"The Helper" is by far the most popular label given to Enneagram type 2 by the Enneagram authors, yet all nine types are helpful in their own way. In his book Ennea-Type Structures, Claudio Naranjo gets closer to the reality when he labels Ennea-type II as Egocentric Generosity. He goes on to describe the seductiveness of type 2 in this way.

The support seductively offered by the individual is typically what may be called "emotional" support or perhaps "moral" support in the sense that one is an unconditional friend, yet may be not as helpful a person as may be suggested through the expression of feelings. (Ennea-type III and others can be more helpful when it comes to doing something practical.)

Being helpful means providing useful assistance. It's debatable as to just how useful the help of a type 2 may be. It's often one of several means for becoming "indispensable" in a relationship or role.

Definitions of "indispensable" from Dictionary.com
1. absolutely necessary, essential, or requisite
2. incapable of being disregarded or neglected

In a work environment, it can sometimes seem like the type 2 will place themselves in the role of middleman where you have to go through them to get what you need or want. They may see themselves as indispensable while you may see them as just getting in your way.

So what's all this "need to be needed" about? If you think of being needed in the same terms of being loved then these quotes by famous twos get close to what's underneath.

I have a very strong feeling that the opposite of love is not hate - it's apathy. It's not giving a damn.
- Leo Buscaglia

The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.
- Mother Teresa