If you are new to the Enneagram or need a refresher, check out my previous post that provides an overview of the Enneagram as nine different ways of seeing the world.
As a refresher, the Enneagram is a personality inventory tool that helps you better understand yourself and how you interact with others and the world. There are nine Enneagram types that each see the world differently. Each number has an inner desire that guides how they think and behave subconsciously. Each has a lot of personality variation; however, individuals of a specific type will find significant common ground. Knowing that there are nine ways of seeing the world is valuable because many of us walk around life and think the way we see the world is the "correct" way. There are different ways of seeing the world, and none are wrong.
Going in order, I will start with the Enneagram type 1, which I identify with. 1s want to be correct and for their lives to reflect their moral values above all else. They desire to be good, responsible, virtuous, and ethical.
Enneagram 1s are known as the reformer or the idealist. I prefer not to use the title of a perfectionist because of the connotation that Enneagram 1s are perfect or closer to perfect than other numbers. When the title of a perfectionist describes Enneagram 1s, it applies more to Enneagram 1's idea of what ideal is for them and trying to attain that, whatever it entails. The reformer is a title I think is most fitting for Enneagram 1s since they value improving themselves, others, and the world. They can pick up on details and want to enact improvements while holding high standards for themselves, others, and society. Enneagram 1s always seem to have an idea of how things should be. They think a lot about this and usually have a pretty good idea of how to achieve it; however, not everyone else shares this level of idealism. They can become so disappointed in others for not having the same interest in improving themselves or society.
Enneagram 1s can have low self-esteem when they fail to meet the internal expectations they set for themselves with personal standards for behavior and performance. They have high-quality expectations not only for themselves but also for other people and even for society at large. They prioritize methods over results and believe the end does not justify the means. 1s dedicate themselves fully to everything they do and pay special attention to the process, as every step must be perfect. They may have a particular way of doing something and think others do not meet their standards. Because of this, they struggle to delegate. They usually also approach life more seriously than others and may find it difficult to relax.
The easiest way to tell if you are a 1 is if you have an inner critic, a singular voice in your head. It can sound like your own voice, or it can be someone else’s voice. The voice is always negative, differentiating it from self-talk, which all numbers can have.
An element of the Enneagram that is different than other personality style inventories is that someone's personality is not stagnant in a core number. The Enneagram allows for personality fluctuations that are more accurate to real-life experiences. The Enneagram involves moving to a different number during stress and another during security (or growth). The number someone moves to depends on the core number of the Enneagram with which they identify. For the Enneagram 1s, they move to Enneagram 4 space in stress and Enneagram 7 space in security.
1s are stressed when their inner critic is particularly loud, often following a high-pressure moment or after receiving criticism from someone else. 1s put a lot of effort into everything they do, so they are particularly discouraged when the outcome does not fit their goal. They may feel very personally about a result as if they are not good. The move to 4 enables them to sit in their feelings and embrace the gray area between the dichotomous view of themselves, allowing them to accept themselves with their flaws and be content. The energy of 4s gives 1s access to creative solutions to problems instead of living by a codebook that 1s have in one way or another. This instance is a fitting example of how picking up traits from the stress number can help cope with stress.
1s who are secure lose some of the rigidity that often appears from following their strict moral compass and calculated actions. The energy of 7 gives them a fun and carefree side when they are comfortable. 1s work so hard that they deserve this mindset. 1s are known to move to 7 for the entirety of a vacation; however, traveling to the beach is not the only way 1s can access 7. 1s are in the dependent stance. Thus, they can move to their secure number in positive social settings.
1s are doing-dominant and thinking-repressed, meaning they first do and then have feelings about what they do. At first, when I heard that 1s are thinking-repressed, I was in denial. I am in medical school; I think all the time! After reflecting on this, I understood that thinking repressed means unproductive thinking, which may include thinking incorrectly or too much. This thinking may involve distracting thoughts entering your mind, whether from the inner critic or not. I noticed that 1s, including myself, do a lot of productive thinking all at once in the space of 7 (thinking-dominant), and we seem to get to our security number easier than many other numbers.
If you are a 1, you will not be surprised to hear that 1s often seem arrogant and judgmental. This perceived self-righteousness is not what the 1 intends; it is natural for a 1 to defend their position. They will only express an opinion they think is the "right" opinion. They are prepared to discuss and convince you it is "right." I often think that if I did not believe a statement enough to defend it, I would not say it! When a 1 knows factual information, they will want to debate it and become frustrated when someone makes a statement inconsistent with the facts. The humility comes in just realizing that you can never be 100% right about anything, and often there is more than one right way. It is important to note that Enneagram 1s may seem to seek control, but this need is to achieve perfection and not for the power itself.
According to Richard Rohr, healthy Enneagram 1s are similar to industrious bees (busy workers focused on making the perfect honey and supporting their colony). Unhealthy Enneagram 1s are like terriers (especially a yelping one that demands to get his way).
Enneagram 1s need to learn more about letting go of little things, seeking compromise, and preventing the buildup of resentment. It is essential to learn to laugh at yourself and not take yourself too seriously, which could be challenging tasks for many Enneagram 1s.
Here are some additional suggestions I have for Enneagram 1s for self-improvement and growth:
Enneagram 1s often have an all-or-nothing attitude. Try to break away from seeing things as black and white. Embrace the gray.
Take advantage of external processing daily to sort through your thoughts and feelings.
Exercise is vital for Enneagram 1s as a body type. Stress culminates in the body instead of the head or the heart.
Mindfulness is helpful as a means of relaxation.
I hope this overview of the Enneagram 1 helped you realize that this type describes you (or if it does not). Or, maybe you can identify someone near and dear to you who fits Enneagram 1. Share this post!
For more information about Enneagram 1, listen to the full episode here.