You may be a Type 8

Eights are great protectors of their tribes and are often seen advocating for the underdog or a point of view. They are unafraid of disagreements and are decisive, making them natural leaders. They benefit from building awareness of their impact on others (particularly when they feel anger) and finding ways to enjoy rest.

Type 8 Overview

People are drawn to you because you are a natural leader and have a strength that others trust. You can create safety when there is a lack of direction and confusion. You are willing to take quick and decisive action toward a goal. You are encouraging and celebrate when others win. You are creative, strategic, and very connected to your surroundings. You are deeply focused on advocating for the underdog and willing to stick your neck out in service of helping others. You are not afraid of hard conversations and conflict if you believe they are necessary.

You experience distress because you can have difficulty letting things go. You can be too focused on correcting others or setting the record straight. You can be impatient (because unknowns can make you feel vulnerable) and you usually prefer to jump in and decide as you go. Anyone who wants to pause can be seen as wasting time and may receive criticism.

You can rely too much on your independence and strength to avoid feeling sadness and fear. When you are not managing your emotions, you can turn to intimidating others to get what you want. You can be misunderstood as being more rigid or harsh than you are, making you think you might be "too much." You can struggle with receiving feedback or requests to change for someone else’s benefit.

You are invaluable to society because you are committed to equality and fairness, putting your energy into making a system better for everyone. You are willing to self-sacrifice for something you believe in without expecting anything in return. You follow through on your plans with confidence and remain hopeful in the face of adversity. You are interested in asking hard questions and sitting in discomfort to find an answer. You are not scared off by opposing ideas and are willing to change your mind once you are won over.

  • You are a natural leader and have a strength that others trust.

  • You can have difficulty letting things go.

  • You can rely too much on your independence and strength to avoid feeling sadness and fear.

  • You are committed to equality and fairness, putting your energy into making a system better for everyone.

The Core of Type 8

What makes you a Type 8 is your core desires, motivations, fears, and goals. No two people are exactly the same, but all Type 8’s will have the following in common

  • Core Desires

    To be protected and protect their inner circle

    To influence how things occur according to their personal values

    To be independent and self-reliant

    To feel confident, decisive and take action

    To resist any weaknesses

    To impact and have control of their environment

  • Loving Messages

    You will not be betrayed.

    Your vulnerability is a strength.

    You don’t have to be a leader to matter.

    It’s ok to prioritize yourself.

  • Natural Gifts

    Fighting for the underdog

    Engaging opposing ideas or pressure

    Sacrificing for something you believe in

    Confidence

    Asking hard questions

  • Core Fears

    Being weak, powerless, vulnerable, manipulated, or left at the mercy of injustice

    Being harmed or controlled by others

    Being perceived as "too much"

    Being seen as dominating by their loved one

  • Blind Spot

    Excess

    Constantly desiring intensity, control, and power; pushing yourself willfully onto life and people in order to get what you desire

    Overcoming these messages:

    You are too much.

    You can’t rely on anyone.

  • Triad Groups

    Gut - emphasizes their instincts in order to manage anger, control, and justice

    Assertive - energetic and decisive in ways they can achieve personal goals

    Emotional Realness - channels disappointment or conflict into engagement strategies

    Rejection - prioritize connection to others and avoiding rejection

Type 8 Support Types

Type 7 Wing (8w7)

More social and outgoing, they have more energy and zest for life. Interested in giving their energy to positive causes and seeking adventure. Visionary and vibrant, they make inspirational leaders and powerful influencers.

Type 5 traits in Stress/Challenge

Increased desire to control and criticize. May become more withdrawn or keep secrets and appear irritable or hard to engage. Can also engage a problem objectively and focus on all the smaller details rather than making broader generalizations.

Type 9 Wing (8w9)

Less intense and domineering, focused on peacemaking and not influencing. More focused on relationships than experiences, becoming more cooperative and calming.

Type 2 traits in Security/Growth

Increased ability to feel empathy and connect to the feelings of others without attempting to change their feelings. Able to receive comfort and care from others and not feel overwhelmed by their vulnerabilities or urge to need and feel needed.

How to try on Type 8

I suggest that you “try on” Type 8 and give yourself time to see how it fits you. Not every word and detail will be a perfect match, but it helps to see the traits come alive in your unique life.

  • There is not a "best type"

    It's common to read through the number types and think that one or two personalities sound like the best ones, but it's much less common for those to actually be your core type. Every number has its strengths and challenges and most often it feels like someone is reading your journal (how would they know that about me?) when you find your actual type!

  • Understanding motivations vs excusing behavior

    Each type has a set of core desires and fears that drive behaviors and perspectives. Each type also has its own spectrum of healthy, average, and unhealthy patterns. Using the Enneagram to excuse unhealthy patterns ("I'm a 8 so that's just how I am") will keep you stuck, whereas awareness and ownership of those same patterns can provide the skills we need to thrive in our roles and relationships.

  • Don't just rely on a test to find your type

    Enneagram tests are becoming highly accurate, but not all tests are created equal. Even the most reliable tests can be wrong because they are based on the test taker's level of self-awareness. Tests are a great starting place for narrowing down your type and trying on one or two to build the self-awareness to confirm the type. If tests aren't your thing, there are many podcasts or books that explain the types. Same rules apply.

  • Understanding the connections between the numbers is key

    One of the best parts of the Enneagram model is how dynamic it shows us we are and the ways in which our personality adapts to the situation. Every type has access to 4 other personality characteristics - 2 wing types (the numbers on either side of your type) and 2 other types, your Stress and Rest numbers. We can also understand our types more clearly by learning about unique groups of three types called Triads.

  • The Enneagram is a tool, not a box

    The power of the Enneagram exists in its ability to recognize who we are at our core - what we're most afraid of and what we most desire in life. It encourages us to use our strengths to thrive as well as uncover the (usually subconscious) barriers that keep us stuck and unhappy. You are wonderfully made and the world needs your healthiest self.

  • Find a teacher or coach

    There are many great ways to learn about the Enneagram types, but it can get oerwhelming quickly if you jump in alone. Getting a coach. counselor, or finding an Enneagram teacher to help guide you through the information is crucial. They can help you know the basic information but more importantly help you lean what your type looks like unique to you.

Ready to learn more?

Get the Type 8 Growth Guide

What’s Included:

  • Over 100 pages of tools I’ve used with my own clients, personalized for a Type 8

  • Roadblocks to growth

  • Self-care suggestions

  • The Quick Reference Guide for all Types (my favorite go-to)

  • A personalized workbook to build self-awareness and spark exploration