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What’s a Type A personality, and what are its pros and cons?

December 15, 2023 - 20 min read

Smiling-group-of-young-people-working-together-around-a-table-Type-A-personality

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What's a Type A personality?

8 traits of the Type A personality

How to interact with someone who has Type A personality traits

How to change Type A personality behaviors

5 tips for living well with a Type A personality

Other personality types

Using your personality type advantageously

You make detailed schedules to accomplish the most you possibly can in a day, and you feel impatient when a friend is late for dinner. You might even occasionally pull an all-nighter to finish a presentation and still have energy to spare.

Sometimes, it seems like you have an endless supply of motivation when it comes to performing high-impact tasks. And perhaps someone who’s observed you in action has commented that you’re Type A.

You may have wondered if the person’s remark was a compliment or a dig. Were they implying that you’re a workaholic, a perfectionist, or someone with an impressive amount of drive? 

If you’re unsure what it means to have a Type A personality, or just want to understand how to spot people who do, learning more about this identification and its history can help. You’ll better understand your habits and take good care of your physical and emotional health. 

What’s Type A personality?

Type A is a personality type associated with high achievers, with traits like drive, logic, and a sharp focus on results. The term hails from Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman’s 1950s cardiological research on coronary artery disease, which initially aimed to describe characteristics that led to stress. They categorized those traits into the Type A behavior pattern (TABP).

People continue to use the term Type A, though not necessarily in reference to the initial study. It’s a way to explore and identify different types of personalities, and it now attributes to people who are ambitious, work-driven, and time-conscious — similar to the set of traits Friedman and Rosenman initially spotted.

Being Type A isn’t positive or negative, and it doesn’t define who you are. Like other personality types, it’s best used as a way to categorize traits and foster improved communication between people who do so differently, whether you’re trying to explain your preferences to others or understand someone else’s.

Does being Type A actually affect your health?

In Friedman and Rosenman’s study and follow-up, which tobacco company Philip Morris helped fund and considered its “crown jewel,” the cardiologists hypothesized that people with Type A personality traits would be more likely to develop coronary artery disease — sometimes called coronary heart disease (CHD). 

This study on cardiovascular disease concluded that the incidence of illness among subjects was double for those with TABP. This finding helped solidify the link between mental and physical health — a correlation that medical and mental health professionals have continued to explore. 

If you recognize yourself or someone you know as Type A, the connection between these traits and cardiological risk factors may be alarming. But it just means people with TABP are at a higher risk of CHD, not that they will get it. 

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8 traits of the Type A personality

Being Type A or identifying with some characteristics doesn’t mean you’ll have every single trait. But if you’re unsure whether you fall into this category or want to know what to look out for if someone you know is Type A, explore the following list of eight characteristics to get a fuller picture:

1. Competitiveness 

People with Type A characteristics are likely ambitious and competitive, working hard to advance in their careers or achieve personal goals. As such, they might be workaholics who take a non-stop approach to completing projects. They may also compare themselves to others, wanting to stand out as hard workers — but that does mean they could be prone to feelings of low self-worth and internal criticism when things don’t go as planned. 

2. Impatience

Those with Type A tendencies usually want to achieve goals as quickly as possible. Setbacks, like late delivery on a project milestone or a long line at the bank, can be highly frustrating. To anyone with this Type A trait, time is a precious resource they can’t waste.

3. Achievement-orientation 

People with TABPs are often achievement-oriented and hardworking, and they might be impatient because those setbacks keep them from achieving goals. They won’t let obstacles stand in their way, and they love the feeling of finishing big projects and receiving praise. People with Type A personalities are often innovators for this reason.

4. Aggressiveness

A study from Psychological Bulletin about personality and aggressive behavior shows a link between Type A traits and hostile reactions, like rudeness and low tolerance for minor upsets. People with Type A behaviors may become aggressive or defensive if they feel someone is questioning their competence.

5. Need for dominance

Those with Type A tendencies like to be on top of their game. Their competitiveness might push them to not only work hard but perform better than their peers. They’re natural leaders who might lean toward an authoritative leadership style, enjoying having power and influence.  

6. Perfectionism

Type A personalities seek perfection — and not just in themselves. A study published in Personality and Individual Differences showed a positive correlation between Type A traits and the need for perfection from others and in society. A person who exhibits TABPs might not stop at delivering the highest-quality work possible, but also personally invest in the company’s success and push teammates to achieve.

7. Organization

Those with Type A tendencies might love to stay organized so they reach goals quickly and with ease. They might strategize with clear action plans at work and at home. And when tight schedules arise, they can harness these instincts to multitask and produce high-quality projects despite the crunch. 

8. Time management 

Time management also works toward goals, so high-achieving people with Type A traits might make to-do lists, task boards, and calendars to keep work on track. And while they may be good at meeting deadlines, they may focus so heavily on time that they become impatient or brusque with others in stressful situations. 

Young-couple-playing-chess-at-home-type-A-personality

How to interact with someone who has Type A personality traits

Perhaps you have a teammate who becomes irritable when a project gets off schedule, or maybe a loved one's impatience gets in the way of an enjoyable, laid-back day. 

If you don’t identify with Type A personality traits, it may be difficult to understand why staying another half-hour at a dinner party upsets your partner or a colleague turns to frustration instead of solutions when you hit an obstacle. Here are some tips to help you navigate interactions with people who have Type A traits:

Keep communication open

Encourage productive communication instead of emotionally driven interactions. If you sense someone else is frustrated, angry, or irritable, let them calm down or reset before discussing what they felt to avoid adding stress. And if the person is receptive, add how the situation also made you feel. Giving them the opportunity to say, “I found this frustrating because…” will provide clarity and relieve tension for everyone involved.

Compromise 

Maybe you’re more laid-back and hate when others push their detailed schedules on you. The solution isn’t to throw their plans away entirely, but to find common ground. Communicate about what your personal values are and have productive conversations that serve everyone involved as closely as possible. 

Understand that nobody’s perfect

Everyone has room for improvement. If you have a friend or coworker with Type A traits, remember that their negative behaviors don’t define them, and their positive qualities are still ones to celebrate. Balance your perception of this person by remembering their strengths, like motivation at work or organizational skills

Multiracial-Colleagues-Sitting-At-Table-In-Office-type-A-personality

How to change Type A personality behaviors

Type A isn’t a box that dictates how you must behave. You can create better habits and adjust your behaviors in a way that suits your values.

If you identify with one or more Type A traits, reflect on how they impact your life. Perhaps your time-management skills allow you to complete work efficiently, but you could improve your work-life balance by scheduling breaks. Maybe you exhibit impatience, and you could aim to accept life’s roadblocks and lost time by being more patient. 

Knowing what TABPs you have — and which ones you might prefer to control — can help you foster better interpersonal interactions and live a more relaxed life. Here are three tips for shifting your behaviors:

1. Let the little things go 

Heavy traffic when you have many errands to run or an unexpected delay on a project can cause frustration. And if you have Type A impatience or aggression traits, the situation can sour your day. But you can learn to put this setback in perspective, saving yourself from frustration or unwanted outbursts. 

Try journaling about your day to interrogate why those obstacles upset you and reassure yourself that you can enjoy yourself despite them. You can also work with a mental health professional, like a therapist, to unpack why these inevitable roadblocks affect you and work on diffusion or reframing techniques.

2. Soul search

If you have the Type A perfectionism trait or aim for professional dominance, you may be caught in a cycle of reaching for goals that don’t actually excite you. It’s a popular dream to own a home, but perhaps you’d prefer to save up to travel the world. Or maybe the goals that might fulfill you the most are less tangible — like reducing stress levels or having more time for self-care

Auto-discovery can help you find a path that suits you. Do some self-reflection through journaling, coaching, or therapy to understand your inner motivations and set goals that match your true self. 

3. Learn a new communication style

It’s natural to have emotional reactions to upsetting situations, regardless of whether you identify with Type A traits. But through Inner Work®, you can control how you interact with others. Learning a new communication style might give you a better handle on self-expression and discover productive ways to tell people what you need. 

Try learning methods of communication that describe your feelings instead of blaming others. Use “I statements” to describe what a situation made you feel, like “I was anxious when I saw the project was getting off track because I wanted it to run on schedule” rather than “You made the project run late.” This sets a more amicable tone for problem-solving conversations.

woman-with-a-dog-at-home-type-A-personality

5 tips for living well with Type A personality traits

If you have Type A traits, you could experience chronic stress or some of the physical health problems that Friedman and Rosenman cited in their original study. Stress affects the body in many ways, like high blood pressure, muscle tension, and diabetes. And your mental health could suffer if you’re constantly worried about your achievements or outcomes. 

But that doesn’t mean being Type A has to affect your mental and physical well-being. When deadlines overwhelm you or you fail to stay organized, there are better ways to cope. Here are some tips for living with Type A traits:

1. Prioritize your well-being 

If you have TABPs, you’re likely working hard without prioritizing rest. Carve out time for self-care, quality sleep, and social interactions outside of work or personal projects. Find activities that rejuvenate you, whether those are relaxing hobbies or meditation practices.

2. See a professional 

Talking about your motivations, strengths, and weaknesses with a therapist or coach can guide you toward a more fulfilling life and better self-awareness. You can also learn to control potentially toxic personality traits and the behaviors they cause, like angry outbursts. 

If you know that your personality causes you to clam up when you’re frustrated, you could work with a communication coach to express your feelings. Or if you find that your Type A traits impact your performance at work, a career coach can work through situations with you and set goals for the best path forward.

3. Take breaks

When you’re goal-oriented, taking breaks can seem like a waste of time. But they bring you into the present moment and help you refocus on the pleasures of daily life, like taking a walk with a great cup of coffee. Whether you’re spending a long day at work or diving deep into a project, take a few breaks to avoid excessive stress.

4. Don’t stigmatize yourself

Some people might see Type A traits as negative, like dominance or aggression. But you have positive personality traits, too. Celebrate what you do well, like motivating others or consistently delivering quality work. Everyone, regardless of their personality type, has strengths that benefit everyone around them — so find yours.

5. Discover relaxation techniques that work for you

Some people find taking a bath relaxing, but this activity might not bring you peace. Perhaps you prefer going for a scenic drive, running, or working on a puzzle. Let yourself relax in a way you genuinely enjoy. It might take some experimentation, but once you find a self-care plan you love, you’ll develop better mental fitness and return to your life with new energy.

Other personality types

Friedman and Rosenman’s study slated Type A versus Type B personalities as opposites. But two categories didn’t cover the full spectrum of traits, and some people might identify more closely with Type C or Type D. Here’s more on all of these types and their common traits:

Type B personality

Type B personality traits include relaxedness, agreeableness, and flexibility — usually the opposite of Type A. Type Bs manage stress well and reach their goals without rushing, but that sometimes means they’re prone to daydreaming or lateness. Some describe these types as exhibiting less “neuroticism” than Type A. 

Type C personality

Type C personalities demonstrate behaviors like precision, attention to detail, and conscientiousness. People with Type C traits often work well with others thanks to their thoughtful, generous nature, and they have strong critical thinking skills for problem-solving.

Type D personality

People with Type D personality traits might be cautious in their decisions and relationships. They often take time to open up, making them more introverted than others. They may also worry and deprioritize their needs, putting other people first. 

Using your personality type advantageously

When you read up on behaviors and take personality tests, you likely see yourself in several descriptions. Perhaps you’re generous and goal-focused or relaxed and with an incredible attention to detail. No one fits into a single box, and none is superior to another. 

The benefit of understanding the Type A personality type and seeing what you identify with is that it fosters self-awareness. And the better you know yourself, the better you comprehend the “why” behind your reactions. This self-knowledge helps you identify areas for growth and build richer social connections. 

Transform your life

Make meaningful changes and become the best version of yourself. BetterUp's professional Coaches are here to support your personal growth journey.

Transform your life

Make meaningful changes and become the best version of yourself. BetterUp's professional Coaches are here to support your personal growth journey.

Published December 15, 2023

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships.

With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

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