Enneagram Type 7: Traits, strengths & potential careers

Using personality tests like the Enneagram test in your hiring process can help you understand candidates’ core personalities and working styles. This is a powerful way to check whether applicants are well-aligned with your company’s culture and values and can help you support fresh hires as they transition into their new roles.

There are nine Enneagram personality types, each with its own traits and characteristics. This guide looks at Enneagram Type Sevens. These individuals tend to be courageous and enthusiastic but can be impulsive and spread themselves too thin.

Below, we explore Type Sevens’ motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and more so you’re well-informed about their behavioral attributes before you hire them.

What is Enneagram Type 7?

Known as the Cheerleaders, Enneagram Type Sevens are adventurous, optimistic, and spontaneous. They usually present as enthusiastic and are largely people-oriented. They enjoy multitasking and are always on the lookout for a new challenge. 

On the flip side, however, they often struggle with staying focused and completing projects. 

Type 7 overview 

Like every other type, Sevens have unique personality traits. Here are some key characteristics of this Enneagram Type. 

Key traits 

• Adventurous: They enjoy new experiences and seek novelty and variety in their work and personal lives.

• Spontaneous: They value freedom and don’t like being tied down with traditional routines.

• Optimistic: They’re dreamers with a positive outlook on life. 

• Highly energetic: They approach new ideas with enthusiasm and excitement.

• Multitasking: They fear missing out, resulting in them taking on many projects simultaneously. This can sometimes cause them to overextend themselves.

Basic desire 

At their core, Type Sevens want to feel happy, stimulated, and content with their life choices. They’re highly goal-oriented and always looking for a new adventure. 

Basic fear

Sevens fear being deprived of experiences. This is known as the “fear of missing out” or “FOMO.” Because of this, Type Sevens tend to take on multiple responsibilities at once.

Key motivations 

Sevens are driven by adventure and a desire to partake in worthwhile experiences. They look for ways to keep themselves challenged and occupied to prevent boredom. They’re also optimistic and do what it takes to avoid feelings of pain and discomfort.

Type 7 Wings

It’s normal for individuals to have a dominant personality type but possess a few traits from nearby Enneagram types. These are called their Enneagram “Wings.” 

Type Sevens’ Wings are Type Six and Type Eight.

Type 7s with a 6 Wing 

These individuals are adventurous and enthusiastic in their behavior. While they also like pursuing new experiences, they’re more responsible and likely to complete projects than other Sevens. 

Further, this type is often conflicted between honoring commitments and staying flexible so they don’t miss out on better opportunities. 

Type 7s with an 8 Wing

These individuals tend to be enthusiastic with a basic desire to be content and satisfied. While they love the company of others, they’re more focused on work than other Sevens.  

In addition to having “FOMO,” Type Sevens with an Eight Wing are afraid of experiencing negative emotions. They also tend to rationalize others’ negative behaviors to avoid feeling hurt by them. 

Type 7 strengths and weaknesses 

Each Enneagram personality type – including Seven – has certain strengths and weaknesses. Individuals’ strengths emerge when they’re at their best. But less optimal situations tend to bring out their weaknesses. 

Type 7 strengths 

• Highly energetic and tend to inspire those around them

• Versatile and adapt quickly to situations, people, and changing plans 

• Embrace new experiences and the opportunity to acquire new skills and abilities

• Creative and great at brainstorming new ideas and possibilities

• Resourceful and quick at finding solutions to challenges

Type 7 weaknesses 

• Find it difficult to stay focused and complete the projects they take on

• Tend to overcommit and spread themselves too thin

• Easily bored and can make impulsive decisions without thinking things through

• Can be perceived as self-centered, flaky, and unreliable 

• Brush things under the carpet to avoid dealing with pain or negative emotions

Type 7 opportunities for growth

Even weaknesses can turn into strengths when individuals are given the right opportunities for growth. Here are some ways to help Sevens harness their potential.

• Self-discipline and focus: Help them concentrate on achieving their existing goals before setting new ones. For instance, encourage them to carve out time each day to focus on their incomplete tasks. 

• Gratitude: Encourage them to practice mindfulness and be grateful for what they already have. This can help keep them grounded in the present moment. 

• Dealing with negative emotions: Support them in confronting negative emotions associated with work, people, and situations. 

• Thoughtful decision-making: Help them think before acting on impulse. For instance, ask them to make a pros and cons list for each option before they make a decision.

• Active listening: Encourage them to truly listen to others’ opinions and feedback instead of simply responding with their own thoughts. This can help strengthen their relationships. 

Type 7s in the workplace 

Sevens bring creativity, innovation, and great energy to any workplace. But it’s important to understand their motivations and stressors to bring out the best in them. This will also help ensure they receive the right kind of support at work and are part of a team that brings out the best in them. 

What motivates Type 7s at work? 

• Brainstorming on new projects and different ways of doing things

• Freedom to choose from many diverse and stimulating tasks 

• Opportunities for growth and skills development 

• Networking and team socials 

• A positive working environment that enables innovation and creativity

What are Type 7s’ stressors at work?

• Monotony, routine, or repetitive work with less room for innovation and change 

• High-pressure work with strict deadlines

• Being micromanaged and having limited control over their work 

• Lack of growth and career advancement opportunities 

• A negative working environment and conflicts with coworkers 

How to support Type 7s in the workplace 

Sevens’ core work preferences 

• Let them work on diverse and challenging projects 

• Provide some direction but let them harness their creativity 

• Listen to their ideas and respond with enthusiasm and positive energy 

• Keep emails, calls, and other forms of communication casual 

• Be clear about what you need from them in meetings

Place them in roles that:

• Aren’t monotonous or repetitive 

• Allow space for creativity and innovation 

• Aren’t limited by strict rules or bureaucracy 

• Offer flexibility and freedom 

Encourage their managers to:

• Give them varied work and switch things up so they don’t get bored 

• Offer career growth and training opportunities 

• Let them work at their own pace but hold them accountable for their projects

• Help them deal with negative emotions or conflict at work 

• Provide constructive feedback that gives them an opportunity to improve 

Surround them with people who:

• Are also creative and let Sevens bounce ideas off them 

• Listen to new ideas but are more risk-averse than Sevens and keep them grounded

• Are social and interested in connecting even outside of work

• Support and enable them to complete projects they’ve committed to 

Potential careers for Type 7s

Cheerleaders have a wide array of interests, giving them the skills to do many jobs well. Their need for freedom and adventure makes them less likely to pick traditional full-time office roles. But, in the right environment, Sevens can even choose and successfully work in more conventional set-ups. 

Here are a few potential careers that Seven can excel in. 

How to determine a candidate’s Enneagram Type

The quickest and most effective way to find a candidate’s Enneagram Type is to have them take TestGorilla’s Enneagram Personality test. 

With only 45 questions, the test takes less than 10 minutes to complete. You and your candidates will receive a comprehensive results report immediately after the test.

Interpreting the Enneagram test results in the right way can provide powerful insights into a candidate’s work preferences, values and beliefs, interpersonal relationship styles, and more. 

It’s best to use the test alongside other pre-employment tests that assess applicants’ job-specific skills, technical expertise, cognitive abilities, and more. You shouldn’t make hiring decisions based solely on a candidate’s Enneagram type. Rather, their personality type can be one piece of the puzzle. 

Conclusion 

The Enneagram test is a powerful tool that determines a candidate’s core personality traits and characteristics. It’s best used alongside other skills and knowledge tests during the pre-employment screening stage of hiring.

Individuals can fall into one of nine Enneagram personality types, including Type Seven, known as the Cheerleader. At their best, they're innovative, inspiring, and quick problem-solvers. But they’re also prone to getting distracted and leaving work unfinished. 

Type Sevens will thrive in roles that offer freedom and the ability to channel their creativity but will need managers to hold them accountable. 

To conduct an Enneagram test with your candidates or current workforce, sign up for a free TestGorilla plan today.