ENNEAGRAM 3: The Achiever
CELEBRITY MATCH: Beyoncé, Helen Mirren
SELF TALK: “I must succeed. Failure is not option.”
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FAVORITE READ: You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
Enneagram Type 3, often called The Achiever or The Performer, is ambitious, adaptable, and success-oriented. Threes are driven by a deep desire to be seen as valuable and accomplished, and they often excel in setting and reaching goals with focus and determination. They are polished, image-conscious, and skilled at presenting themselves in ways that align with what they believe will earn admiration. At their best, 3s are inspiring, efficient, and authentic leaders who uplift others with their confidence and drive. At their worst, they can become overly concerned with status, disconnected from their true selves, and overly competitive. Their core fear is being worthless or failing, and their core desire is to feel valuable, worthwhile, and admired.
TYPE 3 IN A RELATIONSHIIP
Supportive, goal-oriented partners who often bring energy, ambition, and a desire to succeed together. They show love through encouragement and by helping their partner strive toward shared dreams or personal growth. They tend to be the providers and ensure that their family has access to the best of all worlds. It can be hard for them to slow down and can often have an agenda that may not meet the needs of their partner. Enneagram 3s can view emotions as an inconvenience and struggle to access their vulnerability which can leave their partner or family feeling less important than their image or career.
DREAM VACATION
Running a marathon in Niece followed by a recovery weekend in St. Tropez. Champagne, oysters and a sunset view of the Mediterranean.
SHADOW SIDE
GROWTH
AT YOUR DESK
As a globetrotting executive, your preferred desk involves room service, fresh peonies and a view of the ocean.
You can be so focused on success you forget to stop and smell the roses. You view the world as a competitive place where only the best survive, yet may have a blindspot for needs of others. Other Enneagram types may crave connection, meaning or safety but as a, Enneagram 3 you immediately connect to goals and outcome, sometimes talking over your audience. Enneagram 3s can become detached from their feelings as they can get in the way of their achievements, this can result in burnout.
If you are an Enneagram 3 your work is to connect to your emotions. Tap into your feelings and create a life that includes connecting to the head, heart and the body. Image and success can be the primary driver for a 3. They are focused on going to the best restaurants, attending the best schools and having the best jobs that they haven’t stopped to ask themselves if they even like these things. Therapy, coaching or somatic body work can help 3s tap into the softer side of themselves. Focusing on wellness, having a journaling practice, even a daily two minute meditation can help an Enneagram 3 shift from intensity and outcome to a more balanced approach to work and life.
Type 3 at Work…
Type 3s get stuff done. They work at a pace that can often leave their co-workers in the dust. They will be successful in most career paths, but excel when there are clearly defined goals and success is measured on impact and outcome. They will burn the midnight oil to get a project done, and will start the next one without missing a beat. Enneagram 3s tend to excel is sales roles as they are great networkers, tend to be assertive and are not afraid to ask for what they want. Want to get on the good side of 3? Acknowledge them at the next team meeting, nothing motivates a 3 more than a shoutout from the boss!
Leadership Style
Adaptable, driven, goal-oriented, influencing, efficient, inspiring