Enneagram Type 8 Careers: Best Jobs(+5 List)

In this article, we will look at the best jobs for the type 8 enneagram. Furthermore, the article will introduce the type 8 enneagram by describing its main traits, fears and desires. The article will also comment on the workplace habits of this particular enneagram type.

Enneagram Type 8 Careers: Best Jobs

Here is a list of the best jobs for the type 8 enneagram:

  • Lawyer
  • Advertising Agent
  • Marketing Strategist
  • Politician
  • Financial Advisor
  • Business Owner
  • Sales Director

Before we take a look at some of these jobs in detail and why they are best suited for the type 8 enneagram, we will introduce the enneagram and its workplace habits!

Enneagram Type 8: The Challenger

This enneagram type can be described as confident, confrontational, decisive and assertive as well. They do not hesitate to voice out their opinions or take a stand for what they firmly believe in. Furthermore, these individuals are focused on what they want and will not stop at anything when it comes to achieving their goals or desires.

However, although they are resourceful and generally straightforward people, these enneagram types are affected by their ego and can be dominating when it comes to being around other people. They want to have what it is that makes them feel complete or whole and as we said they will do anything in their power to get it!

At their best, they will be very generous especially because of the number of resources they usually possess and use their power and influence to make the lives of people better. However, they sometimes have issues in controlling their temper and become vulnerable or expose their weak points.

All in all, this enneagram type is indeed ambitious and wont stop at anything from achieving its goals. This deep desire to be successful and independent is also derived from their fear of being controlled or manipulated by others which is likely to happen if they are not strong or independent enough!

These are the two things that drive the enneagram type 8:

  • The Basic Fear
  • The Basic Desire

The Basic Fear

When it comes to enneagram type 8, their basic fear is to be controlled or manipulated by others to the extent that they end up hurting themselves. They want to be independent and in control of their own lives. What they fear is being exposed or vulnerable so that someone can take advantage of the power or influence they have over the enneagram type 8 individual. 

As a result of this fear, they avoid being helpless in situations and try to stand up for themselves all the time – this could be one reason why they ensure they are so resourceful and independent! However, if they are scared enough, they will avoid situations where they feel vulnerable.

If you’re facing this, it may be a good idea to seek the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. You can find a therapist at BetterHelp who can help you learn how to cope and address it.

The Basic Desire

Of course their basic desire stems from their fear of being controlled! The type 8 enneagram wants to be in control of their own life. They do not want to live in the constant fear that they will be manipulated or influenced by another being! As a person, they want to be able to take decisions for themselves and hence they are passionate about standing up against injustice not only against their own being but that of others! They understand how it feels to be powerless and hence do not want this for anyone else either.

The Workplace Habits – The Challenger

Here in this section, we will observe different workplace habits of the type 8 enneagram.

Positive Workplace Practices.

We will look at what practices at the workplace increase the work productivity of type 8 enneagrams!

Contributing To Decisions

When a type 8 enneagram is asked to contribute to a certain discussion or decision that is about to be taken, they are greatly motivated and feel satisfied or happy because their opinion is being sought. These individuals have a store of knowledge that they want to share or use to help take better decisions especially at the workplace!

When it comes to important decisions being made at the workplace, type 8 enneagrams want to be part of the process because they believe they have valuable insights to add! Also, if their opinion is sought, they are more motivated to the new change or decision and will hence be committed greatly to see it come through no matter what!

Management Respects Their Work

It is indeed a great achievement when upper management or the type 8 enneagram’s boss recognizes their work and its effects in the workplace or field within which they work! The enneagram is elated if their boss asks them to further work on what they are doing so they can include it in proposals. All this enneagram wants is to be recognized for the contribution they put in!

Peers Look Up To Them

This enneagram is hard working and also sets an example for others. They want others to respect the work they do and feel greatly motivated if their peers look up to them especially for guidance and support!

Negative Workplace Practices

The following behaviours at the workplace demotivate or drain the type 8 enneagram!

They Are Ignored

Type 8 enneagram absolutely hate it when they are ignored! Especially if it happens when a big decision is being made or all the experts are being sought but they are not involved at all despite the magnitude of their work! 

No Delegation

If the boss wants complete authority in whatever is happening at the workplace, this can greatly demotivate the type 8 enneagram because they want some authority when it comes to deciding the direction of work at the workplace.

Distant Peers

If coworkers are not cooperative but actually distant, insecure or even toxic, this creates a lot of trouble for the type 8 enneagram because they want supportive colleagues who they can work with from time to time!

Enneagram Type 8 Careers: Best Jobs

In this section, we will highlight why particular jobs are the best for the type 8 enneagram!

Lawyer

A lawyer is someone who gets to rub their opinion on someone else’s face! They have the entire courtroom listening to them and they have the chance to show off their expertise which entails knowledge of how to manipulate a situation and the exact details of the concerned incident itself. Hence, this is a great job occupation for an enneagram type 8 that wants to be able to speak in a certain manner they think is in their opinion.

Advertising Agent

In this occupation, the enneagram under discussion has a lot of room to give their opinion on how a product should be marketed to the potential customers. They also get the chance to brainstorm with their colleagues which is a good exercise for them.

Marketing Strategist

A marketing strategist is someone who needs to be ahead of the game! They need to know the ins and outs of a situation and be able to make the right decision. They are the person everyone looks to when it comes to calling the shots.

Politician

These are the people who represent others in the community and hence have the opportunity to talk about many issues with the people. This is why an enneagram type 8 would enjoy this occupation because not only do they interact with others but they also get to take part in policy making.

Financial Advisor

This is yet another occupation the type 8 enneagram would love! They want others to look towards them for advice especially on technical or complex issues that require much knowledge and experience. Hence, when it comes to the field of finance, people prefer to talk to the real experts and this is the chance the type 8 enneagram has to show off their skills and put their knowledge to work and the benefit of others!

Business Owner

Being a business owner is indeed a dynamic job opportunity that requires a number of skills which includes having sufficient knowledge to not only guide others but also take the right decision themselves! It is an interesting occupation the type 8 enneagram would love to take up because it would end up stimulating their nerves which they love having done.

Conclusion

This article introduced the type 8 enneagram to the audience by describing its traits, fears and desires. The article also commented on the workplace practices that either energize the type 8 enneagram or drain it. Furthermore, the article described each occupation that would best suit the enneagram under discussion and why!

References

https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/type-8

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-8

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