Driven to be strong, take charge, and protect themselves and others by avoiding vulnerability at all costs.
Type Eights have a need to be in control of their environment, avoid weakness, and protect themselves and others. They project strength and intensity, pursuing justice and fairness with powerful energy.
Self talk:
“The world is a tough and unjust place—only the strong survive. I must not be weak. I must take charge and do it my way.”
Beneath this toughness is often a deeper belief:
“If I’m not in control, I’ll be hurt or betrayed.”
Core Fear & Desire
- Basic Fear: Being harmed, controlled, or violated by others
- Basic Desire: To protect themselves and remain in control of their own life and destiny
Vice and Virtue
Vice – Lust:
Not just about sexuality—lust here refers to intensity. Eights seek big experiences, big emotions, and powerful impacts. They often act on impulse, driven by an urgent need to feel alive and in control.
Virtue – Innocence:
When Eights soften and let down their defenses, they discover a purity of heart—a willingness to meet each moment with openness rather than domination. Innocence allows for wonder, trust, and authentic connection.
Developmental Path: From Power to Presence
| Stage | Developmental View | Eight’s Expression |
|---|---|---|
| Egocentric | “Power is survival.” | Forceful, dominating, defensive, impulsive |
| Ethnocentric | “I must protect what’s mine.” | Loyal to inner circle, commands respect, leads strongly |
| Worldcentric | “True strength includes vulnerability.” | Balanced power with compassion, emotionally attuned |
| Cosmocentric | “Justice is already unfolding.” | Innocent presence, open-hearted, surrendered strength |
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Strengths of the Eight
- Confident, assertive, and willing to take risks
- Protective and loyal to those they care about
- Decisive and action-oriented
- Authentic and straight-talking
- Inspires courage and strength in others
Challenges for the Eight
- Struggles to show vulnerability or ask for help
- Can dominate or intimidate others without realising it
- May dismiss emotional nuance or sensitivity
- Prone to black-and-white thinking and power struggles
- May equate love with control or possession
Direction of Growth and Stress
Under Stress → Average Type Five:
Eights may withdraw, become secretive, and emotionally distant. They pull back to regroup, becoming more isolated and potentially cynical.
In Security → Average Type Two:
Eights soften, show care and generosity, and allow others to support them. They may become more emotionally expressive and nurturing.
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The Type 8 at Work
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Chief Asset: Passion. Eights bring courage, resilience, and energy to their work. They confront challenges head-on and move things forward.
How They Approach Problems:
“It’s time for me to take charge and make things happen.”
Workplace Belief:
“Things work best when I’m in control.”
What They Appreciate in Others
- Confidence and competence
- Directness and honesty
- Willingness to challenge and be real
What Frustrates Them in Others
- Timidity or passivity
- Dishonesty or manipulation
- Over-sensitivity or avoidance
How They May Frustrate Others
- Can be intimidating or overpowering
- Dismissive of others’ emotions
- Reluctance to admit fault or soften their stance
- Unintended abrasiveness or aggression
How They’re Often Seen by Others
- Positive: Bold, decisive, inspiring, protective
- Negative: Controlling, aggressive, insensitive, volatile
The Active Challenger as a Leader
Strengths:
- Creates momentum and drives change
- Stands up for others and protects the vulnerable
- Inspires confidence and action
- Speaks truth and handles pressure well
Challenges:
- May overpower others or ignore input
- Difficulty delegating or releasing control
- Can create fear-based dynamics in teams
Where They Shine: Crisis leadership, negotiations, entrepreneurship, justice work
Leadership Development Tip:
Reframe vulnerability as a strength. Start by revealing a little more of your inner world to those you trust. You don’t lose power—you gain connection.
Derailers to Watch For
- Always Being Right: Dismissing feedback and other views
- Volatility: Overwhelming others with emotional intensity or anger
- Rough Around the Edges: Using harshness or rebellion to assert dominance
- Needing Control: Micromanaging or overpowering people and systems
- Denial of Vulnerability: Refusing to admit pain, fear, or need
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Growth Invitations for Type 8
- Practice pausing before taking action—feel, then act
- Let others take the lead sometimes
- Notice the impulse to control and gently soften it
- Get curious about your emotional world, not just your instincts
- Let people in—real strength includes openness
- Discover how tenderness deepens your power
Keep Growing
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