Personality Types Explored: Type 1 of 9

Personality Type: 1 

Core Motivation: feel safe;

Action Goal: make the world right

Most of us are familiar with some type 1 people.  They like structure, rules, a clear ‘right’ way to live and do things.  They are generally uncomfortable around emotional intensity, and avoid talking about feelings.  I believe they are so deeply sensitive to all the painful, brokenness in the world that they feel the need to shut down their emotional reactivity in order to function.  They make it a priority to find a ‘system’ where they can feel safe from all the unpredictable ‘danger’ in the world.

If you are wondering whether someone is a type 1, it may help to ask yourself these questions:

1. Do they like routine?
2. Do they tend to be organized?
3. Are they loyal to one particular way of life?
4. Are they very bothered when things do not go as planned?
5. Do they often seem inflexible?
6. Do they generally avoid change?
7. Do they seem uncomfortable around deep, emotional expression?
8. Do they pride themselves on being devoted to at least one ‘good cause’?
9. Would most people label them “perfectionists?”

All of these statements would be true for most type 1 people.  As mentioned in previous posts, each type interacts with the ‘wings’ on either side of it, so it would be possible to have some minor exceptions. 

In the workplace, it is generally easy to be the boss of a 1 type, and difficult to have a 1 type as your boss.  I will be discussing personal compatibility in a later post.  But overall, I think 1 types are most likely to be compatible with other 1 types, 2 types, 3 types, or 9 types.  If lots of personal validation is important to you, a 1 type is likely not your best bet for a partner.  If you like to back up your thoughts with supporting data from the outside world, a 1 type might be a great fit.

If you have regular contact with a type 1 person, it might help to understand that any external rigidity is in place to protect their vulnerable inner child.  The overwhelming threat of an ever-changing world puts 1 types in a constant state of self-preservation that translates into what many interpret as perfectionist behavior.