Enneagram Type 8 - Challenger/Protector/Leader

The Enneagram 8 has the most energy of any of the enneagram types. They always seem to be moving forward, getting things done, and proving others wrong. They are rightly known as the challenger, but you have to realize that a type 8 is not only focused on themselves but are also very aware and protective of their people.

A Type 8 is loyal. They are confident and courageous in their leadership (tend to be natural leaders). They are self-starters and don't need much external motivation to get things done. They are energetic and resourceful and pride themselves on moving tasks and people forward while maintain firm boundaries. A type 8 can come across as unmoving. They thrive on intensity (not necessarily conflict, but sometimes just passion). They are strong, care deeply about justice and fairness and speaks truth (even when it might lack tact.) They can be insensitive to the feelings of the people around them and can come across as controlling or bossy.

At the Core, a type 8 believes that they have to maintain power and control so they they are not found weak and taken advantage of. They have a very hard time being vulnerable because it poses a risk of their deepest fears of being harmed, betrayed, controlled or humiliated. They long to protect themselves and the people around them, and they would rather not have to depend on others for fear of being let down. The childhood message of the enneagram type 8 may have been: "It is not okay to be vulnerable or to trust anyone."

• The type 8 is in the gut triad because they are always on the move. They pick up information by their instincts and they move on it instinctually. Information in, Action out.

• Type 8's are assertive and energetic. They don't back down and don't let up. But don't let things take too long, they want to keep moving forward!

• They value being understood in conflict and feel like they are misunderstood often. They are typically the loudest and most feisty in conflict and may escalate the conflict beyond the current issue because of feeling hurt (though they are not consciously aware of this as they burry their true emotion).

• Type 8's believe that others do not understand them or won't be able to meet their needs for intensity and leadership. Because they feel like they are the "strongest" person in the room, they have a very hard time letting down and trusting anyone. So vulnerability is near impossible until they feel fully safe. They long for the security of others but believe that there is no one strong or safe enough to ever provide that.

  
  

In times of stress a type 8 will move toward the low side of a type 5 becoming more secretive, withdrawn, and self-preserving. In this state, their strength can become very passive aggressive. In health, they move to the top side of a type 2, becoming more open and willing to serve others. They focus more on healthy relationships and not simply the task at hand.

The Core Question of the Type 8 is "What do I need to DO to maintain control?"

An Enneagram 8 when pregnant is not likely to slow down much. If someone tells them that the fatigue is serious, they will push through. If someone tells them nausea will put them down and out, they'll prove them wrong. They will be movers and shakers completing all the various tasks of pregnancy quickly and efficiently - Childbirth classes? Check. Registry? Check. Provider and birth plan? Check. Doula? Check. They won't be prone to miss details or deadlines and will make sure they have all their ducks in a row so they can maintain control and poise throughout pregnancy. They are very unlikely to ask for help feeling like they have better awareness, skills, and strength than those around them.

Unfortunately, this also means that they may get to the end feeling like they "missed" their pregnancy because they never slowed down long enough to enjoy it. And they may "endure" their pregnancy never feeling safe enough to express any fears or concerns they may hold to. Vulnerability is so risky for a type 8 because they believe there is no one strong enough to truly be safe with.

A truth to hold to is that they can be vulnerable and still be safe. Enneagram 8's need a few people who can go deep and loyally stick by their sides. They need to see people following through on their commitments in order to trust them. So accurate communication of expectations is crucial.

The needs of the type 8 are tied to safety and control. The need to be kept active in labor and birth so they feel like they have something they can "do." They have a hard time simply being. They need to understand that their birth team is not there to control them, but to support them (making sure they pick the right support team to provide this is crucial!) And they need to learn to tune into their own feeling, fears, and longings for birth and find someone they can trust enough to share them with and who can make them feel seen, safe, and fought for in the birth space.

Are you a type 8? How did it effect your birth experience?