9w8 vs 7w6 Enneagram types (The difference)

Enneagram is the name of one of the newest personality systems, which emphasizes psychological motivation and emotional perspective on life. The name comes from the Greek words ennea (new) and grammes (something is written or drawn).

In this blog post, we will talk about the differences between the 9w8 vs 7w6 Enneagram types, starting with the Referee, the 9w8 type.

9w8 – The Referee

Examples of personalities: Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, Lady Bird Johnson, Kevin Costner, Sophia Loren, Walter Cronkite, Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Ringo Starr, Ingrid Bergman.

Healthy subtype: These individuals combine inner strength and endurance with the ability to be pleasant and to caress others. They are at the same time strong and delicate, able to relate very easily to people but also to things; mediates people and reduces conflicts. He is always looking for new projects to change his routine periodically. 

They are practical and concerned about their immediate needs, as well as the physical and financial aspects that surround them. More sociable than the other subtype, they generally prefer to work in a team. They excel in self-help and consulting professions and can be very efficient in business, especially in negotiations and human resources.

Medium subtype: They like to be in society and have fun and are tempted to get lost in sensuality or comfortable habits that can prevent them from focusing on important goals. They can be stubborn and defensive, they tend to stand still and not listen to anyone. 

Most are temperamental people and it is difficult, as a rule, to figure out what triggers their unstable attitudes: threats to their own well-being or family, job, or beliefs – these are the most common reasons. They can be brutal and explosive, only to suddenly return to a state of calm and placidity.

You can also learn more about 9w8 and it’s difference with other personality types. For example, 9w8 and 7w8 or 9w8 and 8w9.

Type 9  The pacifist

Enneagram type 9 people are welcoming, stable, trustworthy. They are kind-hearted, calm and supportive, but they are too willing to please others just to avoid scandal. They do not want life to unfold in conflict, tending to indulge in any situation and minimize any disturbance that occurs. 

They have problems because they are too passive and stubborn. At the healthiest level, those in type 9 are fearless, able to comprehend everything; they are able to reconcile people and heal conflicts.

The 9 type is called “the Peacemaker” because, more than any other type of personality, he is devoted to finding inner and outer peace for both himself and those around him. They are often spiritual seekers, with a burning desire to be connected to the universe as well as to other people. 

They strive to maintain their inner peace, as well as the peace and harmony of the environment around them. The problems encountered in the 9 types are fundamental to the whole work of inner transformation: awakening vs. admonition to true nature, presence vs. trance, tension vs. relaxation, peace vs. pain, union vs. separation.

As an irony of fate, this type of personality so oriented towards spiritual work is the centre of the Instinctive Triad and probably the most ingrained type in the physical world and in one’s own physical body. 

The contradiction is elucidated if we realize that this guy is either in very close connection with his instinctive virtues and has great elemental power and personal magnetism, or they are separated from instinctual power and can be withdrawn, disconnected from the real world.

7w6 – The Animator

Famous examples: Robin Williams, Steven Spielberg, W.A. Mozart, Jim Carrey, Goldie Hawn, Carol Burnett, Sarah Ferguson, Benjamin Franklin, Timothy Leary, Tom Wolfe.

Healthy subtype: People in this subtype are productive and cheerful, strongly believing in the goodness of life and the joy of being. They are often curious and creative, with an excellent sense of humour and a more positive outlook than the other subtype.

They have a fast mind, cooperate easily and are very well organized – which allows them to do a lot of things, while at the same time seeming to make only minimal effort. They look for variety and have the opportunity to interact easily with people – television, public relations, media, advertising and the entertainment world seem to be silent for them.

Medium subtype: I speak fast, I know how to turn words, I am engaging and I stimulate new ideas. People of this subtype have enough energy and give others moments of overflowing joy. 

They are generally productive but may lose focus and become scattered. it follows its goals less than the other subtype. They may be in a hurry, frantic, and nervous, sometimes losing their self-confidence.

Type 7 The generalist

Always busy, fun-loving typology: Spontaneous, Unsteady, Collector and scattered

The author called the seventh typology the Generalist because the people who are part of it are enthusiastic when it comes to anything that comes into their view. I look at life full of curiosity, optimism and a sense of adventure. 

They’re like children in a toy store. They look at the world in astonishment and absorbed, realizing what a treasure is at their feet. Generalists are bold and lively, pursuing what they want from life with a cheerful determination. They have a quality best described by the Hebrew word chutzpah – a kind of naughty audacity.

Although they are part of the Triad of Thinkers, this is not obvious from the first moment, as they tend to be very practical and get involved in a lot of projects at any time. 

Their thinking is anticipatory: they anticipate events and find ideas in an instant, like more activities that stimulate their minds – which in turn offer even more things to do and think about. They are not necessarily intellectuals or learners by definition, although they are often intelligent and can have a broad culture that they can easily express.

Their minds move quickly from one idea to another, which makes them do great when it comes to brainstorming and synthesizing information. Generalists are absolutely delighted with the whirlwind of ideas that go through their minds and the pleasure of being spontaneous, preferring to have overviews or the frenzy of the early stages of a creative process than to delve into the depths of a single subject.

Generalists usually have fast, agile minds, and can learn exceptionally quickly. This is true both for their ability to absorb information (data, procedures, languages) and for their ability to learn things related to physical skills. They tend to have excellent coordination between mind and body and a very good manual dexterity (for typing, playing the piano, tennis). All this can be combined to make the Generalist a true Renaissance person.

When Generalists rush to get something that seems to give them freedom and satisfaction, they tend to make bad choices and become even more dissatisfied, experiencing everything indirectly through the dense filter of their rapid mental activity. 

The result is that they become frustrated, upset, and anxious and have fewer physical, emotional, and financial resources. They may destroy their health, relationships, and material well-being by running in vain for unattainable happiness.

On the positive side, however, the Generalists are very optimistic, exuberant and cheerful people. They have an overflowing vitality and the desire to live their lives intensely every day. They are humorous and naturally cheerful. They don’t take themselves or anything very seriously. 

When they are balanced, their good mood and enthusiasm for life make those around them feel full of energy. Generalists do not recall the pure pleasure of existence – the greatest gift there can be.

Conclusions

In this blog post, we talked about the differences between the 9w8 vs 7w6 Enneagram types.

The 9w8 Enneagram types are practical and concerned about their immediate needs, as well as the physical and financial aspects that surround them. More sociable than the other subtype, they generally prefer to work in a team.

The 7w6  Enneagram types have a fast mind, cooperate easily and are very well organized – which allows them to do a lot of things, while at the same time seeming to make only minimal effort. They look for variety and have the opportunity to interact easily with people – television, public relations, media, advertising and the entertainment world seem to be silent for them.

If you have any questions, comments or recommendations, please let us know in the comments section!

FAQ on 9w8 vs 7w6

What is a 9w8?

The 9w8 Enneagram types are practical and concerned about their immediate needs, as well as the physical and financial aspects that surround them. More sociable than the other subtype, they generally prefer to work in a team. They excel in self-help and consulting professions and can be very efficient in business, especially in negotiations and human resources.

Which Enneagram type is most stubborn?

The most stubborn Enneagram type is type 9. They do not want their pleasant states to be disturbed by others and often resist through passivity, remain silent, stubborn. At the lower, unhealthy level, they fall into a deep apathy about their lives and can become sluggish, erased and unproductive. 

What is a 7 Wing 8?

7 Wing 8 Enneagram type uses abundant energy to make changes and make his mark on those around him, but also to protect his loved ones from difficulties or, especially, from other people. From an early age, they understand that in order to do these things, they need strength, willpower, persistence, and endurance — qualities they develop and seek in others.

How do I find my Enneagram wing?

EachEnneagram type has two wings and three instinctual variants. These two “lenses” help us focus on our personality traits with greater precision and specificity. The enneagram is also unique in that it shows us the ways to develop, to evolve. It accurately traces the paths of our growth and evolution, but also those that lead us to involution. 

Are Enneagram 9’s lazy?

The laziness of the 9 types derives from the desire not to involve his whole being in the activity he undertakes. They are not necessarily lazy when it comes to everyday things – on the contrary, they can be very hard workers, running a business or maintaining a house.

What does an Enneagram 9 go to in stress?

When an Enneagram 9 is stressed, they fall into a deep apathy about their lives and can become sluggish, erased and unproductive. They end up being “chronic couch vegetables”, emotionally closed and slowly wasting their health, relationships and possibilities. Addictions are common.

References

The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types, by Don Richard Riso 

Personality Types: Using the Enneagram for Self-Discovery, by Don Richard Riso, Russ Hudson

Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types, by Don Richard Riso, Russ Hudson

Enneagrampaths.com

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