Core Need/Motivation

Type Threes have a need to be seen as valuable and successful in order to feel a sense of worth.

Characteristics

Type Threes are goal and success-oriented, driven, efficient, adaptable, charming and image-conscious.

Description

Type Threes’ sense of value, worth, and love comes from being perceived as successful and capable. They plan and then execute their plans, focusing on the external optics, often forgetting their own deeper desires, loves, and truth. As soon as one goal is achieved, the Type Three is on to the next. Type Threes understand, appreciate, and strive to work hard. To their mind, you don’t achieve success by accident, but by planning the work and working the plan with great efficiency.

Along with that internal drive comes a deep frustration with obstacles to success. Many have said that they feel as if there are barriers to progress, inefficiencies, or people withholding something that they need to succeed. This internal frustration drives Type Threes to figure ways around what most would consider impossible, rarely with complaint.

All of this planning, working, and achieving is in hopes of receiving the admiration, affirmation, and approval from those they admire. Type Threes often become role models and enjoy motivating others. Some Threes resist their need for admiration which causes internal conflict. Positive feedback is often distrusted as manipulation or justified as something earned but never absorbed into the self. Because they can read how others see them, this pragmatic type is able to shape-shift becoming whatever they need to be. They can lose their sense of self by taking on different identities in different contexts.

Although not often felt, the core emotion of the Type Three is shame or sadness, stemming from the sense of worthlessness, not being competent enough, not having achieved enough, and not being successful enough.

Primary Center: Heart/Emotional

Type Threes are Heart types, but often suppress their own feelings in favor of managing image and outcomes. They ascend quickly to the head where they spend most of their time planning, and then they demand that their body carries out those plans.

The Gifts of Type Threes

Type Threes are able to create efficient and success-oriented plans, seemingly from nothing. They are great at teaching others how to succeed and reach their goals. They show determination and perseverance and will work around obstacles instead of giving up. They can anticipate how people will respond to something, and they have a unique insight for how best to present a winning message to their audience.

The Challenges of Type Threes

In their quest for self-worth, Type Threes can become image-focused – disconnected from their feelings and their authentic self. Threes have a tendency to become workaholics. The pressure to avoid failure and maintain a successful self-image can make them impatient and competitive. Others may perceive their “shape shifting” to adjust to different situations as manipulative, disingenuous, or inauthentic.

Communication with Type Threes

Type Three’s communication style is fast-paced and efficient, and this can often be perceived as impatience. They speak with confidence, and the communication is often goal-oriented. 

When relating to Type Three, express your appreciation for what they do and let them know you care for them as a person, not just their accomplishments. They will appreciate it if you join them in being active and striving for results.