The descriptions for Enneagram type 3 in books and on the Internet often emphasize a particular school's interpretation or borrow elements from various interpretations. Although these descriptions of type 3 can be similar in many ways, there can also be differences.
Below are samplings from some of the more popular interpretations. Click on the sources after the descriptions to further explore these interpretations.
The Achiever, The Success-Oriented, Pragmatic Type: Adaptable, Excelling, Driven, and Image-Conscious1
Basic Fear: Of being worthless, without value apart from their acheivements1
Basic Desire: To feel worthwhile, accepted, and desirable1
Basic Proposition: You gain love, recognition and acceptance through performance, doing and success.2
Strengths: Enthusiastic, action-oriented, problem-solving, successful, efficient, practical and competent2
Challenges: Image-driven, over-worked, impatient, competitive, out of touch with feelings2
Energy goes into: Getting things done quickly and efficiently. Staying active and busy. Competing. Achieving recognition and credit for accomplishments. Adjusting to whatever is required for success. Promoting myself. Looking good.3
The Performer: Success-oriented, imageconscious and wired for productivity, they are motivated by a need to be (or appear to be) successful and to avoid failure.4
Achievers are energetic, optimistic, self-assured, and goal-oriented.5
Focus of Attention: Threes focus attention on tasks and goals to create an image of success in the eyes of others. Threes identify with their work, believing they are what they do, and lose touch with who they really are.6
Sources
1Book: The Wisdom of the Enneagram; Website: The Enneagram Institute
2Website: The Narrative Enneagram
3Book: The Essential Enneagram; Website: Dr. David Daniels
4Book: The Road Back to You
5Book: The Enneagram Made Easy
6Book: The Complete Enneagram; Website: Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy
