Ennea-Summer Enneagram 8: Insights, Stories, and Growth

Discover the Enneagram Eight: Insights, Stories, and Growth

Hello, Dear Readers! Today’s Ennea-Summer post focuses on our lovely Enneagram 8 friends. They are often labeled/known as the Challengers and are more than likely the direct and fiercely protective people in your life. 

In today’s post, I will share the core characteristics of Type 8s, discuss their wings, talk about their internal GPS,  feature a powerful story from a Wholehearted Type 8 Client, and finish with a prayer and blessing for the Enneagram Eights from Wholehearted Coach Deanna Sudom.

If you yourself are an Eight or know someone who is, I hope you enjoy this post and share this fun and easy way to learn about all Nine Enneagram Types with your friends!

Now, let’s get a quick snapshot of the core of the Enneagram Eight:

The core fear of the Eight is finding themselves vulnerable, weak, powerless, manipulated, and completely at the mercy of injustice.

Their core desire is to keep themselves, and most importantly, the ones they love, protected and safe from harm. 

An Eight’s core weakness is Untamed Desire or Lust, which causes them to push themselves into situations and relationships to be in control or experience the intensity they seek.

Lastly, their core longing, the words their heart desires to hear most, is, “I will not betray you.”

Let’s talk about the Enneagram wings a bit.

Enneagram Wings are the two personality types on either side of the primary personality type. For instance, the Wings for Type Eight are Type Nine and Type Seven. One of these Wings is often (but not always) used more than the other, bringing a new dimension and depth to the primary type. They are like salt and pepper to a potato or cream and sugar to coffee, adding flavor and depth to the primary type. The main type dominates a person's perception and experience, but the Wings influences. In addition to internal conflicts that might arise from the unique Wing influence, our childhood wounds (or the people in our lives) may impact our use of our Wings. This insight aims to give awareness to your wounded wings so they might be mended and used in balance to experience forward momentum.

Now, let’s take this information about the wings and their influence and apply it to Enneagram 8. The Enneagram 8 wing 7 tends to be more extroverted, enterprising, energetic, materialistic, interested in power, and egocentric. Meanwhile, the Enneagram 8 wing 9 is more mild-mannered, gentle, receptive, comfort-seeking, and people-oriented, lending their quiet strength.

Which one most relates to you?

Getting into the Intelligence Center for the Eight

The Enneagram Eight, falling into the gut triad, is usually characterized by their immediate, gut-level reaction to situations. The Gut Triad consists of the Type 8, Type 9, and Type 1. They are often driven by anger and frustration, influencing their thoughts and actions.

Eights seek justice and control, often striving to assert themselves and achieve their goals. Because of their assertive communication pattern, they actively engage others, inspiring or persuading their “audience” to reach their goals and desired resolutions.

Lines of Stress and Growth (Internal GPS system)

When it comes to the lines of stress and growth of an Enneagram Eight, we see how those two things act as an internal GPS to not only Eights but also the other types. 

Eights under stress may exhibit unhealthy Type 5 traits, such as becoming secretive, fearful, and withdrawn.

However, an intentional and purposeful Eight in growth displays the positive traits (and rhythms) of a healthy Type 2, which looks like being more open-hearted, caring, and empathetic.

When Enneagram Eights engage in wholehearted rhythms, they find a balance for their need for control and learn to access their vulnerability. These things, among others, are essential for their personal growth.

When you begin to understand these things, doesn’t it make you stop and think, “Well, how the heck do I create these rhythms? How do I tap into health and growth?”

I got you! In fact, you're already taking those steps by either recognizing the unhealthy habits or responses in your life or the lack of the rhythm you need to find growth. The other step is finding Contemplative Practices.

For Eights, finding stillness can bring balance and growth. These spiritual rhythms help the Eight encounter Christ as their true protector and be willing to open their hearts to healing. Enneagram expert A.J. Sherrill suggests that observing the season of Pentecost reminds Eights that God’s justice surpasses their own, alleviating the burden of carrying injustice alone. 

In the episode above, Lori Melton, an Enneagram 8 herself, shares her experience with Enneagram Coaching. Lori, after experiencing significant loss, heartache, and grief, turned to the Wholehearted Journey coaching process for guidance. Through her coaching sessions, Lori learned to acknowledge her pain, let go of control, and embrace her emotions. This process changed her life, bringing her closer to God allowing her to open up to others and find peace and victory in her relationships, work, and within her soul. Here are some quotes from her testimony in the episode.

“Going to the bottom of the “U” in coaching with Amy brought me closer to the Lord and made me more open with my family and friends and in my work life.”

“Eventually, after coming out on the other side of that experience, I felt a sense of wholeness, peace, and victory that really resonated throughout every area of my life.”

Before I conclude this post, I want to leave you with a summary of Deanna Sudom's prayer and blessing for the Enneagram Eight.

“Type 8 friend, you are created to protect and reflect God's power. Isaiah calls you to seek justice, defend the oppressed, and support the fatherless and widows. Lean on God, trust Him as your portion and cup, and praise Him who counsels you. Know that you won't be shaken with God at your right hand. Thank God for your leadership, discernment, and passion for justice. Pray for protection, guidance, humility, and confidence. Trust your boundary lines are pleasant and your inheritance is delightful. Surround yourself with supportive people and release control to God, refining your passion to align with His. Amen.”

This prayer is wonderful to reflect on and take to heart if you are an Enneagram Eight. It's also something you can share to encourage your Type 8 friend. (The full prayer is in the episode above.)

So there you have it—just a taste of the transformation and growth of the Enneagram Eight’s journey.

The Enneagram is more than just a personality test; it’s a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Through Enneagram coaching and understanding your core fears, desires, weaknesses, and longing, you can achieve deeper self-awareness and embrace the life-changing impact of this powerful tool. Whether exploring your Enneagram Eight self or seeking to understand the ones in your life, I hope this offered valuable insights and inspiration.