Personality Type Eight

Eights are also known as the

Alpha Dog, Asserter, Boss, Challenger, Champion, Chief, Confronter, Controller, Dominator, Entrepreneur, Kingfish, Leader, Maverick, Potentate, Powerful Person, Protector, Rock, Statesman, Thrill Seeker, Top Dog 

Overview

Values

power, wealth, self-assertiveness, independence, influence, the respect of others, greatness, immortality, being in control of their world, physical survival

Main Motivation

To protect themselves and to be in control of their own lives

Eights like to see themselves as strong, assertive people who are in control. They don't want others to control them; they want to determine their own course in life. They seek independence from the influence of others, demanding that they get the autonomy they want. They also feel a strong need to protect themselves, others who are close (e.g., family), their achievements, and their legacy.

In order to protect themselves, they direct their energy into creating boundaries around themselves. Within this sphere of influence, they are in control. Beyond the boundary lie others looking for weakness in the Eight, ready to take away their strength and accomplishments. Eights are wary of others and defend themselves against such threats.

Eights are very passionate people. They have a strong and an attitude that compels them to take action. They act out their desires impulsively, feeling that their instinctual energy guides them to safety.

Eights are searching for survival. Survival includes physical survival, but it also includes their legacy. They want their environment to reflect themselves. They work hard on projects that build their legacy and reputation. In a sense, a legacy that lasts forever is a type of immortality -- the ultimate survival.

Eights want to ensure that others don't influence or affect them. Eights try to expand their sphere of influence, thrusting it out aggressively into their environment, seeking to control and dominate it. After all, if I control my environment, it can't control me. Unfortunately for the Eight, others stand in the way and may not always yield their power.

Average Levels

Level 4: Enterprising Adventurer

Play the role of the Rock/Leader

Level 5: Dominating Power Broker

Manipulate others by dominating others and insisting they obey

Level 6: Confrontational Adversary

Undermines others by threatening the safety and autonomy of others (forcing their obedience)

Average Eights see themselves as the leader. They are the strong ones who will take charge and on whom others can depend. They provide for others, placing them in a position of superiority.

They are shrewd, pragmatic, and enterprising. They are natural entrepreneurs who have the street smarts and intuition to make things happen. They have a vision, the initiative, and decisiveness to see it through.

Average Eights tend to be blunt; they don't beat around the bush. In addition, Eights would prefer others would be equally to the point. Eights sometimes have a strong, booming voice that sounds like they are shouting (perhaps, a subtle reminder to show who's in control).

Eights hind it hard to relax if not in control. They have to keep their guard up to hide their vulnerabilities, including their emotions which Eights associate with weakness.

Average Eights believe that they don't need others and that they can be completely independent. They want to show others that they are in charge. Sometimes that means they have to boast, gloat, and bluff to show their strength. Showing their power wards others off who the Eight believes might otherwise take advantage of them.

Average Eights have a strong appetite for life and experience and want to feel the intensity of their experiences. They want to feel strong, energetic, and alive. They enjoy the adrenaline rush of their risky adventures and challenges, believing that they're tough enough not to get hurt. 

Average Eights need to push against others and get worked up so they feel the intensity of their situation. They are stimulated by conflict. They enjoy challenging others; debating to get an intense conversation. They push their limits and test the boundaries of others: how far will others let them go? They want others to push back, to know where others stand.

Although Eights feel they are merely being assertive and taking charge, but others find average Eights truly aggressive: they are critical, confrontational, argumentative and angry. Eights can be very demanding, pressuring and bullying others to do what they want. Others often question how constructive the Eight's leadership really is and may decide to leave. At this point, however, fear and intimidation is a tactic that keeps people loyal.

Average Eights are very concerned with losing their power and have to push back defiantly and willfully to ensure that they remain in charge. They deliver ultimatums. They openly threaten others to challenge them.

Unhealthy Levels

Level 7: Ruthless Outlaw

Level 8: Omnipotent Megalomaniac

Level 9: Violent Destroyer

Eights become unhealthy when they feel that they must stay in control, even if it means using violence to keep others at bay. They feel invincible and all powerful. If they feel like they are truly losing their power, they will destroy whatever they have lost so that others cannot win.

What leads Eights down the wrong path is their strong identification with their own strength and independence from others. This identification always leads to an attitude of being against others.

Healthy Levels

Level 1: Magnanimous Heart

Level 2: Self-Confident Person

Become attached to values of strength, self-assertion, and independence

Level 3: Constructive Leader

Feel good about themselves when they are strong and in control

Healthy Eights have let go of their forced will and forced strength; they no longer have to push to get things done. They stand up for themselves, for others, and for what they want. Their assertiveness is a natural leadership and leads to taking care of others. They are not threatened by the strength and independence of others. Instead, they try to nurture those qualities in others.

Healthy Eights are resourceful and determined. They act as mentors, sponsors and providers. They seek an atmosphere of justice and fairness.

At their best, Eights let go of the belief that they must always be in control of their environment. They are extremely self-confident and courageous, standing up for others and their principles. They are strong and empowering, yet gentle and compassionate. They are in harmony with the Will and Direction of the Universe, no longer asserting themselves against it. Surrendering to the Universe give us its strength.

Similarities to other Types

Common Traits with other Types
Eights seek Autonomy (like Nines and Ones)
Eights handle problems with a Reactive approach (like Fours and Sixes)
Eights are Assertive in going after what they want (like Threes and Sevens)
Eights tend to Reject their own needs (like Twos and Fives)

Conflict Scenarios
Reactive vs. Positive Outlook Sixes in conflict with Twos, Sevens, Nines
Reactive vs. Reactive Sixes in conflict with Fours, Sixes, Eights
Reactive vs. Competency  Sixes in conflict with Ones, Threes, Fives

Multimedia

Watch an Eight talk about his type
Dr. David Daniels describes Eight
Don Riso on Eights

Theme Songs

These "Theme Songs" express some of the most important issues of Type Eights.

• being in charge
  

• defiance

• bias for taking action
  

My Way

written by Paul Anka and popularized by Frank Sinatra (more info)

Lyrics
And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!

[instrumental]

Yes, it was my way

Tell Me No

This song deals with the Eight's defiance. The singer is daring the listener to oppose her.

Lyrics
Reaching for my dreams
And you're so quick to say what I can't do
You criticize my action
But I don't see you standing in my shoes
I'm going the wrong way
I'm doing the wrong things
Every word just gives me fuel
So come on come on come on come on come on come on

[Chorus:]
And tell me no
And I'll show you I can
And tell me no
I sink my feet right in
Tell me no
Just tell me that I can't win
Come on
I'm sure I'll prove you wrong
Go on and go
Tell me no

Every step I take you're right there trying to block my next move
If you're making me feel bad, then tell me then do you feel good
I'm just human I know what I'm doing
That's what my heart tells me I should
So come on come on come on come on come on come on

[Chorus]

No no no no no no no
You motivates me more and more
And I think it's time that you know
Giving me something to afford
And I can't wait for the day
I can rock things in your place
I ain't gonna stop til I'm done
I reach the top I'm the No.1
For everytime you try and tell me no
Oh you makes me keep on keep it all

Raise a Little Hell

by Trooper


Lyrics
Raise a little Hell, raise a little Hell, raise a little Hell
Raise a little Hell, raise a little Hell, raise a little Hell
Raise a little Hell, raise a little Hell, raise a little Hell

If you don't like
What you got
Why don't you change it
If your world is all screwed up
Rearrange it

Raise a little Hell ...

If you don't like what you see
Why don't you fight it
If you know there's something wrong
Why don't you right it

Raise a little Hell ...

In the end it comes down to your thinking
And there's really nobody to blame
When it feels like your ship is sinking
And you're too tired to play the game

Nobody's going to help you
You've just got to stand up alone
And dig in your heels
And see how it feels
To raise a little Hell of your own

Raise a little Hell ...

If you don't like
What you got
Why don't you change it
If your world is all screwed up
Rearrange it

Raise a little Hell ...

Born to be Wild