“Noblesse Oblige” is an ancient French expression that has come to mean that any person can contribute to the better good by participating and sharing their time, talents or skills. It pretty much describes Enneagram Type 1’s approach to leadership.
These are people that have a sense of mission that drives them to improve the world using whatever degree of influence they have to inspire others to follow. As leaders they are seen as authentic in their care and concern and often are crusaders and advocates for change.
Trilogy Effect employs the Enneagram framework as a key tool in leadership training. With it, leaders can understand how their own worldview may influence their behaviours and reactions and--ultimately--it enables personal and professional growth through increased self-awareness and by surfacing the untapped potential of their teams.
Enneagram Type 1 Leaders
Perfectionist Leaders
Trilogy Effect’s Managing Partner, Heather Marasse, says Type 1 Reformers have perfectionistic tendencies. “The deepest fear of someone who is an Enneagram Type 1 is that they are somehow flawed or not good enough. They have this critical voice in their heads that works to keep them on track, but they don’t always feel good. They see imperfections in everything and feel responsible to put things right.”
Type 1s rely on the “instinctive center of intelligence”. Heather explains: “They rely on their gut instincts, so they tend to be well grounded and highly connected. Not only are they instinctive, Enneagram Type 1 leaders are also very sensate—quite body-oriented. This is an asset, as these leaders have a sense, even before they have the words or feelings, for the right action to take in a particular situation. Type 1s feel it’s their duty to take swift action when needed.”
The Reformer
“Type 1s also have a high degree of integrity, which is where this idea of nobility comes in,” Heather says. “You can even see it in their carriage and posture. They tend to have a lot of refinement and discernment.”
As Reformers they endeavour to overcome adversity—particularly moral adversity—and aim for high values, even at the cost of being unpopular. Well-organized and fastidious, Type 1s strive to maintain high standards, which can make them seem idealistic.
As bosses or leaders, these characteristics can make them appear critical or judgemental, perhaps even nit-picky and somewhat compulsive about things they see as still needing to be done.
Yet, when they ease up with their criticism, they can begin to see perfection within imperfections. “This is where their nobility comes in and a willingness to give of themselves on behalf of the greater good,” explains Heather Marasse.
Trilogy Effect partner, Wendy Appel says as Reformers, Type 1s are often drawn to careers in politics where they can follow their drive to reform. She cites Hillary Clinton as an example and her endeavours to reform health care in the United States. She also points to vocations such as policing and work in the regulatory field where Type 1s believe they can effect change through principled and ethical pathways. These professions require such characteristics along with attention to detail and a sense of duty; they dovetail nicely with the Type 1 profile.
Enneagram 1 as leaders
At their very best Type 1s can be extraordinarily wise with strong personal convictions and an intense sense of right and wrong. They endeavour to be rational, self-disciplined and moderate in all things. When they achieve this, they can become remarkably realistic and effective, knowing the best action to take in each moment.
On the other hand, Type 1s can also become dissatisfied with reality making them overly zealous idealists feeling that they alone have to improve everything. They may take on “causes” and explain to others how things “should” be. If they do not keep themselves in check, they can seem self-righteous. They may see themselves as knowing “the actual truth,” while they obsess over imperfections and the wrongdoing of others.
For Enneagram 1s there’s always room for improvement for themselves, as well as everything and everyone around them. But the drive for improvement can become exhausting. These Noble Reformers benefit from giving themselves permission to relax and take time for themselves. When they accept that not everything is up to them, and that things don’t always have to be perfect, they reconnect with their ideals while bringing their best qualities of graciousness, generosity, altruism and wisdom to the surface. A sense of serenity prevails; all is right with the world as they become present to the truth of the present moment.