Enneagram Type 1: So Perfectionist
Enneagram Ones are always looking to be the best that they can be, and they are driven by their need for perfection. People of this Enneagram type have high standards for themselves and others.
Enneagram 1 overview
Enneagram Ones are always looking to be the best that they can be, and they are driven by their need for perfection. People of this Enneagram type have high standards for themselves and others.
Basic desire: On a fundamental level, Enneagram Ones want to be good people and have a strong sense of integrity. Plus, they want others to view them in this way.
Basic fear: Enneagram Ones fear being immoral and imperfect. Often, they try to manage this fear by setting high standards and being exceptionally self-disciplined.
More often than not, Ones are successful in their endeavors as a result of their self-control and conscientiousness. As a result of these traits, they can come across as serious to those who don’t know them well.
People of the Enneagram One personality type want to be seen as ‘good’ people, and they strive to do the right thing. Integrity is a core value to Ones.
Ones are able to concentrate for long periods of time, and they are some of the hardest workers out there. They are motivated by a desire to improve. However, their focus on achieving perfection can sometimes lead them to become obsessive.
While they aim to seem perfect from the outside, Ones can struggle with inner feelings of inadequacy. They are their own worst critic and may feel like they are never good enough due to the fact that they are constantly striving for perfection.
Ultimately, Enneagram Ones have many admirable qualities. They are hardworking, driven, and always looking to improve. However, their self-criticism and inflexibility can hold them back from reaching their full potential.
Enneagram 1 strengths
1. Principled: Despite the fact that Enneagram Ones can be quiet, they are principled, and they aren’t afraid to stand up for what they believe in.
2. Fair: Enneagram Ones have a strong sense of justice and fairness, which doesn’t come naturally to all Enneagram types.
3. Reliable: You can rely on Ones to follow through on plans, and they won’t gloss over the details.
4. Honest: As a result of their drive for integrity, Enneagram Ones are honest people who value this trait in others too.
Enneagram 1 weaknesses
1. Perfectionists: In some cases, the perfectionist tendencies of Enneagram Ones can spiral out of control and can become obsessive.
2. Critical: Ones can become overly critical, both of themselves and others, which can be stressful for those around them.
3. Forget the bigger picture: As a result of their drive for perfection, Ones can get caught up in the details and miss the bigger picture.
4. Self-righteous: Enneagram Ones can become convinced that their approach to life is right and can become self-righteous when others don’t act in a way that aligns with their morals.
Enneagram wings
Most people lean towards one of the wings on either side of their Enneagram type and this determines their subtype. In the case of Ones, the subtypes are Enneagram One with a Nine Wing (Enneagram 1w9) and Enneagram One with a Two Wing (Enneagram 1w2). These two subtypes share the key One traits, but they also show subtle differences.
Enneagram 1w9 overview
Enneagram Ones with a Nine Wing largely have traits of Ones, but they also share a number of characteristics with Nines. They tend to be more peaceful and balanced. Plus, Enneagram Ones with a Nine Wing are usually more understanding and open to other people’s perspectives.
Enneagram 1w2 overview
Enneagram Ones with a Two Wing largely have traits of Ones, but they also share a number of characteristics with Twos. They tend to be more focused on other people’s needs and feel more drawn to helping people. In addition, they like to feel appreciated.
Enneagram 1 dating
Enneagram Ones can be shy and hesitant when it comes to dating. They may feel insecure and unsure of themselves and may not know how to approach potential partners.
They may be afraid of rejection and tempted to avoid dating altogether. However, once they do start dating, Enneagram Ones can be passionate and intense partners.
Once they have decided on a path, people of this Enneagram type stay committed and will do whatever it takes to make their relationship work.
Enneagram 1 relationship
Enneagram Ones usually approach relationships cautiously and may be slower to commit than other types, but once they do, they are deeply loyal partners.
Plus, Ones have a strong sense of personal integrity and are good at keeping their promises, which are traits that are often highly valued by partners.
As a result of their focus on improvement, Ones have a tendency to want to improve their relationships. Regular check-ins about how things are going are common for this type.
If you are in a relationship with a One, remember it usually isn’t a sign that something is wrong; it’s just that they really do like to make things the best they can be!
Although they may not always show it, Ones care a great deal about their relationships and want them to be strong and lasting.
Enneagram 1 compatibility
Perhaps most importantly, Ones are attracted to people who share their strong sense of personal integrity, given it is such a strong value for people of this type.
Enneagram Ones are also attracted to those who are fun and free-spirited yet have a degree of self-control. People with these traits help Ones let loose and find a better work-life balance.
Given values are so important to Ones, they work best with partners who share similar views when it comes to morals. Mutual respect is also key for Ones.
Enneagram 1 in the workplace
Enneagram Ones are dedicated individuals who are always looking for ways to improve their performance and contribute to their team. They are often quick to take on new challenges, and they are usually highly productive workers.
Colleagues of Ones tend to hugely value their reliability and accountability. Healthy Ones have the potential to be incredible leaders and trustworthy employees.
One thing that can hold Enneagram Ones back in the workplace is that their perfectionist tendencies can slow them down. Plus, their criticism of others can sometimes cause tension.
The best careers for Enneagram Ones are typically those that allow them to stay true to their values and have a positive impact on others. They may enjoy careers in law, business, or medicine, where they can use their intelligence and problem-solving skills to make a difference.
Enneagram 1 under stress
When Enneagram Ones are under extreme stress, they often become more sensitive to criticism and, at the same time, they become more critical of others.
What usually happens is that they start to feel self-righteous and discredit other points of view before even considering them. It’s their way or the highway, and in situations like this, Ones will obsess and nitpick to prove they are right.
Plus, during stressful periods, they can feel overburdened by other people’s expectations, and they can also feel resentment towards others who are having fun. This often isn’t helped by the fact that they can struggle to relax.
Advice for Enneagram 1s
1. Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s important for Ones to remember that they are human and that everyone makes mistakes. Cut yourself some slack every once in a while. Let your hair down and have fun; it’s all about balance.
2. Try to see things from other people’s perspectives. It can be easy for Ones to get caught up in their own point of view and forget that there are other ways of seeing things. Try to take a step back and remember that different people have different approaches to life.
3. Be more accepting of yourself and others. Remember that nobody is perfect – including you! Flaws and mistakes are just a natural part of being human. In fact, you can even find beauty in imperfections.
4. Don’t overwork yourself. It can be tough to maintain a healthy work-life balance as an Enneagram One. You’re always pushing yourself to be the best, and it’s easy to let your work consume your life. But it’s important to take time to recharge, or you’ll eventually burn out. Make sure you schedule some time for yourself each week. Use that time to do something you enjoy, relax, and rejuvenate yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
Quotes for Enneagram 1s
Here are some of the best quotes that you’ll appreciate if you’re an Enneagram One.
“Always do what is right. It will gratify half of mankind and astound the other.” ― Mark Twain
Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.” ― Oprah Winfrey
“The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.” ― George Orwell
“If everyone were a good person, it’d obviously be a better world.” ― Aaron Paul
“Embrace being perfectly imperfect. Learn from your mistakes and forgive yourself, you’ll be happier.” ― Roy Bennett
“Integrity is the essence of everything successful.” ― R. Buckminster Fuller
“Be a good person. Everything else is secondary.” ― Frank Sonnenberg
Enneagram 1 famous people
Here are some real-life examples of famous Enneagram Ones.
Emma Watson (1w2)
Emma Watson is an Enneagram One with a Two Wing. She’s a perfectionist who is always striving to meet her own high standards. She’s conscientious and principled, and she has a strong sense of right and wrong. Emma Watson is also warm and compassionate, and she cares deeply about others. Emma is a gifted actress, and she’s also a powerful advocate for women’s rights. Ones are known for their integrity and idealism, and Emma Watson embodies these qualities.
Greta Thunberg (1w9)
Greta Thunberg is an Enneagram One with a Two Wing. She is a highly compassionate person who feels things deeply. Greta is only young but she’s already spent a lot of her life fighting against climate change and raising awareness of the issue. As a result, she is often seen as being intense and even angry. However, beneath the serious side, Greta is a caring and passionate person who just wants to make the world a better place. Ones are typically hard-working, just like Greta Thunberg. She has caught the attention of the world with her powerful speeches and activism, and she is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Plato (1w9)
Plato was an Enneagram One with a Nine Wing. Ones are principled people. They are also motivated by a desire to improve themselves and their surroundings, and Plato definitely fits this description. Plato was a serious individual who was always looking for ways to better himself and society. He was also a great philosopher, and his ideas have shaped our world in many ways. Plato believed in justice and equality for all people, which led him to develop his famous Theory of Forms. This theory stated that there are objective forms, or ideas, that exist outside of our physical world. These forms are the perfect versions of everything in our world and it’s no surprise that an Enneagram One created this theory.
Jesus (1w9)
Jesus was an Enneagram One with a Nine Wing. Jesus was always striving to improve himself and make the world a better place. He was also a highly compassionate person who cared deeply about others and their well-being. Jesus healed the sick on many occasions, including curing a man of leprosy. He also fed the 5,000. Ones typically have a strong sense of justice, which can definitely be said for Jesus, the son of God. He was a mystical man with a strong connection to the spiritual realm and he was deeply in tune with the will of God. They connected with each other through the mind.
Queen Elizabeth II (1w9)
Queen Elizabeth II is an Enneagram One with a Nine Wing. Some of her most defining qualities are her sense of duty and responsibility, her strong work ethic, and her desire for perfection. As an Enneagram One, she is also highly principled and moralistic, always striving to do what is right and just. Queen Elizabeth II dedicated the last 70 years of her reign to her country. Integrity is important to Ones, and Queen Elizabeth II has always been a woman of her word. She is also extremely loyal, both to her family and to her country. As a mother and grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II is loving and supportive but she also expects her children and grandchildren to meet her high standards.
Enneagram 1 characters
Here are some examples of Enneagram One characters.
Hermione Granger (1w2)
Just like the actor that plays her, Hermione Granger is an Enneagram One with a Two Wing. She is highly intelligent and always strives for perfection in everything she does. Hermione wants to be the top in her class at everything. When Harry Potter found the Half-Blood Prince’s old potions book and kept coming top of potions class, Hermione was not happy! However, Hermione is also very kind and caring, always putting others before herself. As a One, she is always seeking to improve through learning and challenging herself.
Daenerys Targaryen (1w2)
Daenerys Targaryen was an Enneagram One with a Two Wing. She was always striving to be the best, which led her on her journey to become Queen of the Seven Kingdoms and take back the Iron Throne. Daenerys also had a strong sense of empathy for others. This made her a great leader, but it also led to her making some impulsive decisions. For example, Daenerys freed the slaves and wanted to rid Astapor of any more slavers. When she decided to burn down the city, she did so without thinking about the innocent people who would be killed. This led to some conflict with her advisors, but she always tried to do what she thought was best for her people like a true Enneagram One.
Albus Dumbledore (1w9)
Albus Dumbledore was an Enneagram One with a Nine Wing. He was a perfectionist who always strived to do what was right, and he had a strong sense of morality. Dumbledore was also adaptable and had the ability to see both sides of every issue, which is true of Ones when they are healthy and well-developed. As an Enneagram One, he was principled and always put others before himself. Dumbledore was a great leader because he knew how to bring out the best in people. He was able to see the potential in people and help them develop their talents, which is no surprise given he is a One.
