• Leave them alone when they are doing their work
• Give them honest but not unduly critical feedback
• Help them keep the environment harmonious and peaceful
• Don't burden them with negative emotions
• Tell them you like being around them
• Tell them when you are proud of their accomplishments

What's good about being a Three

• they are optimistic, friendly and upbeat
• they provide well for their family
• they recover quickly from setbacks and charge ahead to the next challenge
• they stay informed
• they are competent and able to get things to work efficiently
• they can motivate people

What's difficult about being a Three

• they may have to put up with incompetence
• they fear not being-or not being seen as successful
• they compare themselves to people who do things better
• they may struggle to hang on to success
• they put on a facade in order to impress people
• they can always be on and find it exhausting

Threes as Children

• work hard to get appreciation for accomplishments
• are well liked by children and adults
• are among the most capable and responsible children in their class
• are active in clubs, school government or are busy working on their own projects

Threes as Parents

• are consistent, dependable and loyal
• struggle between wanting to spend time with their children and wanting to get more work done
• expect their children to be responsible and organized

Source: Adapted from Riso, Don Richard with Russ Hudson, Personality Types:Using the Enneagram for Self Discovery,1996. Houghton Mifflin and Baron, Renee and Elizabeth Wagele, The Enneagram Made Easy, 1994, Harper Collins