Type 3

The chameleon, the actor

Overview

3s organise their lives around objectives, so as to receive recognition and admiration of others. Whatever field their activity may be in, threes want to be recognised as one of the best in this field. They are confident and believe they will succeed in whatever they attempt, and they often do. They are ambitious beings, objective driven, determined and efficient. They are very tactful and are charismatic charmers. They have strong skills in relationship, and are very adaptable. They are very good at networking and know how to sell themselves in an attractive way.

Avoidance compulsion

3s look to avoid failure at all costs, and often do so subconsciously. They do everything they can do to avoid not being productive or active, as well as mediocrity and bad appearances. Deep down they often fear being undesirable outside of what they do, and that’s why they try to succeed in as much as possible, so as to feel more accepted and desired by others.

Center of attention and motivation

3’s attention is mainly focused on fixed objectives and tasks that need to be completed in order to reach them. They are searching for performance and prestige. They are very attentive to everyone around them, to which they adapt themselves to meet their needs. They want to be an image of success.
Being recognised for their success motivates 3s. They are confident and know how to put themselves forward. They like to have attention, be admired and impress people with what they have done, it motivates them to go even further. They need to stand out from others and try to be the best at what they do.

Vice and defense mechanism

When they are in the grips of their compulsion (avoiding failure), 3s’ ego can make them vain and liars, to themselves as much as to others. Their defence mechanism is identification. They tend to change appearance by embodying a role that they believe to be a projection of achievement and success, which enables them to avoid the feelings of failure, and to maintain the approval of others by incarnating what they value. They often get so wrapped up in their role that they forget their “internal me”. They then try to complete tasks and answer other’s requests while maintaining a “winner”’ image. They find themselves in this “self-illusion” by incarnating the role and image that they want to project. They are so concerned about looking good, and especially looking their best, that they lose themselves in the role with which they identify and forget who they really are.

In harmony

When they are at peace with themselves and have their compulsion under control, 3s are optimistic, thoughtful, dedicated to their work, motivated, competitive, sociable, helpful, charismatic and competent.
They are at ease when they have reached the level of success that they aimed for, gained the image they wanted and receive admiration from others. They then lean towards their integration type (type 6) and the positive traits of the latter are adopted into their behaviour. Thus, they become less concerned with their image and commit themselves to people who they can be more loyal to and with who they can become more altruistic.

In imbalance

In the grips of their compulsion, 3s can be too aware of their status and their image, needing validation from others, become indecisive, manipulative and workaholics.
If the situation doesn’t improve, they lean towards their disintegration type (type 9) and the negative traits of the latter are adopted into their behaviour. Thus, they can become static, passive, closed off, more hesitant and less productive.

Wings

3’s neighbouring types are types 2 and 4. The “wing” is the neighbouring type which appears to have the greatest influence on the base type.
3w2s are warm, helpful and encouraging, but can also be more smooth-tongued and manipulative.
3w4s are introspective, serious and creative but can also be more pretentious and moody.