What’s the difference between the Enneagram 1w2 and the 2w1? In this blog, we’re comparing the 1w2, The Advocate, with the 2w1, The Servant.
What Is An Enneagram Wing?
Your enneagram wing can be massively impactful when finding your type and help you avoid mistyping! But what is an enneagram wing?
Think of your enneagram wing as the enneagram type people would guess you are. Your wing will determine your behaviors and appearance. This doesn’t change your core enneagram type and your core desire.
While the Enneagram 1w2 and the 2w1 sound so similar, there is a massive difference between the two! This blog compares these two enneagram types and what the difference is between being a 1w2 versus a 2w1.
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It’s important to know the difference between the enneagram 2w1 VS the 1w2 because your core desire will be completely different and your path to growth changes.
Continue reading for an overview of the enneagram 1 and 2 and our comparison of the 1w2 versus the 2w1.
Enneagram 1w2 VS 2w1 Comparison
This blog is going to break down the difference between being an enneagram 1w2 versus being a 2w1.
The names of these two enneagram types summarize their differences very well. The 1w2 is called The Advocate. They use their organized and practical nature to advocate for change in the world around them.
The 2w1 is called The Servant, they want to serve others in an organized way through silent means. The 2w1 does not like to be the center of the show like the 2w3 does.
The 1w2 is, at their core, orderly and practical. Their 2 wing can make them appear social, community-oriented, and caring. The 2w1 at their core is empathetic and gentle. Their 1 wing can make them appear neat and quiet as well.
Enneagram Type 1: The Perfectionist
The enneagram 1 is called The Perfectionist. Your core desire is for things to be perfect. As a 1 you are organized, orderly, moral, practical, neutral, responsible, and principled.
1s constantly find themselves managing things that aren’t their responsibility. Because they have such a gift for organization and management, people can’t help but hand tasks off to them since they see how good they are at management.
And the type 1 can’t say no because they have a subconscious belief that they are only valuable if they maintain perfection. This leads them to be in their 4 stress of believing they are alone and unwanted.
Enneagram Type 2: The Helper
The enneagram 2 is called The Helper. The 2’s core desire is to help others and be there for everyone. Often times a 2 is kind, helpful, giving, polite, empathetic, and compassionate.
2s constantly find themselves being a listening ear and never talking about their own feelings. Their core desire comes from the fear of being abandoned because they didn’t devote themselves to helping others.
Under stress, they can become bitter for acting too selfless all the time and play the martyr. They tell themselves that they will only be valued for their services and forget to be who they really are.
Both of these types struggle with overgiving however this shows up in different ways. This makes it much easier to find out if you’re a 2w1 or a 1w2. Read below and compare whether you think you are an enneagram 1w2 or 2w1…
Enneagram 1w2
The 1w2 is called “The Advocate.” This is the more extroverted 1 wing variant. 1w2s seeks perfection and moral rightness in community settings. The 1w2 wants to be the leader of organizations and events.
The 1w2 takes on the appearance of The Helper in some ways. They appear giving and selfless. To the 1w2, the ultimate act of service is to keep things orderly and make sure justice is appropriately served.
The type 1’s core desire to be perfect is combined with the 2’s desire to serve. They want to make sure that people are taken care of.
The 1w2 does this by organizing events, creating organizations, leading movements, and helping others with their organizational skills and vision for perfection.
In stress, the 1w2 becomes resentful and controlling. They become so fixated on all the imperfections in them and around them that they aggressively try to fix them.
This is different for the 2w1. In stress, the 2w1 will go to self-sacrificing and numbness.
Enneagram 2w1
The 2w1 is the more introverted 2 wing and they take on the appearance of The Perfectionist in some ways. They appear quiet, neat, organized, disciplined, and protective.
The Servant fulfills their core desire to help by being away from the spotlight and silently serving others. The 2w1 wants tasks they can do to help others. Being a listening ear also becomes more draining because these people are so introverted and quiet.
This 1 wing also makes the type 2 care a lot about the neatness and order within their home. The 2w1 wants their closest loved ones to be near but please don’t invite strangers into their beloved safe space.
The 2w1 needs a lot of time alone to take care of themselves. Spend time in nature, relax at home, and recharge.
Because the 2w1 is a 2 at their core, they go to self-sacrificing in stress. Instead of serving from a place of pure love, they help with the expectation to get approval in return. And when they don’t get that, the enneagram 2 becomes passive-aggressive and represses their needs even more.
This differs from the 1w2. The 1w2 controls and the 2w1 over-gives.
Enneagram 1w9 VS 2w3
Because each enneagram type has the ability to tap into both wings, it’s important to take them into account when figuring out if you are a 1w2 or a 2w1.
The Enneagram 1w2 Also Has A 9 Wing
Even if you are an enneagram 1 with a dominant 2 wing, you have the ability to tap into your 9 wing.
Known as The Idealist, your 9 wing makes you calm, soft-spoken, whimsical, and peaceful.
This wing 9 gives you the desire for coziness. Your love to have comfort and harmony in your home, the things you wear, and with the people around you. When you are at your best, you can tap into this wing and have fun with your closest friend in the comfort of your home.
If you are an enneagram 2 with a 1 wing, this desire for harmony and coziness isn’t as common of a desire for you.
The Enneagram 2w1 Also Has An 3 Wing
As an enneagram 2 with a dominant 1 wing, you have the ability to tap into your 3 wing.
Your 3 wing, known as The Host/Hostess makes you social, chatty, and self-assured. There’s a part of you that wants to be seen as successful and be liked by others.
This wing 3 gives you the desire to be the best at something. To them, being the most selfless is to be the best. This can make the 2 very image conscious.
If you are an enneagram 1 with a 2 wing, you won’t struggle with being image-conscious as much. But you will struggle more with your inner critic.
That’s the difference between the 2w1 and the 1w2! Did this blog help you understand the difference between the enneagram 1w2 versus the 2w1? Leave a comment below!
Download the Enneagram cheatsheets to overcome common mistypes and understand each enneagram simply. Just click here!
Related Blogs:
- Enneagram 1w2 VS 1w9 Comparison: Which Wing Are You?
- Enneagram 2w1 VS 2w3 Comparison: Which Wing Are You?
- Enneagram 2w3 VS 3w2: Which Are You?
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