Enneagram 8 – The Challenger or Leader

Learn about the Enneagram 8 types. Commanding, intense and confrontational.

Enneagram Type 8

Enneagram type 8s are also known as the challenger. This personality type is can act quickly and decisively. An 8 can express themselves in every situation.

Let’s look at this type, who they are, their characteristics, wings, stresses and more. 

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Need

Type 8 Enneagrams need to be against.

Characteristics

Type 8s have a basic desire to protect themselves. Enneagram 8s fear being controlled and losing their autonomy. They are skilled in acting quickly and being decisive, but can come off argumentative.

Character of God

Here is the character of God for an Enneagram 8: The Joy of God.

• Learn about Character of God

How We Distort That Characteristic

Enneagram Type 8s distort this characteristic by avoiding pain.

Gut Triad

Type 8 fall into the gut triad, motivated and fueled by anger.

• Learn more about Triads

Harmonic Approach – Reactive

Enneagram 8 fall into the Reactive Approach in regards to Harmonic Approach. Eights are emotionally reactive under stress.

• Eights can get into conflict by being too willful, defiant and confrontational.
• Eights tend to not censor their own impulses or emotional reactions.
• Eights want to feel the realness of conflict to give themselves a stronger sense of being.
• When conflicts occur, Eights are very quick to challenge and confront them.
• Eights keep their guard up all the time and want to minimize their dependence on (and trust in) others. They do not want others to see their vulnerable side.

source: fitzel.ca

• Learn more about Harmonic Approach

Wings of Enneagram 8

Enneagram 8 wings are 8w7 or 8w9 . No one is a pure personality type: everyone is a unique mixture of his or her basic type and usually one of the two types adjacent to it on the circumference of the Enneagram. One of the two types adjacent to your basic type is called your wing.

8w7 – Outgoing, energetic and fun – reflecting the Sevens sunny personality. Live life to the fullest.

8w9 – Have a measured approach to life. More approachable and more open to cooperation over competition

Learn about Wings

Stress and Security

Here are what stress and security types that Enneagram type 8s go to when in stress or (security) success. 

STRESS – FIVE

They withdraw and become even less connected to their emotions. Some experience insomnia and neglect to take care of themselves.

SECURITY – TWO

Become more caring and aren’t so conscious of hiding their tender and gentle nature.

Learn about Stress and Security

Sin and Counter Virtue

The deadly sin and counter virtue that Enneagram 8 need to watch for are:  

DEADLY SIN: LUST
Eights are intense, excessive people who want to be in control and project strength to mask weakness or vulnerable feelings.

COUNTER VIRTUE TO CULTIVATE: CHASTITY
Eights can moderate their intensity, excessiveness and need for control and recognize the value of vulnerability.

Learn about Sin and Counter Virtue

Best Careers for Enneagram 8

Typically vocal and courageous – here are careers that a typical Enneagram 8 would be successful in: 

• Program Managers
• Executives
• Athletes
• Sales Reps
• Military

Enneagram 8 Resources

• Enneagram 8 Images