Coaching Type Three: Reframing Achievement and Worth

In this episode of the Awareness to Action Enneagram podcast, Mario Skora, María José Munita and Seth “Creek” Creekmore talk about coaching Enneagram Type Threes. Type Threes – Striving to Feel Outstanding – display high integrity and genuine drive, but get painted as deceptive phonies in most Enneagram writing. The hosts push back on these misconceptions and share what they’ve learned from the Threes that they've coached. They’ve shown high integrity, strong goal orientation, and real desire to contribute, but the actual problem isn't fakery but a broken sense of worth. Mario and MJ break down the connection points through the "duck on the pond" dynamic, smooth on top and frantic underneath. They also break down why most Threes they've coached display high integrity and genuine drive, and what actually blocks them from real leadership.

“I can’t tell you how many times people have assumed that I’m a Type Three because I am self-employed and I have a lot on my plate. It’s like if you’re busy, and if you’re in some way entrepreneurial and self-employed, then you must be a Three. ” -Creek [09:06]

“I think the client’s level of maturity has an impact on this. When a Three is immature or insecure, they often fall into the trap of highlighting. It’s like I’m not sure if you’re seeing what I’m doing so I’ve got to make sure that you see it. So I’m going to talk about my accomplishments, and I’m going to talk about great things and possibility and that sort of thing. And then as they grow and mature and settle into themselves a little bit, they just don’t feel the need to make the point anymore, because their actions speak for themselves.” -Mario [19:45]

“Threes have this built-in assumption that they have to demonstrate their worth, and maturity has to do with that, with understanding that they don’t.” -María José [22:49]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:01] Intro

[02:10] Striving to Feel Outstanding

[06:31] Dismantling the misconceptions of Type Three

[10:46] The connecting points

[16:46] Guarding their true self

[21:46] Showing people their worth

[29:47] The subtypes

[35:21] Recent example of the ATA process

[40:18] Purpose as the Accelerator

[43:04] Final thoughts

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