is somehow always changing, depending on the energy of the people they’re surrounded by.
5. They’re willing to let anyone join their circle of friends
This is a defining personality trait of a peacemaker’s collaborative and caring nature. Instead of keeping their friend group ‘off-limits,’ they utilize one of their key motivations in developing collaborative friendships. Type 9s are willing to let anyone join their group of friends and they ensure the new members feel welcomed.
6. They’re an agreeable person
This is a common trait amongst most peacemakers. According to statistics, type 9s tend to score very high on the agreeableness scale. Being highly agreeable often means having a tendency to foster and nurture healthy relationships with others.
7. They believe in the power of forgiveness and acceptance
Regardless of what others have done to them, they believe forgiving other’s mistakes and accepting apologies is a step to mend any relationship. So instead of getting stuck over the conflict, they work on fixing the issue at hand. They’ll see who’s impacted and try to lessen the effects.
8. They feel energized when others are appreciative of them
Type 9s thrive in environments where others appreciate their contribution and encourage them to share their ideas. These collaborative spaces allow them to develop professional relationships with their colleagues. Social situations such as these also foster a peacemakers deep need of personal growth.
9. They are hard workers
Due to their empathetic nature, peacemakers are able to visualize and predict what the others around them expect. They don’t want to let others down, so they constantly deliver work above and beyond the expectations given. Ensuring that they’re being productive for others also includes doing their share of the work as well.
10. They are easily adaptable
Many people can describe type 9s as the social chameleon. Regardless of where they are, they can easily adapt to the environment around them. They’re able to create their own relationships, while ensuring that they find a comfort zone in their surroundings.
People enjoy being around type 9 personalities due to their collaborative and relationship-focused nature. These individuals often find a way to empathize and sympathize with anyone. When there’s a conflict, these individuals are often the ones who are trying to figure out a solution immediately.
How do these traits relate to the strengths of a peacemaker?
Imagine being the friend who offers a hand to someone in need. And imagine being the friend who is always available to listen to any given situation. Think: What are some strengths of that specific friend?
You may say those strengths include their peacemaker personality traits of being easy-going in nature, their patience, their willingness to be open to new experiences, and their ability to forgive.
These are some of the many strengths which a peacemaker has. So, let’s examine each of them:
10 Peacemaker Strengths
Easy-going nature
Peacemakers are said to be very easy-going, as they are a personality type who more so “goes with the flow.” They’re accepting of new ideas and relationships, and are always willing to provide any type of support. Peacemakers can tolerate anyone, regardless of how difficult that may be.
Patience
Peacemakers are known to be patient with people as well likely because of their flexible nature. When events are changing, they observe to see them unfold. Even when there is a conflict with a person, they are patient enough to focus on resolving the conflict, and deciding on a better outcome.
Willingness for adventure
Sure, type 9s desire harmony, but that does not mean that they give up adventure. They’re open-minded about the world around them, and often let others take control of the situation. But regardless of who takes control, they’ll gladly accept the changes and be an active participant in new ideas.
Forgiveness
Peacemakers don’t hold grudges easily. In fact, after you apologize, or maybe even before you apologize, they’ll forgive you for your mistakes. They won’t judge you for what you did, but instead look for a way to move forward.
But what about peacemaker weaknesses?
By agreeing with everything and bottling up negative thoughts, the outcome may not be favorable. These strong feelings of negativity may spill out in some way or another. And, for a peacemaker, communicating their own anger may take a toll because they may feel that negative feelings are disruptive.
Being open and honest about negative emotions can potentially affect relationships, so it may be difficult to first have an honest conversation. Here are some weaknesses which a peacemaker, or type 9, and their personality traits may be associated with.
Difficulty in personal conflicts
Since a peacemaker’s primary goal is to ensure that everyone feels comfortable within the relationship, conflict in social situations may present plenty of challenges. This can be a conflict occurring between two other members of the group, or a conflict happening between them and one other group member.
When such conflicts happen, peacemakers often do not know how to address their thoughts and opinions. They often have a fear of conflict. They don’t want to offend the other party, but at the same time, they may not be in a position to stay silent for long either.
Avoidance
Similar to the situation with personal conflicts, peacemakers may want to avoid some of their own problems. This happens regardless of their strong sense of responsibility. Sometimes their own internal conflicts put them in a bad place, particularly during times of stress.
Avoidance can take place in many forms, even with school. A student may have a difficult assignment with so many instructions and concepts to break down. But, instead of starting it early, the student may start the assignment just a day before it’s due.
You may think that situations like this occur mainly because students have a lot of obligations. However, another reason may be that an individual simply feels overwhelmed about figuring out the instructions immediately. As a result, they’ll put it off until the end.
This behavior can be common among peacemakers. When the internal conflict becomes too overbearing, they may simply put it off. Avoiding negativity is too much part of their true nature.
People pleasing tendencies
Type 9s usually focus on being collaborative and supportive to the other people around them. But by focusing on others, peacemakers may notice that they’re crossing the line between being collaborative, and being a people-pleaser.
Although being cooperative with others leads to better team dynamics, being a peaceful person often means putting other people’s needs first. As a result, their own needs can be forgotten, which makes it difficult to reinforce their own boundaries.
It takes self-awareness of this deep need for inner peace for a peacemaker to find a healthy balance. Just like other personality traits, peacemakers can definitely work towards their own personal development and personal growth.
What are some opportunities for growth?
Since peacemakers often feel the need to work with others, this may result in them forgetting to take care of themselves. In putting others’ needs before theirs, they’re pushing their own boundaries away, allowing others to step all over them. Therefore, it is important to realize why focusing on their own needs will be beneficial for them.
When taking charge of their own needs, peacemakers may become more aware of their own negative feelings. This helps them see how such feelings are expressed passively in their relationships. As a result, they’ll become more familiar with difficult emotions, and find a way to communicate about them openly.
Though it goes against a peacemaker’s personality traits to share their negative emotions, allowing the other person to know how they’re feeling is totally fine. In fact, others typically appreciate the transparency of a Type 9 and will work with them to find a silver lining.
Type 9s need to bring their attention to the physical world and listen to what their body is telling them as well. Peacemakers are prone to neglecting their physical health needs, but healthy forms of self-discipline lead to better overall mental health and quality of life.
Improvement of a Type 9’s physical health can be met by spending some time alone, or indulging in activities such as walking, running, or a sport. Though this can be difficult at first, but overtime they’ll find their preferences and feel more comfortable with themselves.
Who are some well-known Enneagram 9s or peacemakers?
Here are a few individuals who are often associated with Enneagram Type 9:
- Abraham Lincoln: The 16th President of the United States, known for his calm demeanor, empathy, and ability to navigate conflicts during a tumultuous period in American history.
- Carl Jung: The Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. Jung was known for his introspective and contemplative nature.
- Jeff Bridges: The Academy Award-winning actor, known for his roles in films such as “The Big Lebowski” and “True Grit.” Bridges is often described as easygoing and down-to-earth.
- Zooey Deschanel: The actress and singer, known for her roles in films like “500 Days of Summer” and the TV show “New Girl.” Deschanel’s on-screen persona often reflects a laid-back and affable demeanor.
- John Denver: The singer-songwriter and activist known for his music that often centered around themes of love, nature, and harmony. Denver was associated with a gentle and easygoing personality.
- Keanu Reeves: The actor, known for his roles in “The Matrix” series, “John Wick,” and “Speed.” Reeves is often noted for his calm and humble demeanor off-screen.
- Walt Disney: The visionary entrepreneur and founder of The Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney is often associated with a creative and harmonious vision, as well as a desire to bring joy to people’s lives.
Knowing some famous Enneagram 9s can help you better visualize and understand how these peacemaker traits play out in the real world through some well-known personalities and actions.
Final Thoughts on These Peacemaker Personality Traits
The peacemaker is the individual in the group that all friends rely on. They’re the ones who focus on collaborating with others, creating stability, and fostering consistency throughout their relationships. Others feel that they can confide in the peacemaker, as empathy and sympathy are part of their true nature.
However, being focused on others can definitely be draining on peaceful people . Many type 9s may notice that their own needs are not being met, despite the needs of others around them being met. Fortunately, this issue is often solved through communication and setting boundaries.
When a Type 9 learns how to communicate openly about what they want, they can continue to bring their mediator personality type to the table. They can also create a safe environment where all personality types feel comfortable.
Ultimately that goal for a peacemaker often starts with a process of understanding and regulating themselves in a transparent manner. Once this goal is mastered, the Type 9 has the power to make an impact on everyone’s lives, by allowing others to recognize their strengths rather than weaknesses. The peacemaker has the strength to empower others in ways that they won’t expect.
About the Author
Candice is currently attending school for social service work. One of her passions is helping others through my writing. In her downtime, you'll find her listening to music, watching random YouTube videos, and writing about career goals and resumes. She hopes to start freelancing for writing and obtain a leadership position in a public services sector.