YOUR RESULT:
Enneagram Type Eight
THE INDEPENDENT CHALLENGER
Why we need Type Eights…
Enneagram Type Eights are direct, assertive, and strong. They are focused on maintaining their autonomy and control of their environment. They desire to be strong and constantly push through challenges, often paving the way for the rest of us.
WHAT DRIVES THE TYPE EIGHT?
CORE DESIRE
To be independent, tough, and resilient.
CORE FEAR
Being vulnerable, weak, or betrayed.
HOW DO TYPE EIGHTS SEE THE WORLD?
WORLD VIEW
The world is a place where you are either the victim or victor, and I will never be the former.
FOCUS
Who is in charge and are they doing a good job? Are they trying to control me?
SELF-TALK
“I can trust no one but myself.”
THE VIRTUE AND THE VICE OF THE TYPE EIGHT
INNOCENCE
The ability to value and portray your childlike essence.
LUST
The inability to manage or control your intensity.
What is the Enneagram?
The word Enneagram comes from the Greek words ennea (nine) and gram (points or drawing). It refers to the nine different Enneagram Types, identified as numbers 1-9, and teaches the 9 different ways of being in and seeing the world.
Each number, or personality Type, has unique core motivations that drive specific thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
The insights of the Enneagram are useful for self-development, self-compassion, empathy, relationship building, effective communication, conflict resolution, and improvement of team dynamics.
ARE YOU A HEALTHY TYPE EIGHT?
Healthy Eights are discerning and gentle. They are aware of their level of intensity, and they can channel it toward meaningful growth in themselves and others. They can discern when to extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Average Eights are abrupt and demanding. They often charge straight ahead without realizing the need for others to catch up. They are certain of their own methods and conclusions and don’t have patience for weakness in others.
Unhealthy Eights are abrasive and intense. They use anger as a means to control their environment. They mistrust almost everyone around them, and they are highly confrontational.
AN OVERVIEW OF TYPE EIGHT
Type Eights represent the human capacity for strength, willpower, and vitality. They are direct, tenacious, and resourceful. At their best, they are charismatic leaders who inspire others to push through challenges that lead to growth. At their worst, they bulldoze people who “get in their way.”
Eights are driven by a desire for a just and fair world, and their anger is typically directed toward an act of injustice they feel needs to be addressed. Eights have no problem addressing issues personally when necessary. While most tend to move away from confrontation, Eights rise to the occasion to meet them head-on.
THINGS THAT FRUSTRATE A TYPE ONE
- Being talked down to
- Having their trust betrayed
- Not getting personal space
- Being controlled or micromanaged
- Bullying or mistreatment
Type Eights have a commanding communication style. They say what they mean, and they mean what they say. They don’t waste time beating around the bush and are keen on discerning dishonestly and empty flattery in others.
Type Eights take an emotionally reactive approach to conflict, and their emotion of choice is often anger. Their anger is expressed directly and can be explosive.
PRACTICE BEING A GOOD FOLLOWER
Leading comes naturally to you. Often your motivation for leading is the comfort of being in charge – if you wear the crown, no one can control you. You would like to accept the cost-benefit of control and leadership without much need for contemplation. Real growth for you exists in allowing yourself to lean into the “follower” role regularly throughout your life because there are no other ways to learn the precious lessons that mistakes teach us: the value of an apology, taking responsibility for your actions, and walking the path of forgiveness.
Being a good follower is a prerequisite for being a good leader.