Strategy 1
Principled Perfectionist
- Desire
- Goodness, integrity and being at peace with yourself
- Fear
- Making a mistake, failing and being bad inside
Why People Confuse Them
Both strategies are productive, organized, and task-focused. Both can set feelings aside to get things done, and both want to work on themselves and set a high bar. If all you see is how they run a meeting or plan a vacation, they look almost identical.
What the Difference Is
The One is an idealist. They measure themselves against inner principles and want to do things right even if no one is watching. They often stick to a particular method because they consider it the best one. The Three is a pragmatist. They care about the result and how they come across to others, and when a method isn't working, they swap it out without hesitation.
The One struggles to hide irritation; people around them can tell right away that something's wrong. The Three can put on whatever mood the situation calls for, even when they feel differently inside. The One fears their own inner critic and making a mistake. The Three fears failure and embarrassment – in other words, having no value.
Subtypes: The One is most easily confused with the self-preservation Three, who is quiet, responsible, and wants to be a role model, but goes by what the people around them consider good, not by their own conscience.
Three Questions That Settle It
Answer honestly, based on how things usually are, not how you'd like them to be.
- If no one ever saw your work, would you still do it just as carefully?
1More likely a One if yes, because otherwise it would keep you up at night.
3More likely a Three if you'd do it well enough to work and put more energy where someone will appreciate it.
- What do you do when the method you've chosen isn't delivering results?
1More likely a One if you first look for where things strayed from the right method.
3More likely a Three if you quickly switch to a different method – whatever gets it done.
- After a bad day, what bothers you more?
1More likely a One if you blame yourself for not doing something well.
3More likely a Three if it stings how you looked in front of others.
Not sure? The test will tell you in 10 minutes. What's my strategy? →
How to Spot a One →How to Spot a Three →How They Work Together in a Relationship →