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    Home » Blog » Enneagram

    Enneagram 8: The Protector, Challenger + Controller

    Published: Jun 28, 2022 by Zina Harrington · Post may contain affiliate links

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    An Enneagram 8 goes by many names, including The Protector, The Challenger, and The Controller. Do any of these descriptive names resonate with you? Learn more about Type 8 below!

    Woman with her fist raised ready for a challenge.

    Curious if you are an Enneagram 8? Figuring out which of the nine Enneagram personality types you are can be difficult. We're here to help.

    Understanding your personality type is worth the effort. The self-awareness of knowing you're an Enneagram 8 makes it easier to find effective and efficient ways to move toward a simple life!

    Jump to:
    • Type Eight: The Challenger
    • Enneagram 8 Personality Under Stress
    • A Healthy Enneagram 8
    • Type 8: The Instinctive Triad
    • Enneagram 8 + Simplifying
    • Binge-Worthy Enneagram 8 Reads
    • Additional Enneagram Resources
    • 💬 Community

    Type Eight: The Challenger

    Enneagram Eights are often described as The Protector, The Challenger, and The Controller. These commanding, intense, high-energy individuals often make confident leaders.

    Enneagram 8s like to be in charge of their surroundings, will fiercely defend their beliefs, and can be perceived as intimidating or confrontational.

    If you are a Type 8, you are natural motivated, self-reliant, and will do everything in your power to hide emotional weaknesses to ensure others view you as strong.

    Enneagram 8 Personality Under Stress

    Unhealthy Eights withdraw, neglect self-care, and try to deny their emotions in fear they'll take over.

    When overwhelmed they may become secretive, uncompromising, and lash out with accusations of betrayal.

    In other words, when Enneagram Eights are stressed they shift toward the unhealthy side of Type Five, The Thinker.

    • A woman pausing to think as she holds a book.
      Enneagram 5: The Thinker, Investigator + Observer

    A Healthy Enneagram 8

    Healthy Eights feels secure they become more caring, vulnerable to emotions, and open to listening to opposing opinions.

    They are aware of how self-conscious they are about hiding their tender side and begin to open up to the people they love most in this world.

    In summary, when Enneagram Eights are healthy they shift toward the positive side of Type Two, The Helper.

    • A full coffee mug with the Enneagram 2 phrase "what good shall i do this day?" written on it.
      Enneagram 2: The Caregiver + Helper

    Type 8: The Instinctive Triad

    Enneagram Eights use their intuition as their primary guide when making decisions.

    This is because Type 8 is part of the Gut Triad. This Instinctive Triad is comprised of three types — Enneagram 8, Enneagram 9, and Enneagram 1.

    Learn more about the other Instinctive Triad types: Enneagram 1 and Enneagram 9

    • Woman with a cup of coffee and an arm tattoo that says, "guts over fear."
      Enneagram 1: The Idealist, Perfectionist + Reformer
    • Woman making a peace sign with her hands.
      Enneagram 9: The Peacekeeper, Peacemaker + Mediator

    Enneagram 8 + Simplifying

    What would simplifying my home as an Enneagram 8 look like? Learn Type 8's uncluttering strengths, struggles, and opportunities.

    • Two cardboard donation boxes sitting on a shelf with books.
      Simplifying My Home As An Enneagram 8

    Binge-Worthy Enneagram 8 Reads

    Do you think you might be an Enneagram Eight? Here are a few additional resources for you!

    • Woman holding her arms open wide in a vast field.
      200 Bucket List Ideas: Inspiration for Women Who Want to Embrace Life
    • Womans feet resting on a car dashboard as she lives an unbalanced life.
      Perfectly Imperfect: The Joy and Delight of an Unbalanced Life
    • Knowing When To Let Go: Sometimes What We Need To Hear Is "Do Quit"
    • Make your dreams come true: How to create a life you cannot wait to wake up to

    Additional Enneagram Resources

    Want to dive deeper into the Enneagram? Check out these additional resources!

    • A collage of the three Enneagram book covers.
      The BEST Books on Enneagram
    • Person writing and doing an Enneagram test assessment on a clipboard with another person.
      The Best FREE Enneagram Personality Test

    The 9 Enneagram Personality Types

    Still not sure if you're an Enneagram Eight? There are a total of nine personality types. Keep researching until you find one that resonates. Learn more about the characteristics of the other Enneagram types.

    • Powerful woman standing in front of a conference room.
      Enneagram 3: The Achiever + Performer
    • Fashionable woman walking alone down a road surrounded by grass and mountains.
      Enneagram 4: The Creative, Individualist + Romantic
    • Enneagram 6: The Loyalist, Skeptic & Faithful Guardian
    • Group of enthusiastic people on an adventure with their arms around each others shoulders.
      Enneagram 7: The Adventurer + Enthusiast

    Love this Enneagram numbers post? Sharing it would make our week. 💛

    It would make my entire week if you took a second to share this Enneagram numbers post on your favorite social media spot. A share is like a reader vote — it's how we know we’re on the right track and should continue writing more content like this!

    « Enneagram 5: The Thinker, Investigator + Observer
    Enneagram 9: The Peacekeeper, Peacemaker + Mediator »
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    Portrait of Becoming UnBusy founder, Zina Harrington

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    I believe overwhelm and busy get in the way of finding time for what really matters in life. I help women unclutter, make space, and design a simple and slow life. Let's de-crapify your world → Ready to reset?

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