68: Leading, Learning. Laughing, and Loving with the Enneagram Type Five

The Five: The Investigator

It’s another episode of our EnneaTalk Tuesday series, and this week it’s all about the five—the Investigator. The fives are the most introverted type on the Enneagram and are analytical data collectors. If you lead, love, learn, or laugh with a five, I break down everything you need to know on how to communicate, support, and understand them.

Listen to this episode to hear what you can learn from the fives, their core motivations, how to recognize where they go in stress, speak their language, and bring out the best in them.

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The driving force of a Five

The Investigator is known for their analytical brains, dry sense of humor, being highly perceptive, intuitive, and wise. They are the first in our series that fall into the head triad, which is why they are driven by thought and data. They are competent, self-sufficient, and always calculate their level of energy to avoid being depleted—a characteristic that can seem avoidant but in reality, is them taking the space they need to replenish and assess.

Speaking the five’s language

I discuss how to understand the fives language, what their underlying fear is, and how they manage it by retaining and seeking information. They value deep conversations and are fiercely loyal to those they trust. I discuss the leading style of a five, how to lead a five, and their preferences for working alone without intrusion.

I share their characteristics when under stress, how to recognize them, and support them, especially if you are loving a five. I share their superpowers, how to learn from them, and why having a five in your corner is one of the best gifts you can have.

Quote:
“The 5 falls into the head triad, meaning they make most of their decisions by thoughts.” 1:20

“5’s are hoarders of information and their own personal energy.” 2:45

“If you are in relation with a 5, know that they enjoy thoughtful conversation.” 4:42

“A 5 when they are under stress, they take on the average to unhealthy parts of the 7.” 7:04

“5’s are comfortable with a partner who is independent and doesn’t need them.” 9:51

“When an Enneagram Type 5 speaks up and offers their advice, it’s important.” 12:11

“5’s prefer to take space to think before engaging in conflict, so if you’re trying to fight with a 5, they might get quiet or isolate themselves to find space to think things through.” 16:24

“Most 5’s have felt like misfits in the world, so it can be validating to feel that you want to hear what they think and feel.” 21:46

“People who lead with a type 5 style, automatically attend to their strong needs for time and space so they have room to think.” 24:02

“The core characteristics of a 5 leader are the ability to access and assess information very skillfully and with a lot of interest, they’re super objective.” 26:47

“They’re the content kings and queens, especially on subjects they know.” 33:54