Powerful, Dominating , Self-Confident, Decisive, Willful, and
Confrontational
“Eights are self-confident, strong, and
assertive. Protective, resourceful, straight-talking, and decisive, but can
also be ego-centric and domineering. Eights feel they must control their
environment, especially people, sometimes becoming confrontational and intimidating.
Eights typically have problems with
their tempers and with allowing themselves to be vulnerable. At their Best:
self- mastering, they use their strength to improve others' lives, becoming
heroic, magnanimous, and inspiring.”
·
Basic Fear: Of being harmed or
controlled by others
·
Basic Desire: To protect
themselves (to be in control of their own life and destiny)
·
Stress: Secretive, lustful,
controlling, fearful 5
·
Growth: Open-hearted, caring 2
Key Motivations: Want to
be self-reliant, to prove their strength and resist weakness, to be important
in their world, to dominate the environment, and to stay in control of their
situation.
-Sounds like Leo/Sagittarius, Libra/Aquarius,
Taurus/Capricorn, and Gemini
Zodiacs Listed:
·
Leo/Sagittarius
(9)
·
Gemini
(4)
·
Libra/Aquarius
(8)
·
Taurus/
Capricorn (7)
·
Scorpio
(3)
“We have named personality type Eight
The Challenger because, of all the types, Eights enjoy taking on challenges
themselves as well as giving others opportunities that challenge them to exceed
themselves in some way. Eights are charismatic and have the physical and
psychological capacities to persuade others to follow them into all kinds of
endeavors—from starting a company, to rebuilding a city, to running a
household, to waging war, to making peace.
Eights have enormous willpower and
vitality, and they feel most alive when they are exercising these capacities in
the world. They use their abundant energy to effect changes in their
environment—to “leave their mark" on it—but also to keep the environment,
and especially other people, from hurting them and those they care about. At an
early age, Eights understand that this requires strength, will, persistence,
and endurance—qualities that they develop in themselves and which they look for
in others.
Eights do not want to be controlled or
to allow others to have power over them (their Basic Fear), whether the power
is psychological, sexual, social, or financial. Much of their behavior is
involved with making sure that they retain and increase whatever power they
have for as long as possible. An Eight may be a general or a gardener, a small
businessman or a mogul, the mother of a family or the superior of a religious
community. No matter: being “in charge” and leaving their imprint on their sphere
is uniquely characteristic of them.
Eights are the true “rugged
individualists” of the Enneagram. More than any other type, they stand alone.
They want to be independent, and resist being indebted to anyone. They often
refuse to “give in” to social convention, and they can defy fear, shame, and
concern about the consequences of their actions. Although they are usually
aware of what people think of them, they do not let the opinions of others sway
them. They go about their business with a steely determination that can be awe
inspiring, even intimidating to others.
Although, to some extent, Eights fear
physical harm, far more important is their fear of being disempowered or
controlled in some way. Eights are extraordinarily tough and can absorb a great
deal of physical punishment without complaint—a double-edged blessing since
they often take their health and stamina for granted and overlook the health
and well-being of others as well. Yet they are desperately afraid of being hurt
emotionally and will use their physical strength to protect their feelings and
keep others at a safe emotional distance. Beneath the tough façade is
vulnerability, although it has been covered over by layer of emotional armor.
Thus, Eights are often extremely
industrious, but at the price of losing emotional contact with many of the
people in their lives. Those close to them may become increasingly dissatisfied
with this state of affairs, which confounds Eights. (“I don't understand what
my family is complaining about. I bust my hump to provide for them. Why are
they disappointed with me?”)
When this happens, Eights feel
misunderstood and may distance themselves further. In fact, beneath their
imposing exterior, Eights often feel hurt and rejected, although this is
something they seldom talk about because they have trouble admitting their vulnerability
to themselves, let alone to anyone else. Because they fear that they will be
rejected (divorced, humiliated, criticized, fired, or harmed in some way),
Eights attempt to defend themselves by rejecting others first. The result is
that average Eights become blocked in their ability to connect with people or
to love since love gives the other power over them, reawakening their Basic
Fear.
The more Eights build up their egos in
order to protect themselves, the more sensitive they become to any real or
imaginary slight to their self-respect, authority, or preeminence. The more
they attempt to make themselves impervious to hurt or pain (whether physical or
emotional), the more they “shut down” emotionally to become hardened and
rock-like.
When Eights are emotionally healthy,
however, they have a resourceful, “can-do” attitude as well as a steady inner
drive. They take the initiative and make things happen with a great passion for
life. They are honorable and authoritative—natural leaders who have a solid,
commanding presence. Their groundedness gives them abundant “common sense” as
well as the ability to be decisive. Eights are willing to “take the heat,”
knowing that any decision cannot please everyone. But as much as possible, they
want to look after the interests of the people in their charge without playing
favorites. They use their talents and fortitude to construct a better world for
everyone in their lives.”
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