Also known as the Challenger, the Enneagram type 8 is a force of nature, capable of accomplishing great things. Here, experts share the biggest gifts and lessons of the 8 — and how this personality type can tap into their inner teddy bear to wield true power.
I’m surrounded by Enneagram type 8s — namely, my sister and 7-year-old son, who blow me away with their strength and sheer force. I think it’s because I could use some of their bulldozing, trailblazing nature myself.
“The 8 is like a Japanese bullet train,” says Sarajane Case, author of The Enneagram Letters: A Poetic Exploration of Who You Thought You Had to Be and host of the Enneagram & Coffee podcast. “They’re strong characters — blunt and direct. If they want something, they’re going to get it and you’re not going to stop them.”
What Is the Enneagram Personality System?
Unlike other personality typing systems, the Enneagram isn’t about behavior, according to Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober, MA, founder of Enneagram Ashton and author of The Enneagram Made Simple. “Yes, there are stereotypical behaviors associated with each of the types, but the Enneagram is about our motivations — our biggest fears and desires.” After all, if we know the “why,” we can change the behaviors we don’t like about ourselves.
As for type 8’s “why,” they’re motivated by a desire to protect themselves and others in order to avoid their greatest fear: to be seen as weak, powerless, and controlled rather than in control themselves.
Interested in learning more? Check out Speak With Purpose, Not Impulse
Type 8: Your Defining Characteristics
You’re a strong leader whom others can find intimidating
“Competent and driven, 8s are the leaders of the Enneagram,” Case shares with us. “The 8 personality type shows up as powerful and forceful. They’re going to make their way and forge their path — and you can’t stop them.”
This is my son to a T. He’s going to do what he wants, when he wants — something that’s been a bit of a challenge in the classroom.
Because 8s can appear so unshakably strong, others may be intimidated by them, Case says. “You might find them abrasive or think they’re not very nice, but oftentimes they’re giving more [of themselves] than the people who seem the nicest.”
You’re a protector — of yourself and others
Type 8s are often the caretakers or providers for their family and might take on a lot of responsibility. “They are very protective of the people around them, especially if they are vulnerable,” Whitmoyer-Ober tells DailyOM.
Emotionally, Enneagram type 8s tend to keep things close to the vest, Case adds. “I’ve had a lot of 8s say to me, I don’t want to be vulnerable because I don’t want people to use it against me.”
You’re a teddy bear on the inside
While 8s come off strong, they’re soft and cuddly internally, Case points out. “They’re this gooey, loving, teddy bear–type character. That’s why they have such strong armor; it’s to guard what they know to be very vulnerable.”
My sister, though forceful at times, is one of the most sensitive, caring people I know.
You’re a physical person
The nine Enneagram types are broken into three “triads,” or sections, and fall into either the “body,” “head,” or “heart” triad. Type 8 is one of the body types (along with Enneagram type 1 and type 9), as opposed to the head (type 5, type 6, and type 7) or the heart (the 2s, 3s, and 4s).
“They’re very grounded in the Earth,” Case says about type 8 and the other body types. These three types are known for making decisions based on their gut instinct or physical sensations. In order to feel their best — and be in the “flow” — 8s need to feel connected to their body.
Enneagram Type 8’s “Wings”: Type 7 and Type 9
Every Enneagram type has what’s known as “wings,” or their surrounding personality types they can draw from to bring them balance. For the 8, that would be types 7 and 9.
“The 8s are pretty serious,” Case reflects. “The balance is the 7, who’s the eternal optimist and operates from the sense of ‘everybody should be free.’ The 9 is also the eternal optimist, but from a different energy. They come from a ‘don’t worry about it, everything’s gonna be okay’ type of place. The 8 needs that belief that everything’s going to work out, and that they don’t have to force, fix, or control to make that happen.” Ironically, when they draw on that free-spirited attitude characteristic of the 7, they’ll feel more in control of their lives.
Type 8s have more fire than most. They may need to exert more energy and do things that make them feel in control.
Whitmoyer-Ober is of the belief that we tend to have one wing that’s more dominant than the other. An 8 with a 7 wing is going to be more social and opinionated, she says, while those with the 9 wing might have a “gentle strength” and an ability to see multiple sides of a situation.
Navigating Relationships as an Enneagram Type 8
Because the 8 takes on so much responsibility, they can burn out — often to the point of getting physically ill, Case shares. “It’s really important for 8s to get in tune with their body and pay attention to when they’re over-sacrificing or giving too much.”
Another thing that can create conflict, relationship-wise, is the 8’s direct, cut-and-dried communication style, Case says. “Their bluntness can feel really mean, aggressive, or scary. And they can also come off as unsympathetic and say things like ‘Either accept it or change it.’ They need to learn to pay attention to how they’re communicating and also develop more compassion and empathy in general.”
Optimal Wellness Approaches for Enneagram Type 8
Type 8s, like my super-active 7-year-old, have more fire than most. “They may need to exert more energy and do things that make them feel in control,” Whitmoyer-Ober says.
Case tells the 8s in her life to do yoga. “It teaches the 8 to respect their limits, to listen when something’s painful, and to back off instead of pushing through. Also, getting in touch with your breathing can help you soften into pain.”
Strengths and Needs in the Workplace
As expected, the 8 likes to take on leadership roles in the workplace, Whitmoyer-Ober says. “They are able and willing to stand up for themselves and their coworkers, and can be very passionate about the work that they do. They [successfully] work in a variety of fields, as long as it aligns with their passion and ability to do things how they like to.”
Adds Case, “Their lifeblood is taking charge. They’ve mastered delegating for the most part, as long as they’re able to release some control.”
My sister’s a manager, so, check!
It’s their communication style that can get them into trouble (again). “The 8s might need support in communicating things effectively — and not just being blunt or short,” says Case.
Other Opportunities for Self-Development
The biggest thing for 8s is to work on embracing their vulnerability. “They need to work on breaking down some of the walls that they have built to keep others out,” Whitmoyer-Ober advises. “It can also be helpful [for them] to realize that they don’t have to take the lead for every single project.”
To that end, Case suggests that 8s learn to balance honesty with kindness, both with themselves and others. “On the inside, they expect a lot of themselves and are pretty self-critical, and so one of their coping mechanisms is denial,” she notes. The 8 needs to recognize that they can be powerful and vulnerable at the same time.
And when they do, watch out, world — because 8s can do amazing things!
