Core Fears
- losing control of their environment or situation
- showing vulnerability in front of others
- being harmed or violated
- being unable to protect themselves
- being dependent on others
- being weak or powerless
- being betrayed or taken advantage of
- being hurt emotionally
- being dominated by others
Core Desires
- to be respected for their strength and power
- to protect themselves and loved ones
- to be seen as a leader with influence
- to fight against perceived injustices
- to be fearless, decisive, and authoritative
- to be self-reliant and self-assured
- to take action to get things done
- to confront and challenge others when necessary
- to make decisions without interference
Healthy Eights are confident, assertive, courageous, and strong. They have a passionate drive and are self-reliant. Eights follow their own path and strive to make a positive impact on the world. They are people of action, not just words, and have no problem taking initiative and making things happen. Eights make natural leaders due to their authoritative, decisive, and commanding nature. They care about truth and justice and use their voice to stand up for what they believe in. Healthy Eights are selfless protectors who empower their loved ones to stand on their own. They have a unique ability to see hidden potential in others and enjoy championing and empowering them. Eights challenge and test people's strengths to bring out their best, believing in a healthy fighting spirit and strong will. They are self-starters and resourceful individuals who are exceptionally loyal to those who have earned their trust.
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​Average Eights prioritize independence and self-sufficiency to prevent being controlled or harmed by others. As a result, they often become tough and independent to protect themselves. They view themselves as nonconformists who don't need anyone, and believe that the world is unjust and that someone might take advantage of them if they let their guard down. Therefore, they instinctively suppress any vulnerability, self-doubt, or fear they might have and keep their guard up. Average Eights are driven to work hard and be resourceful in order to maintain control of their lives. They are known for being pragmatic, shrewd, competitive, ambitious, and enterprising. They enjoy impressing others and being seen as important, desiring respect and obedience from those around them. To achieve this, they may make grand promises or use displays of power and importance to involve others in their plans.
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​Average Eights possess an intense and rugged nature. They have a tendency to go overboard in their pursuits and enjoy pushing themselves to the limit. However, they could benefit from practicing moderation. They thrive on challenges and taking risks, and are known for their bold and audacious approach to life. Eights work hard and play hard, and are often adventurous and live life with gusto. They struggle with trust, tending to be naturally untrusting. When they feel unsupported, they may become more controlling, bossy, and possessive. Additionally, they can come across as blunt, egocentric, disrespectful, and proud. As a result, their relationships may become adversarial, as people don't appreciate being controlled or disrespected. If anyone tries to order an average Eight around, they may become confrontational and combative.
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Unhealthy Eights harbor a profound fear that others will exploit them at the first opportunity. This fear is so deeply ingrained that they feel compelled to assert their will on others first to establish their dominance and let people know who is in control. Unfortunately, this often leads to a lack of respect for others and a constant need to assert their power. At this level, Eights view everything as a contest of wills and are constantly confronting, bullying, and challenging people to get their way. They believe that others are out to get them, which leads them to use threats, intimidation tactics, and reprisals to get people to comply and obey them. However, if only unhealthy Eights knew that like begets like, they would realize that their abusive and oppressive behavior only causes others to rally against them with similar vengeance. In other words, their behavior only serves to reinforce the very fear that they are trying to overcome.
Natural Talents & Gifts
• good at taking charge and assuming positions of leadership
• can empower and encourage others to be strong and take charge of their life
• ability to bring out the best in people by challenging them yet believing in them
• protecting and helping those that have been taken advantage of or mistreated
• ability to put enormous energy, passion, and intensity into whatever they do
• directing their own lives without the influence or coercion of others
• ability to fight for truth and justice and stand up for what they believe in
• adept at taking initiative and getting things done
• speaking their mind and encouraging others to do the same
• having the courage to face challenges head-on
Instinctual Variants
Instinctual variants are crucial in the Enneagram as they significantly shape our personalities. All animals, including humans, possess three survival instincts: Self-Preservation, Sexual (One-to-One or Relational), and Social.
Our psyche is comprised of three instincts, which are present in everyone but to varying degrees. One of these instincts takes precedence over the others and is referred to as our dominant subtype. This instinct is the first aspect of life that we attend to, and it can be related to security and wellbeing, intimate relationships, or social belonging.
Self-Preservation
Those who fall under this subtype are particularly focused on ensuring they have the necessary resources to survive. This includes providing for their partner and children, if they have any. Their concerns typically revolve around physical comfort, food, money, room temperature, health, housing, and overall well-being. Although they may have fulfilling relationships and social lives, if their self-preservation needs are not met, they may feel uneasy and uncomfortable.
Sexual
While most people desire one-to-one relationships, sexual subtypes have a strong preoccupation with intimate connections, particularly with their partner. They constantly seek to be in a relationship and strive to get closer to their partner. Sexual subtypes are highly attuned to the chemistry and level of stimulation between themselves and others. Without deep intimacy in their primary relationships, they feel emotionally unsatisfied and ill at ease.
Social
Social subtypes have an inherent need to belong to the culture they identify with, which drives them to adapt to the culture's needs to be accepted and protected. They are highly aware of how others perceive them, but not all social subtypes enjoy group activities. Unlike self-preservation subtypes, who enjoy their alone time, and sexual subtypes, who value exclusive intimacy, social subtypes prefer to be involved with people.
Enneagram 8 Subtypes
Self-Preservation Eights are individuals who have a very direct and uncomplicated way of fulfilling their needs. They are not known for being particularly expressive and do not waste time on pretenses or beating around the bush. Their main focus is on achieving their goals and getting what they want without any unnecessary distractions or complications. One of the key driving forces behind the behavior of Self-Preservation Eights is an exaggerated need to take care of themselves and meet their own needs. This can come across as selfishness, as they prioritize their own well-being above all else. In particular, Self-Preservation Eights are often highly skilled in business, using their strength, power, and cunning to gain control and protection. They are not afraid to take charge and make bold decisions, and are often seen as natural leaders. However, their dominance can sometimes lead to others becoming overly dependent on them for control and protection. Self-Preservation Eights are also known for their ability to survive and thrive in challenging situations. They exude a quiet strength and confidence, and are able to communicate their power without feeling the need to justify themselves or explain their actions to others. At times, they may lack kindness and empathy, and their focus on meeting their needs may lead them to devalue the world of feelings. They may not be aware of the damage they cause to others in their pursuit of strength.
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Sexual Eights exhibit a strong tendency towards antisocial behavior. They are known for their provocative nature and express their desires through open rebellion, often going against the norm. This subtype is also the most emotional of the Eight subtypes. Sexual Eights take pride in their rebellious nature and do not feel guilty about breaking rules or laws. They enjoy being the center of attention and possess a powerful energy that can take over a whole scene. Sexual Eights have a strong desire for control and dominance over others. They strive to influence people with their words and tend to view everything, including people, as objects to possess. Rather than seeking material security, they seek power over people, things, and situations. Their seductive and intense style to gain power sets them apart from the other two Eight subtypes, being magnetic and outspoken. They have a voracious appetite for love, sex, and pleasure. They crave adventure, risk, and the adrenaline rush comes with it. They can be intolerant of weakness, dependence, and slow people. The Social Eight is the most passionate of the subtypes, often expressing themselves in surprising ways. While they may be intelligent, they prioritize action and passion over contemplation. This emotional depth can be beneficial in a relationship, but can also cause problems when things aren't going well.
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Social Eights have a strong sense of protection and loyalty towards those who are less powerful. They are sensitive to situations where people are being persecuted or exploited and tend to act to protect them. The Social Eight often takes on the role of protector for the vulnerable and values trust and friendship. However, if that bond is broken, they may turn to aggression and struggle to forgive. They are often likened to someone standing up to a higher power to defend those beneath them. Some Social Eights may become so consumed with the idea of revenge that they forget the humanity of those they are protecting, leading to outbursts. However, Social Eights are generally more outgoing and less quick to anger than other Eights, and they may rebel in less obvious ways. They are very active and may have a disproportionate lust for projects or collecting things. Social Eights tend to value the power that comes with being part of a group, which can make it challenging for them to form individual relationships. In some cases, this type of Eight may exhibit megalomaniac tendencies. They may also struggle with commitment in close relationships due to an underlying fear of abandonment. Social Eights often become protectors at a young age, which can cause them to overlook their own need for love and care. While they are skilled at caring for others, they may unconsciously prioritize power and pleasure over their own need for love.
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