18 Key Characteristics of the Conscientious but Critical Personality Type
(Enneagram 1)
Have you heard of the enneagram? It’s got somewhat of a cult following on social media these days, so you may have come across it. In this blog I’ll tell you what the enneagram and 18 key characteristics of one of the personality types that I see most in my office. Stay tuned to see if you relate.
The Enneagram
The enneagram is a nine-sided figure that describes nine personality types.
The nine personality types are more based in spirituality and anecdote than science, which is probably the reason I didn’t learn about it in school. And because there is very little research basis for the enneagram, it’s worth taking it with a grain of salt in general.
But there’s something about the enneagram that captures attention. Our brains like categories, and when we see ourselves in a category, our brains light up like it’s Christmas.
In reality, we probably all have a bit of each of the nine personality types, but one or two might be stronger. The personality types tend to reflect how we think about the world, the choices we tend to make, our personal values, how we interact with people, and how we respond to stress.
Enneagram 1: The Perfectionist
Obviously each of the personality types is a little different, but let’s chat about personality type 1 because a lot of the articles I write are geared toward folks who are type 1.
In part, this is because type 1s tend to think nothing is ever quite good enough so they’re always on a personal improvement quest. They love a good self-help book and are addicted to researching how to do things. But there’s also a downside. Here are 18 key characteristics of enneagram 1s — do you see yourself here??
18 Key Characteristics of Enneagram Type 1: The Perfectionist
Strengths | Challenges | ||
Detail-oriented | Constantly see flaws in themselves, others, and the world | ||
Follow rules | Expect others to follow rules as well and can become angry and resentful if they do not | ||
Driven and ambitious | Workaholics | ||
Listmakers who actually finish everything on their lists | Have a hard time relaxing | ||
Disciplined | Have difficulty being spontaneous | ||
Self-controlled | Uncomfortable with expressing tender feelings | ||
Great at organizing and planning | Rigid with plans and decisions, have difficulty adapting to change | ||
High standards | Fixate on perceived inadequacies | ||
Focused on practical action | Feel they have to justify their actions, so they spend a lot of time thinking about the consequences of their actions | ||
Strong personal convictions & moral compass | Highly critical of perceived failings | ||
Strong sense of right and wrong | Only believe they are “good” if they are doing “good” things | ||
Strong conscience | Difficulty accepting people who have different, yet valid, perspectives | ||
Core Fears | Core Desires | ||
Making mistakes | Improve the world, others, and themselves | ||
Being morally unsound or unethical | Be beyond criticism | ||
Being bad, corrupt, defective | Be right and good, have integrity | ||
When Stressed | |||
Feel guilty about not being able to achieve their idea of perfection | |||
Prone to worry, anxiety, and irrational moodiness | |||
Seek Love & Approval | |||
By being good and right | |||
The Good & The Bad of Enneagram 1
In general, enneagram 1s are focused on being useful, and they like taking practical action. Others see them as highly self-controlled and disciplined, but this isn’t how they experience themselves. To themselves, they feel like they have too many unbridled passions and desires that need to be kept repressed. They dedicate a lot of energy to repressing feelings (like anger and insecurity) and urges (like to relax or take a break). They want to be loved, but they feel like they have to be “good” to be loved, so they focus their effort on constantly improving themselves, often to their detriment.
How to Keep the Strengths & Address the Weaknesses of Enneagram 1 Perfectionistic Anxiety
If you relate to these characteristics, make sure you check out my previous articles geared toward this personality type, with lots of handouts and resources for moving from the “challenges” column in the table above to the “strengths” column. Definitely check out 6 Proven Ways to Silence Your Inner Critic — that one’s a game-changer. And join my free course, where I’ll teach you exactly what causes the unhealthy thoughts and feelings we have and how to change the pattern. Join here.
Next week, you’ve been waiting for it and it’s finally here. Imposter syndrome. You’ve heard rumblings about it online, but I’m gonna give you the scoop on what science says about it. Don’t miss it.
Dr. Finch
P.S. for you skimmers. The enneagram is a personality test (with almost no scientific support but lots of cultural interest). I outlined the characteristics of enneagram 1, which is highly conscientious but also highly critical. If you relate to these characteristics, check out my previous articles geared toward conscientious criticizers and join my free course to undo the bad characteristics.
P.P.S. Remember, this is education, not treatment. Always consult with a psychologist or therapist about your mental health to determine what information and interventions are best for you. See the disclaimer for more details.
Hayden C. Finch, PhD, is a practicing psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, dedicated to helping you master your mental health.