Are you direct, strong-willed and readily protect those you care about? Then you may be a type 8.
Type 8 at a glance
| Centre | Body (gut/instinct) |
| Basic fear | Being controlled or vulnerable |
| Basic desire | Being strong and in charge of your own life |
| Passion | Lust/excess |
| Fixation | Vengeance |
| Wings | Type 7 and type 9 |
| Under stress | Type 5 |
| In security | Type 2 |
How to recognise type 8
- You say what you think, directly and clearly.
- You readily take command and responsibility.
- You protect those close to you.
- You find it hard to show vulnerability.
- You react strongly to injustice.
Your strengths
Type 8 are strong, decisive and protective. They take the lead and stand up for others.
Under pressure and in security
Under pressure, type 8 can withdraw and become secretive (traits from type 5). In security they become more open, caring and warm (traits from type 2).
Do you recognise yourself?
All nine types come in three subtypes. Your basic type stays the same, but the subtype colours the whole expression, and this is often where the last doubt is cleared away.
| Subtype | Hallmark | Often falls into |
|---|---|---|
| Self-preservation | Secures territory and resources. Concrete power | Impatience that makes daily life hard on others |
| Social | Steps out in front of the group, protects those who cannot protect themselves | Taking on fights nobody asked for |
| One-to-one | Goes all in on the single relationship. Intense and possessive | Provocation becoming a test of the other person |
Where are you right now?
Riso-Hudson divides each type into nine levels of development, grouped into three ranges: levels 1-3 are the healthy ones, 4-6 the average and 7-9 the unhealthy. It is not a grade but a state, and you move between them — sometimes over the course of a single day.
| Range | How type 8 looks |
|---|---|
| In good form levels 1-3 | The strength turns into generosity of spirit. You can use your force on behalf of others without having to prove anything, and you dare to show that you can be hurt too. |
| In everyday life levels 4-6 | Control becomes the way to avoid vulnerability. You take up space and set the pace, and rarely let anyone close enough to do any damage. |
| Under pressure levels 7-9 | Power becomes an end in itself. You can turn ruthless and vengeful, and the thought of giving way feels like annihilation. |
Each of the nine levels is described in depth by Riso-Hudson. If you want to work with them in depth, we go through them on Enneagram Kurser's courses.
Not sure of your type?
Descriptions can point to several types, a test gives a reliable starting point.
Want to take the Enneagram further? Read the full description of type 8 on enneagram.dk, see our Enneagram courses for individuals and companies, or find a date on an open course.
Frequently asked questions about type 8
How do I know if I am a type 8?
Look at your motivation, not just your behaviour: type 8 is driven by being strong and in charge of your own life. An Enneagram test like 360indicator gives a valid indication.
What is the core motivation of type 8?
Being strong and in charge of your own life, and to avoid being controlled or vulnerable.
What is type 8 confused with?
Type 8 is most often confused with type 3 and type 1. This is based on our own data: of the 1,252 users the test suggested type 8 for, 91.8% chose type 8, and the rest most often moved to those two types. A test and a conversation about core motivation help to tell them apart.
What are the wings of type 8?
Type 8 has wing 7 and wing 9, the two types on either side in the Enneagram circle. Most people lean towards one more than the other. An 8 with a 7 wing is more energetic, outgoing and impatient. An 8 with a 9 wing is calmer, more balanced and harder to provoke. The wings explain why two people of the same type can seem very different.
How does type 8 react under stress and in security?
Under stress type 8 moves towards type 5 and starts to show some of that type's patterns. In security the movement goes towards type 2. This is not a change of type, but sides of yourself that become more visible depending on your state. It is precisely why you cannot read a person's type from behaviour alone.
How do you communicate best with a type 8?
Be direct and say things as they are. Do not wrap it up, and do not give way simply to avoid conflict. A type 8 respects the person who holds their ground.
How often do people choose a type other than type 8?
Among the users who were given type 8 in the full 360indicator profile and took a position on the result, 91.8 per cent confirmed the type. Those who chose differently most often went to type 3, type 1 or type 7. The figures are based on 6,330 completed profiles in 360indicator's own database and describe the people who have taken this test, not the population as a whole.
What do the levels of development mean for type 8?
Riso-Hudson divides each type into nine levels of development, grouped in three ranges: levels 1-3 are the healthy ones, 4-6 the average and 7-9 the unhealthy. It is not a grade but a state you move between. For type 8 it looks like this. In good form: The strength turns into generosity of spirit. In everyday life: Control becomes the way to avoid vulnerability. Under pressure: Power becomes an end in itself.