Enneagram Types

The Perfectionist

Principled, purposeful, and self-controlled. Perfectionists strive for integrity and fear being morally flawed.

Perfectionists are conscientious, ethical individuals who strive to live by their principles. They have a strong sense of right and wrong and are driven by a desire to improve themselves and the world. They are organized, orderly, and often set very high standards for themselves and others. At their best, they are wise, discerning, and inspiring moral leaders who show others what's possible through integrity and dedication.

Strengths

  • Strong moral compass
  • Highly organized and systematic
  • Dedicated to improvement
  • Reliable and principled
  • Drives quality and excellence

Challenges

  • Unrealistically high standards
  • Harsh self-criticism
  • Difficulty accepting imperfection
  • Can be judgmental of others

Famous People With This Trait

Mahatma GandhiMartha StewartHermione Granger (fictional)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Perfectionist personality type?

The Perfectionist (Enneagram Type 1) is driven by a desire to be good, ethical, and correct. They have strong internal standards and strive for improvement in everything they do. They are principled, purposeful, and self-controlled.

How do Perfectionists handle mistakes?

Perfectionists tend to be very hard on themselves when they make mistakes. They may ruminate on errors and feel a strong urge to correct them. Learning self-compassion and accepting that perfection isn't possible is important growth work for this type.

Related Personality Types

Think You Might Be The Perfectionist?

Take a trait-based test to discover your personality profile.