The Perfectionist’s Drive for Order

How Type One’s Pursuit for Integrity Shapes Their Approach to Life

Today we will begin with our Type Ones in the Enneagram system. Ones are detail oriented individuals who are dependable and driven by the inherent need to impact the world around them to be better than what was originally there. They do this by holding themselves and others to a high bar of standards that is continually being raised.

Aspects that characterize Type Ones are integrity, responsibility, duty oriented and diligent. You can count on Ones to do their job and do it well. In this blog post, we will dive into all things Type One, exploring their motivations and how they can thrive in a team setting. By understanding their core attributes and offering our support, we can empower our Type One team members to bring their unique talents out and foster a harmonious and productive work environment.

The Essence of Type Ones

Every number on the Enneagram has their own way of seeing the world. This will never change. But we can change what we do with how we see. We don’t always need to react the same way to the same situations.

Type Ones see the world as a place full of mistakes. Ones are guided by an unconscious motivation to improve themselves, others, and the world around them. When Ones look around, their lens of seeing the world is how things can be improved or made better. The other things they see constantly is where they and others around them are failing to meet the standards of their minds. The drive to make things better means Ones are very conscientiousness, have a high attention to detail, and are unwavering reliable. However, Ones can take this too far and when it dips over into perfectionism, they can become very rigid, critical and judgmental, which can cut off relationships among their team.

Fostering Success for Type Ones

To help Type Ones flourish within your team, consider implementing the following strategies:

1. Reframe Perspective: Type Ones have a natural inclination towards black and white, right and wrong thinking. Usually when Ones make mistakes, they want to scrap the entire project and start fresh. As their boss or team member, encourage them to shift their focus from what's wrong to what's right with a project or plan. By recognizing the project's strengths, they can refine it with targeted improvements rather than scrapping it entirely.
2. Offer Genuine Praise: Type Ones hold themselves to high standards and may struggle to accept praise. Often Ones cannot even hear praise and it’s best to send it to them in an email or some other written form, where they can review it a few times, allowing it to sink in. Sincere appreciation can be a powerful motivator for them due to the fact that they rarely give this to themselves. Be specific in your compliments, acknowledging their outstanding efforts and attention to detail.
3. Seek Their Insight: Type Ones possess a unique superpower – their ability to offer valuable advice and insights for improvement. When you ask for their guidance or input, you are demonstrating that their expertise is valued and respected within the team. This recognition can inspire them to contribute their best ideas and strategies.