With this newfound sense of tenderness, Challengers become aware of others’ needs and will freely drop the ‘tough’ persona. I learned to master my weaker side early on. Often, two types are considered “look-alikes” because they share key personality traits and/or behaviors. Level 5: Begin to dominate their environment, including others: want to feel that others are behind them, supporting their efforts. Your real power lies in your ability to inspire and uplift people. Eights are energetic and direct. Enneagram Type 8s are described as being powerful, dominating, and self-confident. Consider if there is room in your current work to fulfill some of the motivations listed above. Their groundedness gives them abundant “common sense” as well as the ability to be decisive. They hold their heads up high and will pick themselves right back up after each stumble — stronger than before. The result is that average Eights become blocked in their ability to connect with people or to love since love gives the other power over them, reawakening their Basic Fear. Read about the other eight types of Enneagram Personalities: The One, the Two, the Three, the Four, the Five, the Six, the Seven, the Nine. Why are they disappointed with me?”). They typically believe in the mantra of creating your own luck and work very hard to make things happen, no questions asked. Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. They present a confident, assertive, and decisive image to others. Molly Owens is the CEO of Truity and holds a master's degree in counseling psychology. Copyright © 2020, Truity. But if you alienate everyone associated with you, you will eventually be forced to employ the most obsequious and untrustworthy operatives. People with an Enneagram type Eight personality tend to be self-confident, powerful, and assertive in their behavior. Common jobs for this type include entrepreneur, politician, and lawyer. Enneagram Type Eight Vice: Lust. Everything a test of wills, and they will not back down. As children, they may have been called ‘bossy’ by peers. Eights have enormous willpower and vitality, and they feel most alive when they are exercising these capacities in the world. From my research, I discovered the Enneagram Population Distribution which was a massive survey conducted on 19,217 individuals. Although, to some extent, Eights fear physical harm, far more important is their fear of being disempowered or controlled in some way. Understanding the type 8 personality is important, but also understanding how they respond in relationships and with someone romantically, is going to give you a better idea of how to communicate. It glyphs them cold of mods and the keys information that they bring to make an educated lady. Generally corresponds to the Antisocial Personality Disorder. Privacy Policy | Terms of UseCopyright 2021, The Enneagram Institute®. What Type Eights tell us about themselves I thrive on having lots of energy in my body and enthusiasm for life. The fact is that whether in your business world or your domestic life, your self-sufficiency is largely an illusion. You are at your best when you take charge and help everyone through a crisis. Phil” McGraw, “Tony Soprano". While Ones and Nines more or less repress or ignore their anger, Eights have no problem accessing their anger, often expressing it impulsively. (“I don't understand what my family is complaining about. She is an ENTP, a tireless brainstormer, and a wildly messy chef. The are driven by a lust for life and excess. An eight is determined, committed, and able to prevail. You can use these affirmations at any time to realign with your Enneagram’s core values. They are energetic and intense, and they can be intimidating at times to other people. They often refuse to “give in” to social convention, and they can defy fear, shame, and concern about the consequences of their actions. Core Motivations: Eights are motivated by their desire to be independent and in control. Enneagram Type 8: The Challenger. Enneagram Type 8 is known as The Challenger. Challengers are set to make an impact, and won’t back down. They assert their independence and want to be able to choos… For example, you may think that you are not dependent on your employees because they depend on you for their jobs. A resourceful, "can do" attitude and passionate inner drive. They pride themselves on their strength, honesty and the truth. See how you score for all 9 Enneagram types, and understand where you fit in the Enneagram personality system.. To take the Enneagram test, mark each statement based on how well it … Swaggering, boastful, forceful, and expansive: the "boss" whose word is law. This is likely to come across through the way they speak, their choice of words, decision-making style and body language. The desire to dominate everyone all the time is a sign that your ego is beginning to inflate—a danger signal that more serious conflicts with others are inevitable. Type 7s are known for being fun-loving and spontaneous, and they have even more energy than standard Type … Eights are charismatic and have the physical and psychological capacities to persuade others to follow them into all kinds of endeavors—from starting a company, to rebuilding a city, to running a household, to waging war, to making peace. Their confidence and stamina lifts them to new heights, with each failure serving as a kick for more effort. The enneagram figure is usually composed of three parts; a circle, an inner triangle (connecting 3-6-9) and an irregular hexagonal "periodic figure" (connecting 1-4-2-8-5-7). The “wing” is the neighbouring type that appears to have the most influence on the base type. They may use empty threats to regain power over others and turn existing relationships into tests—where one can only pass or fail. May achieve true heroism and historical greatness. The Individualist. Type 8 personalities don’t want to be controlled by others and care deeply about a sense of independence. It goes against the grain, but act with self-restraint. When they learn to develop their caring side, gratitude and joy emerges from their core selves. Eights are extraordinarily tough and can absorb a great deal of physical punishment without complaint—a double-edged blessing since they often take their health and stamina for granted and overlook the health and well-being of others as well. But the fact is that you are dependent on others to do their jobs too, especially if your business concerns grow beyond what you can manage alone. They have no fear of conflict and they are not always concerned with limits or boundaries. They typically take charge during group projects or meetings and find themselves at ease in leadership positions. Challengers are part of the “body-based” triad, along with Type One and Type Nine. They love engaging in debates and are skilled at making difficult decisions. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can also be ego-centric and domineering. He always told me not to ‘let anybody push you around.’ It was not okay to cry. As a result, they can be seen as highly ambitious yet intimidating by peers. Although, if we admit it and allow others to see, we are softer on the inside than most would think. Those close to them may become increasingly dissatisfied with this state of affairs, which confounds Eights. Much of their behavior is involved with making sure that they retain and increase whatever power they have for as long as possible. Naturally accustomed to leadership roles, the Challenger makes their presence known and carries an aura of confidence and self-assuredness in their speech and walk. Level 2: Self-assertive, self-confident, and strong: have learned to stand up for what they need and want. Many people in your life care about you and look up to you, but when you are in your fixation, you do not make this easy for them. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. These are beautiful traits to have, but they can also be a weakness at times if they aren’t careful. Strong advocates for others, Eights are concerned with justice, combating oppression, and protecting the weak. They view the world as made up of “strong” and “weak” people — they are strong and, therefore, are responsible for protecting those who are not. Eights can be argumentative and intimidating; it is important to them to stand up for what they believe in and to protect those who are weaker than themselves. Popular jobs for the 8w9 include activist, professor, counselor, and judge. She recounts a childhood incident in which she could clearly see the development of this pattern. They’re one of the most confident of the nine enneagram types. They’re known to be independent, determined, and tough. 8w9: The Eight wing Nine type is an Eight who has similar features as the Type Nine Peacemaker. Eights feel they must control their environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating. Remember that the world is not against you. An Eight may be a general or a gardener, a small businessman or a mogul, the mother of a family or the superior of a religious community. Celebrate Your BFF This “Galentine’s Day” With the Gift of Self-Discovery, Secrets to Make Your Relationship EXPLOSIVE, Based on Your Partner's Enneagram Type. One of those lines shows where you are prone to go when under stress (the other for growth). They use their talents and fortitude to construct a better world for everyone in their lives. The Riso-Hudson Books offer the most complete type descriptions available anywhere. Protectors habitually focus their attention on power and control. A curated listing of gift ideas for Enneagram Type 8: The Challenger. When they are average, Eights are competitive and may view friendships or business relations as a battlefield, always looking for the next challenge to win. Type 8 Values (from The Wisdom of the Enneagram, p. 289-291). Because they fear that they will be rejected (divorced, humiliated, criticized, fired, or harmed in some way), Eights attempt to defend themselves by rejecting others first. Document Moved. Each enneagram type goes towards and takes on some of the average to unhealthy traits of another type when they are stressed. The Eight sits in the action centre of the Enneagram acting on gut instinct and making things happen are, therefore, second nature to this type. No matter: being “in charge” and leaving their imprint on their sphere is uniquely characteristic of them. Eights can be argumentative and intimidating; it is important to them to stand up for what they believe in and to protect those who are weaker than themselves. Level 4: Self-sufficiency, financial independence, and having enough resources are important concerns: become enterprising, pragmatic, "rugged individualists," wheeler-dealers. Learn more about the arrows. Core Desire: To be authentic / to be uniquely themselves. They become addicted to the pursuit of power, and will destroy anything blocking their way with fury. Object Moved This document may be found here Often, little is really at stake, and you can allow others to have their way without fear of sacrificing your power, or your real needs. Enneagram Type 8 Subtypes Some Enneagram experts divide each Enneagram personality type into three subtypes: self-preservation, social, and one-to-one. We have named personality type Eight The Challenger because, of all the types, Eights enjoy taking on challenges themselves as well as giving others opportunities that challenge them to exceed themselves in some way. Eights are self-confident, strong, and assertive. Enneagram Type 8 - The Challenger Taking charge, because they don't want to be controlled The Challenger 8. They want to be independent, and resist being indebted to anyone. When their delusions of power get out of hand, Challengers become stone-cold and take an antagonistic stand to anyone who dares to question them and their motives. Basic Fear: Of being harmed or controlled by others, Basic Desire: To protect themselves (to be in control of their own lifeand destiny), Enneagram Eight with a Seven-Wing: "The Maverick", Enneagram Eight with a Nine-Wing: "The Bear". Beneath the tough façade is vulnerability, although it has been covered over by layer of emotional armor. Everyone is expendable in your little kingdom—except you. Doing so would demonstrate weakness, which is absolutely unacceptable in their books. Take initiative, make things happen: champion people, provider, protective, and honorable, carrying others with their strength. It is difficult for Eights, but learn to yield to others, at least occasionally. They present a confident, assertive, and decisive image to others. She has led the development of assessments based on Myers and Briggs' personality types, Holland Codes, the Big Five, DISC, and the Enneagram. Deepest Fear: Eights fear being vulnerable and powerless more than anything, and cope with this fear by always being strong and in control. Eights project themselves as direct and intense. Eights typically overvalue power. Yet they are desperately afraid of being hurt emotionally and will use their physical strength to protect their feelings and keep others at a safe emotional distance. The two Enneagram Type 8 wings are Enneagram 8 Wing 7 (8w7) and Enneagram 8 Wing 9 (8w9). What are Oprah Winfrey’s Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Personality Types? “Much of my tenacity and toughness comes from my Dad. Level 6: Become highly combative and intimidating to get their way: confrontational, belligerent, creating adversarial relationships. People with an Enneagram Type 8 personality tend to be self-confident, powerful, and assertive in their behavior. What are Brené Brown’s Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Personality Types? More than any other type, they stand alone. Less healthy Eights may ruin relationships on their path toward power and authority. Control issues central, although alcoholism and narcotic addictions are possible. Proud, egocentric, want to impose their will and vision on everything, not seeing others as equals or treating them with respect. To close friends and family members, Challengers are generous and intensely loving individuals who freely offer refuge and advice. People of this personality type are essentially unwilling to be controlled, either by others or by their circumstances; they fully intend to be masters of their fate. When Eights are emotionally healthy, however, they have a resourceful, “can-do” attitude as well as a steady inner drive. Eights are bold, daring, and willing to … Eights enjoy taking a position and direct action, and facing conflict by making the first contact. If not, speak to your employer about how … When moving in their Direction of Disintegration (stress), self-confident Eights suddenly become secretive and fearful at Five. The results from the survey indicate that the rarest Enneagram is Type 8 The Challenger, followed closely by Type 5 and Type 2. Level 8: Develop delusional ideas about their power, invincibility, and ability to prevail: megalomania, feeling omnipotent, invulnerable. Healthy Eights are brave and charismatic leaders who stand up for themselves and others. Ignore physical needs and problems: avoid medical visits and check-ups. This free Enneagram personality test will show you which of the 9 personality types suit you best. Knowing your wing will add more depth and clarity to your enneagram description. Enneagram Type 8 - The Protector Eights are a body-based type who tend to take charge of situations and step into a leadership role. The more Eights build up their egos in order to protect themselves, the more sensitive they become to any real or imaginary slight to their self-respect, authority, or preeminence. All rights Reserved. Eights typically want to be self-reliant and depend on no one. They are fiercely independent and dislike being reliant on others. Enneagram Type Comparisons. Read below for 20 affirmations for Enneagram type 8. Find Molly on Twitter at @mollmown. You show true power when you forbear from asserting your will with others, even when you could. Challengers are ruthlessly independent and are unafraid of confrontation, which can get them into major trouble at times. Use threats and reprisals to get obedience from others, to keep others off balance and insecure. Personality Test (Myers & Briggs' 16 Types). Hard-hearted, immoral and potentially violent. Because Eights admire strength, honesty, and correcting injustices, they try to dominate and control people, space, and things. All rights reserved. The Type 8, also known as The Challenger, is a very strong personality and they want to protect themselves and other people. Type Eight in Brief. But, ironically, they depend on many people. In the end, they may force themselves into loneliness. They resist appearing or feeling weak and reject any authority that restricts them. They avoid showing vulnerability, which can be a roadblock for connection and intimacy. They are honorable and authoritative—natural leaders who have a solid, commanding presence. Gurdjieff, Richard Wagner, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Oskar Schindler, Fidel Castro, Martin Luther King, Jr., Lyndon Johnson, Mikhail Gorbachev, Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, Saddam Hussein, Senator John McCain, Donald Trump, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Norman Mailer, Toni Morrison, Serena Williams, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Keith Richards, Queen Latifah, Courtney Love, Jack Black, Chrissie Hynde, Pink, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis, Mae West, Sean Connery, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Russell Crowe, Sean Penn, Harvey Keitel, Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, Roseanne Barr, Barbara Walters, Rosie O’Donnell, “Dr. Therefore, it’s helpful to look at both the similarities and the distinguishing features that set them apart. Eights find it easy to influence the external environment and they tend to believe that almost any action is better than doing nothing at all. Goal-oriented and self-competent, Challengers trail blaze boldly through all walks of life and take great pride in their independence and sharp minds. Although they are usually aware of what people think of them, they do not let the opinions of others sway them. It’s not that you’re opposed to criticism – it’s just that you usually aren’t interested in doing things … Let in the affection that is available. Others may turn their backs on Challengers, who will reason that they were better off working alone. Eights do not want to be controlled or to allow others to have power over them (their Basic Fear), whether the power is psychological, sexual, social, or financial. For the Eight, this is a lust for big experiences across all activities—loud music, fast cars, frequent activity. When danger comes and their loved ones are in trouble, the Challenger will confidently stretch their wings to protect them. If you’re unsure about your Enneagram type, check out these 12 Enneagram tests you can take right now. Depending on the Eight’s main focus, we have Self-Preservation Eight, Social Eight and One-to-One Eight. When they are unhealthy, Eights can become tyrannical and intimidating, scaring others off at first glance. The Rarest Enneagram Type: Type 8 The Challenger. When they are healthy, Eights can be a champion of ideas for those who are oppressed. They believe, with vigor and pride, that the future is malleable and within their control to wield. The feelings and emotions of others become insignificant, as they become blindfolded to the softer side of the human psyche. During their down time, they critically evaluate their actions and work towards self-improvement. They’re strong and confident leaders who can be the backbone and driving force for causes and communities. But those who are attracted to you because of your power do not love you for yourself, nor do you love or respect them. Eights are direct, authoritative, zestful, firm, and oriented to truth and justice. The emotional drive of type 8 is lust, which refers to a passion for intensity, a tendency toward excess and an insatiable quest for pleasure.It is a lust for life, a relentless seeking of sensual stimulation and satisfaction of physical desires. Modern Twists to the Ancient Enneagram: How the Personality System has Changed Over the Last 20 Years, Why Peacemaker Type 9s Truly Are the Most Powerful Type in the Enneagram, The Best Side Hustle Based on Your Enneagram Type. Career coaches senior Anna Katherine Daley, an eight, and junior Andy Walker, a four, opened the event with the history of the enneagram … Level 7: Defying any attempt to control them, become completely ruthless, dictatorial, "might makes right." Type 8’s fixation on control and justice results in numerous stressful preoccupations. They are confident, calm, and generally more patient than other Eights. They go about their business with a steely determination that can be awe inspiring, even intimidating to others. Vengeful, barbaric, murderous. Thayer is a stockbroker who has worked intensively on understanding her type Eight personality. Type 8’s neighbouring types are 7 and 9. Examples: G.I. But as much as possible, they want to look after the interests of the people in their charge without playing favorites. This type is not shy when it comes to taking the lead and making tough decisions. While this may be the Faustian bargain you have made, you will nevertheless have to pay the price that whatever power you accumulated will inevitably be at a cost to you, physically and emotionally. Risk-taking, hardworking, denying own emotional needs. Eights grow when they learn to access their vulnerability and weaknesses. Enneagram type 8 Is a prominent of there and have-source software, shares most characteristics of the older post-domain software, but stands on the compressed archive of copyright law.