The Perfectionist Back to Enneagram
Type One
The Rational, Discerning and Conscientious Person
AKA: The Reformer, The Perfectionist The Critic
Typically: Ones are rational, idealistic, controlled, and conscientious. They strive to be truthful, correct and just. They have a well-developed moral conscience, a strong sense of responsibility, and a desire to perfect themselves and others. They are natural organizers and reformers and value principles, rules, and regulations. Ones are often wise and know the right thing to do at the right time.
When stressed: Ones desire to be righteous and principled, but may tend to be perfectionistic and judgmental toward themselves and others. They fear making mistakes, become rigid in their thinking and may fail to act or to take risks. They see things in black and white and tend to be dogmatic, intolerant and critical of themselves and others.
Point of View: "It is important to me to do the right thing and avoid making mistakes."
Examples: Pope John Paul II, Mohandas Gandhi, Ralph Nader, Hilary Clinton, Sandra Day O’Conner, Harrison Ford, Dr. Laura Schlessinger.
Focus on: What is right or wrong.
Important Issues: Perfection, self-criticism, resentment, discipline, morality, fairness.
Approach to Problem Solving: "We need to be logical about this."
What They Like in Others: Competence, high quality, adherence to principles and procedures.
What They Dislike in Others: Emotionality, illogical behavior, rule breaking.
How They Frustrate Others: Perfectionism, pessimism, rigidity, judging.
Chief Asset to Team: Precision. Ones are precise and methodical in their approach to life. They have an ability to make clear, logical decisions about appropriate action and behavior.
Core Struggle: Ones feel a deep inner sense of imperfection. They respond by making every possible attempt to adhere to sometimes-arbitrary standards of "rightness" or perfection. They often hold others to the same impossible standards.
Unconscious Contradiction: Ones would like to overindulge in their secret desires. Their controlled demeanor is a reaction to their anxiety about this drive. They feel that if they let go, even a little, they won’t be able to control themselves.
Coping Strategy: Reaction Formation. The fear of being flawed forces Ones to become the opposite of what they see as "bad." If spontaneity is bad, they become measured. If sexuality is bad, they become puritanical.
Vice: Anger, which is manifested as deep disappointment in an imperfect world.
The Lie Ones Tell Themselves—"I know how things should be. I can change myself and my environment to fit my ideals."
Counterproductive Trap——"I know how things should be. I can change myself and my environment to fit my ideals."
Area of Avoidance— Anger. Ones often keep their anger right below the surface, and sometimes go though life perpetually irritated. They only overtly express their anger when they believe they are completely and logically justified.
Anti-Self Behavior— Self-Resenting. Ones resent their imperfection and most of their anger, irritation and judgment is aimed at themselves.
Potential Strengths as Leaders: Great discernment and judgment; fairness; genuinely want to help others improve.
Potential Weakness as Leaders: Can be critical; perfectionistic; resentful of those who don’t work hard enough; may have unrealistic expectations.
