Understanding the Enneagram Type 1 Personality - "The Reformer"

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Enneagram Type One People are Rational and Idealistic

Basic Desire – To be good with integrity.

Key Motivation – To strive for perfection and avoid criticism.

Virtue – Serenity

Ego fixation – Resentment

Color – Silver

Key Characteristics

Principled
Purposeful
Self-Controlled
Perfectionistic

Focus of Attention

They notice errors (in the form of deviations from an internally generated ideal).
They discern between right and wrong.
Reliance on rules and structure.

Passion – Anger

You suppress your anger, which can then manifest as resentment.
This particular emotion often motivates you to pursue perfection and virtuous behavior.
Sometimes, you may exhibit hostile behavior towards imperfections and attempt to impose your ideal standards on everything.

Core Wounds

You feel that something is wrong with you, that you are imperfect, and that you must do things well.
You develop an inner critic and think you have to do things the right way and adhere to specific standards of behavior.

Red Flags

Feel a sense of personal obligation to fix everything.
They are fixated on organizing and controlling the environment.
Overly severe and tense.
They focus on what is wrong with things.

Addictions

Excessive use of diets, vitamins, and cleansing techniques (fasts, diet pills, enemas).
Under-eating for self-control: in extreme cases, anorexia and bulimia.
Alcohol relieves tension.

Center of Intelligence

Anger / Rage – The Gut / Body / Instinctive Triad

You are principled, purposeful, self-controlled, and perfectionistic.
Since you give yourself no mercy, you also tend to be judgmental of others.
You internalize or focus your anger inwardly.

Fear – of being evil or corrupt.

You strive to be morally upstanding and virtuous in the face of external corruption.
Your pervasive, underlying fear is that they are corrupt and must act virtuously to prove this fear wrong.
Your prime motivation in life is your sense of integrity.
You’re constantly aiming to move away from corruption and towards virtue or the greater good.

Traits

One Type possesses a high level of responsibility and morality and clearly understands right and wrong.

They spend a lot of time thinking about the consequences of their actions and how to keep from acting contrary to their convictions.

One has a “sense of mission” constantly striving to improve but often fears making mistakes.

They are well-organized, orderly, and meticulous and try to maintain high standards.

But they also can have problems with repression, resistance, and aggression and often be impatient, becoming critical and overly perfectionistic.

One tries to convince themselves they are rational and proceeds only on logic and objective truths. But, the accurate picture is somewhat different: Ones are activists searching for an acceptable rationale for their actions.

They strive to overcome adversity, particularly moral adversity, so their spirit can shine through and make a difference for “higher values,” even at the cost of great personal sacrifice.

When Healthy	When Unhealthy
Ethical Reliable Productive Wise Idealistic Fair Honest Orderly Self-disciplined	Judgmental Inflexible Dogmatic Obsessive-compulsive Critical of others Overly serious Controlling Anxious Jealous

Patterns

Thinking and Feeling Patterns

Emotionally, One often feels resentment and irritation or anger that is restrained.
The communication of aggression conflicts with their belief that expressing anger is terrible, so anger and other instinctual impulses are typically held back and then leaked out as resentment, annoyance, criticism, and self-righteousness.
One believes there is a “right way” to do things and that we should all try to be more perfect.

Behavior Patterns

Ones can be perceived as rigid and highly structured in their behavior, relying on ritual and repetitive forms of doing.
They follow the rules and are typically reliable, ethical, and hardworking.

Arrows

When secure, one moves towards the positive side of Type 7 – The Enthusiast.

Less self-critical.
Enthusiastic.
Optimistic.
More spontaneous.
Act more naturally.
See what is good over what is wrong in a given situation.
Plan activities for straightforward enjoyment.

When stressed, one moves towards the negative side of Type 4 – The Individualist.

Indignant over unmet expectations [self, others, life in general].
Turn anger inwards and become depressed.
They feel unloved and unlovable.
They feel hopeless about ever getting what they want.

Wings

Wings add flavor to your personality. Every Enneagram personality type can have either of the two types next to them as their wing.

One can have wing Nine (Enneagram 1w9) or wing Two (Enneagram 1w2).

Enneagram 1w2

Ones with a Type 2 – The Helper wing gets a couple of grand (but as per usual: also not so great) qualities from this Type: They are usually more extroverted and empathetic towards people, softening the coldness many people associate with the romantic behavior of Ones.

Their Two wing makes them more generous, passionate, and willing to get down and dirty.

They often talk a bit more and a bit louder than other Ones and are much more willing to debate their ideas. Let’s be honest: It makes for good politicians – on every level.

Ones and Twos are similar on a deep level: Both want to be seen as “good “by others – Twos by being selfless and self-sacrificing, Ones by being righteous and free from failure.

The good thing is that it softens their tendency to be rigid and judgemental in their dealings with others.

It also gives them the energy to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

Ones with this wing can be found in the helping professions (like teaching, counseling, medicine, and so on) more often than their counterparts with a Nine wing.

When Healthy	When Unhealthy
They are caring and balance your ideals with the needs of those around you. They mix objectivity with empathy and get into the trenches to make the desired changes. Their idealism with an interpersonal focus is often involved in public causes.	They can have tendencies towards perfectionism and are prone to anger and resentment when others do not follow their ideals. They can be intolerant and condescending towards those who disagree. They can manipulate through guilt around not being perfect enough.

Enneagram 1w9

Ones with a Type 9 – The Peacemaker wing usually notice it by being slightly more introverted and detached about their ideological approach to life.

The influence of the Nine makes it easier for them to remain calm in sticky situations and more considerate as a whole.

Ones with a Nine wing wish to improve themselves and the world just as much as any other One, but they usually choose a gentler approach.

Compared to Ones with a Two Wing, these are much less interested in throwing themselves into the trenches to change the world.

They tend to stay purely ideological, which is great because it helps them in their relationships with others, softening the resentment that can arise from the world not behaving as they think it should.

Something that happens regularly with Ones who have the Nine wing is that they withdraw into nature. Sometimes, they prefer the company of animals or solitude over human interaction.

Things often stay more abstract with how they think and talk, making them look like Fives.

Their motivation, however, is different than that of Fives: Where Fives try to escape the overwhelming demands the world has on their half-filled energy tank, Ones with a Nine wing try to get a break from the messiness of a planet they can’t the way they would like to.

When Healthy	When Unhealthy
They can be objective and moderate in dealings with others. They can be an outside observer with a restrained emotional expressions.	They can dissociate from emotions and hold opinions stubbornly. They can abstract themselves and others rather than deal with the messiness of relating personally.

Relationships

In relationships, one’s can cause significant complications.

One is glad to fall in love with a person who seems to be perfect.

But when the first scratches begin to show, and the lacquer starts peeling off, one tries to change them.

When Healthy	When Unhealthy
They are loyal, dedicated, conscientious, and helpful. They are well-balanced and have a good sense of humor.	They can be critical, argumentative, nit-picking, and uncompromising. They can become demanding and have high expectations of others.

Styles

Interpersonal Coping Style

Dutiful – take “right action” to control feelings.

Conflict Style

Competency – try to find a reasonable solution by adhering to rules, morals, or principles, often without regard to feeling or context.

Sub-types

Self-Preservation Subtype – Worry

The perfectionist anticipates risks and problems.
They have a strong inner critic and are hard on themselves, with a heightened sense of responsibility.
They are often anxious and like to be prepared, down to the smallest detail.
This subtype avoids expressing anger but can feel deeply frustrated when disrupted.
They express the passion of anger by working hard to make themselves and the things they do more perfect.
In this subtype, anger is the most repressed emotion; the defense mechanism of reaction formation transforms the heat of anger into warmth, resulting in a friendly and benevolent character.

Social “Ones bring attention to what is good, correct, and appropriate and set an example of integrity and moral conduct.
They have high self-control, and high standards set them apart from the people around them.
They are motivated by fairness and ‘making things right’ at their best.
They are systemic thinkers and role models for living their beliefs and values.
They (unconsciously) consider themselves perfect; they express anger by focusing on being the ideal model of “the right way” to be.
They have a teacher mentality that reflects an unconscious need for superiority.
In Social One, anger is half-hidden.
Instead, there is the formation of the heat of rage into the cold.
This is a cooler, intellectual personality type in the main theme controls.

One-to-one Subtype – “Zeal” (countertype)

This One stands out from other Ones because of its intensity and impact on others.
They have a romantic view of how things should be and feel entitled to reform people or society to their way of seeing or doing something.
One may express anger and frustration directly when these efforts to improve others are resisted.
They focus on perfecting others; they are more reformers than perfectionists.
The only One who is explicitly angry acts out anger through their intense desire to improve others and get what they want.
They feel entitled as a reformer or a zealot can feel: they believe they have a right to change society and get what they want because they have a higher understanding of the truth and the reasons behind “the right way to be.”
The countertype of the Ones are more impulsive and outwardly angry—they go against the “counter instinctive” of the One to repress anger and impulses.

Personal Growth

You need to realize that there isn’t just one right way but that many roads lead to Rome and stop wanting things to be all or nothing.

Learn to relax. Take time for yourself without feeling that everything is up to you or that what you do not accomplish will result in chaos and disaster.

Learn to recognize the needs of your superego and how they undermine rather than help you. It would be best to get in touch with your feelings, particularly your unconscious impulses.

It might be beneficial to keep a journal or get into some group therapy or group work to develop your emotions and see that others will not condemn you for human needs and limitations.

Your Achilles heel is self-righteous anger. Try to step back and see that your anger alienates people so they cannot hear many of the good things you have to say.

Type Comparison

Type 1 and Type 2

Ones and Twos can appear similar because both have sets of rules that they expect others to adhere to, and they become upset and reactive when others do not follow those rules.
On closer examination, Ones have far more rules and expectations than Twos, and their expectations cover a more comprehensive array of behaviors.
For example, One often has rules governing work style, work product, how things should be organized, how people should behave in various situations, dress codes that define appropriate and inappropriate attire in multiple circumstances, and more.
Twos are far more focused on interpersonal relationships and how people should treat one another.
Although Ones and Twos can be self-critical and critical of others, most Ones are more consistently self-critical than Twos and more overtly judgmental.
Some may confuse Ones and Twos because both are dutiful and want to perceive themselves (and have others view them) as reasonable and responsible.
However, Ones and Twos have very different meanings for these words.
One believes they are valued if they do everything right and make few mistakes, and they keep their commitments, do their work well, deliver it on time, and are punctual.
Twos believe they are valued if they are thoughtful, considerate, selfless, and always available when others are in need.
One speaks definitively, offering their opinions, judgments, and ideas, using language that suggests they evaluate people and situations.
Twos, by contrast, speak in softer tones, ask questions of others to engage them and draw them into the conversation, offer advice frequently, and focus on others in a way that makes people feel important.
While Ones can be hot, they are rarely as consistently warm and empathic as Twos.
A helpful way to understand the distinction between Ones and Twos is that while Ones look internally to determine whether or not they have done an excellent job or made a mistake, Twos are more highly affected by how others perceive them than by how they view themselves.
In other words, Twos have a solid inclination to perceive themselves through the eyes of others rather than having a definite interior sense of how valuable they are and how well they did something.
While they may not directly solicit the opinions of others regarding the merit of their work or behavior, They pay greater attention to the nonverbal cues and interpersonal behavior of others.
They are far more affected by their positive and negative reactions.

Type 1 and Type 3

Ones and Threes have some strong similarities.
Both are highly task-focused, deeply desire to excel, and are perceived as highly competent.
However, for Ones, this comes from an internal sense of satisfaction that One has accomplished a specific task to the best of their ability.
Threes, on the other hand, are driven by a need to feel they have succeeded in the eyes of others.
In other words, One seeks self-respect through One’s accomplishments by evaluating One’s behaviors according to internal standards.
Threes seek the respect and admiration of other people, using external factors as their reference points.
For example, Threes pay close attention to how important people respond to them, or their salaries, pay raises, and office trappings.
Ones and Threes emphasize tasks over relationships, and both styles focus on their objectives and then organize the work accordingly.
However, for Threes, objectives are typically one more item on their “to-do” lists they can check off, while Ones like to organize their work at an advanced level of detail; structuring work gives them pleasure and satisfaction.
Threes, by contrast, focus far more on goals because goal accomplishment is precisely what makes them feel competent and successful, and they then organize the most efficient plan they can conceive to accomplish each goal.
While effective and efficient, their plans are rarely as structured or systematic as those of Ones.
Not viewing the end goal as the most critical piece of the task process, One can tend to procrastinate for fear of making a mistake. In contrast, Threes tend to want to find the fastest, most efficient path to the goal and do not place as much attention on the possibility of making a mistake.
The difference between Ones and Threes is most evident in how each defines quality.
While both would say they are quality-oriented, one defines quality as doing one’s best job without errors or mistakes, if possible.
Threes defines quality as meeting customer expectations and then going slightly beyond that so that the customer is more than satisfied.
However, from the Three points of view (except the Self-Preservation Three), doing every project and task as perfectly as possible is a poor use of time and resources, and “good enough is good enough.”
From One perspective, quality has not been achieved if there are mistakes or they know it could have been better—even if the customer is not aware of or concerned about it.
For Ones, “good enough is rarely good enough.”

Type 1 and Type 4

Ones and Fours can appear similar because they take work tasks seriously and want to do their best.
While Ones focuses more on the structure, process, and details of completing tasks, Fours focuses more on relationships, people, and creative expression.
Both Ones and Fours are idealistic.
They both appreciate quality, but while One attends to making things as perfect as possible (according to the One’s standards), the Four values creativity, authenticity, and aesthetics above a specific ideal of perfection.
Also, while Ones and Fours base their judgments on their internal sense of what is ideal, Fours is much more conscious of how things look to others.
Both Ones and Fours can be self-critical.
Still, while the One provides a running commentary about how things could have been done more perfectly, the Four experiences a more profound sense of something fundamentally flawed within them.
One takes note of grammatical errors and things being out of alignment or less than ideal, often with little or no emotional reaction other than perhaps slight irritation.
In contrast, Fours frequently notice what is missing in a given situation and themselves in a larger sense and may have more profound emotional reactions to what they see as absent or “not good enough.”
Ones and Fours differ from one another in several ways.
Fours attend to other people, paying a lot of attention to what interactions are like on an emotional level and how much they feel connected or not to the people around them.
One is more likely to focus on the structure of relationships or the work tasks they share in common.
One can see things in black and white, thinking there is one right way to approach a task, while Fours make a lot of room for creativity and self-expression and are more likely to see many ways of approaching a project.
While both styles will want to perform at a high level and may be perfectionistic in what they do, they are following the rules and the structure and making something as good as it can be according to the One’s steroids.
In contrast, the Four’s fFour’ss more on creative and authentic self-expression and on whether or not others perceived them as special and unique according to more artistic standards.
Regarding emotional tone, Ones and Fours can appear quite different to an outside observer.
At times, Fours can be dramatic and emotionally expressive in communicating with others, while Ones tend to be more controlled, straightforward, concise, and precise.

Type 1 and Type 5

Ones and Fives can look a lot alike.
Both Ones and Fives can be reserved, logical, and task-focused, and both styles can also appear serious and withdrawn at times.
Ones and Fives value independence, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency, but Fives require more privacy than Ones.
Both seek knowledge— Fives because they believe knowledge is power so that they can be more competent, informed, and correct in their actions.
Both appear intellectual and knowledgeable and excel at objective analysis.
One strives for objectivity because one wants to be responsible.
They believe it is the correct thing to do, and it can prevent mistakes.
Fives are naturally objective because they think deeply about things and detach from feelings when analyzing situations.
Both understand boundaries and the need for them.
Both Ones and Fives are diligent and practical.
However, Ones are more rules-based, and Fives are more appreciative of simplicity and the conservation of resources than reliant on a specific set of rules.
Both types apply their internal standards when judging their or others’ work.
While Ones and Fives share some characteristics, the two styles fundamentally differ.
While Fives can be self-critical, Ones are much more self-critical than Fives.
One has an internal critic who comments on almost everything.
Ones also tend to be more judgmental of others than Fives; they can be openly angry or irritated when others do not follow the rules or do not do things the right way.
Alth “ugh neither style feels comfortable sharing emotions and Ones and Fives tend to hold back their feelings, Ones’ feOnes’s tend to leak out more than Fives, who almost always maintain a calm, unruffled reserve, even in times of stress.
One tends to experience some version of anger reasonably regularly.
Though they try to restrain feelings, their anger sometimes leaks out in irritation, annoyance, or frustration, mainly when people do not perform as the One thinks they should.
Fives, conversely, are more likely to keep their thoughts, especially their feelings, to themselves.
Fives automatically detach from feelings, and sharing their emotions with others is scarce, especially in the work setting.

Type 1 and Type 6

Ones and Sixes share several traits in common.
Both Ones and Sixes excel at analytical thinking, and both worry about things going wrong.
Ones tend to feel anxious about making mistakes, and Sixes tend to experience more general anxiety related to many things potentially going wrong.
In response to their worry, Ones tries to be perfect and avoid making mistakes, and Sixes catastrophizes and imagines worst-case scenarios.
Both Ones and Sixes are uncomfortable with success.
Both styles create problems for themselves in completing tasks and moving toward success.
One is because they believe something is never perfect, constantly criticizing themselves, and the other is because they continually doubt and question themselves and believe that becoming successful will make them a target.
Both styles tend to be activists supporting social causes they care about. Ones because they feel responsible for making the world a better place, and Sixes because they identify with underdog causes and are sensitive to people in authority positions exercising power over others unjustly.
Ones and Sixes also differ in specific ways.
According to their standards, one worries about making mistakes and being wrong, while Sixes fear danger and external threats.
Ones are self-critical and tend to judge others, and Sixes doubt themselves and others.
One particularly stark contrast between Ones and Sixes is that Ones tend to obey authority, whereas Sixes tend to be suspicious of charge and may even rebel against it.
One follows the rules, while most Sixes question them.
(One exception to this is the Social Six, who adheres to an outside authority and may strictly follow the rules offered by that authority.)
Both styles can procrastinate, but they do it for different reasons: One fears making mistakes and always wants more time to make what they do more perfect.
In relating to people, One generally tends to trust people and give them the benefit of the doubt unless they break the rules or engage in destructive behavior.
In contrast, Sixes mistrust others initially until they have observed them enough to satisfy themselves that they are trustworthy.
Sixes are very loyal and supportive after a person has earned their trust.

Type 1 and Type 7

Ones and Sevens have similar styles in many ways.
Both Ones and Sevens are quality-oriented, with Ones displaying this in their attention to attaining high standards in their work and other things they do, and Sevens seeking to experience the best of everything, especially recreationally.
Ones and Sevens are both idealistic and visionary.
One wants things to be perfect and works hard to make something fit an internally generated sense of the ideal.
Sevens are optimistic about denying negative feelings and realities and think a lot about future possibilities.
Both Ones and Sevens have a lot of energy.
Ones apply themselves diligently to everything they do, and Sevens dedicate themselves fully to the many activities that interest them.
While both styles can be perfectionistic, Ones are generally more consistently concerned with perfection than Sevens.
Both intellectual and analytical, Ones and Sevens like problem-solving.
Finally, both Ones and Sevens are sensitive to criticism, though the One is likelier to show it than the Seven.
One big difference between Ones and Sevens is that work has to come before play; for Ones and Sevens, planning for sport and engaging activities is more pleasurable.
Sevens can be very dedicated to their work.
Still, they may approach their job duties by doing work as an enjoyable activity rather than a responsibility.
Although Ones are romantic, they can seem less than optimal because they look for ways to improve things, while Sevens are relentlessly optimistic.
Ones like structure and can work within prescribed limits, while Sevens dislike limitations and may have a more challenging time constraining organizational structure elements.
For instance, Sevens are uncomfortable within a hierarchy and tend to equalize authority, while Ones work well within a defined authority structure.
Further, Ones excel at managing the details of projects and tasks, while Sevens find this kind of work tedious.
Because Ones naturally pay attention to errors that need correcting, they can seem to the Seven to focus too much on the negative—Sevens always want to focus on the positive aspects of things.
Interpersonally, One can, at times, be critical or inflexible.
Still, they are firmly committed to self-improvement, will listen to others, and dedicate themselves to working on relationships.
Sevens bring positive energy and fun to relationships but can feel challenged if difficulties must be addressed and worked through with others.

Type 1 and Type 8

Ones and Eights look similar in some respects.
Both are high-energy and hardworking, and both like establishing control and order.
Both types tend to get angry but experience and express anger in distinct ways.
Believing that showing anger is wrong, Ones tend to hold back their anger.
Still, because it is hard for the One to shut it off completely, it tends to leak out as resentment, irritation, annoyance, or passive-aggressive behavior.
On the other hand, Eights feels and expresses anger more readily and doesn’t think it is wrong to be angry.
One usually gets angry when people break the rules or engage in destructive behavior, while eight become angry for various reasons.
Ones and Eights engage in “black and white” or “all or nothing” thinking.
Ones and Eights like to be in control but may assert control differently, with Ones relying on rules, structure, and standards and Eights exercising power more directly.
Ones and Eights are concerned about justice and fairness and can work hard to support a cause they believe in.
Both styles can overwork and neglect their own needs.
There are also some critical differences between Ones and Eights.
Eights think about the big picture, like high-level work, and dislike dealing with details.
Ones, on the other hand, excel at and may enjoy detail work.
When engaged in a task, Ones focuses on achieving perfection, taking pains to make something as good as possible, while Eights can be satisfied with “good enough.”
As a result, eights tend to go with their impulses, can be excessive, and dislike being inhibited. In contrast, One tends to over-control one’s motivations and delay pleasurable activities, as one is typically more focused on correct behavior than indulging oneself.
Internally, Ones are highly self-critical, while Eights do not criticize themselves as much.
On the contrary, Eights often move into action quickly, feeling more accessible than Ones to exercise their power and will without overanalyzing things or entertaining critical thoughts about their intentions or behaviors.
Ones usually apologize if they believe they’ve made a mistake (and they value apologies), while Eights are much less likely to feel apologetic for what they do.
One typically observes and obeys authority figures, while Eights don’t like to be told what to do and may rebel against authority if they want or need to.
When communicating with others, Ones tend to be polite and restrained.

Type 1 and Type 9

Ones and Nines share several characteristics in common.
In work settings, both appreciate structure and process.
Both Ones and Nines make good mediators, Nines because they can easily see many sides of an issue and feel motivated to create harmony, and Ones because they have standards of fairness and can be objective and discerning judges.
Both styles tend to have difficulty noticing and asserting their needs and wants, and both can be perfectionistic, though Ones are usually more perfectionistic than Nines.
Both Ones and Nines can work well within and respect the existing authority structure, though Nines will sometimes rebel in subtle, passive ways if they feel controlled.
Many differences also exist between Ones and Nines.
One tends to be pretty opinionated, often believing they know the one right way to do something. Nines can have difficulty locating their own opinion due to being so attuned to other people’s people’s perspectives.
Nines typically don’t as don’t position, while Ones often assume their position is the only correct point of view.
Related to this, Ones thinks of black and white and believes there is “one right way,” while Nines sees many shades of gray.
Although both styles want to avoid conflict, the Nine does so more than the One, who may be unable to stop arguing when they feel strongly about something.
Ones like to do things their way, and Nines adapt more easily to others, often preferring to follow someone else’s idea rather than asserting their own.
When accomplishing a task, One makes a lot of effort to make things perfect, relying on their internal standards of the ideal, whereas nines are more oriented to what other people think and want.
One usually has a clear vision of the correct way to do things, while Nines seeks consensus, wanting to hear from others when making decisions about the standards.
Ones are more observant of rules and will confront those who do not follow the rules, while Nines are more easygoing and much less likely to engage people who don’t follow guidelines.

Enneagram Type 1 Career

They are efficient, organized, and always complete the task.
The more analytical and tough-minded Ones are in management, science, and law enforcement.
The more people-oriented Ones are found in health care, education, and religious work.
Since they do things professionally, honestly, and ethically, they can make excellent Teachers, Preachers, and Judges.
They have an uncanny ability to smell a lie on a gut level.

Enneagram Type 1 Personality Type Cross-reference

There is a strong correlation between Enneagram Type 1 and those that prefer Introverted Sensing in the dominant or auxiliary position.

There was also a correlation between Enneagram Type 1 and Introversion.

82% – 84% of Enneagram Type 1 are of four types: ISTJ, ESTJ, ISFJ and ESFJ.

88% – 90% of Enneagram Type 1 are Sensors, with INTJs and ENTJs being the Intuitive types most likely to be Type 1.