What’s obvious; what’s not | Type 8
Sometimes stating the obvious can be a good reminder about each Enneagram type; sometimes we forget what is most apparent. There are also aspects of each type that are not-as-obvious, yet quite intriguing. This 9-part blog series, one for each Enneagram type, reviews three central and obvious aspects of each Enneagram type. You can also use the YouTube link below to hear and see three non-obvious features of this type.
What’s obvious
Control
Eights like to have everything under control and are especially tuned into things being under-controlled or chaotic. In these cases, they will then step in and take charge. Primarily, Eights prefer to control the big items and take quick action to bring everything into a manageable form, but they will dive into the details if they must. Although some Eights are good at detail and others less so, almost all Eights will micro-manage when they must. They also take control when they perceive another person as functioning in an unjust manner.
Justice
Eights value truth-telling, appreciate honesty, and justice is a core value for them. Justice can connote many things: people who do unjust things to others must be stopped but also pay, in some sense, for their behavior; leaders and others must use their power and authority in ways that do not harm either people or organizations; and rules must be just and applied equitably or they must be changed and if not changed, broken.
Vulnerability
Feeling vulnerable is the most uncomfortable state of being for Eights; they equate vulnerability with weakness, and weakness is to be avoided at all costs. In the Eight world where they believe only the strong survive, any sign of weakness puts them in a treacherous position. Eights will share their vulnerabilities with the few individuals they feel close to and trust, but they first must be willing to show this to themselves.
What’s non-obvious
Platinum heart | Why are Eights’ hearts platinum, even more rare than gold?
Esoteric interests | Did you know that many Eights have esoteric interests and knowledge areas that are not widely known to others?
Fear | Who lives without fear? Even Eights experience fear!
Ginger Lapid-Bogda PhD, the author of seven Enneagram-business books, is a speaker, consultant, trainer, and coach. She provides certification programs and training tools for business professionals around the world who want to bring the Enneagram into organizations with high-impact business applications, and is past-president of the International Enneagram Association. Visit: TheEnneagramInBusiness.com | ginger@theenneagraminbusiness.com
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