People with an Enneagram type Three personality tend to be ambitious, adaptable, and enthusiastic in their behavior. They are driven and love to set and accomplish goals. They tend to adjust their roles, actions, and expressions to every setting or people-group in order to best fit each environment.
What is Enneagram Type 4
(The Creative)?
People with an Enneagram type Four personality tend to be creative, sensitive, and expressive in their behavior. They like to be unique and seek to find their own identity. Though they desire relationships, they may seem distant and reserved, especially in group settings.
Communication
How can Threes and Fours communicate effectively with each other?
Enneagram Threes are motivated by the desire to be accepted by others, while Fours are driven by the need for their own unique identity.
Threes should avoid being overly logical when communicating with Fours by focusing, instead, on forming personal connections.
Fours should try to be direct and even-tempered when addressing Threes.
Resolving Conflict
How can Threes and Fours resolve conflict?
Threes should be attentive and sensitive with Fours by sharing their own perspective gently and remaining empathetic to Fours. Fours should avoid overly emotional expressions by focusing on addressing the facts of a situation and calmly explaining how they’ve been affected. Threes and Fours should work together to find a working compromise.
Building Trust
How can Threes and Fours build trust?
Threes tend to trust Fours who can both express themselves logically, when needed, and help Threes work through their own difficult emotions. Fours can help Threes address internalized negative self-perception and feel more deeply confident in their own abilities.
Fours generally trust Threes who allow Fours to express themselves openly. Threes should recognize and affirm Fours’ individuality.
Threes are usually social and hard-working, while Fours tend to be more artistic and expressive. Threes bring efficiency and resourcefulness to a workplace. Fours offer insight and creative thinking. Threes can help Fours avoid being personally offended by negative situations, while Fours can help Threes understand and express their emotions.
Dealing with Change
How can Threes and Fours deal with change?
Many Threes will adjust well to change, as they tend to be optimistic and adaptable. Fours aren’t generally concerned with routine, meaning they don’t tend to be very affected by change.
Managing Stress
Threes and Fours need to seek to understand what brings stress to the other type and should try to avoid causing it when possible.
Threes are easily stressed by...
Stress from feeling as though they need to constantly entertain
Repetitive failure or difficulty solving a problem
Being perceived negatively
Working to reconcile their own emotions
Fours are easily stressed by...
Casual or meaningless conversation
Parties and large groups of unfamiliar people
Lack of personal creativity
Being interrupted or facing an argument
Threes should allow Fours to spend plenty of time alone, while Fours should avoid being overly critical of Threes.
Encouraging and Motivating
Threes and Fours can encourage and motivate each other in their personal and professional lives.
Threes are motivated by...
Accomplishing what they set out to do
Feeling loved and accepted by others
Having new goals to achieve
Public-speaking or meeting new people
Fours are motivated by...
Building connections and relationships with others
Taking personal time to reconnect with themselves
Expressing their emotions through a form of art
Feeling valued and accepted for who they are
Threes can motivate Fours by recognizing and appreciating their unique personality traits.
Fours can encourage Threes by supporting their efforts to achieve idealistic goals.
Enneagram Test
Complete the Enneagram test below to find your Enneagram type.
