Out of
the Box Coaching and
Breakthroughs with the Enneagram,
Mary R. Bast, Ph.D.
Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved. Revised:
October 05, 2008
Style One Subtypes*
Influencing to do it "right."
Self-Preservation (Worry):
Worried about survival, afraid to take a risk, obsessed about details. Others have to earn their love and support. They engage in either/or thinking, show anger covertly ("I was so concerned, afraid you'd had a wreck").
At best gets details "right," plans contingencies to avoid failure; at worst checks and double-checks, covertly angry ("I was so concerned!"). According to O'Hanrahan the key word for this subtype is "anxiety," stemming quite literally from survival worries (self-preservation). Rules and structure are paramount but attention can focus too much on "What's out of place?" "Off-time" gets set aside in favor of working toward survival (can be overdone).
One-to-One/Sexual (Zeal):
In Spanish, “zeal” means “the animal in heat.” The most free of the One subtypes. More Eight-like. A passion for being righteous (vs. being right). Aggressive and possessive in personal relationships; also may be jealous of others who succeed, which feels safer than “I want” or “I need.”
At best ensures quality processes and continuous improvement; at worst zealous righteousness, invasive anger, aggressiveness. O'Hanrahan calls this subtype "the evangelist" because of their often passionate idealism. According to Palmer, this is a possessive subtype. In work settings this will show up as jealousy toward others who get promoted, who are more popular at work, or who are taken more seriously.
Social (Nonadaptability):
Anger acted out through correct causes and social ideals. Self-righteousness, narrow endorsement of own values. Entrenched in the tenets of the "right" ideological platform with uncompromising opinions.
At best makes "right" choices, applies rules/standards to target success; at worst a passion for being right, punitive. O'Hanrahan emphasizes the importance of rules and responsibilities for this subtype. These Ones may see breaking or even bending the rules as a failure of moral character. They're somewhat more concerned about status than other One subtypes.
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*According to Peter O'Hanrahan, the subtypes "show how the ruling emotion of our type is expressed through our instinctual behavior." The above descriptions also draw from Helen Palmer's The Enneagram in Love & Work and workshops with Dr. Claudio Naranjo.
Subtype Test Answers to Subtype Test
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