People with an Enneagram Type 3 personality tend to be ambitious, adaptable, and enthusiastic in their behavior. They are driven and love to set and accomplish goals. They tend to adjust their roles, actions, and expressions to every setting or people-group in order to best fit each environment.
Enneagram 3 Personality Traits
Basic Desire
The most basic desire of the Enneagram Type 3 is to feel valued and accepted. They tend to seek accomplishment and admiration, usually expressing this by setting big goals and doing what it takes to succeed in order to earn validation or praise from those around them.
People who identify as the Type 3 often adapt to fit different settings very naturally, which can may lead to playing a character rather than being themselves.
Basic Fear
The basic fear of the Enneagram Type 3 is failure and worthlessness. They may hold a subconscious belief that in order to be worthy, they must succeed, or at least be perceived as successful.
In summary, Enneagram 3 personalities tend to...
Seek validation and acceptance through success
Fear being unworthy and unloved
Be adaptable and high-energy
Regularly set and accomplish goals
Focus on their personal development
Enneagram 3 Strengths
Every personality archetype has strengths and blind spots, and these are often amplified in professional settings where we often encounter a diverse group of people with vastly different backgrounds and value systems.
Strengths that are typically associated with the Enneagram 3 personality include...
Drive to accomplish and succeed
Motivating and encouraging those around them
Ability to understand and connect with others
Being charismatic and confident
Efficiency and practical thinking in the workplace
Enneagram 3 Weaknesses
Weaknesses that are typically associated with the Enneagram 3 personality include...
Focusing too heavily on personal image
Difficulty accepting failure from themselves or others
Losing touch with or avoiding their own feelings
Being perceived as insensitive or overly competitive
Enneagram 3 Growth
Growth opportunities that are typically associated with the Enneagram 3 personality include...
Acknowledging the ways in which they have unintentionally deceived themselves or others
Understanding that their value does not lie in accomplishments or public image
Learning to take a step back and appreciate what they already have in life
Focusing on being themselves, rather than on becoming who they think the world wants them to be
Be straightforward and clear; help them understand what you want or need.
Meeting with an Enneagram 3
Express your needs directly; help designate specific tasks for them.
Emailing an Enneagram 3
Keep emails concise; focus on addressing the purpose briefly.
Giving feedback to an Enneagram 3
Utilize constructive criticism; help them to feel valued, while also showing them how they might improve.
Resolving conflict with an Enneagram 3
Sit down and discuss what is bothering you; encourage them to consider their own emotions and to respect yours.
Enneagram 3 Motivations
When people experience pain, stress, or dissatisfaction, it can usually be attributed to energy-draining activities. Therefore, it’s important to know what kinds of activities energize each personality type and which activities drain them.
Enneagram 3s tend to be motivated and energized by...
Accomplishing what they set out to do
Feeling loved and accepted by others
Having new goals to achieve
Public-speaking or meeting new people
Enneagram 3 Stress
Enneagram 3s tend to be stressed and drained by...
Stress from feeling as though they need to constantly entertain
Repetitive failure or difficulty solving a problem
Being perceived negatively
Working to reconcile their own emotions
Enneagram 3 Careers
Type Threes tend to thrive in environments that allow them to constantly set and achieve new goals. They enjoy connecting with new people and using their relationships with others to help them pursue their ambitions.
Enneagram 3s feel energized at work when...
They are asked to meet and win over new people
Their boss gives them new opportunities and responsibilities
Their peers admire their accomplishments
Their direct reports listen to their instructions
Enneagram 3s feel drained at work when...
They are ignored or criticized frequently
Their boss neglects to give them credit for their work
Their peers dislike them
Their direct reports disrespect their authority
Threes are driven and self-assured; they dream big and create a plan to reach their goals. They are action-oriented and work to achieve.
Common jobs for people with Enneagram 3 personality types
When type Threes work alongside people who are practical and grounded, they can offer an optimistic, motivated outlook. If they work with another Three, they need to be cautious of pushing competition too far.
Enneagram 3s tend to work well with others who...
Build personal connections with them
Recognize their hard work and achievements
Enjoy a healthy amount of competition
Enneagram 3s may hit obstacles in professional relationships when they...
Fail to accomplish a set goal
Feel as though they are negatively perceived by coworkers
Neglect to consider how others will be affected by their achievements
Enneagram 3 Relationships (Romantic)
Type Threes can be open, driven partners when with someone who reminds them to take a step back from work and appreciate what they have already accomplished. When in a relationship with another work-motivated personality, Threes should remember to intentionally set aside time for the relationship.
In a romantic relationship, Enneagram 3s bring strengths like...
Innate optimism and adaptability
Enthusiastic, people-oriented energy
Natural ability to communicate effectively
In romantic relationships, Enneagram 3s may have trouble...
Acknowledging their role in a situation
Being emotionally vulnerable around their partner
Remembering to take time to invest in their relationship
