Can a Relationship Between Two Type A Personalities Work?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy It Will WorkWhy It Might Not WorkHow to Make It Work

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Why It Will Work

Why It Might Not Work

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Sparks can certainly fly when twotype A personalitiesfind themselves falling for each other. But are those sparks the perfect amount for a nice romantic fire, or will they end up setting the whole relationship ablaze? Type A people are often hardworkingperfectionistsand detail-oriented go-getters with high standards who won’t settle for anything but the best. What happens when two such people get together?“These individuals often thrive in structured, goal-oriented environments and may exhibit a sense of urgency in both their personal and professional lives,” saysOzan Toy, MD, MPH,  chief medical officer at Telapsychiatry. “Type A personalities are relatively common, particularly in high-stress professions such as senior executives, doctors, lawyers, and professors.”With a double dose of perfectionism, this love story could be epic—or epically intense. Let’s dive into whether thispower couplecan make it work.Rachel Marmor, LMHCThey often share a deep drive for achievement, a love for challenge, and a passion for excellence. This can create a relationship filled with excitement, mutual respect, and shared goals.Why It Will WorkPeople with type A personalities are often highly successful, even if they may experience someburnoutor unnecessary self-criticism along the way. They’re super driven, competitive, and often excel in whatever they put their mind to (because they’d stop short of nothing less than perfection). When two Type A personalities come together, it can make for a seriously impressive power couple dynamic.“A relationship between two Type A personalities is like a dance between two powerful energies. Each partner brings strength, determination, and a clear sense of direction,” saysRachel Marmor, LMHC, chief wellness officer at the PAIRS Foundation. “They often share a deep drive for achievement, a love for challenge, and a passion for excellence. This can create a relationship filled with excitement, mutual respect, andshared goals.”Another benefit of two type A personalities being together is that there’s a sense of shared ambition that can be extremely powerful. As long as both parties are on the same page about a specific goal—large or small—they can accomplish it quickly and effectively.“Oftentimes, people can have different life goals which can lead to conflict in a relationship. However if both partners are highly motivated and driven then it is likely they will find joy in sharing a desire for achievement,” Toy says.He adds, “The relationship can also be filled with excitement and activity, as both individuals are typically energetic, focused, and goal-oriented.” Research shows that this ability to achieve goals can have positive mental health effects.The Type A Personality QuizWhy It Might Not WorkEvery relationship experiences natural ebbs and flows, but when two type A personalities come together things can get a bit fiery. Each has their own set of deep-seated passions and goals, and when these aren’t aligned, then tension and conflict can arise.Power StrugglesPower struggles are a common issue between this pairing since both parties may feel the desire to lead the dance, set the pace, and steer the ship. “Their combined intensity can fuel a high-stress relationship, especially if both partners are impatient or too uptight,” Toy says.CompetitivenessType A personalities are naturally competitive, and that can bleed into the relationship. From minor situations (like playing a card game) to larger life goals, two type A people may end up competing with each other. This can become exhausting, but Toy says it can also breedresentmentif one partner consistently outperforms the other.BurnoutWhen you pair a type A personality withsomeone who’s more laid-back, there’s going to be a natural pullback in intensity. However, combine two type A personalities and both may run at full speed ahead without another person there to say “Whoa, nellie.” (Studies have even found a correlation between poor heart health and type A personalities due to the stress they put on themselves.)“To find no or poor balance is also common among A personality couples,” saysSofie Roos, a relationship therapist. “These relationships tend to lack sleep and have too little free time and too much working time which can lead to stress, burnout and mental health problems such as depression.”Rachel Marmor, LMHCIt’s important to recognize that while both partners are strong, the strength lies not just in leading but also in following.How to Make It WorkYes! Two type A personalities can absolutely thrive in a romantic relationship—it just takes some work—like any relationship. While the relationship dynamic between two type A personalities can be intense, it can also feel deeply fulfilling if both partners are aligned with life goals, adaptable, and willing toopenly communicate.“It’s important to recognize that while both partners are strong, the strength lies not just in leading but also in following,” Marmor says. “The ability to step back, to allow the other person to take the lead at times, is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of deep respect and trust.”She notes that when two Type A individuals are able to comfortably alternate between leading and following, they ultimately create a beautiful, balanced rhythm in their relationship.The issue is that these things don’t necessarily come naturally to type A folks, so it’s something they need to be intentional about.Meditation practices, routinely checking in with one another, and incorporating relaxation techniques and shared leisure time can all help a double type A relationship thrive.

Sparks can certainly fly when twotype A personalitiesfind themselves falling for each other. But are those sparks the perfect amount for a nice romantic fire, or will they end up setting the whole relationship ablaze? Type A people are often hardworkingperfectionistsand detail-oriented go-getters with high standards who won’t settle for anything but the best. What happens when two such people get together?

“These individuals often thrive in structured, goal-oriented environments and may exhibit a sense of urgency in both their personal and professional lives,” saysOzan Toy, MD, MPH,  chief medical officer at Telapsychiatry. “Type A personalities are relatively common, particularly in high-stress professions such as senior executives, doctors, lawyers, and professors.”

With a double dose of perfectionism, this love story could be epic—or epically intense. Let’s dive into whether thispower couplecan make it work.

Rachel Marmor, LMHCThey often share a deep drive for achievement, a love for challenge, and a passion for excellence. This can create a relationship filled with excitement, mutual respect, and shared goals.

Rachel Marmor, LMHC

They often share a deep drive for achievement, a love for challenge, and a passion for excellence. This can create a relationship filled with excitement, mutual respect, and shared goals.

People with type A personalities are often highly successful, even if they may experience someburnoutor unnecessary self-criticism along the way. They’re super driven, competitive, and often excel in whatever they put their mind to (because they’d stop short of nothing less than perfection). When two Type A personalities come together, it can make for a seriously impressive power couple dynamic.

“A relationship between two Type A personalities is like a dance between two powerful energies. Each partner brings strength, determination, and a clear sense of direction,” saysRachel Marmor, LMHC, chief wellness officer at the PAIRS Foundation. “They often share a deep drive for achievement, a love for challenge, and a passion for excellence. This can create a relationship filled with excitement, mutual respect, andshared goals.”

Another benefit of two type A personalities being together is that there’s a sense of shared ambition that can be extremely powerful. As long as both parties are on the same page about a specific goal—large or small—they can accomplish it quickly and effectively.

“Oftentimes, people can have different life goals which can lead to conflict in a relationship. However if both partners are highly motivated and driven then it is likely they will find joy in sharing a desire for achievement,” Toy says.

He adds, “The relationship can also be filled with excitement and activity, as both individuals are typically energetic, focused, and goal-oriented.” Research shows that this ability to achieve goals can have positive mental health effects.

The Type A Personality Quiz

Every relationship experiences natural ebbs and flows, but when two type A personalities come together things can get a bit fiery. Each has their own set of deep-seated passions and goals, and when these aren’t aligned, then tension and conflict can arise.

Power Struggles

Power struggles are a common issue between this pairing since both parties may feel the desire to lead the dance, set the pace, and steer the ship. “Their combined intensity can fuel a high-stress relationship, especially if both partners are impatient or too uptight,” Toy says.

Competitiveness

Type A personalities are naturally competitive, and that can bleed into the relationship. From minor situations (like playing a card game) to larger life goals, two type A people may end up competing with each other. This can become exhausting, but Toy says it can also breedresentmentif one partner consistently outperforms the other.

Burnout

When you pair a type A personality withsomeone who’s more laid-back, there’s going to be a natural pullback in intensity. However, combine two type A personalities and both may run at full speed ahead without another person there to say “Whoa, nellie.” (Studies have even found a correlation between poor heart health and type A personalities due to the stress they put on themselves.)

“To find no or poor balance is also common among A personality couples,” saysSofie Roos, a relationship therapist. “These relationships tend to lack sleep and have too little free time and too much working time which can lead to stress, burnout and mental health problems such as depression.”

Rachel Marmor, LMHCIt’s important to recognize that while both partners are strong, the strength lies not just in leading but also in following.

It’s important to recognize that while both partners are strong, the strength lies not just in leading but also in following.

Yes! Two type A personalities can absolutely thrive in a romantic relationship—it just takes some work—like any relationship. While the relationship dynamic between two type A personalities can be intense, it can also feel deeply fulfilling if both partners are aligned with life goals, adaptable, and willing toopenly communicate.

“It’s important to recognize that while both partners are strong, the strength lies not just in leading but also in following,” Marmor says. “The ability to step back, to allow the other person to take the lead at times, is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of deep respect and trust.”

She notes that when two Type A individuals are able to comfortably alternate between leading and following, they ultimately create a beautiful, balanced rhythm in their relationship.

The issue is that these things don’t necessarily come naturally to type A folks, so it’s something they need to be intentional about.Meditation practices, routinely checking in with one another, and incorporating relaxation techniques and shared leisure time can all help a double type A relationship thrive.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wilmot MP, Haslam N, Tian J, Ones DS.Direct and conceptual replications of the taxometric analysis of type a behavior.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.2019;116(3):e12-e26. doi:10.1037/pspp0000195Saadi W, Gorgi M, Fouel N, et al.Relationship between type A personality and coronary heart disease.Eur Psychiatry. 2022;65(Suppl 1):S374. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.950

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wilmot MP, Haslam N, Tian J, Ones DS.Direct and conceptual replications of the taxometric analysis of type a behavior.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.2019;116(3):e12-e26. doi:10.1037/pspp0000195Saadi W, Gorgi M, Fouel N, et al.Relationship between type A personality and coronary heart disease.Eur Psychiatry. 2022;65(Suppl 1):S374. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.950

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Wilmot MP, Haslam N, Tian J, Ones DS.Direct and conceptual replications of the taxometric analysis of type a behavior.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.2019;116(3):e12-e26. doi:10.1037/pspp0000195Saadi W, Gorgi M, Fouel N, et al.Relationship between type A personality and coronary heart disease.Eur Psychiatry. 2022;65(Suppl 1):S374. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.950

Wilmot MP, Haslam N, Tian J, Ones DS.Direct and conceptual replications of the taxometric analysis of type a behavior.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.2019;116(3):e12-e26. doi:10.1037/pspp0000195

Saadi W, Gorgi M, Fouel N, et al.Relationship between type A personality and coronary heart disease.Eur Psychiatry. 2022;65(Suppl 1):S374. doi:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.950

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