What Are People Who Are Enneagram Type Three Like In A Relationship?

If you're familiar with the Enneagram system, you know type threes to be the ambitious achievers, bringing a bright energy and inspiration to everything they touch. Type threes tend to have an impressive resume and a drive to be worthwhile in their endeavors. Their desire for success isn't just limited to their careers -– they want to shine in all arenas: family, hobbies, the home, relationships, and social circles. Type threes strive to be notable and useful in their communities and make sure that each member of their family is being the best they can be (via The Enneagram Institute).

When it comes to romantic relationship compatibility, most Enneagram types have the potential to work well together, as long as they have shared goals, mutual respect, and admiration for one another (via Truity). So, what are people who are Enneagram type three like in a relationship? Let's take a closer look.

Being in a relationship with an Enneagram type three will be anything but dull. You'll likely feel as though you've stepped into a spotlight alongside them and having someone care about your goals and progress as much as their own is a special experience. "Their belief that anything is possible can be really inspiring for their partner," Steph Barron Hall, certified Enneagram coach and author of The Enneagram in Love: A Roadmap for Building and Strengthening Romantic Relationships, told TZR.

You'll likely be charmed by your partner on the daily. Type threes know how to turn up the charisma, which often works in their favor professionally, but can also make for a fun and upbeat landscape in romantic relationships. Being with a type three tends to be a long-lasting bond and the relationship doesn't lack when it comes to devotion and unity (via The Enneagram Institute). So, if you have your eye on an Enneagram type three, be prepared to work hard and become your best self.

It'll come as no surprise that as type threes are busybodies who tend to focus more on the external world than the internal, there is a potential for emotional distance in a relationship with a three. Even if they have their partner's best interest at heart, they could miss a cue for emotional or spiritual connection because they're focused on the many outward achievements to be conquered. If a three is in a relationship with another three or any high-achieving personality, there is also a pitfall for competitiveness to curb your closeness (via The Enneagram Institute).

Type threes should remember the value of intimate relationships, especially if they begin to feel resentful that the personal investment in their partner is taking away from their own professional advancement. Communication, even if the deep emotional wells cannot be often reached, is key for type threes (via Truity). Again, there will be no dull moments in a relationship with an Enneagram type three and once you learn one another's love language, a bright, smooth future together should emerge.