Enneagram Type 1 - The

Reformer
Perfectionists, responsible, fixated on
improvement

People of this personality type are

essentially looking to make things better, as they think
nothing is ever quite good enough. This makes them
perfectionists who desire to reform and improve; idealists
who strive to make order out of the omnipresent chaos.
Ones have a fine eye for detail. They are always aware of
the flaws in themselves, others and the situations in which
they find themselves. This triggers their need to improve,
which can be beneficial for all concerned, but which can
also prove to be burdensome to both the One and those
who are on the receiving end of the One's reform efforts.
The One's inability to achieve the perfection they desire
feeds their feelings of guilt for having fallen short, and fuels
their incipient anger against an imperfect world. Ones,
however, tend to feel guilty about their anger. Anger is a
"bad" emotion, and Ones strive sincerely and
wholeheartedly to be "good." Anger is therefore vigorously
repressed from consciousness, bursting forth in occasional
fits of temper, but usually manifesting in one of its many

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less obvious permutations - impatience, frustration,

annoyance and judgmental criticality. For this reason, Ones
can be difficult to live with, but, on the high side, they tend
to be loyal, responsible and capable partners and friends.
Ones are serious people; they tend to be highly principled,
competent and uncompromising. They follow the rules and
expect others to do so as well. Because they believe so
thoroughly in their convictions, they are often excellent
leaders who can inspire those who follow them with their
own vision of excellence. Reform movements are frequently
spearheaded by Ones.
Ones are often driven and ambitious, and are sometimes
workaholics. But whatever their professional involvement,
they are definitely active, practical people who get things
done. They are natural born organizers, listmakers who
finish everything on the list, the last one to leave the office,
the first one to return, industrious, reliable, honest and
dutiful.
The relentlessness of their pursuit of the ideal can make
Ones tense people who have a hard time relaxing and who
unnecessarily deny themselves many of the harmless
pleasures of life. They tend to be emotionally repressed and
uncomfortable with expressing tender feelings; they
generally see emotionality as a sign of weakness and lack
of control. They are seldom spontaneous. They have
multiple interests and talents however; they are self-reliant
and seldom run out of things to do.
Ones are often intelligent and independent and can easily
mistake themselves for Fives, but unlike Fives, Ones are
primarily people of action, not thought. Ones tend to worry
and are prone to anxiety and can sometimes mistype as
Sixes, but they are far less affiliative than Sixes and their
standards are not reached by seeking consensus with a
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group. Finally, the relentless pursuit of perfection can take

its toll and lead to depression. At such times, a One can
mistype as a Four. But Fours have a tendency towards selfindulgence whereas Ones are self-denying. Fours are
emotionally expressive; Ones are emotionally constrained.

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TYPE ONE: THE PERFECTIONIST

Ones need to be right, beyond reproach. An inner critic continually checks
for possible faults. They continually try to do what is right, and likewise
expect others to do the same. They become cranky when either they or
others fail to measure up.
One's greatest fear is that they might be condemned for failure to adhere to
their principles or ideals, whether lofty or trivial. Along with this urge
comes a vigilance and an attention to detail.
Ones need to be right, beyond reproach. An inner critic continually checks
for possible faults. They continually try to do what is right, and likewise
expect others to do the same. They become cranky when either they or
others fail to measure up.
One's greatest fear is that they might be condemned for failure to adhere to
their principles or ideals, whether lofty or trivial. Along with this urge
comes a vigilance and an attention to detail.
Possible Origins. Ones commonly report that they were heavily criticized
or punished when they were young and that they eventually became
obsessed with trying to be good as a way of staying out of trouble. Many
were expected to take on adult responsibility prematurely and often
became like parents themselves in order to stabilize immature adults in the
family. The atmosphere was one Of high expectation without rewards.
Virtue was supposed to be its own reward, and so perfectionists were
scolded for wrongdoing without being made special for the sacrifice Of

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being good.
Flawed Ones can be opinionated and self-righteous. They are
perfectionists and expect others to live up to their exacting standards. Ones
function by the rule book and if procedures are changed they may feel
they're being set up for criticism. They have problems dealing with
interactions that require multiple points Of view. As managers they are
prone to over-controlling subordinates out of an attempt to "get it right" on
their terms. They want rules and progress reports. They attempt to control
the situation by setting limits, by tightening controls and assigning blame.
At their worst, they are fault-finders and nit-pickers.
Well-adapted Ones have learned to be tolerant of themselves, and,
consequently, tolerant of others. They have transcended petty fault-finding
in themselves and others. They have discovered that their impulses are not
inherently bad and they no longer repress their feelings inappropriately.
They remain moral people and are often sought for guidance. They are
known for their integrity and high principles, but are able to allow for
differences in the ideals of others. The healthy One can be a strong force in
community life because he or she will look to his conscience for guidance,
rather than to personal gain or power.
As managers they harness their heightened sense of order to constructive
ends. They no longer oppress subordinates with their high standards, but
respect the performance levels of others. They have fine organizational
abilities and are capable of taking real pleasure in developing their skills.
They hold strong convictions without being self-righteous and rigid. They
appraise themselves and others against their standards without being overly

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judgmental and without condemning those who do not measure up.

Occupations. Ones gravitate to jobs where procedures need to be enacted.
They are researchers, teachers, accountants, and long-rang- planners.
Occupations in which they can be arbiters of correct behavior also appeal
to Ones: judges, policemen, grammarians. As managers they specialize in
systematizing or rationalizing organizations on running a tight ship. They
also tend to excel at implementing a slim-down strategy--at trimming fat
and eliminating unnecessary levels, functions, or staff. Attractive
environments include jobs that require organization and meticulous detail.
Finding Oneself:
Ones will probably agree with most of the following statements:
1. I put much effort into correcting my faults.
2. I'm often bothered because things aren't the way they should be.
3. I hate to waste time.
4. I often blame myself for not doing better.
5. Often the least flaw can ruin the whole thing for me.
6. I have trouble relaxing and being playful.
7. I frequently have a sense of urgency that time is running out and
there is still so much left to do.
8. If something isn't fair, it really bothers me.

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9. I get angry when I see others "getting away with it".

10.I normally see things as either right or wrong.

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Enneagram Type 1: The

Perfectionist
Lost essential quality: An experience of the essential truth that all people are
fundamentally one with each other and everything is perfect as it is.
Compensating belief: Because the world judges and punishes bad behavior, you
must gain worthiness and love by being as good and perfect as possible.
Attention/coping strategy: Comparing self to others. Noticing error and
correcting it. Suppressing anger and impulses. Being as responsible and right as
you can be.
Trap: Endlessly trying to gain worthiness by being correct.
Driving energy: Anger, resentment and guilt at whatever appears wrong or
doesnt meet high standards.
Avoidance: Making mistakes, losing self-control, being so wrong that you are
unworthy.
Strengths: High integrity, concern for improvement, industrious, responsible.
Paradox: Although it seems like there is one right, best way to be, there are
multiple right answers; what is right is not necessarily what is best.
Path of development:

Understand that correctness and rightness are not part of natural order

Compassion for the self

Recognize and minimize the internal critical voice

Allow time to relax, play and accept yourself as you are

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Ultimate task: Reclaiming the sense of perfection in all things and everyone,
which includes accepting differences, mistakes, natural desires and the dark side.

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Type 1: The Perfectionist

Focus on what is wrong or needs correcting
How has my attention been focused on what is wrong or what needs improving?
What have I judged as imperfect or mistakes? What body sensations and feelings
did I have in connection with these judgments? What actions did I take or need to
curb in connection with correcting errors and doing what is right?
Basis: Ones coping strategy and worth are based on getting things right and
improving, so your attention goes to what is wrong or needs correcting.
Inner critical voice
How have I been judging myself? Berating myself? Worrying? How constant was the
voice of judgment? How did I treat situations as good or bad? Right or wrong? How
did my inner critic make me feel?
Basis: Ones develop a relentless inner critic to support their mission of getting life
right.
Judging others and being judged
How did I judge others? What did this make me feel or do? Did I become resentful?
In what ways did I believe that I was being judged or criticized? Did I turn what
could be suggestions or advice into criticism? How did I react to what I perceived as
criticism?
Basis: Judgment is part of the critical mind at work. The belief that you arent
worthy if you arent right makes Ones sensitive to judgments by self and others.

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Type 1: The Perfectionist

The Basic Proposition
You lost sight of the fundamental principle that we are all one and are perfect as we
are. What you came to believe instead is that people are not accepted for who they
are, and that the world judges and punishes bad behavior. You learned to gain
worthiness and love by being good, correcting errors and meeting the requirements
of your critical mind. You often suppressed your personal needs and desires, and at
the same time, developed resentments and suppressed anger or guilt over your
impulses, bad behavior and what is judged as wrong. Your attention naturally goes
to what is wrong and what needs correcting or improvement.
The central issue for healing
To experience healing and personal growth, a Perfectionist needs to become less
dominated by the dictates of the critical mind and, in time, regain a sense of being
an undivided whole. This means understanding and appreciating that whatever you
frequently judge as wrong is actually just different because it deviates from
your imagined ideal. Perfectionists need to learn to observe the critical mind and
detach self-worth from it. The difficulty doesnt come from having high standards or
too many standards, but from the power of the relentless inner critic in determining
self-worth and dictating life.
Six healing and growth commitments for Perfectionists:

Practice releasing the domination of the critical mind

Appreciate errors, mistakes and imperfection as differences

Observe the constant monitoring for comparison purposes (good/bad,

perfect/imperfect)

Welcome anger and guilt as signaling unacceptable behavior (often what is

forbidden)

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Practice acceptance and forgiveness (not just improvement)

Integrate instinct and desire

Personal Growth Recommendations

for Enneagram Type Ones

Learn to relax. Take some time for yourself, without feeling that everything is up to
you or that what you do not accomplish will result in chaos and disaster. Mercifully,
the salvation of the world does not depend on you alone, even though you may
sometimes feel it does.

You have a lot to teach others and are probably a good teacher, but do not expect
others to change immediately. What is obvious to you may not be as obvious to
them, especially if they are not used to being as self-disciplined and objective about
themselves as you are about yourself. Many people may also want to do what is right
and may agree with you in principle but for various reasons simply cannot change
right away. The fact that others do not change immediately according to your
prescriptions does not mean that they will not change sometime in the future. Your
words and above all, your example may do more good than you realize, although
they may take longer than you expect. So have patience.

It is easy for you to work yourself up into a lather about the wrongdoings of others.
And it may sometimes be true that they are wrong. But what is it to you? Your
irritation with them will do nothing to help them see another way of being. Similarly,
beware of your constant irritation with your own "shortcomings." Does your own
harsh self-criticism really help you to improve? Or does it simply make you tense,
nervous, and self-doubting? Learn to recognize the attacks of your superego and how
they undermine you rather than helping you.

It is important for you to get in touch with your feelings, particularly your
unconscious impulses. You may find that you are uneasy with your emotions and
your sexual and aggressive impulsesin short, with the messy human things that
make us human. It might be beneficial to keep a journal or to get into some kind of
group therapy or other group work both to develop your emotions and to see that
others will not condemn you for having human needs and limitations.

Your Achilles' heel is your self-righteous anger. You get angry easily and are offended
by what seems to you to be the perverse refusal of others to do the right thingas
you have defined it. Try to step back and see that your anger alienates people so
that they cannot hear many of the good things you have to say. Further, your own
repressed anger may well be giving you an ulcer or high blood pressure and is a
harbinger of worse things to come.

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Type 1. Reformer
The Perfectionist (the One)
Perfectionists are realistic, conscientious, and principled. They strive to live up to their high ideals.
How to Get Along with Me

Take your share of the responsibility so I don't end up with all the work.

Acknowledge my achievements.

I'm hard on myself. Reassure me that I'm fine the way I am.

Tell me that you value my advice.

Be fair and considerate, as I am.

Apologize if you have been unthoughtful. It will help me to forgive.

Gently encourage me to lighten up and to laugh at myself when I get

uptight, but hear my worries first.

What I Like About Being a One

being self-disciplined and able to accomplish a great deal

working hard to make the world a better place

having high standards and ethics; not compromising myself

being reasonable, responsible, and dedicated in everything I do

being able to put facts together, coming to good understandings, and

figuring out wise solutions

being the best I can be and bringing out the best in other people

What's Hard About Being a One

being disappointed with myself or others when my expectations are not met

feeling burdened by too much responsibility

thinking that what I do is never good enough

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not being appreciated for what I do for people

being upset because others aren't trying as hard as I am

obsessing about what I did or what I should do

being tense, anxious, and taking things too seriously

Ones as Children Often

criticize themselves in anticipation of criticism from others

refrain from doing things that they think might not come out perfect

focus on living up to the expectations of their parents and teachers

are very responsible; may assume the role of parent

hold back negative emotions ("good children aren't angry")

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Ones as Parents

teach their children responsibility and strong moral values

are consistent and fair

discipline firmly

Dynamics of Type 1: Reformer

World View: The world is an imperfect place. I work toward improvement.
Basic Desire: to be right
Basic Fear: of being condemned

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Healthy loop controlled by Basic Desire:

Need to be right -> seek truth -> do the right thing -> Need to be right
In the healthy state, the need to be right induces Type Ones to seek truth and do the
right thing. When Ones are doing the right thing, the need is satisfied and a balance is
reached.
In the average state, when Ones' are not working hard to seek the truth and do the right
thing, the need to be right increases, which helps Ones to again work hard to seek the
truth. Thus the balancing loop can help Ones to recover.

Unhealthy loop controlled by Basic Fear:

Fear of being condemned -> correct others -> do the right thing -> Fear of being
condemned
In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of being condemned can cause Type Ones to
correct and condemn others first as a defense, which is often not the right thing to do,
which further increases Ones' basic fear. The cycle continues to build up.

Insight
We can see from the diagram that a way to help break the control of the basic fear is to
weaken the unhealthy loop. Ones can refrain from correcting others and start examining
self for truth, which will help Ones to do the right thing, and reduce the fear of being
condemned.

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