Enneagram Type 8 Careers- With Descriptions

UNDERSTANDING ENNEAGRAM TYPE SIX: WHAT ARE THE BEST CAREER OPTIONS FOR THEM?

Choosing the right career option is the most arduous task some people struggle with. You might end up in a lucrative and well-paying job, but what if you couldn’t fit yourself into it. Quitting jobs and searching for new avenues might be risky for some, while others are valiant enough to take a risk and explore. Here, let’s know about Enneagram Type 8 Careers.

Each person wants to live a fulfilled and satisfying life. He/she is always looking for a career option that syncs with their personality types.

In psychology, there are several personality tests and theories which help people to identify their personality types and find the right careers for them. One of them is the Enneagram which is a typology system that categorizes human personalities based on some distinct traits. There are different personality types numbered 1 to 9 based on the Enneagram system.

What is the Enneagram?

The Enneagram is a typology system that classifies human personalities into different types which are all interconnected. It is widely used in the field of spirituality and business. It is not widely accepted in psychology due to its limited research and use.

Each of the nine personality types described by the Enneagram has an associated fear, trait, and behavioral pattern during stress and security.

Enneagram records a pattern of behavior for each type and provides an insight into the person’s psyche and psychological well-being.

Origin of Enneagram

The exact origin of the Enneagram is unknown, although its basic elements were synthesized by an American philosopher, Oscar Ichazo in the middle of the 20th century. 

Two psychiatrists, Claudio Naranjo and John Lilly adapted and introduced it in the United States in the early 1970s. Both psychiatrists used this system in their psychiatric training to understand and classify personality types based on certain features and traits.

They researched the Enneagram and proposed the theory that each of the nine personality types of the Enneagram, in response to stress, corresponds to a personality disorder. The system has been used extensively by mental health professionals, business corporations, religious communities, and leadership coaches to understand themselves and that of others better.

The Enneagram Model

The Enneagram model is a nine-point diagram. Each point in the model depicts a personality type. 

It is made up of three elements-

  1. The outer part is made up of a circle
  2. Inside the circle is a triangle, and 
  3. An irregular hexagon

The neighboring numbers on the circle are called ‘wings.’ They are represented by the symbol ‘w.’ 

For Example, the type 9 with a wing 1 is represented as 9w1. 

Individuals have one wing dominated over the other. However, sometimes both traits from each wing emerged in response to different environments.

Different personality types in Enneagram

Type 1- the Perfectionist/ The Reformer

Description

  • Principled and conscientious
  • The individual is well-organized, responsible, and committed
  • He/she fears corruption
  • Hypercritical and judgemental
  • Concerns highly with self-improvement and desire for perfection of themselves and their surroundings

Limitations

He/she struggles with ‘inner critic’, repressed anger, and impatience, and a sense of insufficiency and not being good enough

Basic fear

He/she fears getting bad or corrupted

Basic desire

To be good and improve and have good integrity with oneself and the surrounding.

Type 2- The Helper

Description

  • Empathetic
  • Intuitive
  • Pleasing people
  • Concerned with maintaining good relations with others
  • Optimistic, emotional, and warm
  • Easily manipulated and flattered
  • Good listener
  • Genuine
  • Often overlook his/her own needs

Limitations

  • Struggles with getting loved.
  •  Discard their own needs to make others happy.
  • Often give to get. 
  • Often works to meet other’s needs in a hope that their meets will be met in return

Basic fear

To be unwanted and unworthy of love

Basic desire

To be loved

Type 3- The Achiever

Description

  • Hard-working
  • Success-oriented
  • Workaholics
  • Image conscious
  • Competitive
  • Concerned with performance
  • Concerned with external praise and validation
  • More focused on success than feelings
  • Good communicator
  • Self-assured, charming, and energetic

Limitations

Struggle with vulnerability. Self-awareness of their desires

Basic fear

To be worthless or insignificant. Cannot disappoint others with their performance or cations

Basic desire

To be valued and accepted

Type 4- The Individualist

Description

  • Sensitive
  • Reserved
  • Introspective
  • Emotionally honest with oneself and others
  • Creative and forward-thinker
  • Sometimes self-centered
  • Strong sense of identity
  • Self-absorbed at times
  • Concerned with authenticity
  • Able to endure suffering
  • The tendency for artistic expression
  • Seen as moody, withdrawn, and unique

Limitations

Struggle with the feeling that something is lacking in them or the world

Basic fear

To have no sense of identity or significance

Basic desire

To live a meaningful life

Type 5- The Investigator

Description

  • Logical and objective
  • Detached and unemotional
  • Innovative and highly perceptive
  • Concerned with privacy, knowledge, logic, insight, and contemplation
  • Observant, analytical, expert, eccentric, and devoted their group

Limitations

Struggle with social interaction and emotional expression. Tendency to isolate

Basic fear

To be helpless, incapable, or useless

Type 6- The Loyalist

Description

  • Loyal and reliable
  • Committed and security-oriented
  • Concerned with clearly defined roles and structures
  • Alliance to beliefs and groups
  • Have long-lasting relationships
  • Seen as responsible, caring, protective, anxious, and suspicious

Limitations

Struggle with fear, paranoia, and worst-case scenarios. Tends to worry and dwell on the negative.

Basic fear

To be without security and support

Basic desire

To have security and support

Type 7- The Enthusiast

Description

  • Adventure-seeking, daring, and enthusiast
  • Concerned with freedom, excitement, and spontaneity
  • Energetic, outgoing, and ‘the life of the party.’
  • Extroverted- love to meet and communicate with new people
  • Quick thinker
  • Good at maintaining a positive attitude

Limitations

Struggle with compulsivity, over-extension of self, and commitment.

Basic fear

To be confined or in pain

Basic desire

To be happy or satisfied

Type 8- The Challenger

Description

  • Bold and dominating
  • Wilful, tough, and independent
  • Concerned with power dynamics
  • Tendency to ensure justice
  • Seen as a leader, hardworking, and decisive
  • Able to withstand conflict
  • Outspoken and action-oriented

Limitations

Struggle with anger, fear of vulnerability, and aggression

Basic fear

To be harmed and controlled by others

Basic desire

To be in control and to protect self and others

Type 9- The Peacemaker

Description

  • Agreeable and easy-going
  • Avoiding conflict wherever possible
  • Maintain and promote harmony in groups
  • Open-minded
  • Concerned with boundaries
  • Seen as likable, dependent, and complacent

Limitations

Struggle with finding their voice and meaning. They are being passive-aggressive or avoidant. They may ignore their wants and needs just to ensure peace.

Basic fear

To be disconnected, lost, or separate.

Basic desire

To have peace and security in their internal as well as external worlds

The Enneagram Type 8 personalities

Enneagram eight is challenging and dominating. They tend to have a strong presence and to take the charge.  Eights have a sense of compassion and justice. They are committed and know very well what they want. 

The traits of an Enneagram type 8 personality

  1. Assertive– They are bold and confident. They know exactly what they want and are willing to achieve it. They say what they have to say. They are very direct and committed.
  2. Decisive– they make decisions quickly and are quick to respond. They are intuitive and get things done. 
  3. Protective– They are concerned with injustice. They protect people and things they care about.
  4. Independent– They are self-sufficient. They hate to be dependent on others. They maintain their privacy and autonomy.
  5. Influential– They take charge of themselves and are very dominating and influential. They are seen as being wilful and tough. They are mostly leaders. 

Enneagram Type 8 Careers

  • Lawyers
  • Executives/directors
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Politicians
  • Military career
  • Counselors
  • Activists
  • Social works
  • Philanthropy
  • Philosophy
  • Event planner
  • Journalists
  • Athlete
  • Actor
  • Financial advisor

Worst career options for Enneagram Type 8

  • Administrative/Clerical staff- Enneagrams type 8 cannot withstand a stagnant workplace. The clerical jobs are mostly micromanaged and not dynamic. 
  • Technicians- They are micromanaged, so a type 8 cannot be fit for this role.
  • Editors/producers- type 8 cannot withstand criticism and slow impact. They cannot fit this role as they tend to have a real life-changing impact. 

Famous personalities who are Enneagram eight

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Schindler, Indira Gandhi, Ernest Hemingway, Serena Williams, James Brown, Pink, John Wayne, Donald Trump, Sean Pena, Barbara Walters, Tony Morrison, Aretha Franklin, Norman Mailer, Golda Meir, Lyndon Johnson, queen Latifah, Courtney Love, Jack Black, Mae West, Keith Richards, Jack Nicholson, Russell Crowe, Alec Baldwin, Roseanne Barr, Clint Eastwood, Harvey Keitel, Paul Newman, Barbara Walters, Matt Damon, Saddam Hussein, Fidel Castro, Frank Sinatra, and many more.

The work environment for Enneagram Type 8

  1. Challenging and busy- They tend to work in an environment where their mind is kept busy. They love challenges and a dynamic workplace to work in. they tend to be in control and view themselves as if their work brings a positive impact on the world.
  2. Dedication- They love to work in an environment where all people are diligent towards their work. They don’t like the feeling of being controlled by others. They often question authority if they find something inappropriate or unjust. If you want to earn their respect, be dedicated to your work. 
  3. Utilization of their traits- You can use their traits like toughness and energy for some tasks like dealing with tough negotiations, building a strong network, to take tough marketing decisions, and persuading people to sell your ideas.  
  4. Supportive workplace– The Enneagram type eights love workplaces that are supportive and let them learn and grow. They couldn’t fit well in places that are dull and stagnant with repetitive work. They cannot utilize their potential without appropriate support and motivation.
  5. Dynamism– they love work that is constantly changing. They hate places that don’t change at all with their modes of operation. They are dynamic beings.

Work environment not suitable for enneagram type 8

  1. Micromanaged- they love their autonomy and sense of independence. They hate to work in places that are micromanaged and unorganized.
  2. Without supportive guidance- Although they are independent and confident spirits, they need someone to guide them. They cannot thrive in the environment without supportive guidance.
  3. Expecting perfection- if the company demands too much perfection from them, they tend to lose their confidence if things don’t work or they are constantly being told to achieve more perfection. 
  4. Back work– They love to be in spotlights and tend to be good leaders.  They couldn’t work in the environment where they are being pushed in the background. This reduces their productivity drastically.

How employers get the best out of their Type 8 employees

  • Give them challenging and dynamic work
  • Give them authority. However, constantly keep a check on them. Don’t allow them to impose their ideologies on other team members.
  • Give them works that place them in the spotlight in the office or the company
  • Give them appropriate guidance
  • Be supportive and appreciate their work
  • Constantly encourage them

How Enneagram type eights get demotivated

  • Authority is controlling
  • They are given a background-position
  • They are unappreciated for their work
  • Expectations from the company are unclear
  • Blaming teammates

Levels of Development of Type Eight

  1. Healthy levels

Level 1

  • Being self-restraint
  • Self-surrender to the higher authority
  • Courageous and willing to put self in danger to achieve their vision and for the higher good
  • Willing to achieve heroism and historical greatness

Level 2

  • Self-assertive
  • Self-confident
  • Willing and strong
  • Clear about what they want and what they need
  • Can-do attitude
  • Resourceful

Level 3

  1. Average levels

Level 4

  • Financial stability
  • Self-sufficient
  • Rugged individuals
  • Risk-taker
  • Denying own emotional needs

Level 5

  • Dominating
  • Superiority
  • Authoritative
  • Boastful
  • Prideful
  • Proud and egocentric

Level 6

  • Confrontational
  • Use threatening to get obedience from others
  • Highly combative to get things done
  1. Unhealthy levels

Level 7

  • Completely ruthless
  • Dictatorial
  • Hard-hearted
  • Immoral and potentially violent

Level 8

  • Invincibility
  • Delusional of their power
  • Megalomania
  • Invulnerability
  • Reckless

Level 9

  • Vengeful
  • Barbaric
  • Murderous
  • Sociopathic tendency
  • Corresponds to Antisocial Personality disorder

Recommendations for Enneagram Type Eights for personal growth

  • Always try to be self-restraint even if it goes against your basic trait. Your real power is to uplift and inspire other people and not to dominate them. You are at your full potential when you take charge of yourself and help others grow too. It’s not a weakness to show your raw powers. Displaying your rawness shows your modesty and greatness of heart.
  • Sometimes it’s good to surrender yourself to others. Don’t try to dominate everyone. Learn to be restrained and not dominating. Yield to others too to learn to surrender and grow.
  •  Welcome the affection that the people who cared for you show. Don’t resist it by becoming tough. You might be strong and tough, but always need some love and care people want to show towards you.
  • Don’t suspect that people are against you. This creates an alienated feeling and boundaries. Let people who love you know how important they are in your life.
  • Don’t overvalue power. People who love you would love you for who you are and not in terms of your power of wisdom, money, position, or force.

Applications of the Enneagram

  • It is used to categorize people according to their personality types
  • It provides insight regarding how to relate to others
  • It is useful for personal growth and development
  • It is useful in building a network, interpersonal communication, and leadership development
  • Helpful in creating successful relations in office and other areas of life
  • Helps individuals to know themselves and how to improve

How to use Enneagram results 

  • The personality of each individual is complex and one shouldn’t be relying on these online tests to take major decisions as career options or suitable jobs.
  • These types of tests help a person to gain an insight into their personalities. So, use them to know your traits, strengths, and weaknesses. Don’t rely just upon them for serious decisions in life.

Take the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI) at the website- https://tests.enneagraminstitute.com/

Summary for Enneagram Type eight careers

  • Identify where lies your motivational powers
  • Evaluate whether you are in a work environment where your work is appreciated and you feel valued
  • Evaluate if you are in a field that helps you to capitalize on your leadership skills and key traits
  • Consider if the work you do helps others to learn and grow

Enneagram Type Eight Career Conclusion

The career choice for Enneagram type eight should not be limited to specific fields. It should be based on their freedom and desire to lead and succeed. The best career options for them involve work where they help others to grow and inspire them. They love challenges and dynamism. They thrive in environments where they can make tough decisions, take challenges, and where their work is appreciated. They love being in the spotlight and in an authoritative position. Their excellent negotiation skills help the company to utilize their skills. Their good leadership traits and persuading powers help the company they work in to excel and sell the products or ideas. They love to help others grow along with them as well. This is their true power and potential. 

Enneagram Type 8 Careers- With Descriptions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to top