Enneagram Type 8 - The Challenger

Taking charge, because they don't want to be controlled

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. Eights
are strong willed, decisive, practical, tough minded and energetic.
They also tend to be domineering; their unwillingness to be
controlled by others frequently manifests in the need to control
others instead. When healthy, this tendency is kept under check,
but the tendency is always there, nevertheless, and can assume a
central role in the Eight's interpersonal relationships.
Eights generally have powerful instincts and strong physical
appetites which they indulge without feelings of shame or guilt.
They want a lot out of life and feel fully prepared to go out and
get it. They need to be financially independent and often have a
hard time working for anyone. This sometimes necessitates that
the Eight opt out of the system entirely, assuming something of an
outlaw mentality. Most Eights however, find a way to be financially
independent while making their peace with society, but they
always retain an uneasy association with any hierarchical
relationship that sees the Eight in any position other than the top
position.
Eights have a hard time lowering their defenses in intimate
relationships. Intimacy involves emotional vulnerability and such
vulnerability is one of the Eight's deepest fears. Betrayal of any
sort is absolutely intolerable and can provoke a powerful response
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on the part of the violated Eight. Intimate relationships are

frequently the arena in which an Eight's control issues are most
obviously played out and questions of trust assume a pivotal
position. Eights often have a sentimental side that they don't even
show to their intimates, such is their fear of vulnerability. But,
while trust does not come easily to an Eight, when an Eight does
take someone into the inner sanctum, they find a steadfast ally
and stalwart friend. The Eight's powerful protective instincts are
called into play when it comes to the defense of family and
friends, and Eights are frequently generous to a fault in providing
for those under their care.
Eights are prone to anger. When severely provoked, or when the
personality is unbalanced, bouts of anger can turn into rages.
Unhealthy Eights are frankly agressive and when pushed, can resort
to violence. Such Eights enjoy intimidating others whom they see
as "weak" and feel little compunction about walking over anyone
who stands in their way. They can be crude, brutal and dangerous.
Female Eights are far more likely to mistype than male Eights, as
many of the traits typical to the type Eight personality have been
discouraged in females. For the most part, however, it is other
types who mistake themselves for Eights. This is especially
common in male counterphobic Sixes who fail to recognize that
their agression is a cover for a very deep seated anxiety. Sevens
too, are prone to mistype as Eights, but Sevens lack the intensity
of focus typical of the type Eight, and while both Sevens and Eights
have high energy personalities, Eights have a physically based
energy whereas the Seven's energetic pattern has a nervous,
mental quality to it.

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TYPE EIGHT: THE BOSSES

Eight's need to be powerful to make their own way in life. They are
motivated to maintain territorial control over anything that can influence
their lives and by the desire to stay on top in any power struggle Of all the
Enneagram types, they are the most openly aggressive. They are dominant
figures both at work and at home.
They enjoy being strong and judge others according to whether those others
are strong or weak. They also enjoy confronting others, and are even
willing to take on the whole power structure if they feel a need for radical
change. Eight's are courageous and will crusade for what they believe in.
They bring abundant energy to meeting challenges at work or elsewhere.
They are "natural leaders." Their overwhelming self-confidence is
contagious and can generate in others the energy that is necessary to
accomplish monumental tasks.

Eight's need to be powerful to make their own way in life. They are
motivated to maintain territorial control over anything that can influence
their lives and by the desire to stay on top in any power struggle Of all the
Enneagram types, they are the most openly aggressive. They are dominant
figures both at work and at home.
They enjoy being strong and judge others according to whether those
others are strong or weak. They also enjoy confronting others, and are even
willing to take on the whole power structure if they feel a need for radical

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change. Eight's are courageous and will crusade for what they believe in.
They bring abundant energy to meeting challenges at work or elsewhere.
They are "natural leaders." Their overwhelming self-confidence is
contagious and can generate in others the energy that is necessary to
accomplish monumental tasks.
Possible Origins. Eight's survived their childhood by taking a tough
personal stand. Their world felt dominated by bigger, stronger people who
wanted to control their lives. The child struggled against a sense of unfair
odds and survived by any form of confrontation that would make enemies
back down. They gained respect from peers for not crying, for not showing
weakness, and for winning fights. They quickly found that it was more fun
to break the rules than it was to try to keep them.
Flawed Eight's. Although they often become leaders, the preoccupation
with power and control tarnishes their leadership qualities. They are better
as entrepreneurs and as such are plentiful in the business world. They are
interested in making the money that allows them to control their own fates.
And they like the business arena which offers them the opportunity to
exercise power. They often alienate potential sources of help, pressing
other people's sore spots without recognizing the damage, or feeling the
need to say the worst to someone for his or her own good --INTUITIVE
TACTLESSNESS.
Well-Adapted Eight's are able to get beyond control and to place their
considerable powers in the service of a goal or goals outside themselves.
They retain their characteristic confidence, but have learned the virtue of
restraint in exercising power. They are seen as deserving of the loyalty they

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inspire and, in this mode, they can excel at making a beneficial difference
for large numbers of people. They have immense capacity for continuous
pressure and follow-through on a project.
Occupations. Eight's are attracted to the world of business, to high
finance, and to the political arena, often achieving quite high status. They
also make good entrepreneurs and "transformational leaders."
Finding Oneself:
Eight's probably will agree with most of the following statements:
1. I am very good at standing up and fighting for what I want.
2. I have difficulty with compromise.
3. I am not afraid to confront other people and I do confront them.
4. I enjoy the exercise of power.
5. I am an aggressive, self-assertive person.
6. l know how to get things done.
7. I get bored easily and like to keep moving.
8. Justice and injustice are key issues for me.
9. Generally, I don't care much for introspection or too much selfanalysis.
10.I think of myself as a non-conformist.

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The Asserter (the Eight)

Asserters are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.
How to Get Along with Me

Stand up for yourself... and me.

Be confident, strong, and direct.

Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.

Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender,

vulnerable side.

Give me space to be alone.

Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.

I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal

attack.

When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the
way I am.

What I Like About Being a Eight

being independent and self-reliant

being able to take charge and meet challenges head on

being courageous, straightforward, and honest

getting all the enjoyment I can out of life

supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me

upholding just causes

What's Hard About Being a Eight

overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't

intend to

being restless and impatient with others' incompetence

sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it

never forgetting injuries or injustices

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putting too much pressure on myself

getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things
don't go right

Eights as Children Often

are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit

are sometimes loners

seize control so they won't be controlled

fugure out others' weaknesses

attack verbally or physically when provoked

take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the

strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Eights as Parents

are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted

are sometimes overprotective

can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

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Dynamics of Type 8: Leader

World View: The world is an unjust place. I am strong and I defend
the innocent.
Basic Desire: to be self-reliant
Basic Fear: of submitting to others

Healthy loop controlled by Basic Desire:

Need to be self-reliant -> strength -> independent -> Need to be
self-reliant

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In the healthy state, the need to be self-reliant induces Type Eights

to become stronger and capable of defending others. When Eights
are independent, their need is satisfied and a balance is reached.
In the average state, when Eights' are not building their strength as
much, they will become more dependent on others for certain
needs. This increases the need to be self-reliant, which helps Eights
to again work hard to become strong. Thus the balancing loop can
help Eights to recover.
Unhealthy loop controlled by Basic Fear:
Fear of submitting to others -> controlling -> independent -> Fear of
submitting to others
In the unhealthy state, the basic fear of submitting to others can
cause Type Eights to lash out and try to control others as a defense.
This unfortunately make them ironically more dependent on others,
which further increases Eights' basic fear. The cycle continues to
build up.
Insight:
We can see from the diagram that a way to help break the control of
the basic fear is to weaken the unhealthy loop. Eights can refrain
from controlling others but start to strengthen themselves instead.
This will naturally make them more independent and thus reduce the
fear of submitting to others.

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Enneagram Type 8: The Protector

Lost essential quality: The knowledge that everyone begins in innocence and can
sense the truth in all others.
Compensating belief: This is a hard and unjust world in which the powerful take
advantage of the innocent and impose their personal truths on others.
Attention/coping strategy: Becoming strong and forceful to gain respect. Imposing your
personal will and truth. Using anger and confrontation if necessary. Denying
personal vulnerability. Attention going to power, control and injustice.
Trap: Gaining protection and prevailing through power and invulnerability.
Driving energy: Lust for life and excess a big energy that fuels the personality.
Avoidance: Weakness, becoming vulnerable and powerless.
Strengths: Courage, fairness, magnanimity, intensity.
Paradox: Power creates counter-force. Vengeance leads to retaliation. Hiding
vulnerability creates vulnerability.
Path of development:

Reclaim innocence

Learn how much force is necessary

Moderate impact on others

Appreciate others truths

Allow personal vulnerability

Ultimate task: Reclaiming the ability to come freshly to each situation without
prejudging and overpowering it, and appreciating that truth exists in all others.

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Type 8: The Protector

Impulse or urge to action

How did my big energy come up and express itself? Did I just go for what I
wanted without thinking? How quickly did I become angry or confront others? Did
I take direct action when delay and reflection would have been wiser? Did I mainly
assert my position, my view of justice or right?
Basis: Eights coping strategy involves gaining respect and protection through
assertive action that is expressed directly without much restraint.
Impact on others
How did I affect others? Did I notice the impact of my energy and expression on
others? Did I drive anyone away, evoke resistance or confrontation, or cause
anyone to become quiet or withdraw? How did I assert control and power?
Basis: Eights, in expressing their big energy and truth, dont readily notice their
impact on others.
Vulnerability
How did I divert attention away from my own fears of being hurt? How did I forget
to be sensitive or tender toward others? Did I notice any weaknesses or
vulnerabilities in myself?
Basis: The mechanism of denial allows direct immediate action, but also keeps
Eights from experiencing their own vulnerability and softer side.

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The Basic Proposition

You lost sight of the fundamental principle that everyone begins in innocence and
without guilt, and that everyone can sense truth and came to perceive the world
as hard and unjust, where the powerful take advantage of others. As a result, you
learned to assure protection and to gain respect by becoming strong and
powerful, and by hiding your vulnerability. At the same time, you developed a big
lustful energy. Your attention naturally goes to injustices and to whatever
demands action right now.
The central issue for healing
Since Protectors believe that they must be strong and powerful, and actively
stand up for truth and justice, embracing innocence may seem implausible. This
means that they should come to each situation freshly, without prejudice or power
motives, ready to appreciate differences and realize that everyone has his or her
truth.
To do this, you must learn to moderate your own overriding, boundless, instinctual
energy, and notice how this energy defies boundaries, how it can be excessive,
and how it impacts others. You need to learn exactly how much power is
appropriate in any given situation and to delay the tendency to go from urge to
action in an all-or-nothing fashion.
Six healing and growth commitments for Type Eights:

Notice and moderate intensity, excess and impact

Delay action and consider consequences

Observe your all-or-nothing style

Realize that true power comes from the appropriate or proportional

application of force

Reduce denial and allow for vulnerabilities

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Value the truth in opposites and differences

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