Improvement & Integrity: Enneagram Type 1 - The Improver
Let’s continue our exploration of The Enneagram with a deep dive into Enneagram Type 1, known as “The Improver”. If you know someone who has a strong sense of right and wrong (and is not afraid of telling you about it), pays attention to detail, and is laser-focused on improving people and things, and generally seems to “have it all together”, you may very well be in the presence of a Improver.
As leaders, Improvers are driven by a strong moral compass, emphasizing integrity and ethical behavior. Highly detail-oriented, they consistently strive for excellence, setting high standards for themselves and their teams. Their commitment to doing what's "right" fosters trustworthiness. Improver leaders value structure, reliability, and often champion causes aligned with their principles, inspiring others through their dedication to improvement.
Any gift, when overused, can become a liability. The Improvers keen eye for imperfections can lead to excessive criticism of themselves and others. This can strain relationships and demotivate teams. An unwavering belief in a singular "right" way leads to resisting alternative solutions or viewpoints. And their fear of making a mistake can sometimes lead to analysis paralysis and an aversion to risk taking, especially in the absence of data.
Improvers navigate the world with a strong moral compass and along with their high degree of integrity, fosters trust among their teammates. Improvers are consistent and dependable, often fulfilling their commitments to the best of their abilities. They're always looking for ways to better themselves, their work, and their environment, making them excellent at refining processes and ensuring quality in all their endeavors
Type 1 Improver’s Foundational Framework
The Enneagram framework for understanding personality dives deep into the interconnectedness of an individual's Basic Proposition, Worldview, and Core Motivation. Let's break down how these elements connect for the Type 1 Improver:
Basic Proposition: "There is a perfect way or standard, and I must always strive to achieve it and correct errors or imperfections."This proposition forms the fundamental belief or assumption about how the world works and how they must operate within it. The basic proposition establishes a "rule" or "truth" that Improvers believe they need to live by.
Worldview: "The world is imperfect, and I must correct it."The Worldview is an outward extension of the Basic Proposition and gives it context. While the Basic Proposition provides a directive for personal behavior ("I must be perfect…"), the Worldview generalizes this belief to encompass the nature of the world at large. It's the lens through which Improvers interpret their experiences and the actions of others.
Core Motivation: "I must be good, have integrity, and be beyond criticism."This is the driving force that propels a Improvers into action. Stemming from their Basic Proposition and Worldview, their Core Motivation gives direction to their behaviors, desires, and fears. The actions they take, rooted in this motivation, emerge as being judgmental and critical, setting high standards, avoiding blame and criticism, and taking on sole responsibility for correcting mistakes.
In summary the Improver’s Basic Proposition, Worldview and Core Motivation work together in a self-reinforcing feedback loop. Here’s how that works for The Protector:
The Basic Proposition sets the foundational belief: "I am good and worthy if I am perfect and correct." It serves an internal narrative that constantly reinforces their need to maintain high standards. It also results in an overbearing inner critic. But more on that in a future article.
The Worldview offers the context for this belief, painting a picture of the environment: "The world is imperfect and I must correct it." Improvers see imperfections and inconsistencies in the external world, aligning with their innate belief in a correct or ideal way things should be.
The Core Motivation is the actionable component that guides their behavior: "I must be good, have integrity, and be beyond criticism." The profound need to be seen as virtuous and irreproachable drives them to continuously seek and address imperfections, both in themselves and in their environment.
In summary, The Basic Proposition lays down a belief system, the Worldview provides the context in which this belief operates, and the Core Motivation propels the Improver into action. With this foundational framework in mind, we can more clearly explore how Improvers occur “in the wild”!
What Draws The Improver’s Attention
Protectors often direct their attention outward, constantly scanning the environment for potential threats or challenges. What tends to draw their attention includes:
Standards and Principles: Improvers naturally place their attention on what is right or wrong, adhering closely to a set of internal standards and principles. They are often on the lookout for ways to improve, refine, and correct – both within themselves and their environments.
Mistakes and Imperfections: Improvers’ attention hones in on errors, inconsistencies, and deviations from the norm or standard. They have a keen eye for details and can spot what others might overlook.
The Internal Critic: Improvers have a strong internal critic that continually assesses and judges their thoughts, actions, and feelings. This self-evaluative mechanism is ever-present, prompting them to question if they're living up to their ideals.
Given that “energy follows attention”, Type 1 Improvers put their energy into:
Taking Corrective Action: Aligned with their worldview, Type 1s direct their energy towards rectifying perceived imperfections. This could manifest in various forms – from organizing, planning, and creating systems to ensuring ethical behavior in different spheres of life.
Self-Control and Discipline: To be beyond reproach and to avoid making mistakes, Improvers invest a lot of energy in self-control and discipline. They are often reserved about expressing their emotions, especially anger, choosing instead to channel it into their sense of purpose and duty.
Advocating for What’s Right: Many Improvers are also driven to advocate for justice, righteousness, and ethical behavior on a broader scale, channeling their energy into causes, movements, or roles that allow them to enact positive change and uphold their standards.
In essence, the attention and energy of a Type 1 are predominantly directed towards the pursuit of perfection, adherence to standards, and the rectification of what they deem incorrect or flawed. It's a dance between their keen awareness of imperfections and their robust drive to correct and improve.
Relating With Type 1 - The Improver
Improvers value integrity, honesty, and consistency in relationships. They deeply appreciate partners who uphold shared principles and moral standards, as it resonates with their inner quest for righteousness.
Commitment and reliability are paramount to them, as they themselves often exemplify these traits. They seek open communication, believing that misunderstandings or conflicts can be "corrected" through dialogue. Moreover, they cherish mutual respect and understanding, desiring a relationship space where both individuals can strive towards personal and shared growth. Some ideas for being in relationship with Improvers include:
Be Honest and Direct: Improvers appreciate straightforwardness, so address issues or concerns head-on and honestly. They respect clear communication and will often respond positively to it.
Acknowledge Their Efforts: Recognize their dedication to improvement and their commitment to doing what's right. A simple acknowledgment of their hard work can go a long way.
Be Patient with their Critiques: Understand that their tendency to point out imperfections is not personal but arises from their innate drive for correctness. See their feedback as an attempt to improve rather than as mere criticism.
Provide Them With Reassurance: While they strive to be beyond reproach, Improvers can be their harshest critics. Reassure them that mistakes and imperfections are part of the human experience and that they, too, are valued even when things aren't perfect.
Engage in Constructive Discussions: If you disagree with their perspective, approach the conversation with respect and understanding. Frame discussions in terms of values, principles, and shared goals to find common ground.
Engaging with a Type 1 Improver through understanding and empathy can foster a deep and enriching relationship, as you both navigate the complexities of their drive for righteousness and improvement.
Pathways for Growth for Improvers
Personal growth for Enneagram Type 1 Improvers involves recognizing and softening their overly critical inner voice and learning to accept imperfections in themselves and the world. Here are five key developmental ideas for Improvers:
Cultivate Self-Compassion: One of the greatest challenges for Improvers is their internal critic, which often holds them to impossibly high standards. Cultivating self-compassion means recognizing when they're being too hard on themselves and intentionally practicing kindness and understanding toward their own imperfections. Mindfulness and meditation practices can be particularly helpful in this regard.
Embrace Imperfection: Recognizing that perfection is an ideal, and not always a reality, can be liberating. The Japanese concept of "wabi-sabi" – which finds beauty in imperfection and transience – might resonate with Improvers. By seeing the value and beauty in what's imperfect or transient, they can develop a more balanced view of the world and themselves.
Learn to Channel Anger Constructively: Improvers often suppress or redirect their anger because it doesn't align with their image of being "good" or "right." However, repressed anger can manifest as resentment or passive aggression. Learning to recognize, accept, and express their anger in healthy and constructive ways can lead to more genuine interactions and better emotional health.
Prioritize Relaxation and Play: Given their intense focus on responsibility and rectifying wrongs, Improvers might forget the importance of relaxation, play, and spontaneity. Intentionally setting aside time for activities that have no other purpose than joy can provide balance and a much-needed break from their inner critic.
Seek Diverse Perspectives: Engaging with people who have different viewpoints and approaches to life can help Improvers understand that there are multiple "right" ways to do things. It can also give them a broader perspective on what's truly important and what can be let go. This can be achieved through reading, traveling, or simply engaging in open conversations with diverse individuals.
In essence, the path to growth for Improvers involves embracing the full spectrum of the human experience, including imperfections, emotions, and the diverse ways of being and doing in the world. By integrating these ideas into their personal development journey, they can achieve a richer, more balanced, and fulfilling life.
Conclusion
Enneagram Type 1 Improvers embody the quest for a better world through their unwavering commitment to integrity, precision, and righteousness. Their meticulous nature, while sometimes seen as overly critical, stems from a heartfelt desire to elevate standards and improve circumstances for all. These individuals are steadfast allies in championing ethical causes, standing firmly for what's right. Their dedication, reliability, and deep-seated values make them invaluable contributors in both personal and professional realms. Celebrating these strengths, we recognize Improvers not merely as critics, but as beacons of principled action and transformative change.
