Enneagram Book

If you haven’t encountered many eights in your life, seeing how an eight moves through the world can be an eye-opening experience. Some types may even be downright scared of eights if they don’t know any better. An eight can put on a very tough façade to scare off those who may come around with less than good intentions. But be reassured, it really is a façade.

This is not in any way meant to discount the seriousness of eights’ concerns or to make light of them. However, if an eight learns to “lighten up” by literally lightening their load they will be well served. Many eights bite off more than they can chew as a way of reassuring themselves that they will “receive their due.” If you are not one to value loyalty, honor and faithfulness at all costs, then you might as well leave an eight alone.  When trying to find an optimal resolution with an eight, the first step towards harmony is acknowledging their dutiful nature, all the time and effort that they have put in and making them fell important. If you can get that far, the defenses will pass and you can lead them to a broader picture of the situation and hopefully encourage a more skillful means of dealing with things.

Eights are wonderfully open to compromise when you can show them that they are being acknowledged, respected, and counted. They will be your most loyal and devoted friends with a great sense of humor and a kind nature. As children it is easy to see how this dynamic plays out. Little eights may get very upset if they feel they have been wronged or misunderstood- but will quickly set aside these feeling if they are met with a calm understanding and a sense of humor. Eights can literally go from angry to silly within seconds. It is their wonderful sense of humility and loyalty that will shine through in the end with a little bit of care, concern, and an extension of sensitivity.

Thank you to Meaghan Quinn for contributing this awesome article! 

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