10 May 2023
Are 4w3s anarchists, aristocrats, or artists? Or maybe they just crave attention? Why is it so important for this type to stand out?
If you want to understand the 4w3 type, you have to be ready to dive into the ocean of their emotions and learn to swim in it. They are that very special snowflake of the Enneagram who needs freedom to explore their identity and decide where they stand in the world.
So, if you are ready to meet this attractive “rebel without reason,” you will be amazed at the versatility of their character. Stay tuned, and you will learn what kind of dreams this type dreams, what matters to them, and what they desire and fear the most.
Let’s kick in!
If your Enneagram test results indicate you are a 4w3 Enneagram type, it means you are basically a Four with many traits of a Three. Both Four and Three belong to the feeling triad of the Enneagram, which means this will be a very intense personality. In fact, the Three wing makes Fours more vibrant and lively, highlights their ambitions, and makes them more goal-oriented.
Fours generally struggle with structure, but when the Three wing is strong, their lives become more organized. When inspired, a 4w3 is capable of achieving great things, and their enthusiasm is contagious.
The Three wing also enables Fours to take a more active role in their own lives, so these individuals are full of ideas that they eagerly turn into reality. Having this in mind, it’s safe to say that it actually brings Fours’ dreams a little closer.
A "wing" in an Enneagram type means that you scored highly on the test for one of the types that are adjacent to yours in the Enneagram circle. Four is between Types Three and Five, which means that as a Four, you can have a Three or a Five wing.
4w3 means you have all the characteristics of a Four, while the Three wing acts like a sidekick to your personality. It makes Fours more grounded, goal-oriented, and passionate.
All the emotional abundance of the Four is still there, and the Three wing helps the Four feel more confident and energetic. It also gives them a little bit of versatility, so they often possess multiple amazing skills. Even when not, they will make sure to stand out in any crowd.
4w3s’ strengths and weaknesses all stem from the same source—their emotions. This attractive, optimistic personality has a lot of creativity to offer, especially when they overcome the need to prove they are better than others.
The biggest strength of the 4w3 type is that they are always into their feelings and never compromise their authenticity. Other virtues they possess include:
4w3 is not so attuned to communicating with other people. Their need to stand out at all costs makes it difficult for them to find friends. Having this in mind, we can say that their weakest spots include:
Enneagram 4w3 needs to be seen as unique and special and is ready to take on the greatest challenges just to prove that. So, all of their fears and wishes come from this deep-seated need to be seen as one of a kind.
Fears show us where we are the most fragile. The main worry for 4w3s is that they won't be able to distinguish themselves from others through their work, which makes them feel unlovable. All of their worries center around this, including the following:
The underlying need behind all the core desires of 4w3s is the urge to be recognized and accepted with all their big feelings. Therefore, they usually want to:
There is a huge, almost tangible difference between 4w3s and 4w5s. To begin with, a 4w3 strives to show how unique and exceptional they are by achieving something amazing at work, unlike a 4w5, who wants to acquire exceptional knowledge.
In 4w3s, the need to be unique meets the Threes’ wish to be the best, so these individuals are ambitious and career-oriented, though not in a too conventional manner. Meanwhile, in 4w5s, the emotional abundance meets the light of the Fives’ incredible intellect.
Therefore, a 4w5 is a passionate researcher who wants to learn everything there is to know about human emotions and the world. On the other hand, a 4w3 is an eccentric, talented artist who wants to achieve something unique.
4w3 wants to be remembered for something, regardless of what they have done or accomplished. Their deep need to tie their identity to something that could stick makes them incredibly motivated to work hard and achieve great things.
The ultimate fantasy of 4w3s is that once they succeed and achieve something exceptional, they will earn the love and acceptance of others and stop suffering from feelings of inadequacy.
These people are also motivated by creativity, artistic pursuits, profound conversations, and meaningful connections. And, even though they often seem very self-absorbed, they crave intimacy and the warmth of a true friendship. When they feel supported by the people who love them, they become stable and balanced and do not insist so much on how different they are from everyone else.
In stressful situations, 4w3 may obsessively hold on to their achievements. Their fragile sense of self is easily shattered because it is based on their ever-changing feelings. Because of this, they may become dramatic and act out in an attempt to get the attention they need.
The typical behavior of 4w3s under stress is to refuse to ask for help and engage in unending self-questioning and self-doubt instead, which only makes them weaker. Even though they seek some time alone when stressed, that is the opposite of what they need.
In essence, this type has an unsolved need to belong. When they are stressed out, this burning feeling that they will never belong anywhere becomes even more painful. Their inner conflicts leave them devastated, and without intervention from someone who loves them, it may take a long time for them to get back on track.
This personality type may also experience depression from time to time, especially if they keep making the same mistake at work or fail to accomplish something they want to. Relying on a close friend for support may make all the difference.
With their ideas and never-ending drive to do great things, 4w3s can be creative leaders. Yet, they hate administration and bureaucracy and are not interested in organizing other people, so they will not take such positions unless they have to. Since they often let their emotions get the best of them, they might be too picky and difficult to please as bosses.
As a team player, a 4w3 is competitive and wants to prove to everyone that they are special. As long as they can avoid acting overly conceited and arrogant toward other team members, they can make a significant creative contribution to the group.
They prefer to work independently or be in charge of some creative project. When they do what they like, they are inspired and full of passion and childlike enthusiasm.
When it comes to career paths, the 4w3 type is rather specific. They need to be able to explore their inner worlds and show what they see in their own way. Due to this, they work best in environments that are not strictly structured and where hierarchy is not a big deal. And, as long as they feel they have room to think outside the box, they will perform great.
Since this personality type has an unmet need for belonging, it is advantageous when their job allows them to participate in a system while still maintaining their individual freedom. So, the ideal professions for 4w3s include:
The worst professions for this wild, creative type are typically those that do not require creativity and are based on red tape. When they are denied the chance to demonstrate their originality, they become disoriented and demotivated. Therefore, the worst careers for them include:
4w3 people often have multiple talents and exude vivid vibes, which is why many famous personalities who enjoy the reputation of eccentrics are of this type.
Some of the most illustrative examples include:
And just like that, you now know what makes 4w3s so special!
Before you go, let’s remind you of some of the key traits of this peculiar Enneagram type:
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