If you’re an enneagram social 3, this article is for you. The social three is known for so many things and they crave being acknowledged and seen by people. They love to have a certain level of influence. They are known as “Prestige”.
This enneagram subtype tends to enjoy being the center of attraction and do not mind the attention it brings. If anything, they live for the spotlight. As children, they would always want to show people their newest trick, invention or demonstrate how good they are at a particular thing. Seeking approval from their audience such as their parents or teachers. They can be vain sometimes too.
Knowing your enneagram subtype helps you identify how you think, feel and behave towards others. It helps in understanding why you are more motivated towards more things than other things. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses never goes wrong. In this article, we will talk more about the Enneagram social 3 and how they function.
Read: A Guide To The Enneagram Self Preservation Three
Who Is The Enneagram Social 3
As mentioned above, they love the spotlight and are highly driven in order to attain it. They want to be in charge of their own lives but tend to seek validation from others. Sometimes they come off as vain. They also have a natural confidence which is unmatched, making them admirable. When they want something, they go out for it with subtle persuasion and strong will.
People in this enneagram subtype are socially brilliant. They have no problem with talking to others which makes it easier in climbing the social ladder. They are very calculated with their words and actions. Life can be a competition and they intend on winning. This subtype sure stands out.
Let’s take a look at the breakdown of the Enneagram Social 3 Strengths
Strengths of The Enneagram Social 3
Here are the important strengths of the social 3 that you do not want to miss.
Socially Brilliant
As mentioned earlier, they do know how to climb the ladder strategically with charm and confidence. They know how to talk and exactly what to say. So it takes no surprise they always feel they can get their way. This can be a very good and interesting trait as long as they aren’t viewing their relationships as transactional.
Confident & Goal Oriented
One of the greatest strengths of this enneagram type is the unmatched confidence they have when they enter a room. They are also goal oriented and go after what they want. They have big goals they try to attain in every part of their lives and can lead a group to where they need to be. This enneagram type does not necessarily have to be a leader for this to happen but when they see incompetence, they step in to correct it.
Impeccable Work Ethic
This personality type is known for their impeccable work ethic. Filling the void of incompetent leaders and picking up the slack from their teammates. They work very hard to achieve their goals and although it isn’t always intentional, it gives them a chance to be in the spotlight. They are usually respected and admired and would not want that to be taken away from them.
This is a strength which only becomes a weakness when they push their bodies to unhealthy extremes. Which in turn affects their health and relationships.
Adaptability
There is a reason why they are known as chameleons. They have no problem adapting to changing times and places unlike the social 2. They know what to do when prevented and if they can’t, they take out time to learn. This makes them one of the best people to work with. Even with unpleasant tasks, they put in the right effort.
Weaknesses of The Social Enneagram Three
Although the ES3 has their strengths, they also have their weaknesses which could be drawing them back from achieving their full potential. Here are 3 most prominent weaknesses of this enneagram subtype.
They Constantly Seek For Validation
This enneagram subtype loves the spotlight and the validation that comes from it. This makes them willing to do anything to get it and set unrealistic goals for themselves. Thereby stressing when it doesn’t pull through. They believe they can only be successful when others acknowledge it and become depressed if otherwise. This can affect their confidence and work ethic.
They Do Not Handle Criticism Well
ES3s are the best at handling criticism and can respond to it negatively. They have only one thing in mind and that’s success. Criticism makes them feel incompetent and instead of helping them grow, it does the opposite. They become defensive and withdrawn with the slightest sign they aren’t doing well.
It can feel overwhelming when they ate exposed in that way. They care about making good first impressions and anything else can be a huge blow to them.
They Numb Their Feelings
The social three is the most aggressive of all the other Threes. They are assertive and go for what they want. They are passionate about their jobs and in their workplaces they numb out their feelings to come off cold. This could be for various reasons such as getting the respect they want.
The problem comes from them losing touch with themselves and struggling with their self identity. Riddled with insecurities, this doesn’t make it better.
Work For The Enneagram Social Three
The enneagram social 3 has many redeeming factors but their weakness can be a problem if not handled properly. Improving on weaknesses while taking advantage of your strengths is one way to be unstoppable. The ES3 needs to understand how constructive criticism can help them become better instead of signifying they are incompetent. No one knows all and if someone takes out the time to show you how you can be better, appreciate it.
Struggling with your self identity would never end if you do not stop placing your worth on what people think of you. You’re more than that and you should know that. Be more relaxed, trust people and appreciate their effort more. This can make you less cold and more approachable.
