Enneagram Type 1 

The Rational, Idealistic Type: Principled, Purposeful, Self-Controlled, and Perfectionistic. The one - self-convinced and justice-oriented, raises things up to their highest version.

Ones are idealistic, conscientious and have a lot of integrity. At their core, they are defined by their perceptions of right and wrong, and their commitment to doing things 'right'. Ones act with self-discipline, determination and the ability to delay gratification for a brighter tomorrow.

Ones are great at improving what they feel needs improvement, but they have difficulties relaxing and allowing themselves, as well as others, to not be perfect at all times.

On the path towards becoming the highest version of themselves, Enneagram type Ones tend to be practical and strong people who take the time to analyze and discern what’s best. By being consistent with their ideals, they expect to reform the world and strive to reach that goal.

Like an eagle that flies up high, Enneagram 1s can see the bigger picture. This ability triggers in them an unstoppable sense of justice. Ideals are important to Enneagram ones as they determine their upcoming decisions. As the Reformer feels fearless to step up and change what’s wrong, sometimes they become very self-demanding. Their bird-eye view gives them the power to measure themselves within the immensity that feeds this fire. Admirably, these traits lift Enneagram type ones up and cause them to transcend towards something bigger.

We have named personality type One The Reformer because Ones have a “sense of mission” that leads them to want to improve the world in various ways, using whatever degree of influence they have. They strive to overcome adversity—particularly moral adversity—so that the human spirit can shine through and make a difference. They strive after “higher values,” even at the cost of great personal sacrifice.

Ones are people of practical action—they wish to be useful in the best sense of the word. On some level of consciousness, they feel that they “have a mission” to fulfill in life, if only to try their best to reduce the disorder they see in their environment.

Although Ones have a strong sense of purpose, they also typically feel that they have to justify their actions to themselves, and often to others as well. This orientation causes Ones to spend a lot of time thinking about the consequences of their actions, as well as about how to keep from acting contrary to their convictions. Because of this, Ones often persuade themselves that they are “head” types, rationalists who proceed only on logic and objective truth. But, the real picture is somewhat different: Ones are actually activists who are searching for an acceptable rationale for what they feel they must do. They are people of instinct and passion who use convictions and judgments to control and direct themselves and their actions.

In the effort to stay true to their principles, Ones resist being affected by their instinctual drives, consciously not giving in to them or expressing them too freely. The result is a personality type that has problems with repression, resistance, and aggression. They are usually seen by others as highly self- controlled, even rigid, although this is not how Ones experience themselves. It seems to them that they are sitting on a cauldron of passions and desires, and they had better “keep the lid on” lest they and everyone else around them regret it.

Ones are pragmatic and serious people who work hard to ensure they are the best version of themselves they can be. They put a lot of effort into making sure they’re doing the right thing at all times and are great at seeing how to improve and perfect things.

Organizational skills, self-discipline and honesty come easy to Ones. They have an awareness of what the world needs, are dedicated to the causes they pick up and persistent in the face of struggle. The high standards Ones have for themselves and others can make it hard for those around them to live up to the One’s expectation of what it means to do something 'right'. It can be hard to change a One’s mind on something, since their identity is tightly connected to their need to be seen as a good person.

The Reformer’s principles are like law to them, so they feel the need to follow them strictly. Knowing what is right and wrong makes Enneagram type ones very practical people who easily know what to do. They are focused on the right/wrong side of things and there is no middle ground. However, this could also drive them to self-repression; in an effort please others yet not appear “needy,” they may end up doing things themselves rather communicate to others how things should be done. It doesn’t feel bad at that moment since Enneagram 1s believe their worth depends on doing what’s right. That’s how they end up transferring their self value over to their other values. With a high sense of justice and responsibility, Enneagram type ones stand up for their convictions. Their self-awareness allows them to be reflective and honest with themselves, even though they tend to review and judge their behavior instead of having a compassionate look towards themselves. Somebody has to do it to keep order.

On a common day, Type Ones are energetic and purposeful, always trying to take meaningful actions with an organized schedule. It’s not difficult for them to focus and determine what is right from what is not. So there Enneagram 1s go, walking through life with their ideal bars, measuring everything that comes across them.

Enneagram 1s have wonderful ideas on how to change things for the better. They also have stubborn convictions, which is fundamental to materialize projects and makes a Type One a natural leader most of the time. However, without kindness and patience they can also be their own tyrant. Sometimes Type Ones can worry about being inconsistent or about people noticing that they are not adjusted perfectly to their own ideals, which can make them feel constantly seen or tense.

Healthy Enneagram Type 1

In a healthy state, The Reformer feels calm, pleased with themselves and their environment. They achieve an emotional independence, free of external acceptance or third-party approval because Type Ones are aligned with their own very intimate purpose. It’s ok to be them. They are on the “correct” path. Constantly learning and becoming more comprehensive with their own pace makes it easier for Type Ones to understand the rhythm of others too. They feel inspired by their own dreams. Doing what they have to do in order to achieve bigger goals is what makes Enneagram 1s feel comfortable and vibrant. The Reformer Type are now wise, keeping both feet on the ground and their heart up in the sky. They know and accept reality, and they don’t fight it anymore because they’ve discovered that this is where the power of transformation lies. 

Healthy Ones make for incredibly wise and discerning teachers. It helps that their inner drive allows Ones to work so hard. They have it easier than others to postpone immediate pleasure for later rewards. Healthy Ones are the great educators and makers of this world. Think of famous Ones like Nelson Mandela or Mahatma Ghandi: They become people who freely share their gift of teaching how to become a better version of yourself.

Healthy Levels:

Level 1 (At Their Best): Become extraordinarily wise and discerning. By accepting what is, they become transcendentally realistic, knowing the best action to take in each moment. Humane, inspiring, and hopeful: the truth will be heard.

Level 2: Conscientious with strong personal convictions: they have an intense sense of right and wrong, personal religious and moral values. Wish to be rational, reasonable, self-disciplined, mature, moderate in all things.

Level 3: Extremely principled, always want to be fair, objective, and ethical: truth and justice primary values. Sense of responsibility, personal integrity, and of having a higher purpose often make them teachers and witnesses to the truth.

Average Enneagram Type 1

On average levels of psychological health, Ones have a super acute sense of right and wrong, and their life is strongly shaped by this inner compass. This applies to themselves more than anything. They feel the need to always do the right thing, so they are usually pretty disciplined, reliable, hard-working and try to have those pesky emotions under control. But because they put in so much effort into improving themselves, average Ones have a hard time seeing almost everyone else being irrational, undisciplined and lazy - in their mind. Because they can’t just scream at people – that would be wrong – their anger often turns into quiet resentment that’s boiling away under the surface.

Average Levels:

Level 4: Dissatisfied with reality, they become high-minded idealists, feeling that it is up to them to improve everything: crusaders, advocates, critics. Into “causes” and explaining to others how things “ought” to be.

Level 5: Afraid of making a mistake: everything must be consistent with their ideals. Become orderly and well-organized, but impersonal, puritanical, emotionally constricted, rigidly keeping their feelings and impulses in check. Often workaholics—”anal-compulsive,” punctual, pedantic, and fastidious.

Level 6: Highly critical both of self and others: picky, judgmental, perfectionistic. Very opinionated about everything: correcting people and badgering them to “do the right thing”—as they see it. Impatient, never satisfied with anything unless it is done according to their prescriptions. Moralizing, scolding, abrasive, and indignantly angry.

Unhealthy Enneagram Type 1

When psychologically unhealthy, Threes don’t learn to disconnect their sense of self-worth from their achievements. Their need to be praised for what they do turns into desperation. They start paying higher and higher prizes for getting that win, that promotion, that woman or man, they think they need to be happy. Unhealthy Threes often become workaholics, burn out or eventually get caught in their own web of lies. Those can be the saddest stories: Threes who never learned to be honest to themselves.

When The Reformer is in an unhealthy state of mind, nothing is ever enough for them, especially themselves (they should avoid getting into mirror labyrinths during these periods). Type Ones are like dogs that try to bite their own tail or a kid scared of its own shadow. As you can see, if Enneagram 1s stick to their commitment to their ideals or thoughts, it will be difficult for them to deal with unexpected situations or disruptions, or even take advantage of them.They can’t tolerate things they can’t control, and if Type Ones just push themselves out of the line for even a moment they feel betrayed. They need to learn to forgive themselves. 

Unhealthy Levels:

Level 7: Can be highly dogmatic, self-righteous, intolerant, and inflexible. Begin dealing in absolutes: they alone know “The Truth.” Everyone else is wrong: very severe in judgments, while rationalizing own actions.

Level 8: Become obsessive about imperfection and the wrongdoing of others, although they may fall into contradictory actions, hypocritically doing the opposite of what they preach.

Level 9: Become condemnatory toward others, punitive and cruel to rid themselves of wrongdoers. Severe depressions, nervous breakdowns, and suicide attempts are likely. Generally corresponds to the Obsessive-Compulsive and Depressive personality disorders.

Growth opportunities that are typically associated with the Enneagram 1 

• Practicing breathing exercises

• Recognizing the beauty in “flaws”

• Being aware of the ways in which they unnecessarily judge themselves and others

• Working to understand the grey areas and subjectivity in life

Befriend your inner critic: The next time the accusing and berating voice in your head tells you that you failed again, don’t hate yourself or try to repress or ignore it. Thank that voice for trying to help you improve and avoid mistakes, but let it know that you are on a better path to accepting yourself and don’t need its constant criticism anymore.

Double-Check Your Anger: When you feel that familiar anger over an injustice or a mistake someone made, take a second and reexamine where that anger comes from. Is it really this situation that’s bothering you, or is it something else that’s taking a side-door to vent?

Enjoy Adequacy: Pick a hobby you like even if you’re not very good at it - not to become better at it, but just because you enjoy it. If you find yourself procrastinating over something for fear of delivering anything less than perfect, ask yourself if this particular thing couldn’t be beautiful even if it’s just average.

Embrace Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes. Forgive yourself for them, even learn from them, but don’t hate yourself when they happen. This will make it much easier to receive criticism from others, too. When you accept that you’re not perfect, you don’t need to become defensive when others point it out to you.

Expand Your Horizon: Each person is on their own path to their true self, and most of them will have views and standards that are different from yours. Try not to measure them against your own, but appreciate them for what they do right and let them know.