enneagram
Type 8: The Leader
“In the personality type Eight, we see courage, will, self-reliance, leadership, authority, self-assertion—and the dark side of power, the ability to destroy what power has created.”
Also Called: The Challenger, the Asserter, the Adventurer, the Boss
Strengths:
- Self Confident, Strong, Assertive, Honest, Direct, Resourceful, and Protective
Joys/Desires:
- Stimulation and Excitement
- Self-reliant/Independent
- Prove their strength
- Control their own destiny
- Freedom
- Take on Challenges
- Respect
Weaknesses:
- Controlling, Intimidating, Confrontational, Egocentric, Anger problems, Rebellious
- Deny their own weakness
- Express their anger immediately
Fears:
- Of being harmed
- Of being controlled
- Of being weak
- Of being vulnerable
At Their Best:
- “self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others’ lives, becoming heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.”
- Go Towards Two: Become more open hearted and caring
At Their Worst:
- Go Towards Five: Become secretive and fearful
- Withdraw into self and isolate from others
Growth Recommendations:
- Recognize that their attempt to defy the world and to force everything to bend to their will that is at the root of their problems.
- Realize that any real strength entails vulnerability and openness.
- Learn that allowing more openness enables others to get closer to them and to support them.
- “Eights grow by recognizing that more can be accomplished through cooperation and partnership than they can do by themselves or by constantly struggling to impose their will on others.”
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“More often, they seek out friends who they perceive as strong and independent, people who can take a bit of roughhousing and who will not be overwhelmed by them.”
“When healthy, they are aggressively blustery but will back down and apologize when they’ve been unfair. “
“Attached to the idea of being able to trust completely. Lots of testing of their partner’s motives. If they pass the tests then the Eight relaxes.”
“Sexual Eights are charismatic and emotionally intense: they seem to “smolder. Whether they are dealing with love interests or are engaged in other activities, they enjoy the thrill of intense stimulation and can become addicted to adrenaline rushes.”
“Social Eights are often loyal to a group and conceive of friendship as a pact of mutual protection. Want everyone to benefit; group’s cohesion and welfare is most important to them.”
“Eights usually respond to stress by taking problems and challenges head on…But this approach can leave them feeling overwhelmed. When stress levels get too high, Eights may suddenly switch tactics and go into periods of retreat or even isolation, like average Fives.”
“Underneath their drive for self-protection and independence, Eights have big hearts and generous impulses… they want to be a source of good in the world and to express their love… in palpable ways that actually help and support people.”
“Trouble spots include difficulty empathizing with the needs of others, especially if they perceive others as weak or ineffectual. “
“These Eights seek intensity in a relationship.”
“Wake up call: Awareness of feeling that they must push and struggle to make things happen—so that they can rise to a true self-surrender to something greater and more lasting than themselves.”
“Hidden feelings of rejection can cause them to seek ways to hold on to those few people they feel close to, including manipulation and undermining the other. “
“If people start backing off, that doesn’t make my anger go away, but if you match it, it was lower and I’ll sit down and talk.”
“I make the rules to break the rules.”
Sources:
http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/8growth.asp
http://theenneagram.blogspot.com/2007/09/type-8.html#qu
http://www.handprint.com/HM/ENN/enn8.html
http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/TypeEight.asp
The Enneagram: Helen Palmer, Udit Patel
