Enneagram Type 8 - The Active Controller

Enneatype Eights have a motivational need to be strong and avoid showing vulnerability. They enjoy having a sense of control and being direct and forceful. Eights enjoy challenges and embody a need for justice that enables them to protect others. They are perceived by others as strong, deeply caring and approachable. They can also be seen as domineering and aggressive, an image that stems from the Eight's strategy for expressing themselves as a strong person in a threatening environment.

A thought for the 8:

"The world is a harsh and unfair place - only the strong survive. I'm a rock; I can't be weak. I must be in control. Do it my way! "If we do it ,we do it big!"

Enneagram traits type 8

In a few words:

Assertive: Eights are confident and direct, they say what they have to say and get on with it.
Decisive: Eights are quick to react and ready to make decisions. They trust their instincts and get things done.
Protective: Underneath their toughness, Eights have a big heart and take people under their wing. They protect the people and things they care about and fight against injustice.
Independent: Self-reliant, Eights don't like to depend on others and maintain their autonomy.
Influential: Eights have their own way of taking charge and influencing others, which includes the ability to influence the big picture.
Typical Action Patterns: The centre of action in the Enneagram (the body). Enneatypes Eights focus on the present moment and the main accompanying feeling is anger, which in their case, is seen as protection/tenacity (or externalized anger).

Blind spots:

Because their energy may be stronger than they realise, Eights may not be aware of the intimidating impression they can give to others .
Eights tend to draw conclusions and act quickly and decisively. The force with which Eights initiate and lead can, therefore, leave people feeling unprepared or overwhelmed.
Eights don't play by the rules and loathe any attempt at control. At the same time, their tendency to take control assumes that others will bend and conform to them. This can create tension in relationships.