ENNEAGRAM 8: The Controller
CELEBRITY MATCH: Serena Williams, Chelsea Handler
SELF TALK: “I must take the reigns. I must get it done.”
TRAVEL SUPERPOWER: Ensuring greatness. Locking in plans and upleveling the experience. Not afraid to push the group and ensure that it is the best trip possible!
FAVORITE READ: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Enneagram Type 8, known as The Controller or The Challenger, is strong, assertive, and fiercely independent. Eights are driven by a desire to protect themselves and those they care about, often showing up as bold leaders who value honesty, control, and justice. They have a commanding presence and are not afraid to speak their minds or confront challenges head-on. At their best, 8s are protective, empowering, and deeply loyal; at their worst, they can be confrontational, controlling, or insensitive to others’ vulnerabilities. Their core fear is being controlled or harmed, and their core desire is to be independent, in control of their destiny, and not at the mercy of others.
TYPE 1 IN A RELATIONSHIP
In a relationship, Enneagram 8s are passionate, loyal, and protective partners who value honesty and direct communication. They bring strength and intensity, often taking on the role of defender and provider for their loved ones. However, they may struggle with vulnerability, finding it difficult to soften or trust fully if they fear being hurt or controlled.
DREAM VACATION
A trip fit for royalty. A tour of Buckingham Palace, a visit to the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels followed by high tea at The Ritz.
SHADOW SIDE
GROWTH
AT YOUR DESK
Two monitors for maximum control, a Smythson planner, a copy of Dare to Lead, a protein shake and a timer to used for the Pomodoro Method.
Your energy can be bold and direct. As an Enneagram 8 you may call it assertive, others may call is aggressive. Always approaching work and play with the outcome in mind, you may struggle to slow down and collaborate. When you are stressed you grip tighter and want to see results yesterday. This can become worse if you don’t respect the people on your team. You can be easy to dismiss people or their ideas and although you embrace direct feedback, you have a blindspot towards how others handle your approach. Enneagram 8s also can struggle to take care of themselves. With so much drive and ambition, the 8 will not prioritize their health until it becomes a necessity not a luxury.
The work for the Enneagram Type 8 is to be open to collaboration and receiving support. Vulnerability is a core fear for an 8, showing any feelings other than anger makes an 8 feel out of control. If you are an 8, work on the art of slowing down, connect with your feelings and work on building connection. What happens when you loosen the reigns? What might be possible if you let others step in to co-create? Focusing on the present versus the outcome can shift an Enneagram 8 from a human doing to a human being.
Type 8 at Work…
Type 8s excel when they feel empowered. In a work setting they must be able to move the needle forward and feel rewarded for their bold and brave action. If you are an Enneagram 8 you will tend to take on leadership roles and are the first to speak in a team meeting. Enneagram 8s can pursue all types of careers, whether it is law, policy, finance or tech, no area of limits. The deciding factor is they need to be on a team where they respect their co-workers while simultaneously being able to exert power to drive maximum impact. Enneagram 8s are also fiercely protective of their people and will advocate for anyone who is experiencing injustice!
Leadership Style
Bold, direct, empowered, protective, resourceful, influencing