9w8 vs 7w8 Enneagram types (The difference)

In this blog post, we will talk about the differences between the 9w8 vs 7w8 Enneagram types. If you are sure you are either a type 9w8 vs 7w8, keep reading to better understand the core traits of each type and the differences between the two. 

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 7w6 or 9w8 and 8w9.

7w8 – The realist

Famous examples: Jack Nicholson, Lucille Ball, Joan Rivers, Howard Stern, Leonard Bernstein, Lauren Bacall, Bette Midler, Malcolm Forbes, John F. Kennedy, “Scarlett O’Hara.”

Healthy subtype: Generalists in this subtype are “materialists” in the broadest sense of the word: they truly enjoy the world around them. I know how to combine the speed of action with determination, which often leads to material success and a high position in society. 

They are determined to get what they want in life; they think strategically and can quickly organize their internal and external resources as they pursue their goals. They are earthly and practical. They have a strong mind, a sharp tongue, and a special pleasure in shocking things.

Common subtype: Those who are part of this subtype invest their strength in many directions, keeping quiet about things at once or having multiple careers at the same time. They can be aggressive and have enough willpower and determination to take care of their own needs. 

They tend to be more dependent on work than people in the other subtype, which is due to their strong desire to accumulate possessions and experiences. (“I deserve it!”) They are focused on activities rather than relationships with others. Thus, they tend to be pragmatic when it comes to relationships – looking for a partner, not a person in a romantic fantasy. 

They are not afraid to be alone and they know very well what their expectations are and how much they can tolerate. They can be painfully direct and push others out of their way to get what they want. They can be cynical and sharp, which contrasts with the childish hyper-enthusiasm of those in Wing Six.

You can understand 7w8 more clearly once you read about the differences between 7w8 and 8w7.

What are the Enneagram personality types?

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).

The nine Enneagram personality typologies are represented by a geometric figure called the enneagram, which also indicates the connections between the nine types. 

The enneagram consists of three parts: the circle, which according to esoteric traditions symbolizes unity, an inner triangle (connects types 3, 6 and 9) that symbolizes the `law of three` and an irregular hexagon (connects types 1, 4, 2, 8, 5 and 7) which symbolizes the `law of the seven` – 142857 represents the decimal that is repeated after dividing 1 by 7.

The enneagram is not used in specialized academic studies but rather is promoted in the business management environment and the religious or spiritual one. In business, it provides information about the dynamics of work, and in the spiritual environment, it is a way to a better understanding of the self and to spiritual development.

 Critics of this system argue that the data provided are more subjective and interpretive than those provided by academic tests – such as Myers-Briggs, making it more difficult to scientifically validate.

Basic personality type

The enneagram represents a set of 9 distinct personality types, each of which is represented by a number. It is common for a person to find himself in each of these types, but only one will predominate – this is the basic type. Each of us is born with a personality dominated by one of these types, and innate temperament and other prenatal factors are the main determinants of personality.

Tangential personality type

The basic personality type can undergo slight changes, following the influences exerted by the two adjacent personality types – tangential on the enneagram. These are also called `wings`. Tangential types add new, sometimes contradictory elements to the basic type. The `wing` is the second side of the coin and must be considered to better understand a person.

For example, a person with the basic personality 9 has a `wing` either type 1, type 8, or both. These tangential personalities influence but do not change their basic personality.

The practical role of the Enneagram

Although not associated with any religion, one of the primary uses of the Enneagram is as a transformative tool that helps us realize our essential nature (divine nature or being) and integrate our personality. 

For those who have had an initiatory spiritual experience of awakening, the Enneagram can help determine the “inner purpose” of self-transcendence. But the Enneagram can help each of us achieve different “external goals,” because it has practical applications in many important areas of life – relationships, career guidance, business, education, and parenting.

In relationships, the Enneagram can be used to improve communication, understanding, synergy and connection by capitalizing on differences between people. 

As interdependent beings, our happiness largely depends on the quality of our relationships. And the quality of our relationships depends on our self-esteem and desire to value the uniqueness of others.

And our self-esteem comes from making instant choices in alignment with our deepest values. Making choices momentarily in alignment with our deepest values ​​comes from our deep knowledge and our inner wisdom.

Another use of the Enneagram, as well as of all the other systems of evolution and personal determination, is the professional orientation. Each of us has innate talents that come to us so naturally that we don’t even see them as gifts. Unfortunately, many people do not know what they are.

 In his book “The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Life of Satisfaction and Success,” Nicholas Lore interviewed 1,500 people and found that:

• only 10% of them felt that their work matched their personality and was a tool for personal expression.
• 20% of people enjoyed their work most of the time,
• 30% accepted their work without a fight,
• 30% go to work because they are forced by circumstances
• 10% feel like their job is hell!

So maybe up to 70% of people don’t enjoy their work. Do you think it affects their relationships? Health? Self-esteem? Enjoy life? Inner peace? World peace !?

In business, the Enneagram can be used for team building, conflict management, increasing self-leadership and increasing productivity by maximizing each person’s unique gifts.

In education, the Enneagram can be used to help teachers understand students’ different needs and adapt their teaching to reflect an awareness of these different needs. It can help children better understand themselves and others, as well as help them plan their lives.

In parenting, Enneagram can help parents truly understand and cultivate their children’s individuality. With knowledge of the Enneagram (and other systems of personal discovery), parents can increase their children’s self-esteem by encouraging them to use their natural gifts and talents. Parents can also raise their own self-esteem by using these systems, and therefore will naturally raise their children’s self-esteem through their happy example!

Conclusions

In this blog post, we talked about the differences between the 9w8 vs 7w8 Enneagram types. We also talked about the benefits and the role of the Enneagram personality types. 

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).

For those who have had an initiatory spiritual experience of awakening, the Enneagram can help determine the “inner purpose” of self-transcendence. But the Enneagram can help each of us achieve different “external goals,” because it has practical applications in many important areas of life – relationships, career guidance, business, education, and parenting.

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

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