How is Enneagram 8w9 Different From 9w8? (5+ Main Characteristics)
In this blog post, we will talk about the differences between the 8w9 vs 9w8 Enneagram types.
If you are sure you are either a type 8w9 vs 9w8, keep reading to better understand the core traits of each type and the differences between the two.
8w9 vs 9w8
The difference between 8w9 vs 9w8 is that while the 8w9 is someone who wants to be invulnerable but at the same time may take care of other people as well, the 9w8 may look out for others more so than themselves. Also, the 8w9 may be more confrontational and free-speaking compared to the 9w8.
8w9 – The bear
Famous Examples: Martin Luther King, Jr., Golda Meir, Toni Morrison, John Wayne, Sean Connery, Sigourney Weaver, Paul Newman, Indira Gandhi, Glenn Close, Norman Mailer.
Healthy subtype: People in this subtype combine strength, self-confidence and determination with quiet stability and a relaxed attitude.
They are visibly more consistent in pursuing their goals and are not as aggressive or easily distracted as other Leaders.
They are also warmer and more family-oriented, asserting their power and leadership skills through a protective attitude.
They are not as eager to do anything to achieve their goals: even if they stick to the idea of becoming independent, they will do it at their own pace.
Their ability to encourage and calm others develops their leadership skills.
Medium subtype: These people appear to be dual in nature, manifesting itself differently depending on the life situation in which it finds itself.
For example, they may be warm and affectionate at home, but very determined and aggressive at work.
Those in this subtype usually want to live in silence, to disturb anyone, preferring to control their business behind the scenes.
They also tend to speak slowly and be very receptive to body language and the non-verbal signs of others – they are friendly, but at the same time, they secretly evaluate those they come in contact with.
They make full use of strategy and notice everything going on around them, and almost provoke others to underestimate them.
Leaders of this subtype can be stubborn, impassive and threatening, even if they are silent. When they lose their temper, the detonation comes quickly and violently, then disappears.
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.
Enneagram Type 8 – The leader
• Basic fear: Being hurt or controlled by others, being trampled on
• Basic desire: To protect oneself, to choose one’s own path in life
• The message of the superego: You are good or pretty good if you are strong and in control of the situation.
Strong, domineering typology: self-confident, Definitely, Determined, Ready to Confront.
We call the eighth typology the Leader because, more than any other typology, it wants to lead itself and lead others to self-transcendence, even if it means going from challenge to challenge.
They are charismatic and have the physical and psychological ability to persuade others to follow them in all sorts of activities – from setting up a company, rebuilding a city, running a household, starting a war, to making peace.
Leaders have an extremely strong will and great vitality and feel best when they use these qualities.
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.
A Leader can be a general or a gardener, a small businessman or a mogul, a father in a family or the head of a religious community, but regardless of his occupation, he will always try to be in power and make his mark on those around him.
“We are confident, either we bring our happiness or we call our troubles. In both cases, however, we make the same effort. “
The leaders are the real “tough individuals” of the Enneagram. More than those of any other typology, they face life alone.
They want to be independent and can’t stand to owe anyone anything.
They often refuse to obey social conventions and defy the consequences of one’s actions, shame or fear. Although they are often aware of the opinions that people have about them, they are not influenced by it.
They do their job with an iron determination, which can amaze or even intimidate others.
Enneagram type 9 – the peacemaker
• Basic fear – of loss and separation, of annihilation
• Basic desire – to maintain inner stability and
peace of mind
• The message of the superego – You are fine as long as those around you
yours are fine.
Enneagram type 9 is: Calm, withdrawn, erased type: receptive, pleasant, complacent.
We call it”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 Nine 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 Instinctual 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.
To compensate for the separation from instinctual energies, they retreat into mental and emotional fantasies (which is why Nine may be confused with types Five or Seven – intellectual types). – or with Two or Four – sentimental types).
Moreover, when instinctual energies have lost their balance, they use these energies against themselves, as a barrier to their own power, so that their psyche becomes static and inert.
When their energy is not used, it stagnates like a spring lake supersaturated with water, which prevents the flow of the springs that supply it.
On the other hand, if their energies are balanced and connected to their instinctual centre, they are like a great evil, which carries everything with it, without any effort.
Sometimes we call the type Nine “Crown of the Enneagram” because it is at the top of the symbol and seems to include it entirely.
Type nine can have the power of Eight, the sense of fun and adventure like type Seven, the sense of responsibility characteristic of Six, the intellectualism of Fives, the creativity of Four, the attractiveness of typology Three, the generosity of Two and the idealism of type One.
However, what they generally lack is a sense of self-identity.
Conclusions
In this blog post, we talked about the differences between the 8w9 vs 9w8 Enneagram types.
Enneagram type 8w9 are warm and more family-oriented, asserting their power and leadership skills through a protective attitude.
They are not as eager to do anything to achieve their goals: even if they stick to the idea of becoming independent, they will do it at their own pace. Their ability to encourage and calm others develops their leadership skills.
Enneagram type 9w8 combines 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.
If you have any questions, comments or recommendations, please let us know!
FAQ about the Enneagram 8w9 vs 9w8 types
What does a healthy Enneagram 9 look like?
Healthy Enneagram 9s are typically friendly and reconciling, but with a very keen sense of purpose, especially when it comes to their own ideas.
Good as therapists.
counsellors or priests, balance their traits of good listeners, free from prejudice, with the desire to help others.
What is Enneagram type 8?
Enneagram type 8 are charismatic and have the physical and psychological ability to persuade others to follow them in all sorts of activities – from setting up a company, rebuilding a city, running a household, starting a war, to making peace.
What is Enneagram type 8w9?
Enneagram type 8w9 are warm and more family-oriented, asserting their power and leadership skills through a protective attitude.
They are not as eager to do anything to achieve their goals: even if they stick to the idea of becoming independent, they will do it at their own pace.
Their ability to encourage and calm others develops their leadership skills.
What is Enneagram type 9w8?
Enneagram type 9w8 combines 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.
Further reading
The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth, by Christopher L. Heuertz
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