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Beatrice Chestnut

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge

Ones and Sevens have similar styles in many ways. Both Ones and Sevens are quality oriented, with Ones displaying this in their attention to attaining high standards in their work and other things they do, and Sevens seeking to experience the best of everything, especially recreationally. Ones and Sevens are both idealistic and visionary. Ones want things to be perfect and work hard to make things fit an internally generated sense of the ideal. Sevens are supremely optimistic and positive as a way of denying negative feelings and realities, and they think a lot in terms of future possibilities. Both Ones and Sevens have a lot of energy. Ones apply themselves diligently to everything they do, and Sevens dedicate themselves fully to the many activities that interest them. While both styles can be perfectionistic, Ones are generally more consistently concerned with perfection than Sevens, who can let go of the effort to “do it right” if it becomes too onerous. Both intellectual and analytical, Ones and Sevens both like to problem-solve. Finally, both Ones and Sevens are sensitive to criticism, though the One is more likely to show it than the Seven.

One big difference between Ones and Sevens is that for Ones, work has to come before play, and for Sevens, planning for play and engaging in pleasurable activities is more primary. It’s not that work isn’t important to Sevens, as Sevens can be very dedicated to their work, but they may approach their job duties by making work into an enjoyable activity rather than a responsibility. Although Ones are idealistic, they can seem less than optimistic in that they look for ways to improve things, while Sevens are relentlessly optimistic. Ones like structure and can work within prescribed limits, while Sevens dislike limits and so may have a harder time with constraining elements of organizational structure. For instance, Sevens are not comfortable within a hierarchy and tend to equalize authority, while Ones work well within defined structure of authority. Further, Ones excel at managing the details of projects and tasks, while Sevens find this kind of work tedious. Because Ones naturally pay attention to errors that need correcting, they can seem to the Seven to focus too much on the negative—Sevens always want to focus on the positive aspects of things.

Interpersonally, Ones can at times be critical or inflexible, but they are strongly committed to self-improvement, and so will listen to others’ feedback and dedicate themselves to working on relationships. Sevens bring a lot of positive energy and fun to relationships, but can feel challenged if difficulties need to be addressed and worked through with others.

The Enneagram Institute

Misidentifications

Ones are unlikely to mistype themselves as Sevens, but Sevens occasionally mistype themselves as Ones. Sevens who have been under stress for prolonged periods of time may notice many average One behaviors, such as perfectionism and a need for order, and conclude that they must be Ones. While these traits may surface in certain extreme circumstances, a quick review of the Seven's life will usually reveal that rigid self-control, harsh inner criticism, and repression of impulses are not their dominant issues.

Another source of confusion is the shared idealism and sense of "mission" of the two types. Both types hold high ideals about the world and about human beings, but express these in markedly different ways. Sevens are usually very optimistic about the future and about things working out positively. Ones are far less so–they hold high standards and expect to be disappointed by people and by the world. Ones are fairly certain that they know their "mission" while for Sevens, it is more of a feeling. In Sevens, uncertainty about the nature of their mission creates a great deal of underlying anxiety. ("What if I miss my chance?") Sevens may also think they are Ones because they see themselves as "perfectionists," but their style of perfectionism is very different. Ones' perfectionism drives them to berate themselves for days because they misplaced a comma in an otherwise excellent one hundred-page report. Sevens' "perfectionism" may lead them to become frustrated because the sea food salad they ordered in a restaurant was not exactly the way they wanted it.

The two types are quite different in a number of other ways. Sevens are spontaneous and adventurous–they like to be free to change plans and to follow their inspiration. Ones get frustrated when plans are changed, and usually do not like to deviate from the careful preparations they have made. Sevens are usually unselfconscious socially, Ones are usually very self-conscious socially. Ones are methodical and sticklers for time-management and for following efficient procedures. Sevens have a more fluid sense of time, and balk at being "bogged down" by procedures. Sevens are curious and open-minded, but tend to get distracted and scattered. Ones are more focused and directed, but can be opinionated and closed-minded. Sevens are driven by anxiety: Ones by simmering anger, and so forth.