Type 8, The Boss
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Triad (Corner):     Gut (instinct, doing) <BR>
Core Issue:          Anger<BR>
Personality runs on:      Rejection<BR>
Values:       Emotional Reactivity<BR>
Style:    Agressive <BR>
Passion:    Lust<BR>
Virtue:    Innocence<BR>
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<B>Description:</B> Eights are a force to be reckoned with. They are strong and independent and resist being controlled by anyone. As Sandra Maitri writes in her book, <U>The Spiritual Dimension of the Enneagram</U>, Eights have a “need to be against.”  Their psyches tell them they need to be strong so no one messes with them. There is a grounded, big, palpable, bodily energy to them. They often seem bigger than they actually are.

Eights are the type in the Instinctive triad who overexpress their instinctive energy, particularly anger, although they often overexpress sexual energy as well.  Their passion is Lust, which means that they like everything big – they like big experiences, big meals, and building big buildings.

As a result of incidents as vulnerable children, or as a result of how they are wired, Eights have developed a heightened sensitivity to injustice, and react strongly to perceived injustice. As a result, they are natural champions of the underdog, fighting for the rights of the oppressed. Rules aren’t as important as justice. Think of Oscar Schindler, and how he bent the rules to help the Jews in WWII.

Because of this trait, there is confusion between Type 6 (especially counterphobic 6) and Type 8. But the reactions of Type 6 are more often based on fear, anxiety or projection. They may get angry to deal with their fears. They reactivity of the Eight is straight from the gut and is related to what is happening in the present. Eights can have big, angry reactions. You know when an Eight is angry.

Under stress, Eights pull back from the battle to regroup, and withdraw into their heads, like average level Type 5.

At their best, they open their hearts and connect with, and accept, their own vulnerability becoming truly generous and interested in helping others, like a healthy 2.

Healthy Eights

Examples of this type: Russell Crowe, Frank Sinatra, Howard Dean, Lyndon B. Johnson, Oscar Schindler, Roseanne Barr, Susan Sarandon, Paul Newman, Donald Trump, Winnie Mandela, Golda Meier.


An exercise for Type 8: