What do you mean by “observable patterns”?
One of the difficulties of the Enneagram is that it focuses on internal motivations rather than external behaviors. Additionally, determining one’s type does require a certain level of self-knowledge. For instance, do you go around thinking, “Hmm…what I really fear here is that I’m unworthy of being loved,” or “I suppose that I’m just falling prey to the deadly sin of avarice here”? As a result, it can be hard to tell what another person’s Enneagram type might be, and it might even be tough to tell what your own type is (I’ve personally spent time bouncing back-and-forth among types). So, in order to combat this problem, I’ve put together some short profiles of what might be more observable about each type from the outside looking in and/or what each of us might actually say our surface motivations and defense mechanisms are. I’ve designed these patterns, so that you can watch your behavior for these signs to try and verify what type you are from the outside-working-in. Now, you may not need this progression. Many people can go from the inside-working-out, but I can’t. If you are like me, then I hope this helps you.
Also, if you read through the patterns of a type and say to yourself, “Well, yeah, but isn’t everyone like that?” You may have just found your type. 😉
[If you want to investigate the full traditional descriptions, the best place to go is the Enneagram Institute here: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions]
Type Three
How do you pay attention? – As a Three, you will naturally pay attention by being “task-oriented” or “goal-oriented.” In other words, you focus on what you can do in a situation. You may ask questions like “What is the bottom line?” And, you have a gift for seeing how to get to that goal in just about any situation.
What do you know intuitively? (i.e., the “superpower” that others notice) – Like every type, your intuition grows out of how you focus your attention. Threes’ focus of attention on goals and tasks helps you to “read the room.” You have a sixth sense for knowing how you come across to others – or, at least, that’s what others tell you. Now, you may come across so well because you are thinking about the type of impression you make on others. See how intuition cycles back to attention here?
Defense Mechanisms:
Repression – Here is a defense mechanism that Threes share with Ones; however, the focus is different. Ones repress their impulses, particularly those impulses associated with any behavior that could be morally questionable. By contrast, Threes repress their flaws. As a Three, you repress any aspect of yourself that is less than you want it to be. That repression may be through not talking about that aspect or in not engaging in a particular activity. You’ll repress anything about yourself that might give others less than the best impression.
Identification – Another classic Three defense mechanism is identification. Threes identify with whatever or whoever they see as a “success,” and then they work to become the same. As a Three, this defense mechanism goes hand-in-hand with your drive to achieve goals. You’ll do whatever and become whoever it takes to meet the goal.
Displacement – As a Three, it might be quite tempting to view any problems or issues that might come up for you as originating from another person. While many types participate in some version of the “blame game,” the Three version is to displace these feelings into competition with whoever you see as responsible for the problem. For instance, while other types might blame their bosses for their problems and complain, as a Three, you’ll compete directly with your boss. Who know? You might end up with his/her job!
Secondary Motivations:
If you have a high degree of self-knowledge, then you might see how your motivations spring from a core desire to be worthwhile or competent (I’m only as good as what I do.) but – for the rest of us – you might see these motivations instead…
On a good day – I want to improve myself. I want to rise above my circumstances. I want to do my best and distinguish myself.
On a bad day – I want people to pay attention to me. I want others to admire me. If I can’t impress the right people, then what good am I?
Warning signs – You may be getting unhealthy when you begin to use at-any-cost thinking: “I’ll do whatever it takes to stay on top.” Also, beware when healthy competitive impulses become damaging: “If I can’t win, then I’ll take you down with me!”
Recurring Temptation:
Each type has a recurring temptation (remember, these are the seven deadly sins, just under a different name) that starts the “snowball” rolling down the hill to being unhealthy. As a Three, the lie that seems so, so, SO “true” is that life is a competition. While a certain amount of competitiveness is good in the right context, if you start competing in all areas of your life, then BEWARE!
Reminder:
Just like the seven deadly sins, we all have the energies of all of the Enneagram types. Even if you identified a lot with what is written above, stay tuned for the other types. You might just identify with another type more closely.
Credit:
These observations chiefly come from The Enneagram: Understanding Yourself and the Others in Your Life by Helen Palmer and Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types by Don Richard Riso