Enneagram Type 3 - The Competitive Achiever

Enneatypes 3 are likely to succeed and want to be the best. Consequently, efficiency, results, recognition and image are very important to them. Threes strive to succeed in their chosen field and tend to be willing to adapt to achieve their goals. They are hard-working people, which fills them with a sense of self-esteem based on doing, rather than being.

Something to think about for all 3 :

"The world values winners. I have to succeed at all costs. I have to avoid failure. I am what I do - to earn my place, I have to be the best at what I do."

The characteristics of the Enneagram type 3

In a few words :

• Ambition: The Three are ambitious and have the will and energy to strive to be the best at everything they do. They believe in their ability to succeed.
• Efficiency: The resourceful Three knows how to get things done efficiently and productively.
• Adaptable: As well as being willing to adapt to achieve their goals, Threes are able to adapt skilfully to different situations, people or environments.
• Energetic: The Three's high energy and enthusiasm for projects enables them to get things done and encourage others to do the same.
• Results-oriented: Setting goals and working towards them is as natural to the Three as breathing. They focus on the end result.
• Typical action patterns: Emotional centre in the enneagram (the heart). Enneatype Threes focus on the past moment and the main feeling that accompanies this is sadness, which in their case, is seen as that constant need to be admired by others (or fear of failure).

Blind spots :

1. The Three are very conscious of presentation and image. By identifying too much with their public image, Threes can lose touch with who they really are and create confusion between their true self and their work or role in the world. Others may also pick up on this and see the Three as insincere, opportunistic and insensitive.
2. Strong goal-orientation and motivation can lead others to perceive the Three as impatient, rushed and dismissive - behaviours that will be intensified if the Three is dealing with people who appear incompetent and who can make them 'look bad'.
3. The confidence of the Three can be projected as certainty. While certainty easily seems like a good thing, it can seem dismissive of alternative perspectives and so keep people out of the conversation. It can diminish their openness to the contributions, plans and goals of the Three.