Communication Wednesday [15]:

 

Type One Type Three

 

Ones and Threes often look like a high‑functioning dream team from the outside. Both care about doing things well, both can be organised and driven, and both like the feeling of getting things done and done properly. They can quickly fall into “Let’s fix it and move it forward” mode together, which makes them effective in projects, work, or running a household.​

 

Underneath, though, they are usually measuring “well” in different currencies. Ones are listening to an internal standard of rightness: did I do the correct thing, in the correct way? Threes listen more to external feedback: did this work, did it land, did it move me closer to my goals? That means a One can see a shortcut or image‑management move and feel uneasy or even indignant, while a Three can experience the One’s slow, exacting process as nit‑picking or resistance to success.​

 

If you are a One with a Three:

 

Say what matters most in a situation instead of criticising every deviation; let them know which standards are non‑negotiable and where you are flexible.

 

Acknowledge results as well as process; “You handled that efficiently and thoughtfully” will land better than a list of what could have been purer.

 

If you are a Three with a One:

 

Show you respect their principles by not asking them to “fudge it just this once”; that request hits deeper than you may think.

 

When you streamline or adapt, explain your reasoning instead of just pushing ahead; “Here’s why this still meets the real standard” helps them stay on board.

 

At their best together, Ones keep the work anchored in integrity, Threes keep it moving and visible, and both can relax out of proving themselves and into trusting that they are on the same side, just optimising for different parts of the picture.