Enneagram Type 1 - The Perfectionist
Explore all nine Enneagram types
Overview
Ones are a body-based type with an emphasis on personal integrity and self control. Their attention goes toward seeing and correcting what is wrong, and doing the right thing. They are known for their honesty, dependability and common sense.
Ones are very responsible, so much so that they may resent other people who don’t take life as seriously as they do. They have high standards and tend to see things in black and white, right and wrong. It’s easy for them to be critical, of themselves and others. They work hard at being right all the time. They are idealistic and will exert great effort to improve the world around them, which often puts them in the role of social reformer. Their crucial elements of growth are to learn to accept their imperfections and tolerate other people’s points of view.
Strengths
Honest, responsible, improvement-oriented
Problems
Resentful, non-adaptable, and overly critical
Speaking style
Precise and detail-oriented, with a tendency to sermonize
Lower emotional habit
Resentment, which results from getting angry but holding it in
Higher emotion
Serenity, which comes with letting go of anger about the way things are and accepting imperfection
Archetypal challenge
To change what can be changed, to accept what cannot be changed, and to develop the wisdom to know the difference
Psychological defenses
Ones use the defense mechanism of reaction formation to avoid their anger (and other feelings and impulses) and maintain the self image of being “right.” (Reaction formation is feeling one thing and then doing the opposite, such as feeling resentful but acting nice).
Somatic patterns
As body-based types, Ones are usually grounded and practical, good at ordering the tasks of daily life. The pressure to be right and the need for control leads to physical rigidity and tension, particularly in the jaw, neck, and shoulders. The face can take on an expression of angry judgment or resentful martyrdom.
What type Ones tell us about themselves
- I live with a powerful inner critic that monitors my thoughts, words and deeds.
- I strive for perfection and feel responsible for making things right.
- I focus on being good while repressing my impulses and desires for pleasure.
- I get angry when important rules and standards are ignored or violated.
- I seek love and approval from others by being good and right.
Tips for Relating to Ones
- To create rapport: Respect their integrity and take things seriously
- Try to avoid: Making agreements that you may not keep; neglecting proper procedures or good manners.
- Join them: In seeing how things can be improved
- To handle conflict: Ask them to be direct with their anger and get past their resentment; admit your mistakes; speak with personal conviction and authority. Challenge them to see more than one right way.
- To support their growth: Help them be less critical of themselves and more accepting of their mistakes and imperfections; ask them to mediate their judgment with fairness and forgiveness; remind them to share responsibility with others; encourage them to have fun
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