If Obama’s a Three, is he deceiving us?
I received this reply to our post on Barack Obama’s Enneagram Type….
“I too agree that Obama is a Three. I have a question. The passion of a Three is DECEIT. Because Threes do not allow themselves to become emotionally connected to other people, their attitude, that ‘anything goes’ on their way to the top, is laced with deception. Because this is an unconscious self deception, how do we know that he is not deceiving the public?” - Bill
A good question Bill. People who are Enneagram Type Three often get lost bending the truth and telling people what they want to hear. They have an amazing capacity to create an image, a persona that is the perfect model for whatever group they are in.
I can see how knowing that Barack Obama is a type Three might bring up concern. You start to wonder, is he the real deal, or is he just telling us what we want to hear, hiding the truth, and play-acting the “role” of a competent, visionary, motivational leader?
I’ve had similar thoughts.
I think Obama does tell us what we want to hear. All good politicians focus on the issues that concern the public, and they learn to talk directly to those issues.
I’ll tell you what puts my mind at ease…
Obama is not dominated by his type fixation. This is good news.
When a type Three is dominated by their fixation, I experience them as feeling plastic, unreal, without depth. When I watch them speak, they look like a caricature of themselves trying to be something or say something that they are not. They don’t impact my body and emotions in a real way.
When a speaker talks and what they say matches their deeply held convictions, something happens. Our bodies and emotions react.
I can feel my body respond when Obama hits a deeper place. I feel heat in my chest, he touches my heart, and my eyes water when his conviction resonates with my deeply held beliefs.
When I watch Barack Obama, I see someone who has depth. He moves me.
This leads me to believe that there is congruence between his words and his beliefs. I see, in Obama, a level of authenticity and self-revealing that is present in type Threes who have achieved a high level of emotional freedom from their fixation.
So this gives me more peace of mind.
Healthy Three’s bring the gifts of hope, personal betterment, intense focus, and a “can do” attitude to the people around them.
All of the Types can get lost in their fixations. But we humans are so much more than that. When any of us loosens the grip of our Type, we can react in more creative, appropriate ways to problems and to people. We are more present to ourselves and to the people we interact with.
It is my hope, no matter who ends up running this country, that he has some freedom from his emotional baggage. That he can handle the pressing problems of our time with creativity, integrity, and ease.
Please comment below. Do you feel the hope I’m speaking to here?
P.S. People were asking about Sarah Palin’s Type. I think she’s up next.
Ben
October 31st, 2008 at 3:54 pm
brilliant and beautiful post here, Ben……And I think you’re right on. (Bill is most likely a Six looking out for all of us :-))
and as for Sarah Palin and John McCain, they’ve already typed themselves for us! Both have picked one word that best describes them - Maverick. (According to Don and Russ, this is their one word description for the Eight with a Seven wing.)
Happy Halloween! Hope all is well in married land.
cheers, Jane
October 31st, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Wonderful food for thought! I enjoyed both posts, and Ben your observations really seem to nail this phenomenon that is Obama. I’m embarased to say that even though I’m in my 50’s, this is the first political campaign that I have tapped into and been moved by. Hope indeed! Thanks for sharing.
October 31st, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Et tu, mon ami? You’re scaring me Ben. I agree that Mr. Obama is a 3, as well as a brilliant and calculating projectionist. While Obama may not be completely dominated by his type fixation, I feel he does have both fist wrung tightly around it’s neck. I am completely baffled by you (Ben) being moved to the point of shedding tears at his depth…depth?! he’s like a cardboard cutout and all I feel is the depth of deception. what do i know. Brilliant and beautiful post? hardly, but as it goes- different strokes for different folks. On another note, thank you once again for moving me out of pit of depression and straight into sweet irritation. i love you Ben! lol
October 31st, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hi Sandra,
Glad I could be of service… “sweet irritation”… not exactly what I was shooting for but but I think it’s a step up from “the pit of depression” so I’ll take it.
Next time don’t beat around the bush with me. Let that eight energy out and tell me what you really think!
Ben
October 31st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Ah! yes, Jane, right on. And Ben, I too thought your post was brilliant regarding Obama.
There was one moment for me (a Hillary supporter) that caught my eye for his honesty. When he, in the most courtly manner, “seated” Hillary in the first debate. Just the right touch. And I DO like how Michelle admittedly does not let him “get away” with any ego (Edging God Out ) thang.
maryelizabeth
October 31st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Hello Ben
Reading your words at the first time makes one feels immidietly much better, much safer much optimistic about whatever may come… and than, at the third time I started to realize…. hey, this is a 7 who speaks here… this is the 7 in me that tries to paint it all in pink again.
“It is my hope, no matter who ends up running this country, that he has some freedom from his emotional baggage.”
Who is it that is so concerned about his freedom from something?
who tells about his hope?
And more than that… what is that “country” he is refering to?
More and more I realize how our type is using our knowledge of the enneagram to justify itself.
The only real freedom of self…as I realized is in our selves while staying still…in the silence…meditating…watching our selves from distance…
October 31st, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I thought your comments and assessment of Obama were thoughtful and right on. If we look at the fixations and passions of any type, we’re in trouble as followers or constituents. I get a sense of warmth from Obama that goes beyond slick and salesman-like and feel that he does have the hope he talks about. My body has been a good barometer for me and I’m not getting any of that telltale queasy feeling that so often comes with politicians. I tried to like Hilary but my stomach wouldn’t buy it. As far as Sarah is concerned, I wish I could ask her if she ever wonders whether or not those wolves she shoots from helicopters are also mothers of five.
November 1st, 2008 at 1:20 am
>the 8-wing (in a 9) makes the expression of the line to 3 much easier. This is why many see him as a 3.
And a Three with a law degree from Harvard choosing, instead of a six-figure salary and working with a “high class” clinetele, to work as a community organizer on the South side of Chicago???? For probably around $36K?! No way!
November 1st, 2008 at 11:41 am
Revisiting some thoughts…..
I believe that Obama’s core energy is not 3-ish, but 6. When a 6 moves out of his guarded-heart/thoughts to sincerely risk sharing his feelings - it touches others deeply! (A 3 can do this in a way that can feel like a script to others.) O’s energy has a calm, helped by his integration through 9, as the 6 maps the E’gram (6-9-3) A key word…. “I WORRY about the poor, I worry about the sick, I worry about the folks who’ve lost their homes, etc.” He seems to be re-thinking some of his prior loyalties, too. If he were a 3, the wings would be 2 & 4 - not! but wings of 5 & 7 are clearer. He aims to change history(Hope relieves Anxiety) Sandra 8 is on track by sensing cardboard - it’s hard for a 6 to maintain that ‘out-there’ high-energy-personality - sincerity dims.
How about Biden? Thinking he’s a 2/3. Palin? How about a 3/2? McCain seems clearly a 1 (Maverick is one who does what is seen as ‘right’ no matter how the rest of the world thinks) He faults himself for being Imperfect servant.
Thanks for the fun, julie
November 1st, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Interesting analysis… I lean toward Obama being a 6 too (I am a phobic 6 myself)– he seems far too genuine and real for the frosty, get-to-the-top 3… he has learned how to master the course. He just cares too much to be a three… he never had to help the poor, etc.
I also see Sarah Palin as a really phony 1, very self-righteous and judgmental. I can’t imagine her being an 8– she has no humilty, who would follow her? Why?
McCain seems like a bitter counter phobic 6– who could start the draft again and bring on more wars dealing with his fears in the out there way that counter phobic 6’s do… He is irritable, angry and all over the place– like a nervous animal. Obama’s character seems more mature, calm and centered– I like his humilty too.
Isn’t that what we are all working towards– redemption? Balance? 3-6-9…
Keep up the inspiring work,
Mary
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I disagree with the assessment of Obama as a 3. I am 9 with a strong 1 wing. Obama strikes me as being 9/1. For me, harmony in relationships is of tantamount importance, and this ripples out even to the relationships between cultures & nations. I have seen Obama hold back on “attacks” he could make just like I do when I’m in an argument, to stick to the point of the disagreement. He stays calm, just like I do. I am heavily influenced by the 1 part that has deeply held convictions of right and wrong, and a willingness to stand up for these, to try to persuade others to embrace these. Respect for all people (even those I disagree with), caring for those less fortunate, working toward getting along as a human family, taking care of the earth, these are core values. When I see Obama communicate, he seems to be running his campaign and using words almost exactly the way I would do it, if I had his gift of eloquence. I have never heard a public speaker that communicates in such a similar fashion to the way I do with those I am in disagreement with. This causes me not to worry about him being deceitful, because I see no reason to believe that the convictions he declares would be false. He has been criticized for holding back on his anger (9) as well. I am not saying he is without flaws, just that I don’t think they are the (3) flaws.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:27 am
Hi All,
I don’t get 3 for Obama–something about the energy doesn’t feel 3-ish. My latest hypothesis is that he is a 6. Here’s a rather unusual reason why . . . He’s got those two vertical furrows between his eyes, a trait I’ve noticed that many of my 6 friends have. I read his excellent book Dreams From My Father, and it’s questions from start to finish. Also, interestingly, in the last few days I’ve heard both Tom Brokow and Bill O’Reilly describe Obama as a “cautious” person. And if he is a 6, he has a strong 7 wing. That 7 smile is dazzling, twinkly eyes and all!
My guess for Sarah Palin is 3 and for John McCain either an 8 or a CP 6. He’s noted for his major outbursts of anger.
Enjoying the conversation!
Jane
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:08 am
Could Obama be a 5 because he is emotionally distant, no one knows what he really feels. Also he is studying like mad for the presidency months before getting the job.
January 24th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I think Obama is a 6. Nobody knows who he actually is. Documents are sealed. He is cloaked in secrecy. Nobody knows exactly what he stands for. This next 4 years will be a mystery unveiling itself.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
“I can feel my body respond when Obama hits a deeper place. I feel heat in my chest, he touches my heart, and my eyes water when his conviction resonates with my deeply held beliefs.”
That’s what happens every time I see a great ACTOR at work.
What do you think about his dependence on a teleprompter? I find it interesting that he’s so clumsy verbally when off-prompter.
Has you feelings about Obama and the enneagram changed since he’s now been in office for a while? Thanks for an interesting post.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Sometimes it’s really that simple, isn’t it? I feel a little stupid for not thinking of this myself/earlier, though.
October 23rd, 2010 at 6:05 am
I have read all of the comments above and while I can see why people might type our country’s leader as a 3, I believe President Obama is a 1 type (9 wing)
His “Reformer” message is essentially what he has always been selling and ultimately got him elected. He was and still is passionate about the changes that “should” happen and his criticism of things were because they were wrong, unfair, broken system, not how it “should” be. He is really good at criticizing and his admonitions even make good sense to most of us guilty sinners.
This is someone who sees the world in very idealistic terms. Yes we can——ya well maybe we can’t……and maybe he is finding out why we can’t. Nevertheless Ones always KNOW how it should be and who and what needs to change for this state of ultimate perfection to take place. HE KNOWS WHAT IS RIGHT and what is wrong. This is someone that is an expert on constitutional law=—many pundits thought he would be better suited to be a Supreme Court Justice during the election.
When President Obama speaks, in my view there is always a lecture, a righteous tone and a bit of scolding for those who do not see or want to do the obvious “right” thing. BTW — guess who knows what way that is. I often feel guilty when I hear our fearless leader on a roll—— Most of us make too much money, overspend, are selfish and greedy and should turn our wealth over so that good can be done…….then it will be morally right and fair….then it will be how it should be…..
At the same time I can see his struggle with perfectionism and the passion of anger that creeps in.
I am going with NUMERO UNO!