Description of Type Eight: The Protector

Eights are motivated by the need to feel powerful and self-reliant, and to have control over their lives.  They avoid being weak, vulnerable, controlled, or being taken advantage of.  Being respected for their strength is more important to them than being liked.  They are earthy and lusty, and they go after whatever they want.  They tend to milk enjoyment out of life.  They are natural leaders who want to make an impact on the world.  Attention naturally goes to injustices and to what needs control or assertiveness.

Healthy Eights Are: Confident, direct, decisive, courageous, and protective of their loved ones.

Unhealthy Eights Can Be: Aggressive, confrontive, domineering, self-centered, insensitive, and prone to excess.

Enneagram Type #8 in Relationships

Strengths (healthy attributes)

·      Indomitable energy, decisiveness and leadership ability

·      Commanding presence, intensity, and lust for life

·      Robust expressiveness, directness and assertiveness

·      Protectiveness, support, and encouragement of others

·      Practicality and persistence

·      Commitment to the truth, strong sense of justice/fairness

·      Loyal friendship and magnanimity

Weaknesses (average to unhealthy attributes)

·      Excessive, all-or-nothing approach to life

·      Insensitivity to others’ tender feelings and avoidance of own

·      Denial of own vulnerabilities and weaknesses

·      Being confrontational and going from impulse to action

·      Desire for power and control

·      Can consider their truth the objective truth

Questions?  Comments?  Suggestions?  My e-mail address is:  grussrowe@cox.net

This page was last updated on 05/29/05.