Enneagram 1 - The Perfectionist

The Enneagram defines nine ways through which we experience the world and our personality comes alive. Through this lens of experience, The Enneagram also provides nuanced details into that experience in stress, in times of growth, and most helpful of all it provides clarity around how these ways of experience interact with each other.

The origins of The Enneagram are ancient. Over the centuries various religions have adapted and used The Enneagram, and today it has found purpose within the corporate world. For Leaders, The Enneagram can provide insight that helps equip us to know ourselves, and provides the clarity to better understand those that we lead.

Relationships are at the core of our responsibility as Leaders, and with the insight of The Enneagram, we can be equipped to lead more intentionally. We will be more aware of how we show up in the relationship and how those we lead tend to show up. This intention and awareness allows for the strengthening of community.

The Enneagram contains a lot of nuance to deepen understanding. The tool can be used in a basic form, but also allows to go as deep as it is relevant to the work you do. For this reason, this tool can provide more support than some traditionally used models in the corporate world.

This is the first in a series of nine features that will provide insight into each of the Enneagram types. Each feature will provide an overview of the type, including how each type responds to stress and evolves in growth. It will also include insight for leaders to customize their approach of support, insight for people working with them to be more intentional partners, and reminders for those that identify with the specific type.

So, lets get started!

What are the characteristics of an Enneagram 1?

• Ones really value detail, process, systems, intention, organization, and clarity.

• order can be so important that they can often be afraid of making mistakes.

• they have incredibly high standards, and they expect the same of those around them.

• they can become frustrated when their environment lacks this order or if those around them don’t place that order in equally high regard.

• Ones attention to detail make them wise and insightful and ultimately their attention and focus to detail makes them a voice of reason.

How do Enneagram 1s respond to stress and growth?

When Ones are stressed they can take on unhealthy qualities of a Four:

• this can make them shut down and be very in their feels and feel misunderstood

When Ones are healthy they can take on the best qualities of a Seven

• this allows them to be more open to alternate perspective and ideas

For leaders to know when working with Enneagram 1s

• full details and complete instruction help them execute the quality they strive for

• they highly value order and structure; be mindful of assigning new/urgent tasks

• if they’re making observations, listen; they’ll only reach out with certainty and details

• feedback can be tough for them to accept, approach with intention

• frustration can lie under a veil of well-formed support and detail; be in tune and sense

For people to know when working with Enneagram 1s

• details and quality matter; they value a good partner

• they have their day planned; engage with politeness when ‘disrupting’ their flow

• anything they’re connecting with you about is very important to them; it’s thought through

• be mindful of how hard they’ve worked

• if you sense they’re frustrated they just might be; offer some compassion and connection

For Enneagram 1s

• mistakes are okay!

• ‘good enough’ can be okay - think ‘perfect for the situation’ vs ‘perfect’ in absolute terms

• being wrong or messing something up doesn’t mean you’re ‘bad’ and you absolutely are not being judged

• contemplate ‘what if’ when someone disagrees with your well thought out perspective

• change can actually be an opportunity for you to excel even more and refine your approach

For more on The Enneagram:

The 9 Ways of Working - Michael J. Goldberg

The 9 Types of Leadership - Beatrice Chestnut, PhD

The Sacred Enneagram - Christopher L. Heuertz

The Enneagram Institute - https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions