TYPE 3      THE ACHIEVER

Threes have a strong and driving need for achievement and success. They often set aside feelings in order to get the job done. Threes are often referred to as the chameleon of the Enneagram because they can easily and effectively change their image in an effort to use each situation to its fullest.  Their chameleon tendencies coupled with setting their feelings aside can cause Threes to forget who they really are.  They are extremely image-conscious and have a strong desire to be perceived as self-confident, optimistic and successful.  Threes are action/goal-oriented and avoid failure (or the perception of failure) at all costs.

ALTERNATE NAMES OF TYPE THREE
Performer
Succeeder
Initiator

SOME POSITIVE TENDENCIES OF THREES
High Energy
Ability to read people
Optimistic
Confident
Problem solvers
Efficient
Success Oriented

SOME CHALLENGES OF THREES
Abrupt
Overly competitive
Create new images in order to succeed
Come to believe that the image is the self
Exploitative
Shelf deep feelings in favor of accomplishment & outer appearances
Disconnected

TRIAD
Two's, Three's and Four's comprise the Feeling Triad. The strengths and challenges of these types are related to their ability to navigate and obtain their sense of identity and value.  Each of these types has a tendency to confuse who they are with the role they play or the images they portray to others.  Three’s develop a repertoire of identities in order achieve success in different contexts.  They become confused as to their true identity due to the various facades they portray in an effort to become noteworthy. 
 
WINGS
Those who are influenced by a stronger Two wing tend to be warmer and more encouraging.  They are often sociable and may have a greater tendency toward using seduction as a means of achieving their goals.  3w2’s really enjoy being the center of attention and are focused on impressing others.  Less healthy 3w2’s have a tendency toward feelings of entitlement and when crossed can highly manipulative and vengeful. 

Those who are influenced by a stronger Four wing tend to be more introspective and outwardly sensitive.  They are quiet in comparison to 3w2’s and tend to have an artistic flare.  3w4’s tend to be imaginative and possibly pretentious.  Less healthy 3w4’s can display conflicting traits of either ego-inflation or debilitating self-doubt.

DISINTEGRATION POINT (stress point)
Under stress, Three's may begin to display aspects of low side of Type 9.  They may act more aloof when overwhelmed displaying a paralysis of action.  May become unresponsive and unfocused.

INTEGRATION POINT (security point)
When Three's are feeling more secure they may begin to display aspects of the high side of Type 6. They may develop a greater capacity to show their true feelings.  They may develop a commitment to something or someone outside of themselves without ulterior motives.

CHARACTERISTICS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT

HIGH FUNCTIONING
Charitable
Practical
Outstanding
Creative
Goal-oriented
Empowering
Diligent
Energetic
Efficient
High-spirited
Accomplished
Highly social
Motivator
Self-starter

AVERAGE FUNCTIONING
Performing
Adaptable
Career-focused
Self-enhancing
Ambitious
Image conscious
Rehearsed
Opportunistic
Pragmatic
Seeks success
Self-involved
Jealous
Competitive
Achiever

LOW FUNCTIONING
Calculating
Deceptive
Uses people
Defensive
Seeks admiration
Prestige conscious
Exploitative
Chameleon
Self-deceptive
Sabotaging
Arrogant
Pretentious
Vengeful
Lacks self awareness
Denies failure

STRENGTH
Efficient Accomplishment

AVOIDANCE
Any degree of failure

COMPULSION
To be perceived as the best.
To be a success.

INTERNAL MANTRA
I must appear successful in every situation to be of value.

FALSE BELIEF
I am better than others.  I do not fail.

FAMOUS THREES
Gary Condit, Jamie Lee Curtis, Olympic Runner Michael Johnson, Montel Williams,John Ramsay, Christie Brinkley, Lamar Alexander, Robert Wagner, General Douglas MacArthur, Halle Berry, Tony Blair, Victoria Principal, Benjamin Netanyahu, Rick Springfield, America, Joseph Biden, David Bowie, Les Brown, Ron Brown, Jimmy Carter, Dick Clark, Lawyer Johnnie Cochran, Magician David Copperfield, Courtney Cox, Cindy Crawford, Tom Cruise, Rebecca DeMornay, Werner Erhard, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Michael Flatley, Bryant Gumbel, Jesse Jackson, Modern Japan, Michael Jordan, Henry Kissinger, Carl Lewis, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Vince Lombardi, Rob Lowe, Oliver North, Elvis Presley, Burt Reynolds, Anthony Robbins, Political strategist Ed Rollins, Diane Sawyer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, William Shatner, Cybill Shepherd, O.J. Simpson, Duchess of Windsor Wallis Simpson, Will Smith, Wesley Snipes, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Kathleen Turner, Jean-Claude Van Damme,George Washington, Raquel Welch, Vanessa Williams, Marianne Williamson, Oprah Winfrey, Natalie Wood, Tiger Woods.

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