Type Eight with Maggie Johnson

How long have you known about the Enneagram?

I was introduced to the Enneagram about a year ago. My employer uses this tool for personal and professional development, and it has become an integral part of my language and outlook.

How long have you known your type?

About one year.

What do you wish people knew about being your type?

Eights have a bad reputation, particularly women who are Eights. We aren’t always aware of our intensity when communicating with others, so we can often be seen as bossy, domineering, and arrogant. In reality, Eights have the highest level of energy compared to any other core number, so that same off-putting intensity can help us take charge and get things done. At our best, we are courageous, strong, and unwavering in the face of harsh criticism.

What do you like about being your type?

I like the fearlessness that often comes with being an Eight. I’m rarely intimidated by others, which means I’m not inhibited by a desire to please others or fit in with the majority. Sometimes Eights can come across as self-confident and arrogant, but that really means I just feel grounded. I know who I am, I know what I like, and I know what I want my life to be about.

What challenge(s) does being your type bring?

On a fairly regular basis, I hurt people without realizing it. Eights view the presence of conflict as a mark of intimacy in relationships, so we quickly and gladly engage in difficult conversations. You can imagine how this assertiveness might be painful for other Enneagram types. In the same vein, I quickly lose respect for people who won’t engage my intensity. Respect is a value that should be offered to every person regardless of their personality type, but this is difficult for me.

This is part of a 31-day series: The Enneagram. To read all posts, head here.